[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5981734,"mediaKeyId","5834190-cdac2a3d1c11604503833431abeff730","parentId",5834190,"title","Council approves EDC, TIRZ, water district and chamber budgets; updates hotel‑occupancy tax agreement to increase city oversight","audioSeconds",984,"startMs",4770000,"endMs",5754000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834190-cdac2a3d1c11604503833431abeff730&start=4770&end=5754","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834190-cdac2a3d1c11604503833431abeff730/thumbnail_4770000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5981734/Mineral-Wells/Palo-Pinto-County/Texas/Council-approves-EDC-TIRZ-water-district-and-chamber-budgets-updates-hoteloccupancy-tax-agreement-to-increase-city-oversight","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981734-2ba88ee65b4c3628124b4117fd984b06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142450&Signature=RR-rHKzsHTQRqRt4XNlltcxI2aBVlziWhGx-ZnOZc2PtgIPsfKTZvo1ZRVJP70kWmJ~02U8IdgLdTPAVEapE024IT4VLh20qrRduREESiyRDvz6497kIrRXQ9FN5~wef088f8PpddWvqOhF0MDq5wSn8gW2U41YYetrCqnqweY1E-Rg55On~83xSl47OMvBjCHgN6vdNwi2xqwzRTieHcYAQZs5f2UjiZgr0TA-kwTJU8twlCLdefnA-mifODn7SCJZ-lZBcF16PoVkWZp2jwFTM~yJXhyHmZybsvq-iL3Q7GVE5Ab1M4i183Jv04WGvxKoZW5RYjxfn1MK1hVSlCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Mineral Wells, Texas","date","2025-09-17T00:00:00Z","article","(Note: This article covers multiple related budget and tourism governance items approved at the meeting.)

The Mineral Wells City Council approved fiscal year 2025–26 budgets for the Mineral Wells Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) No. 2, the Palo Pinto County Municipal Water District No. 1, and the Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce tourism services. Council also approved a revised municipal hotel‑occupancy tax funding agreement between the city and the chamber that tightens oversight and changes how unused hotel‑tax fund balances are handled.

The EDC board had approved its proposed budget in August and the council voted to accept it. The TIRZ No. 2 budget — which staff said includes a $2.4 million contract for downtown park amenities (restrooms, pickleball courts and related work) — was approved without change. The water district’s budget was presented in revised form following actions affecting water project timing; staff noted adjustments tied to not issuing a large bond this year for Turkey Peak and related changes to water sales and debt retirement figures.

The chamber’s tourism budget showed a revenue reclassification (the Main Street manager salary portion will remain on the city’s books rather than the chamber’s) and a reduction in travel and trade show expenses; the chamber said it reworked line items to move toward a balanced budget.

Council approved amendments to the hotel‑occupancy tax funding agreement that, among other things, require the city to hold unused hotel‑tax fund balances at fiscal year‑end (hot funds will remain hotel‑tax revenue but the city will hold the balance), add the city manager to the tourism director’s hiring and performance review process, and expand the tourism advisory board from five to seven members with two seats reserved for city representatives. Chamber and city staff said the changes aim to improve fiscal oversight, coordination and alignment with the city’s budgeting timetable. The agreement passed on a council vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Mineral Wells, Texas City Council Meeting 09/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved FY2025–26 budgets for the city’s economic development and tax‑increment entities, the municipal water district and the chamber’s tourism services, and amended the hotel‑occupancy tax agreement to increase city oversight and require unused hotel‑tax balances be returned to the city at fiscal year‑end.","taxTitle","Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County, Texas","taxId",64442,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5981739,"Council approves final plat and replat for two development items in Mineral Wells",392,732000,1124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834190-cdac2a3d1c11604503833431abeff730&start=732&end=1124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834190-cdac2a3d1c11604503833431abeff730/thumbnail_732000.jpg","/articles/5981739/Mineral-Wells/Palo-Pinto-County/Texas/Council-approves-final-plat-and-replat-for-two-development-items-in-Mineral-Wells","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981739-cdaa7b713b9360d0953e616676772ec9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142450&Signature=IcBuZDX8RezgyY0-S-crCb-U25bSfA2EjTGudpOKl1cp3lk9fiW66z0fUlxstQHJcWCP7-rEPQlds5Sql0XIWV1newW6SGidYi2rJKkeHbpzUZSFpKoyBCkjYLl0OUiWXeTalCtT1ZqmFJYqTZMAdu-shaisspOyFhb8Sk43fSykGXtVWbXeVlCyq6iiYTdPieJ6XaDFnkM9yKB1GWsm6r9Cz5fzrQ5r1dXZorOVw9SI-41AbnGgXtsYVmL0f-FHYs53-pSASAELjeC1nZcUeqkGpESUkUsOC1yLe0vYgKeZaaBvRpZ5JPc8TV8fvLyoWCwzhKv~miNajX3zvOYsMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At Monday’s meeting the Mineral Wells City Council held public hearings and approved two land‑use plats.

