Watauga meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Watauga Council to Decide Budget, Tax Rate on Aug. 24; Recent Meetings Held No Votes

Watauga city leaders are set to make key decisions on the city's budget and property tax rate at their Aug. 24 meeting, but no votes have been taken yet. Recent meetings were largely informational, with no formal action recorded.

Budget and tax rate on tap

The City Council will hold public hearings and consider adopting the FY 2026-2027 budget and a property tax rate of $0.605800 per $100 valuation at its Aug. 24 regular meeting. According to the agenda, the proposed rate would raise the average homestead tax bill from $1,306 to $1,388. A separate taxpayer impact statement for the same meeting lists an estimated tax bill of $1,517.55 for a median homestead. The council will also consider the Economic Development Corporation budget.

At an Aug. 10 workshop, the council discussed the same proposed rate and budget, with Finance Director Jennifer Calvert leading a budget workshop. No votes were scheduled.

Other council business

Also on the Aug. 24 agenda:

• A specific use permit (SUP 26-01) for retail tire sales and light auto repair at 6600 Bursey Road, requested by Bright Bay 2 Investments LLC.
• Purchase and installation of two outdoor warning sirens via HGACBuy.
• An interlocal agreement with Tarrant County for pavement striping.

At the Aug. 10 regular meeting, the council had considered the same SUP, a billing rate increase from City Attorney Nichols Jackson (effective Oct. 1, 2026), and a health insurance contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas for employee medical, dental, and vision coverage from 10/1/2026 to 9/30/2027. None of these items were voted on because the meeting was agenda-only.

Planning and Zoning

The Planning and Zoning Commission met Aug. 19 and considered two items, but again no votes were recorded. The commission held public hearings on a zoning code text amendment (ORD.2026-017) updating administrative regulations and processes, and on a request (Z.26-02) to rezone 5900-5901 Ridgecrest Drive from Single-family (SF6) to Planned Development (PD) to allow six single-family homes. The owner is Pat Land LLC; the applicant is David Lewis. The consent agenda included approval of the May 20, 2026 meeting minutes.

Other recent meetings

• On Aug. 13, the Civil Service Commission considered approving the police entrance exam eligibility list (exam held Aug. 7), proposed revisions to civil service rules sections 4.09 and 11.44, and reclassifying a civilian employee to a sworn officer role. No action was taken.
• Also on Aug. 13, the mayor held a board training session with the Civil Service Commission; no formal action was planned.
• The council had a possible quorum notice for a ribbon cutting at Eyes On Me Advanced Barber College (6204 Denton Hwy) on Aug. 13, but no action was taken.

Coming up

• **Aug. 24 (City Council):** Public hearings and votes on the FY 2026-2027 budget, tax rate, and other items. A workshop earlier that day will include a presentation on the Eye on Water consumer tool and a strategic plan update.
• **Aug. 27:** Meet-and-confer deliberation between the city and the Watauga Police Officers' Association to discuss compensation, benefits, and working conditions. The session is preliminary.
• **Aug. 31:** Possible quorum at a Fire Department Lifesaver Award Presentation at 11:30 a.m. at the fire station, 5909 Hightower Drive. No action is planned.

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

Watauga council eyed Atmos franchise, utility fees, and e-bike rules; WEDC budget vote ahead

Watauga's City Council had a busy stretch of meetings and ribbon-cuttings from July 6 through July 16, with agendas covering an Atmos Energy franchise agreement, water utility fee changes, a specific use permit for auto-related business, and a presentation on e-bike and e-scooter regulations. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so outcomes are not confirmed — only what was agendized is reported here.

Atmos Energy franchise agreement and utility fee ordinance

The July 13 City Council meeting included three action items: a franchise agreement with Atmos Energy Corporation for pipeline construction and operation, a specific use permit for Bright Bay 2 Investments LLC to allow retail tire sales and light auto repair at 6600 Bursey Road, and an ordinance amendment to revise water connection and meter fees. The consent agenda included the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending May 31, 2026, and the May 11, 2026 Workshop Meeting Minutes. An executive session for confidential matters was also scheduled.

E-bike, e-motorcycle, and e-scooter presentation

A separate July 13 council workshop featured a presentation by Chief of Police James Lewis on e-bikes, e-motorcycles, e-scooters, and applicable laws. The workshop also included a public comment period, with residents limited to three minutes each after submitting a Request to Speak Form.

A budget statement was to be read showing the property-tax portion for an average-valued homestead of $237,285: $1,353 for FY2025 and FY2026 under the proposed budget, and $1,366 under a no-new-revenue budget.

Library Board to consider Material Selection Policy updates

The Watauga Library Board met July 14 to approve May 12, 2026 library meeting minutes as a consent agenda item and to discuss and potentially adopt recommended updates to the Watauga Public Library Material Selection Policy. Public comment and public testimony periods were included.

Ribbon cuttings and training webinar

Council members may have attended three ribbon-cutting ceremonies: Stress Free Auto Care at 5947 Rufe Snow Dr. on July 6; Suddenly Sewing at 6500 Denton Hwy #B7 on July 9 at 9:30 a.m.; and Prolific Butcher at 6751 Rufe Snow #150 on July 13 at 10:30 a.m. Each notice stated that attendance could create a quorum but that no formal action would be taken.

On July 16, council members may have attended a training webinar at 10:00 a.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 7105 Whitley Road. The meeting was open to public observation, with no formal actions scheduled.

Coming up

The Watauga Economic Development Corporation board meets July 21 to consider adopting a resolution establishing the FY2026–2027 budget and approving a staffing and reimbursement agreement with the City of Watauga. The board will also approve June 16, 2026 meeting minutes, the monthly financial report for the period ending May 31, 2026, and discuss the Open Rewards Program before an executive session.