Freeport meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Freeport boards weigh tax rate, budgets, and property requests

No decisions from Freeport's recent board meetings have been published yet, as minutes from the past two weeks remain pending. The most consequential item on the agenda was the City Council's proposed 2026 tax rate, which would affect the average homestead's annual tax bill. Upcoming meetings include replats, a variance request, and Main Street bylaws.

Recent meetings: agenda only

All recent meetings were posted as agendas, with minutes not yet published. No official actions have been confirmed.

• **City Council (Aug. 17)** – Council considered setting the proposed 2026 tax rate, with options ranging from $0.444922 to $0.499186 per $100 valuation. Also on the agenda: updating the Master Fee Schedule (Resolution 2026-3064), adopting an AI policy (Resolution 2026-3065), and purchasing three pieces of public works equipment for streets, drainage, and sidewalks. An executive session covered a lawsuit update and economic development negotiations.
• **Freeport Municipal Utility District No. 1 (Aug 21)** — The board discussed adopting a budget for fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2027, setting the 2026 tax rate with a public hearing date, authorizing the annual audit, and proceeding with delinquent tax collection. Engineering items included the Freeport Industrial Park Detention and Brazos Cove projects.
• **Employee Benefit Trust (Aug 17)** — The trust considered annual renewals for employee medical and dental insurance, as well as HRA, HSA, and FSA administration.
• **TIRZ Board (Aug 11)** — The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 Board discussed FY 2026-2027 budget items and approved consent agenda items including minutes and financials.
• **Civil Service Commission (Aug 19)** — The commission discussed revisions to proposed Local Civil Service Rules submitted by the Police and Fire Departments, along with an executive session for legal advice.
• **Senior Citizens Commission (Aug 17)** — The commission reviewed new board member applications for recommendation to City Council and discussed upcoming events, including Senior Citizen Day (Aug. 21), a Sept. 21 bingo event, and the Oct. 19 Harvest Fest.
• **Historical Commission and Main Street Advisory Board (Aug 20)** — A transparency notice announced that a quorum might attend a Wayfinding Workshop at RiverPlace, 733 Mystery Harbor Lane, but no official business was conducted.

Upcoming meetings

• **Planning and Zoning Commission (Aug 25)** — The commission will hold a public hearing on two replats. One would divide Lot 1, Block 2 in Bernard Acres Section No. 1 (ETJ) into two lots totaling 0.193 acres. The other would split an 18.64-acre tract in Jaeger Subdivision into a 3.000-acre lot and a 15.605-acre lot.
• **Board of Adjustment (Aug 27)** — The board will consider a variance for zoning setback and accessory structure coverage at 1919 N Ave G. It will also discuss possible action to secure or clean up properties at 1822 N Ave S and 215 E Park Ave, and receive updates on accessory structures at 411 Sailfish Drive and demo permits at 522 W 8th St and 918 W 12th.
• **Historical Commission and Main Street Advisory Board (Aug 27)** — A special meeting will consider approving minutes, appointing subcommittee members, updating the Main Street Bylaws, and discussing formation of a 501(c)(3) and the FY26/27 Main Street Transformation Strategy Work Plan.
• **Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Aug 28)** — The board will discuss a donation from Tra and Lesa Girouard, an Athletic Field Policy, a proposed ordinance, and the Yard of the Month program, along with park improvement project updates.

Coming up

• **Planning and Zoning Commission** — Aug. 25, public hearing on replays.
• **Board of Adjustment** — Aug. 27, variance and property cleanup items.
• **Historical Commission and Main Street Advisory Board** — Aug. 27, bylaws and work plan.
• **Parks and Recreation Advisory Board** — Aug. 28, donation and field policy.

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes are available on the city's official website.

Freeport boards and councils set summer agendas; minutes not yet published

Freeport's city boards and commissions held a packed schedule over the past two weeks, but as of publication, meeting minutes had not been released for any of the sessions. The summaries below reflect what each body was scheduled to consider, not confirmed outcomes.

City Council

The Freeport City Council was scheduled to meet July 20 to consider two business items: continuing the Axon Taser agreement, presented by Chief Jennifer Howell, and approving Resolution No. 2026-3060 to engage Hyde Kelley LLP as special counsel for industrial district matters, with joint representation from Lake Jackson and Clute. The consent agenda included approval of minutes, the monthly financial report, the quarterly investment report, and reaffirmation of the City's Investment Policy via Resolution No. 2026-3059. The council also planned an executive session covering the six-month performance evaluation of the city manager and an update on Cause No. 125934-CV, Park Avenue Lofts LLC vs. Board of Adjustment and City of Freeport.

A separate July 23 notice indicated council members might attend a Board of Adjustment meeting; the notice stated no council meeting would be convened and no city business discussed or acted upon.

Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment was set to hold a public hearing July 23 on a variance request for zoning setback and allowable accessory structure coverage at 1919 N Ave G (Riverside Terrace, Lot 10, Block 1). The board also planned to vote on approval of June 25, 2026 minutes and receive status updates on properties at 411 Sailfish Dr, 1302 W 9th St, 522 W 8th St, 1519 W 6th, 722 W 4th St, 918 W 12th, and 420 S Ave F.

Civil Service Commission

On July 22, the Civil Service Commission was scheduled to consider proposed pay plan matrices for the Fire & EMS Department and the Police Department, along with revisions to Local Civil Service Rules submitted by each department. Approval of July 1, 2026 minutes was also on the agenda.

Planning and Zoning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission was set to meet July 28 for public hearings and possible action on two replats: the Hayes Replat of Lots 4 and 5 of Mystery Harbor Subdivision, and the Leon Replat of Lot 6, Block 9 of Bastrop Bayou Acres. Approval of June 23, 2026 minutes was also scheduled.

Senior Citizens Commission

The Senior Citizens Commission was scheduled July 20 to discuss using the Velasco Community House for additional senior events, the 2027 River Place events calendar, and specific upcoming events on August 17, September 21, and October 19, plus Lake Jackson's National Senior Citizen's Day event on August 21. Approval of June 2026 minutes was also listed.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

The Parks board was set to meet July 24 to approve June 26, 2026 minutes, discuss an Athletic Field Policy, receive updates on Recreation Center programs and park improvement projects, and discuss Yard of the Month.

Historical Commission and Main Street Advisory Board

The board held two scheduled sessions July 25. The first was a special meeting to approve June 18, 2026 minutes, appoint subcommittee members, discuss Main Street operations and budget, review a Downtowntx.org Freeport summary, and note upcoming events Kidfest (Sept 12) and Día de los Muertos (Nov 2). The second was a three-hour in-person training session by Norma Ramirez Miess on the Main Street Approach and board development, with no action items.

Coming up

The Freeport City Council meets today, August 3, to consider Ordinance No. 2026-2771 for Budget Amendment No. 3 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, Ordinance No. 2026-2770 amending the November 3, 2026 Recall Election, Resolution No. 2026-3061 for a Joint Election Agreement and Contract for Election Services with Brazoria County, and Resolution No. 2026-3062 for an updated Interlocal Agreement between Police/Fire Chiefs and Brazosport Independent School District. An executive session is scheduled regarding DOW IDA Negotiations and the Covarrubias lawsuit.