Mineral Wells Area News

Reporting By Gary Norman | Mineral Wells Area News

The Mineral Wells City Council voted to temporarily suspend a proposed gas rate increase and approved a contract to begin development of a historic preservation program for downtown Mineral Wells during its May 19 meeting.

The meeting was called to order by Elli Lemons, a seventh-grade student at Community Christian School, as part of the City’s Council Kids Program, which recognizes student achievement and promotes awareness of local government.

Mayor Regan Johnson read a statement from Community Christian School recognizing Elli’s leadership and academic accomplishments.

“Elli is known for requiring excellence of herself and her endeavors, whether these are in academics, theater, choir, or just in day-to-day peer leadership in the classroom,” the statement read. “Elli is a strong leader, and her leadership reflects kindness, fairness, and wisdom.”

Gas Rate Increase Suspended

City Council approved a 45-day suspension of a proposed gas rate increase requested by Texas Gas Service Company.

According to supporting documents, the proposed increase is intended to recover utility capital costs incurred during the 2025 calendar year and would increase average monthly gas bills by:

• $3.58 for residential customers
• $13.70 for commercial customers
• $197.56 for industrial customers

The increase had originally been scheduled to take effect May 9, 2026, but will now be suspended until June 23, 2026.

While the City has limited authority to directly alter utility rates, state law allows municipalities to conduct an administrative review of the company’s calculations and supporting data.

City Manager Jason Weeks reminded council members the City joined other municipalities last year in retaining Herrera Law & Associates to review gas and electric utility rate cases.

Weeks noted the review comes at no direct cost to the City because the legal and consulting expenses are ultimately paid through the utility rate process.

Historic Preservation Program Approved

City Council also approved an agreement with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $40,750 to develop a historic preservation program for downtown Mineral Wells.

The project will include creation of a historic preservation ordinance as part of the City’s Unified Development Code and establish procedures for preservation permitting, application review, public engagement, and the creation of a Historic Commission.

City Marketing and Communications Manager Brittany Brown said more than 100 historic structures have already been identified within the downtown area.

“At the end of this, we will have a true historic preservation program and ordinance for downtown Mineral Wells,” Brown said. “Right now we have the recognition of our historic buildings; we don’t actually have anything in place to protect those historic buildings. So, this would allow us to do that.”

Council Member Beth Watson asked how the contract would proceed if community feedback toward a preservation ordinance proved overwhelmingly negative. Brown responded that she would discuss the issue further with the contractor but did not anticipate significant opposition.

“They have navigated this for a ton of communities very similar to Mineral Wells,” Brown said. “And I think that the feedback we’ve gotten so far is that this will be a very welcome step, for sure.”

Council Member Kyle Kelley asked whether establishing a preservation ordinance would strengthen the City’s eligibility for state and federal historic preservation grants.

Brown said it would, explaining that becoming eligible for many preservation grants requires certification as a Certified Local Government, which in turn requires adoption of a historic preservation ordinance.

No items were requested for inclusion on a future agenda.

City Council later recessed into executive session to discuss potential real estate matters related to an economic development project identified as “Project Produce.” No action was taken following the closed session, and the meeting was adjourned.