The council approved a final plat for a roughly 10‑acre tract (described in agenda materials by abstract and survey references) with a map clarification that the roadway labeled FM 1821 on the city’s mapping system corresponds to MH 379 by request of the applicant. No members of the public spoke at the hearing and the motion to approve carried unanimously.

Council also approved a replat of Lots 9–16, Block 18 of the French Addition — consolidating those lots into Lots 9R, 11R and 13R — after staff noted a variance had been granted for a 50‑foot lot width on Lots 9R and 11R and that one lot was enlarged to remove it from the floodplain. No public commenters spoke and the council approved the replat unanimously.","Two land‑use items — a 10‑acre final plat off MH 379/FM 1821 and a replat of a downtown block — were approved after public hearings with no speakers present.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5981745,"Council approves higher commercial and industrial sewer surcharge; average affected customer faces $168 monthly increase",191,4273000,4464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834190-cdac2a3d1c11604503833431abeff730&start=4273&end=4464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834190-cdac2a3d1c11604503833431abeff730/thumbnail_4273000.jpg","/articles/5981745/Mineral-Wells/Palo-Pinto-County/Texas/Council-approves-higher-commercial-and-industrial-sewer-surcharge-average-affected-customer-faces-168-monthly-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981745-e165b9ddcdf4335f81fc218c4be054d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142450&Signature=EyBVlG6Vf28Y1vEmrIqaM1lfLA1j8DNAwOz0zIlqOilU24QrW8hpPlhxKohEk58H5YJ6p2-sEuX3vEgmxmFVult1OmofZhq7lkTwIWSNzr0Fi11lLs6klUgjm3eWJu0-eoa8e4jkcmMudG~zF4dB2D9WpNOaJEgbN8ZF6V5xmjgYtm9Rf8VUWhvvJjo~yGw~mdvwl8clbEsJ-LWLaaDPFtBZbNqQGkb5OWqOSjJzSTSTHU0ceUjVoABGDU3HwhTgyW646s9IyRDmGTisvvk3oq6uaWUiDAUj8tDrleBdvRw9OPbjMv6azQc3aIKH4GB~z~giZqrNHMY0amOy-g-mbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mineral Wells city council on Monday approved an increase to commercial and industrial sewer surcharges designed to make higher‑strength wastewater users pay more of the cost to treat their effluent.

Staff explained that the city’s wastewater treatment system is sized for domestic‑strength sewage and that industrial and commercial dischargers often produce wastewater with higher biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS). The surcharge increase adjusts the per‑unit treatment charge and moves the cost to treat BOD and TSS to $1.71 and $1.54 respectively. The presentation said the surcharge base rate will change to 0.0058 (from 0.001488).

Officials said about 214 commercial/industrial customers will be affected; the change is expected to increase monthly surcharge revenue from approximately $12,000 to $46,000, with an average increase per affected customer of $168.28 per month. Staff noted the highest monthly impact on a single customer could be up to about $5,000 (one customer cited as moving from about $1,800 to just north of $5,000).

