August 10, 2025 – Volume 8 Number 32

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

* The council and staff discussed the budget and decided the fund deficit was too great, so they are lessening the tax rate cut.

* The city council met Tuesday and after executive session they approved the expensive YMCA plans.

 

SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, August 12: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 12: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 19: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 26: EDC (Economic Development Corporation) Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 28: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Monday, September 1: Labor Day holiday.

…..

Senior Tax Freeze

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_10.html

 

Texas Open Meetings Act Violations???

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_9.html

 

The Bridge:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_12.html

 

City Council Grades:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_26.html

 

Kennedale Observer website:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/index_3.html

 

Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_44.html

 

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council met this past Tuesday, August 5, for the city manager's budget presentation and other important items. The agenda packet for the meeting can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3643/files/report/15339 . The council meeting may be viewed in two pieces, the majority being at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9i09KuJVdU .

The agenda included public comment, a presentation, one item for individual consideration, the budget workshop, and an executive session.

(5:43) Start of meeting. Council member Kobeck was absent. The public comment section saw no speakers.

(9:30) The presentation was on the potential remodeling of the old Dollar General building for the YMCA. The presentation is at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3643/files/attachment/12275 . The new cost estimate, now down to $758,405 (from $869,000), is at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3643/files/attachment/12276 . This was also a subject in the executive session. They seemed to stress their community “partnership”.

(33:31) The individual item for consideration was a potential contract for the build services of the City of Kennedale Sports Complex renovations with Speed Fab Crete and Callahan Associates. The site plan is at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3643/files/attachment/12274 . No contract or contract details (for example, cost) were provided. The actual agenda item is for the city manager to negotiate a contract. This is an RFQ proposal method contract. What was being requested was half of $175,000 design contract ($87,500). It was approved, 4-0.

(1:15:11) Budget: The staff report is at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3643/files/report/15332 . The budget document is at: https://www.cityofkennedale.com/DocumentCenter/View/8687/Fiscal-Year-2025---2026-Draft-Budget . The proposed budget shows a tax rate cut of $0.013690 to $0.6925 (the current rate is $0.706190). Page 12 shows a gigantic decrease in fund balance of $786,352, dropping the number of days funded to 96. At that rate the city will be bankrupt in five years just due to normal operations (no emergency issues).

According to the staff report they are adding a 3% pay increase for non-step employees, a temporary employee for administration for digitizing, a contracted grant specialist, library RFID and cameras, a police vehicle, and public works items. The public works items include: a project manager position, additional streetlights, concrete panel restoration, 50% of a lift (split with the EDC), channel cleaning, and the looping of dead-end mains.

About 1:16:20 the finance director stated that Tarrant County had announced new numbers as of that morning and the numbers now on page 1 (.pdf page 2) are $58,138 (vs. $106,108.68) [meaning the July 25 values, which in recent history have been good numbers for budgets, have dropped]. This would also mean the large fund balance decrease will grow slightly more, as that means the property tax revenue will drop some.

About 1:21:53 Mr. Gary asked about the fund balance decrease [Thank you, Mr. Gary]. The finance director justified it as not a concern by stating the fund balance days are within policy.

About 2:07:43 [with closed caption on-his mic off] the city manager brought up the fund balance decrease. He would feel more comfortable with a deficit of about $500,000. [So, what gets cut: a portion of the tax rate decrease.] Most items are discussed as possibilities, but nothing was mentioned about cutting a portion of the 3% salary increase.] About 2:21:01 Mr. Glover even suggested cutting the entire property tax rate decrease. [At least the city manager does give a fight for a 1-cent decrease.]

(2:33:55) The executive session had two main items to discuss. The first item was a legal discussion on the presentation earlier in the evening, the proposed YMCA building. The second item was the city manager's contract agreement. They reconvened at 1:18 of the Part II recording at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYCzKlJsmVw . Regarding the first item (proposed YMCA building), they approved, 4-0. Regarding the last item (city manager's contract agreement) they approved, 4-0.

