Mineral Wells Area News

Reporting By Gary Norman | Mineral Wells Area News

The Mineral Wells City Council received an update on the proposed reconstruction of the Hilltop Water Treatment Plant, reviewed departmental budget requests for Fiscal Year 2027, and approved next steps for an airport drainage improvement project during its June 16 meeting.

Strategic Plan Approved

Council approved the City’s Strategic Plan, which establishes long-term priorities, organizational goals, and key initiatives intended to guide future growth and municipal services.

City staff previously presented the plan and requested feedback from council members. No revisions were requested, and the document returned for formal adoption. Staff will provide quarterly updates regarding implementation and progress.

Hilltop Water Treatment Plant Update

Representatives from HDR Engineering presented an update on the proposed reconstruction of the Hilltop Water Treatment Plant, one of the city’s largest planned infrastructure projects.

Cory Shockley, PE, and Dr. Sophie De Respino outlined proposed improvements, including expanding treatment capacity from 9 million gallons per day to 12 million gallons per day, with the ability to increase production to 15 million gallons per day in the future as demand grows.

The project also includes several safety and operational improvements:

• Replacing chlorine gas with sodium hypochlorite to improve safety and reduce risks associated with hazardous chemicals.
• Installing advanced plate settlers to improve treatment efficiency and sediment removal.
• Modernizing treatment processes to support future growth and regulatory requirements.

Current construction costs are estimated at approximately $118 million.

Council Member Kyle Kelley asked whether any obstacles were anticipated in obtaining approvals from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or the Texas Water Development Board.

Shockley said he does not expect significant difficulties but noted the project will likely move through the agencies’ normal review timelines.

He said the next steps include preparing funding submissions to the Texas Water Development Board and determining the most appropriate project delivery method for construction.

FY 2027 Budget Discussions Begin

Council reviewed supplemental budget requests from departments as staff begins development of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

City officials indicated the budget process is beginning earlier than in previous years and includes goals of increasing minimum employee pay to at least $20 per hour and increasing the City’s contribution to the Texas Municipal Retirement System by an additional 2 percent.

Information Technology

Requested items include:

• $132,000 for replacement of 60 computers
• $120,000 for infrastructure upgrades
• $20,000 for a backup device to improve data security
• $15,000 for a TimeClock Plus upgrade

Police Department

Requested items include:

• $139,160 for body cameras
• $180,000 for two patrol vehicles
• $23,500 for ballistic shields and breaching kits
• $6,000 for Motorola GIS services

Fire Department

Requested items include:

• $227,449 for three additional firefighters
• $160,000 for replacement half-ton trucks
• $25,000 grant match for a new water tender
• $27,000 for replacement bunker gear

Streets and Public Works

Requested items include:

• $400,000 for a regenerative air street sweeper
• $56,000 for a citywide pavement condition assessment
• $500,000 for Ram Tank rehabilitation
• $25,000 for roof repairs at the Pollard Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant laboratory
• $150,000 for a utility inspection camera system
• $130,000 for a Pollard Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant assessment

Parks and Library

Requested items include:

• $23,250 for a sports field feasibility study
• $85,000 for a portable event stage
• $20,000 for a part-time library assistant
• $35,000 for replacement carpet at Boyce Ditto Public Library

These requests will be evaluated as the budget process continues over the coming months.

Airport Drainage Project Moves Forward

Council accepted an engineering study related to airport drainage improvements and authorized staff to continue coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation on planning, design, and grant application activities.

The completed study was funded through a federal grant totaling $167,833.65, along with a local match of $8,833.35.

Construction costs are estimated at approximately $1 million and have been identified within the Texas Department of Transportation’s Fiscal Year 2027 Capital Improvement Plan. The funding package includes:

• $900,000 in federal funding
• $100,000 local match from the City

The project will remain eligible for future funding consideration as planning progresses.

Police Department Recognitions

Police Chief Tim Denison introduced two newly sworn Mineral Wells police officers and recognized two officers recently promoted to the rank of corporal.

New officers include:

• Officer Nathan Gross
• Officer Oscar Almanza

Promoted to corporal:

• Corporal Melissa Patino
• Corporal Thomas Lively

Executive Session

Council entered executive session to discuss the Millsap Water Supply wholesale contract and economic development negotiations related to projects identified as Project Flying Car, Project Produce, and Project Prestige.

No action was taken after reconvening in open session, and the meeting was adjourned.

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