Mineral Wells Area News

Reporting By Gary Norman |Mineral Wells Area News

The Mineral Wells City Council met in regular session on February 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Significant agenda items included the purchase of tasers for the Police Department, approval of a Letter of Intent related to potential solar development at the Mineral Wells Regional Airport, zoning approvals for two construction projects, acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, an update on the Master Drainage Plan, and direction to move forward with a proposed Library Fee Waiver Program.

The meeting was gaveled to order by Jocelyn Maldonado, a third-grader at Houston Elementary, serving as an honorary council member through the City’s Council Kids Program. Mayor Regan Johnson read a statement from Houston Elementary noting Jocelyn was selected because she is kind and welcoming, always willing to help, and gives special attention to students with special needs by greeting them by name and offering hugs and high fives. The statement also noted Jocelyn hopes to become a teacher one day.

Significant Items Approved on the Consent Agenda:

• Purchase of Tasers: City Council approved the purchase of 38 tasers from Axiom Enterprises, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $202,450 over five years for the Mineral Wells Police Department. The purchase replaces older units with updated technology providing increased accuracy and longer range.

• Letter of Intent with ClearSkies: Council approved a Letter of Intent between the Mineral Wells Regional Airport and ClearSkies to investigate the feasibility of reducing airport electrical costs and generating revenue through solar power and electric vehicle charging stations. The agreement is for up to 18 months and carries no financial obligation for the City.

Items Approved Individually:

• Rezone Ordinance – 1009 NW 1st Avenue: Council approved reclassification of the property from Residential to Moderate Density, allowing construction of a quadraplex with parking for senior citizen rentals.

• Specific Use Permit – 510 NW 12th Street: Council approved a permit allowing construction of a guest house adjacent to an existing residential structure. The ordinance prohibits conversion of the guest house into rental property.

• FY 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report: Council reviewed, accepted, and authorized publication of the City’s audited FY25 financial statements. Assistant City Manager and Director of Finance Aaron Bovos introduced Mishal Majewski, CPA, with Patillo, Brown, and Hill, LLP, who performed the audit work. Majewski reported the City received a clean opinion with no modifications.

The City’s General Fund ended the fiscal year with an unassigned fund balance of approximately $6.5 million, equating to roughly 33 percent of General Fund operating expenditures, or about four months of reserves. Actual expenditures ended approximately $1.9 million below budget, and while a $2.3 million decrease in the General Fund balance had been anticipated, the actual decrease was approximately $130,000.

Council Member Beth Watson asked whether the improved ending balance reflected deferred projects or unmade purchases. Bovos stated he would present a reconciliation to Council in the near future.

City Manager Jason Weeks explained prior revenue estimates had been overstated in earlier budget development and said, “That is when we found some discrepancies in how we overstated the revenues in the budget and we needed to compensate for those higher amounts. And so by doing that, we actually had staff put a halt on some spending, curtail some spending.” He also noted interest income, ambulance fees, and Emergency Medical Services fees exceeded budgeted projections.

• Master Drainage Plan Update: Derek St. John, PE, and Alberto Dorantes, PE, of Gauge Engineering provided an update on the City’s Master Drainage Plan, which is approximately 50 percent complete. The $525,000 study focuses on the Crystal Creek watershed and is funded 90 percent by a FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant administered by the Texas Water Development Board. Alternatives analysis is expected in April 2026, with a final report scheduled for June 2026.

• “Fetch a Fresh Start” Library Fee Waiver Program: Library Assistant Kathryn Lipsey presented a proposal to waive fees for lost or damaged materials at Boyce Ditto Public Library. Under the proposed program, a 50 percent fee waiver would be granted for donating supplies to the Mineral Wells Animal Shelter, and a 100 percent waiver would be granted for donating volunteer time. Waivers would apply only to existing assessed fees, would not apply to future charges, and would not result in cash refunds or account credits. Proposed caps include $45 for supply donations and $90 for volunteer time.

Council Member Watson commented that “at some point the statute of limitations has to run out” and expressed support for the idea while encouraging grace and common sense in implementation. Council approved a motion directing staff to return with formal ordinance language for consideration.

No items were scheduled for a future City Council session, and the meeting was adjourned.

To view the full video recording, agenda, supporting documents, or the FY25 audited financial report, visit the City of Mineral Wells’ Civic Clerk page on the city’s website.