At the July meeting, there was an update on the “investigation”.

[Commentary: Even while trying to be transparent this administration fails. My initial questions would include:

Why was there NOT a vote in open session approving the selected law firm?

How much is this investigation costing?

What items are being investigated?

Are they going to help write a needed ordinance/definition/charter wording?

What is the scope of this contract?

These issues were discussed on May 1^st. Why do we not know the answers? Other than knowing there is an ongoing investigation...

I did do a public information request for the contract. I did receive a copy of the contract signed by the city manager. So, if the contract stays under $25,000 he can execute the contract without the council's approval [However, on May 1, 2025 the city council approved a motion to “task the city attorney with finding us a law firm who could investigate this”, not with having the city manager approve a contract to do this. Any contracts approved by the city council are to be approved in open session.] The contract includes a bunch of different rates for different types of employees. Depending on how much work they do, they could hit the $25,000 level in the second month. The scope of work is defined as what is asked for in writing with no clue of what they have already agreed upon. I did put in a request for the invoices on August 4 but was told there were none.]

 

Last Week

The only meeting last week was the special council meeting on Tuesday when the budget was presented.

 

This Week

This week there are Keep Kennedale Beautiful (KKB) and Park Board meetings on Tuesday, August 12. The KKB packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3644/files/agenda/10234 . The parks board packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3645/files/agenda/10236 .

 

Public Hearings

On Tuesday, August 19, the city council will hold a public hearing for the proposed FY2026 budget and tax rate.

On Tuesday, August 19, the city council will hold a public hearing for PZ25-09. This is for rezoning to Industrial (“I”) for 426/500/516/520/606 S. Dick Price Road.

On Thursday, August 28, P&Z will hold a public hearing for PZ25-11. This is for a replat at 625 Grapevine Trail.

On Thursday, August 28, P&Z will hold a public hearing for PZ25-12. This is for a replat at 220 Spring Branch.

On Thursday, August 28, P&Z will hold a public hearing for PZ25-13. This is to change the zoning at 600 W. Kennedale Parkway from Urban Village “UV” to Commercial “C2”.

 

EDC

The EDC (Economic Development Corporation) Board meeting should be on Tuesday, August 26.

 

P&Z

The next P&Z meeting should be on Thursday, August 28.

 

Other News....

Library Closed

The physical library is closed through September 15 for shelving and furniture installation. The electronic library and Arlington and Mansfield libraries are available options.

 

TAD Rates

Tarrant Appraisal District has published the tax rates (October 2024) for the county. Kennedale is now the fifth highest municipality. [https://www.tad.org/content/rates/2024TaxRates.pdf ].

 

Top ten of 41 (everyone else is < 0.65)

1. Everman 1.0260800

2. Sansom Park 0.7796050

3. Forest Hill 0.7240940

4. Blue Mound 0.7220330

5. Kennedale 0.7061900

6. White Settlement 0.6798160

7. River Oaks 0.6758270

8. Fort Worth 0.6725000

9. Burleson 0.6627000

10. Grand Prairie 0.6600000

 

Senior Tax Freeze

Back in June of 2023 the city council approved a senior tax freeze. The three-page ordinance can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3288/files/attachment/11739 . This would be applicable for the city portion of property taxes where properties have a homestead, and the owner is 65 or older. The KISD, the county, and Tarrant County College also have senior tax freezes.

Apparently, this did not happen for City of Kennedale residents. So, what happened or did not happen? The city manager [poorly] addressed the issue at the November 2024 council meeting. [The “official” stance of the city manager and city attorney is that the tax freeze is happening, as planned.]

The city administration has done a MAJOR INJUSTICE to Kennedale seniors by a) writing an ordinance incorrectly and/or b) failing to explain how the ordinance was to start back in June 2023. For example, Fate, Texas, in Rockwall County, implemented a senior tax freeze (with the ordinance written correctly) in August 2023, two months after Kennedale, and their seniors saw a freeze on their October 2024 statements. The major difference between the two ordinances is the Kennedale ordinance states effective January 1, 2024, while the Fate ordinance states effective immediately.

