Mineral Wells Area News

Reporting By Gary Norman | Mineral Wells Area News

The Mineral Wells City Council convened its regular meeting Monday, October 6, 2025, at 6:00pm.

The meeting was gaveled to order by Violet Tipton, a fourth-grade student from Community Christian School, who served as the Honorary Council Member for the evening. She was introduced by Mayor Pro Tem Beth Watson, who read a statement from Violet’s teacher, Brittany Seargeant, describing her as “a straight-A student, a follower of Jesus Christ, wise beyond her years, continually one step ahead of you, and a joy to have in class.” Violet is the daughter of Luke and Ashley Tipton.

Consent Agenda Highlights

The following items were approved simultaneously and without discussion:

• MH 379 West Reconstruction Project: Council authorized final payment of $63,380.65 to Peachtree Construction, Ltd.
• Tyler Technologies Incode System Upgrade: Approved a $70,000 change order to upgrade from Version 9 to Version 10, improving financial reporting and customer portals.
• T-Mobile Hometown Grant: Accepted a $50,000 grant to construct a picnic and family-use area at the City Gymnasium.
• Retirement Contribution: Approved $2,150,000 to the Texas Municipal Retirement Fund for FY 2026.
• Water Purchase: Approved $8,131,176 to the Palo Pinto County Municipal Water District No. 1 for FY 2026 water purchases.
• Nextlink Lease: Approved a new five-year lease with AMG Technology Investment Group, LLC (Nextlink) for tower equipment placement, at $1,105.99 per month, with a 2% annual escalation and renewal options.
• TIRZ #2 Parks Plaza Project: Amended the construction management contract with Banded CS to remove an unintended insurance requirement.
• Electric Services: Approved up to $915,000 with Constellation NewEnergy and $176,500 with United Cooperative Services for FY 2026 electrical services to facilities outside the Oncor service area.
• Gas Services: Approved up to $896,250 to Texas Gas Service for FY 2026.
• Fuel: Approved up to $250,000 with Voyager Fuel Card for City vehicles and equipment.
• Legal Services: Approved up to $125,000 with Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, PC for FY 2026.

Regular Agenda Highlights

Impact Fee Presentation

Engineer Pete Kelly, P.E. of Kimley-Horn and Associates briefed the council on potential implementation of impact fees — one-time charges on new development to fund necessary infrastructure improvements.

City Manager Jason Weeks called the proposal a “two-edged sword,” noting that impact fees help ratepayers by sharing costs with developers but could also discourage new projects. The council agreed further study was needed before any action.

Appraisal District Board Nominations

Council nominated Bill Arneson, Clint Myrick, Rowdy Glover, George Geldard, and Marty Logan for the Palo Pinto County Appraisal District Board of Directors. Logan was also nominated to replace outgoing board member Richard Watts.

For the Parker County Appraisal District, Jerry Durant and Richard Barrett were nominated.

Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments

Following a study by NewGen Strategies and Solutions, council approved modest adjustments for FY 2026:

• Water:
• 1” base meter charge — $108.42 → $109.18
• 1.5” base meter charge — $213.64 → $216.75
• Sewer:
• Monthly base charge — $15.00 → $15.77
• Volumetric rate — $8.02 → $8.43 per 1,000 gallons

The average residential customer will see an increase of about $2.74 per month, mostly due to the sewer rate change.

Bond and Finance Actions

• Approved a reimbursement resolution allowing the City to use future bond debt to recover eligible costs from water treatment system projects, including $8 million returned by the water district for a reverse osmosis plant.
• Authorized defeasance (early payoff) of unused 2018 general obligation bonds, totaling $1.99 million in unspent funds, originally approved by voters for street and water line projects.

Master Fee Schedule

Council adopted the FY 2026 Master Fee Schedule, which included various minor updates and several notable adjustments across City departments:

• Animal Shelter: dog euthanasia fee reduced; new fees for cats and kennels.
• Cemetery: new fees for urn openings and after-hours services. Library: reinstated late fees, increased replacement costs, and added color printing charges.
• Recreation: new pricing for gym and pickleball rentals.
• Utilities: higher tap fees, reconnection charges, and tampering penalties. Aviation: new hangar rates, overnight tie-down fees, and after-hours call-out charges.

Councilwoman Watson inquired about continuing the library’s no-late-fee policy enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic; Weeks said he would review the ordinance.

Donation Policy and Credit Card Fee

Council adopted a City Donation Policy, setting approval thresholds based on donation amounts:

• Up to $5,000 – Department Director
• Up to $100,000 – City Manager or Assistant City Manager
• Over $100,000 – City Council

Council also approved a 3% convenience fee for credit card payments.

Finance Director and Assistant City Manager Aaron Bovos said the City currently absorbs roughly $566,345 annually in card processing costs.

Council Member Kyle Kelley remarked, “There are a lot of uses for $500,000. AT&T charges fees; we should, too.”

Executive Session

Council entered Executive Session to discuss pending litigation in Terrell Saltarelli v. City of Mineral Wells and QAR Industries v. City of Mineral Wells. No further action was taken after reconvening.

The meeting adjourned following executive session.

A copy of the full agenda and supporting materials is available at City Council Meeting • CivicClerk.