Jacksonville meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Jacksonville council weighs tax rate hike; recent meeting minutes pending

Jacksonville city officials have not yet published minutes from four meetings held in the past two weeks, but the Aug. 11 City Council agenda proposes a property tax rate increase that would raise the median homestead bill from $987 to $1,085. The council also considered a zone change, a land sale, and an interlocal agreement. All items below are from published agendas; no decisions have been confirmed in minutes.

City Council (Aug. 11)

The council's agenda includes a proposed tax rate of $0.69000 per $100 valuation, up from $0.63763. A public hearing on the tax rate and budget is set for Sept. 8, 2026. The council also held a public hearing on a zone change from O-Agriculture to A-Single Family for 20.80 acres in the 1900 block of Lakeshore Drive.

Other items on the agenda:

• Approval of the 2026-2027 Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation budget.
• An interlocal agreement with Cherokee County for the sale of 210 W. Larissa St.
• A public sale of an approximate 9.366-acre portion of land (CCAD ID# 113170000) to the highest bid of $61,000.

Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Committee (Aug. 18)

The board's agenda includes discussion and possible action on a Clean Up Day schedule, a donation to the Jacksonville Community Arts Alliance for its annual fall event, and a memorial bench located at City Hall. Routine items include minutes approval and a financial report.

Planning and Zoning Board (Aug. 18)

The board held two public hearings on its agenda: a special use permit for a sports facility complex at 2020 North Jackson Street (Property ID #129164), and a zone change from A (single family) to C (multi-family low density) (Property ID #152151). The board also reviewed possible action on Code of Ordinances amendments to comply with Texas Senate Bill 785.

Jacksonville Economic Development Board (Aug. 20)

The board's agenda includes a presentation from Retail Coach on recruitment updates and a professional services agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. for a technical review and site layout of JEDCO-owned properties. The board also considered approval of minutes and a financial report, and could enter closed session under Texas Government Code sections 551.071, 551.072, and 551.087 for legal, real property, and economic development negotiations.

Coming up

The Parks and Recreation Board meets Aug. 27 to review annual fees and facility rental rates, receive an overview of the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget, and discuss capital improvement projects from the 2026 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The agenda also includes a discussion of JEDCO funding support.

Jacksonville City Council weighs tax rate increase, budget; P&Z to consider sports complex

The most consequential item on the table this week is the proposed 2026-2027 city budget and a tax rate increase that would raise the median homestead bill from $987 to $1,085. The City Council held a budget workshop on Aug. 7 and again on Aug. 11, but no final action has been recorded; a public hearing is set for Sept. 8. The council also discussed a zone change on Lakeshore Drive and a land sale.

City Council: budget and tax rate

At its Aug. 7 and Aug. 11 meetings, the council discussed a proposed tax rate of $0.69000 per $100 valuation, up from the current $0.63763. If adopted, the median homestead bill would rise from $987 to $1,085. A public hearing on the tax rate and budget is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2026.

The council also discussed approval of the 2026-2027 Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation budget, an interlocal agreement with Cherokee County for the sale of 210 W. Larissa St., and the public sale of an approximate 9.366-acre portion of land (CCAD ID# 113170000) to the highest bid of $61,000.

Both meetings included a public hearing on a zone change from O-Agriculture to A-Single Family for 20.80 acres in the 1900 block of Lakeshore Drive. The Aug. 7 agenda also included a quarterly investment report, an update on Texas Senate Bill 785 regarding HUD-code manufactured homes, and a first reading of a resolution supporting a JEDCO project.

No votes or final decisions are recorded because minutes have not yet been published for either meeting.

Board of Adjustment and Appeals

On Aug. 4, the Board of Adjustment and Appeals held public hearings to receive citizen input on eight demolition orders. The properties covered include 624 N Jackson Street, 223 Cedar Street, 805 E Rusk Street, 805 Grant Street, and a combined hearing for 2015 E Rusk Street, 810 San Jacinto Street, 731 Frankston Street, and 2631 Lakeshore Street. No decisions are recorded; minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

Three meetings are scheduled in the next two weeks:

• **Planning and Zoning Board** (Aug. 18): Public hearings on a special use permit for a sports facility complex at 2020 North Jackson Street (Property ID #129164), a zone change from single-family to multi-family low density (Property ID #152151), and possible action on ordinance amendments to comply with Texas Senate Bill 785.
• **Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Committee** (Aug. 18): Discussion and possible action on the Clean Up Day schedule, a donation to the Jacksonville Community Arts Alliance for its annual fall event, and a memorial bench at City Hall.
• **Jacksonville Economic Development Board** (Aug. 20): Updates on retail recruitment, a professional services agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. for technical review and site layout of JEDCO-owned properties, and a possible closed session for legal and economic development negotiations.

All meetings are open to the public unless noted otherwise.