The November 2024 city council meeting can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFR_rKkFyg8&t=3116s . The discussion of the item begins at about 47:36.

Some quotes:

48:16 Mr. Hull: “Currently, the ordinance is written where it takes effect in 2024.” [Meaning IF the city attorney wrote the ordinance correctly it would have helped seniors with their October 2024 statements, but since he didn't, it won't.]

48:46 Mr. Hull: “The ordinance does not read for 2023 that was not even the intent...” [Not true. He wants you to go back to the June 2023 city council meeting but let us instead go back to the April 2023 Work Session on the subject. (See timeline below for April's council meeting information.) Mr. Hull states, “So ultimately, the tax [freeze] would not affect us until the 2025.” [2025 IS THE OCTOBER 2024 TAX STATEMENTS. These are the statements that DID see an increase, but back in April 2023, based on the city manager's own words, the tax freeze should have affected.]

49:15 Mr. Hull: “Even then [June 2023] it was indicated and confirmed the tax freeze takes place in 2024.” [Here's the problem. In basic English the expectations of “2024” meant the October 2024 Statements. There is no prerequisite for council members to be a lawyer, or in this case, a specialized tax lawyer. The expectation is the city attorney and/or the city manager would explain to the council members any fine points of the law that would make a difference on any subject. At NO point in April 2023 or June 2023, was anything stated to council members of the significance of a January 1, 2024, start date.]

49:36 Mr. Hull: “So with everything that is being said with reference to when we filed it, when we didn't file it, if we did, if we didn't is minute.” [NOT TRUE. If it had been filed in a timely fashion TAD could have pointed out the required changes to make it match Mr. Hull's April 2023 statement. When TAD did finally get it in November 2024, they made suggested changes on another part of the ordinance that needed modification. The city DID modify that other part of the ordinance and passed the modification a month later at the December 2024 meeting.]

50:05 Mr. Hull: “We have looked at the possibility, even as someone made a comment, about doing a reimbursement. Unfortunately, we cannot do that on the legal side. So even if the intent was to be in 2023, we can't do that by law.” [It is true the law does not allow a reimbursement for this reason. However, since they even looked into it, it pretty much tells you the intent was 2023, even though their official stance is significantly different.]

51:19 City Attorney: “If I could Mayor, just add one thing, it's not just the ordinance, Mr. City Manager, it's state law that governs. So, 2024 would have been the earliest the council could have done it anyway under state law. And it is state law that governs in this instance. So, the ordinance adopted by the council was the earliest the freeze could be adopted.” [2024 is the earliest the current poorly written ordinance could be adopted, however, like Fate, Texas, in the State of Texas, where their ordinance was written two months later than Kennedale's ordinance, they were able to write an ordinance that said effective immediately (instead of January 1, 2024) and their seniors got their benefit on their October 2024 statements.]

 

Timeline:

April 2023 the city council discusses the item as a work session item. [That meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ndf8BqnPjBw . The discussion on this item starts about 1:40:27. ]

1:44:59 Mr. Hull: “So ultimately, the tax [freeze] would not affect us until the 2025.” [2025 IS THE OCTOBER 2024 TAX STATEMENTS. These are the statements that DID see an increase, but back in April 2023, based on the city manager's own words, the tax freeze should have affected.]

minutes: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3017/files/agenda/8873

staff report: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3017/files/report/11354

 

June 2023 the city council approves the ordinance, 5-0. The June 20, 2023, meeting can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTm2LdTa_YI&t=9815s . The discussion on this item starts about 2:43:35. At no point did anyone mention a delay in the implementation or that the effective January 1, 2024, meant there would be a delay in the implementation from the expectations of the April meeting. There were no statements/comments about this being different than the April 2023 meeting.

