Smithville meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Smithville Council to Weigh Tax Rate, Budget, and Interim City Manager

Smithville city officials are preparing to consider a range of significant items, including a proposed property tax increase, the 2026-27 budget, and the appointment of an interim city manager. All meetings listed are agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published.

Tax Rate and Budget

The City Council will review and possibly adopt the 2026 tax rate and the 2026-2027 budget at its August 10 regular meeting. A taxpayer impact statement shows the estimated property tax bill for a median-valued home would rise from $1,482 to $1,751 under the proposed rate. The no-new-revenue rate would produce a bill of $1,448. The council will revisit the budget and tax rate at a special meeting on August 20, where the same figures are listed.

Comprehensive Plan

Final adoption of the City of Smithville Comprehensive Plan is on the agenda for the August 10 council meeting, the August 17 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, and again at the August 20 council special meeting. The plan has been under review for several months.

Interim City Manager

The council will consider appointing an interim city manager at its August 10 meeting. On August 19, a special called meeting will include closed-session interviews with candidates, followed by possible action. The August 20 agenda includes a resolution ratifying a severance agreement for City Manager Jeremy Frazier, which may be related to the transition.

Other Actions

At the August 20 special meeting, the council will consider a resolution authorizing eminent domain to acquire 0.0778 acre for a downtown alleyway infrastructure access and mobility plan. The agenda also includes an amendment to Ordinance 2026-718 to appoint Sandy Meyerson as Airport Manager.

Additional items on the August 10 agenda include a proclamation declaring August as Emergency Management Awareness and Appreciation Month, approval of minutes from July 13, 16, 28, and 30 meetings, a proposal to set the ad valorem tax rate at the September 14 council meeting, discussion on hiring an Efficiency Auditor, a memorandum of agreement with the Rural Whole Health Coalition, and authorizing expenditures from Tax Notes per Ordinance 2025-697.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days.

Smithville Council weighs $4M infrastructure borrowing, interim city manager

No final decisions were published from Smithville government meetings held over the past two weeks, as minutes have not yet been released. But the City Council met twice in special session to discuss a possible change in city leadership and a $4 million infrastructure borrowing plan, while advisory boards reviewed budgets and facility proposals.

City Council special meetings

The council held a special called meeting on July 28 to discuss personnel matters regarding the City Manager in executive session. No action was reported.

On July 30, the council met again to consider several financial and personnel items, including:

• Accepting Councilman Dunham's resignation contingent on his appointment as Interim City Manager.
• Authorizing expenditures from Tax Notes per Ordinance 2025-697.
• Certifying additional sales and use tax revenue to pay debt service.
• Publishing a notice of intention to issue up to $4,000,000 in certificates of obligation for public improvements.
• Receiving a presentation on the 2026-2027 budget.

The certificates of obligation would fund utility system upgrades, street and thoroughfare work, airport facilities, and materials and equipment. They would be payable from ad valorem taxes and utility revenues. The city currently has $8,185,000 in outstanding principal, or $9,489,690.50 including interest, according to the agenda exhibit.

Parks and Recreation Board

On August 3, the Parks and Recreation Board discussed a Recreation Center budget proposal to send to the City Council, a Youth Gaming Room proposal, park restrooms, and the appointment of a Council Liaison. The board also reviewed minutes from its June 1 and July 13 meetings.

Planning and Zoning Commission

On August 4, the commission recommended approval of several items:

• An interior side yard setback variance at 1020 Wilkes Circle.
• A minor replat for Roger Byrne Addition (lots 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 of Block 125 & A46 LOMAS, L.).
• A variance to designate Southeast 7th Street as Official Front Street for property ID 17818.
• A minor replat for property ID 17818 (Eagleston Block 22, Lot 6 & 7).

The commission tabled a resolution regarding the Bastrop County Collaborative for Housing and Health for further review.

Airport Advisory Board

On August 5, the Airport Advisory Board discussed the 2026-2027 budget, a New Lighting Project, and the AWOS Project. The board also reviewed minutes from its June 3 meeting and heard an operations report.

Coming up

The City Council will hold a public hearing and regular meeting on August 10, 2026. Key items include:

• Setting the proposed ad valorem tax rate at the September 14 council meeting. A taxpayer impact statement shows the estimated property tax bill for a median-valued home would rise from $1,482 to $1,751 under the proposed rate.
• Final review and adoption of the City of Smithville Comprehensive Plan.
• Hiring an Efficiency Auditor for all city departments and non-profit accounts.
• Considering a Memorandum of Agreement with the Rural Whole Health Coalition (RWHC).
• Authorizing expenditures from Tax Notes per Ordinance 2025-697.
• Discussing and possibly adopting the 2026-2027 budget.
• Considering an interim city manager appointment.
• Approving minutes from July 13, 16, 28, and 30 meetings.

The meeting also includes a proclamation declaring August as Emergency Management Awareness and Appreciation Month.

Smithville Council Eyes $4M Debt Issuance, Interim City Manager Appointment; Minutes Pending

Smithville's City Council held three special called meetings the week of July 28, but minutes have not yet been published for any of them. Based on the posted agendas, the most consequential items involved up to $4,000,000 in proposed certificates of obligation, a possible interim city manager appointment, and the 2026–2027 budget.

City Council: July 28 Special Called Meeting

The council scheduled an executive session to discuss personnel matters regarding the City Manager, with possible action following the closed session. No minutes are available, so no outcome can be reported.

City Council: July 30 Special Called Meeting

The agenda listed several financial and personnel items for discussion and possible action:

• Accepting Councilman Dunham's resignation, contingent on his appointment as Interim City Manager.
• Authorizing expenditures from Tax Notes under Ordinance 2025-697.
• Certification of additional sales and use tax revenue to pay debt service.
• A resolution authorizing publication of notice of intention to issue Certificates of Obligation.
• A presentation and possible action on the 2026–2027 budget.

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which items were acted on or how any votes went.

$4,000,000 in Certificates of Obligation

A separate July 30 agenda item detailed the proposed debt issuance. The resolution would authorize publication of notice of intention to issue up to $4,000,000 in certificates of obligation for public improvements, including:

• Utility system improvements
• Street and thoroughfare work
• Airport facilities
• Materials and equipment
• Professional services

The certificates would be payable from ad valorem taxes and utility revenues. According to Exhibit A in the agenda packet, the city's current outstanding debt was listed as $8,185,000 in principal and $9,489,690.50 combined principal and interest.

The same agenda included certification of additional sales and use tax revenue for debt service.

All July meeting outcomes remain unconfirmed until minutes are published.

Coming Up

• **Parks and Recreation Board — Monday, Aug. 3:** The board will discuss a Recreation Center budget proposal to send to City Council, a Youth Gaming Room proposal, park restrooms, appointment of a Council Liaison, and approval of June 1 and July 13 meeting minutes.

• **Planning and Zoning Commission — Tuesday, Aug. 4:** The agenda includes recommended approval of a side yard setback variance at 1020 Wilkes Circle, two minor replats, a variance designating Southeast 7th Street as the official front street for property ID 17818, and a tabled resolution regarding the Bastrop County Collaborative for Housing and Health.

• **Airport Advisory Board — Wednesday, Aug. 5:** The board will review June 3 meeting minutes and discuss the New Lighting Project, the AWOS Project, and the 2026–2027 budget.

Residents seeking confirmed outcomes from the July council meetings should watch for published minutes on the city's official website.