Council approved the resolution unanimously. Staff said the city will mail and email a notice to affected customers and will hold two informational sessions scheduled for Sept. 25 and Sept. 29 to explain the change and answer questions.","The city approved a resolution increasing the commercial and industrial sewer surcharge to better align treatment costs with higher‑strength dischargers; staff said about 214 customers will be affected and the change will raise monthly surcharge revenue from roughly $12,000 to $46,000.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5981750,"Mineral Wells council adopts $58.5 million FY2026 budget, keeps tax rate steady at voter‑approved level",2147,1191000,3338000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834190-cdac2a3d1c11604503833431abeff730&start=1191&end=3338","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834190-cdac2a3d1c11604503833431abeff730/thumbnail_1191000.jpg","/articles/5981750/Mineral-Wells/Palo-Pinto-County/Texas/Mineral-Wells-council-adopts-585-million-FY2026-budget-keeps-tax-rate-steady-at-voterapproved-level","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981750-686dfbd0b09a3ba418833bcef5fb6029/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142450&Signature=hOeqsIuy8pzcVyZEFRD-tFr9AyyG9414d027VtzebfqrkBrRKKhbDqs44SOuUOd5h5gPgPDF1NrnDOcBwkdCyKF01CtVwzuv9e9EyFuj-6wfXIxK2YFke-jat-rzkQI6WBt3jgrU4WrDOVk855ExBb2hM6WuM9gTRLkYz0cbHfPtk0WjFHkq1K4EY3pPFZMVi8JfXCfhQtu27fgLEuPJ1pu39BweB1LXbV~N36p8zn6z1eUnsYdfdBC~xF5tArio41j6Ss6PXoD0~j8sd2Qfm7apDaMDJOQZ0OBfFfPcP8vL5slaWNEXovJSVIpYTCQtHm-ynV2hA3Bts6usgbreyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Mineral Wells on Monday adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 budget and related fiscal measures, approving a proposed budget that staff said totals about $58.5 million across all funds and retains the voter‑approved tax rate of 0.5717881 per $100 of assessed value.

City Manager Weeks presented the budget and said the proposal emphasizes customer service, communication, transparency and financial sustainability while responding to near‑term cash pressures. “We added financial sustainability to our core values,” Weeks said during the presentation.

The adopted budget funds the general fund, water and sewer, airport and other city funds. Highlights included 8 new positions citywide (four in the general fund, three firefighters/paramedics proposed through a SAFER grant, and three technicians in a new water crew), continued funding for street maintenance ($900,000 programmed) and a mix of one‑time capital purchases such as park improvements and equipment. Staff reported the general fund estimated fund balance would end the fiscal year above the city’s 25% target but cautioned long‑term projections show a decline without continued adjustments.

Councilors held a separate, required vote to ratify the budget’s increase in property tax revenue under Texas Local Government Code Sec. 102.007. The cost estimate to a homeowner with an average assessed value cited in the presentation was about $21–$22 in city‑only property tax for the year.

On utilities, staff reported a limited number of customers would see meter‑size based water fee changes: a 1‑inch meter monthly charge would rise from $108.42 to approximately $109, and a 1½‑inch meter from $213.64 to $216, effective Nov. 1 if adopted. The presentation also noted a sewer rate increase recommended by a consultant — a 5.1% increase for most residential customers (about $0.77 monthly) — and a separate commercial/industrial surcharge change (handled by separate resolution) to better allocate wastewater treatment costs to higher‑strength dischargers.

Related to water infrastructure financing, council approved a resolution formally requesting the return of $8,000,000 that the council previously provided to Palo Pinto County Municipal Water District No. 1 to fund the reverse osmosis (RO) plant. Staff told the council that returning the cash will let the city issue debt for the RO project and preserve the city’s water‑and‑sewer fund cash reserves; the city’s financial advisers and bond counsel are preparing a debt issuance and a reimbursement resolution for the RO project. Staff said the city’s pro forma shows debt‑service coverage above the 1.25 target (reported as about 1.37 under the FY26 budget assumptions).

The budget ordinance passed on a record vote and the accompanying property‑tax ratification carried unanimously with the council members present voting in favor.","City council approved the fiscal 2025–26 budget and related fiscal measures, including modest utility adjustments and a plan to issue debt for the reverse‑osmosis water project after requesting $8 million be returned from the municipal water district.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves EDC, TIRZ, water district and chamber budgets; updates hotel‑occupancy tax agreement to increase city oversight

Council approves final plat and replat for two development items in Mineral Wells

Council approves higher commercial and industrial sewer surcharge; average affected customer faces $168 monthly increase

Mineral Wells council adopts $58.5 million FY2026 budget, keeps tax rate steady at voter‑approved level