2:44:11 Finance Director Horton “[The tax freeze] does seem consistent with neighboring communities, having a tax freeze for senior citizens. Budget impact is minimal. I don't necessarily see a downside from a financial perspective. We will need to make up a little bit of funding, but from a personal standpoint, not a financial standpoint, I do feel the little bit of hardship we might have to face as a city versus the goodwill it will bring for the senior citizens, the correct would be to go with the freeze.”. [Yet the people that CLAIM to have “understood” the implementation delay, caring so little about the seniors, said or asked nothing regarding making a change to aid the seniors sooner. In my opinion, that certainly implies they DO NOT CARE about the seniors.]

 

2:45:05 Council Member Horton: “Is it my understanding that this won't take effect until 2024?”

2:45:11 Mayor Joplin: “January 1.” [then a comment by Mr. Nevarez]

2:45:42 Mayor Joplin: “And it does say on the last page that the ordinance will be in full force effective January 1, 2024.” [If you are one of the people, as the CLAIM is, who knows this is only loading the cap data, would this not have been a good time to speak up and explain the difference between “full force” and what they claim the law is? [and they claim the ordinance was clearly written...]]

minutes: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3019/files/agenda/9175

staff report (with NO mention of January 1, 2024 significance; NO mention of timeline being any different than discussed in April): https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3019/files/report/11786

 

Questions

1. So why did the status change from April 2023 and the city manager stated it would affect 2025 to the implementation being delayed? Why was nothing stated about this change before the vote at the June 2023 meeting informing the council (and the public) of the change?

2. Why did the city administration not produce an ordinance to match what was discussed at the April 2023 meeting, and did not tell them they were voting on something different?

3. Why was the effective date of January 1, 2024, used instead of “effective immediately”?

4. Why was the importance of the January 1 date not explained?

5. At the June meeting, after the finance director spoke about the minimal impact, why did not one of the people who “understood” the delayed implementation not ask or comment to implement earlier to help the seniors? Are these people so uncaring about Kennedale seniors?

6. At the June meeting, after the use of “full force” where the majority of the city council and the public thought what they were getting was as it was stated by the city manager in April 2023, why did not one of these who “understood” the delayed implementation not clearly point out that 2024 was only going to be a cap loading year?

7. What is so important and being concealed, that people appear to be willing to fall on this sword for it?

 

HELPFUL WEBSITES and CONTACTS

Would you like to be added to our mailing list? Please send an e-mail to: KennedaleObserver@yahoo.com requesting to be added to our mailing list.

 

Also, please feel free to share this newsletter with your friends.

 

Senior Tax Freeze Missing

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_10.html

 

Texas Open Meetings Act Violations???

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_9.html

 

The Bridge:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_12.html

 

Texas Open Meetings Act Violations???

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_9.html

 

Kennedale Observer: KennedaleObserver@yahoo.com

 

The Kennedale Observer can be found on Facebook as KennedaleObserver.

 

 

Kennedale Observer website:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/index_3.html

 

Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_44.html

 

City Council Grades:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_26.html

 

Old Texas Raceway property project:

http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/whats_new.html

 

The City of Kennedale website: www.cityofkennedale.com

Mayor and City Council Emails:

Mayor – Brad Horton BHorton@cityofkennedale.com

Place-1 David Glover DGlover@cityofkennedale.com

Place-2 Thelma Kobeck TKobeck@cityofkennedale.com

Place-3 Kenneth Michels KMichels@cityofkennedale.com

Place-4 Chris Gary CGary1@cityofkennedale.com

Place-5 Jeff Nevarez JNevarez@cityofkennedale.com

 

Recordings of City Council meetings can be viewed at:

[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4a2pjrnxZ5XrbsXcoLOP4Q?view_as=subscriber].

 

To apply for appointed positions:

https://www.cityofkennedale.com/boardapp

 

To be added to/deleted from our list, please

e-mail: KennedaleObserver@yahoo.com