Mineral Wells Area News

Reporting By Gary Norman | Mineral Wells Area News

MINERAL WELLS, Texas — Mineral Wells homeowners could pay more in city property taxes next year under the tax rate City Council voted Aug. 4 to move forward through the fiscal year 2027 budget process.

The proposed de minimis rate of $0.700705 per $100 of taxable valuation would result in an estimated $196.30 annual increase — about $16.36 per month — in the city property tax bill for the average Mineral Wells home, which has a taxable value of approximately $179,000, according to estimates presented by the city.

The city’s adopted property tax rate for the previous year was $0.5717881 per $100 of valuation.

The Aug. 4 vote did not adopt the new tax rate. Rather, it established the rate the council will move forward with as the city holds public hearings and continues the budget adoption process.

Chief Financial Officer and Assistant City Manager Aaron Bovos presented an in-depth overview of the city’s financial position and the challenges influencing the proposed tax rate.

Among those challenges is an approximately $58.6 million loss in taxable property value, driven primarily by new exemptions for businesses affected by the April 28 tornado and state legislation exempting certain personal property.

Council members considered four potential property tax rates as part of the budget process: the no-new-revenue rate of $0.593153 per $100 of valuation; the de minimis rate of $0.700705; the voter-approval rate of $0.6784828; and the FY 2027 budget rate of $0.664220.

The de minimis rate is a rate calculated under state law that allows certain taxing units to raise additional property tax revenue without automatically requiring voter approval.

During the discussion, Council Member Beth Watson noted the importance of ensuring future councils are not left facing a negative fund balance as a result of choosing a lower rate now. Council members also discussed increasing the city’s contribution to its employee retirement fund.

Following discussion, the council voted to move forward with the de minimis rate, with Council Member Jonathan Rusher casting the lone dissenting vote.

Asked why he did not support the de minimis rate, Rusher said he favored the voter-approval rate.

“You know, honestly, it just came down to I was leaning towards the Voter Approval rate, is where my head was,” Rusher said. “I am not against the raises we are giving. It’s just my focus wasn’t set solely on that as a decision.”

City Manager Jason Weeks later emphasized that the council’s action did not adopt the tax rate but instead established the proposed rate that will move forward through the public hearing process.

A public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for Aug. 18, followed by a special called meeting Aug. 24 that will include a public hearing on the proposed tax rate.

Tornado After-Action Report

Mineral Wells Fire Chief Ryan Dunn presented an after-action report on the EF-3 tornado that struck Mineral Wells on April 28.

The tornado caused significant damage along a 4.69-mile path, affecting 82 residences and 50 businesses.

Twenty-two agencies responded to the emergency. The city’s response costs totaled $194,730.34, while insurance claims related to damage to water and wastewater systems totaled $203,852.08.

Building and Electrical Codes

Development Services Director Richard Glass presented an overview of a proposal to adopt the 2024 International Building Codes and the 2026 National Electrical Code.

The council is expected to consider adoption Aug. 18, with the new codes taking effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Glass said updating the codes would align Mineral Wells with modern construction safety and efficiency standards and comes ahead of an ISO audit scheduled for Aug. 26.

Move Over Ordinance Approved

The council approved an ordinance requiring motorists to slow down or move over when approaching utility service vehicles.

The measure is intended to provide additional protection for municipal employees working along roadways and follows concerns about worker safety.

City to Assist Water District

The council approved an interlocal agreement with Palo Pinto County Municipal Water District No. 1 that will allow the City of Mineral Wells to provide staffing and administrative support to the district while it searches for a new general manager.

Under the agreement, Executive Director of Public Works Howard Huffman will devote approximately 20 hours per week to managing the district’s administration until a new general manager is hired.

The City of Mineral Wells will be reimbursed for those expenses through its purchase of water from the district.

Hilltop Water Treatment Plant Subcommittee

Council members established a Hilltop Water Treatment Plant Capital Improvement Program subcommittee consisting of Council members Kelly, Rankin and Ramsey.

The subcommittee will provide additional oversight of projects and initiatives associated with improvements to the city’s water treatment infrastructure.

Consent Agenda

The council approved a revised and updated mutual aid agreement with Parker County fire departments. One provision allows a responding agency to seek reimbursement for services provided beyond 12 hours unless the incident has been declared a disaster.

The council also approved an interlocal agreement with Mineral Wells ISD to provide emergency medical standby services during the 2026 football season.

Public Comments

During public comments, resident Jennifer Vanderstoff raised concerns about funding for Flock surveillance cameras and suggested reallocating a proposed $125,000 expenditure to community-focused projects that directly benefit residents. She also raised constitutional and privacy concerns regarding the technology.

Police Chief Tim Denison responded by clarifying the city’s actual expenditure on the Flock camera system, saying the city pays approximately $13,000 for four functioning cameras.

Denison said the cameras are used as a law enforcement tool to assist with crime prevention and investigations rather than for widespread surveillance. He noted that information obtained through the devices has helped resolve theft and missing-person cases in Mineral Wells.

The council did not enter into executive session and adjourned with no further action.

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