Orange Grove council to weigh tax rate, festival funds, and retail incentives
No decisions have been published from Orange Grove's recent meetings — all agendas from the past two weeks are still awaiting minutes. The most consequential items on the table include a proposed tax rate, $150,000 in festival funding, and sales and property tax rebates for The Grove retail project.
City Council (Aug. 11): tax rate, festival funds, Grove incentives
The council's Aug. 11 agenda included a proposed tax rate, though no specific rate was listed. It also included a motion to allocate $150,000 from hotel occupancy tax reserves for the 2026 Orangetober Festival, and two Chapter 380 agreements with Cadance Development Partners for The Grove retail project at MLK Drive and IH 10 W: a sales tax rebate of 33% of the 1.5% (or 100% of the 0.5% EDC sales tax) for 10 years, and a 100% property tax rebate for 10 years. The council also considered a $5,000 Helping Heroes Grant from INVISTA Corporation for the Orange Fire Department and a debris monitoring services agreement with Tetra Tech, Inc.
City Council special meeting (Aug. 18): Tex*La Business Park and FY2027 budget
A special meeting was set to consider a resolution conditionally approving a preliminary plat for the Tex*La Business Park subdivision — a 45.10-acre parcel with Lots 1-18 on the Claiborne West Survey, Abstract No. 27. The council also held a budget workshop to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget. Citizen comments were limited to 3 minutes per speaker.
Planning & Zoning Commission (Aug. 18): Tex*La Business Park plat
The commission considered the same preliminary plat for Tex*La Business Park, an 18-lot commercial development near Interstate 10 submitted by Texla Design and Development, LLC. The agenda noted the plat fails to meet ordinance requirements, including missing rear setback lines, utility map, drainage verification, proof of ownership, and fire hydrant locations. The property is partially in city limits (zoned IDC-Interstate Development Corridor) and partially in the extraterritorial jurisdiction. The commission could make a recommendation to the council.
Historic Preservation Commission (Aug. 11): district boundaries and 'light' district
The commission considered recommending amendments to the Old Orange Historic District boundaries, including a new 'light historic district' with lighter regulations, at an estimated cost of $5,604.84. It also discussed possible projects: historic home tours, a book of Orange since 2000, a tree recognition program, maintenance of historical sites and markers, and selection of a historic marker to promote on social media.
Economic Development Corporation (Aug. 11): no items
The EDC's Aug. 11 agenda contained only page-number markers and no substantive items.
Coming up
- **City Council (Aug. 25):** Will consider awarding an $80,000 contract to Iribarren Ink for repairs to a collapsed sewer line on Red Oak Drive, renew employee medical insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (including a 14.2% rate increase for the Blue Choice PPO plan and adding the Blue Essentials HMO plan), renew dental, vision, and life insurance with 0% rate increases, and adopt Financial, Investment, Identity Theft Prevention, Purchasing, and P-Card policies. Closed session will cover collective bargaining with police and fire associations and pending litigation.
- **Economic Development Corporation (Aug. 25):** Will hold a closed session on three real estate development project proposals, including an update on The Grove Retail Center at 3814 IH 10 W, with possible action in open session. The agenda also introduces Julie David, MBA, as Assistant Economic Development Director.
- **Fireman's Relief & Retirement Fund Board (Aug. 26):** Routine business, including the monthly financial report, approval of bills (including a Foster & Foster invoice), minutes from July 22, and updates on the Dec. 31, 2025 annual audit and annual affidavits of continued eligibility.