Mineral Wells Area News

Reporting By Gary Norman | Mineral Wells Area News

The Mineral Wells City Council met in regular session Tuesday, November 4, addressing a broad range of topics including utility and supply purchases, professional service contracts, city rebranding efforts, and the first phase of a new street rehabilitation plan.

Before beginning regular business, the council recognized Senior Accounting Manager Bobbie Coe, who is retiring after 11 years with the city. Finance Director and Assistant City Manager Aaron Bovos thanked Coe for her service and presented her with a gift basket.

“I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve learned a lot, I’ve grown a lot, and I’m just looking forward to what comes next,” Coe said. “It’s very bittersweet that I’m doing what I’m doing, because I really did enjoy my time. I made some wonderful relationships past and present that I’ll never forget.”

Consent Agenda Approvals

The council approved several items without discussion, including public works and utility supply purchases and agreements benefiting fire and EMS operations.

Among the key items:

• Acting City Manager designation: Approved a resolution naming Aaron Bovos as acting city manager during any temporary absence or disability of City Manager Jason Weeks.
• EMS training partnerships: Authorized agreements with Throckmorton County Memorial Hospital and PERCOM Online, Inc. allowing EMS students to complete clinical rotations and enabling city fire/EMS personnel to pursue paramedic certification at reduced cost.
• Willow Creek Wastewater Assessment: Approved up to $110,000 for Garver LLC to assess the Willow Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and develop a capital improvement plan.
• Fire-Rescue Grant: Accepted an $8,000 grant from the Brazos Foundation for the purchase of fire-rescue equipment.
• Utility chemicals and materials: Approved several contracts for treatment chemicals and parts, including: $90,000 to Univar USA, Inc. for sodium bisulfite used in wastewater disinfection; $237,000 to Eagle Labs, Inc. for polymer coagulant used in water treatment; $65,000 to PVS DX, Inc. for water and wastewater treatment chemicals.
• Infrastructure supplies: $82,675 to Texas Water Products for 30 replacement fire hydrants; $83,000 to Ferguson Water Works for water meter parts; $78,500 to Core and Main for brass fittings, valves, and repair parts.
• Street maintenance: Approved $272,000 to Blaes Group, LLC for RockAsphalt road repair material.
• Regional economic development: Approved participation in the Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub (TSTH), a 29-county initiative to attract semiconductor manufacturing to the region.
• Financial reporting: Accepted preliminary financial reports for September 2025.

Consulting Agreement to Improve Public Works Operations

Council approved a $132,000 professional services contract with Nathan Buschow, d/b/a Brazos Area Consulting LLC, to assist with project management and organizational efficiency within the Public Works Department.

City Manager Jason Weeks said Buschow has been working closely with staff and will help develop a structure for appointing a permanent Assistant Public Works Director.

“I know Mr. McKennon and Mr. Morgan are doing a lot of work,” Weeks said. “Having somebody come in and help them take on some of the higher-level management of projects will help them a lot on the day-to-day operations.”

Council Weighs Rebranding Options

Council received an update on the city’s ongoing rebranding project with vendor Black Dog, which has drawn significant public feedback.

Weeks reminded the council that the firm met with more than 200 local stakeholders before submitting initial logo designs, which were not well received. Revised options were circulated in a public survey, with feedback favoring a design similar to the city’s current logo.

Council members expressed mixed reactions to the new designs.

Council Member Kyle Kelley said, “We don’t have mountains. We have molehills,” adding that he preferred Option One, which closely resembled the existing logo.

Mayor Regan Johnson said she was disappointed in the vendor’s performance. “It is definitely no secret to Mr. Weeks or Ms. Brown how disappointed I’ve been with Black Dog in this process and the level the staff has had to go to get any sort of quality product back from them,” Johnson said. “The designs looked like they were generated by Artificial Intelligence or ChatGPT.”

Council Member Jonathan Rusher suggested allowing community submissions if the city parts ways with the firm, a concept Johnson said she originally supported before staff recommended an outside perspective.

Council Member Beth Watson supported Option One, calling it “clean” and well-suited for use on city vehicles. Council Member Glenn Mitchell said many residents told him they preferred keeping the current logo, stating, “I do agree that we should upgrade to something, but I don’t think it’s in this package.”

Weeks said staff will share the council’s feedback with Black Dog, focusing on refining Option One and adjusting the others.

Street Rehabilitation Plan Approved

Public Works Director Scott McKennon presented Phase I of the city’s Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Street Rehabilitation Program, totaling $381,679.45.

The approved phase includes resurfacing work on:

• NW 4th Avenue (Hubbard to 10th Street and 10th Street to 23rd Street) — $241,646.31 SW
• 10th Street (12th Avenue to 15th Avenue and 15th Avenue to Ferguson) — $102,483.06
• Barker Road (Highway 180 to SW 10th Street) — $37,550.08

McKennon said the streets were selected because they are heavily traveled and have strong underlying infrastructure. Additional phases will be presented later in the fiscal year.

Other Business

Council canceled a scheduled executive session regarding pending litigation (QAR Industries v. City of Mineral Wells). No future agenda items were suggested, and the meeting adjourned without additional public comments.

A full agenda and supporting documents are available on CivicClerk, and video recordings can be viewed at City of Mineral Wells City Council Meeting – Nov. 4, 2025.