Kennedale Observer - Latest Newsletter

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July 5, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 27

HIGHLIGHTS:

* Sturgeon Bark Park opens Monday, July 13.

* Low-income apartments coming to the KISD.

SCHEDULE:

Monday, July 13: Grand Opening Sturgeon Bark Park, 6725 E. Oak Crest Drive, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 14: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 14: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 16: Board of Adjustment meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 21: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 23: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 28: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

July xx: Opening of newly remodeled fire station.

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The next monthly city council meeting is scheduled for July 21.

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Leftovers:

The “Investigation” was listed on the executive session agenda for the October 21 meeting. Council Member Kobeck came out of executive session and made the motion to waive the attorney-client privilege and release the investigation report to the public. That motion was approved, 4-0.

We have taken the .pdf Investigation Report and converted it to text (far from 100% perfect) and tried to make improvements at: http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_13.html .

Previous Analysis:

Results: The evidence does NOT confirm…

See the November 9, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Witch Hunt?

See the November 16, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Jeff Nevarez interview – Our Part I

See the November 16, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Jeff Nevarez interview – Our Part II

See the November 23, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Was the Investigation Hi-jacked by the City Attorney and City Manager?

See the November 30, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Pay to Play Scandal

See the December 7, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Wandell Investigation Files

See the December 14, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Lack of Accountability/Afraid to Speak

See the December 21, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Griffith vs. Hull – “The Threat”

See the January 4, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Chamber Vote

See the January 11, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Hiring Austin Degenhart

See the January 18, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

City Manager has Favorites?

See the January 25, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Our Commentary

See the February 1, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

“No Shame” Griffith

See the February 15, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

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Last Week

There were no meetings scheduled last week.

This Week

There are no meetings scheduled this week.

Public Hearings

On Thursday, July 16, the Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on BOA26-01 regarding demolition or repair of a single-family home at 1405 Gilman Road.

On Tuesday, July 21, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ26-04, amending the sign ordinance.

On Tuesday, July 21, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ26-09, amending Article 29 the Unified Development Code (UDC). This appears to modify the P&Z, regarding number of members, requirements for quorum, and whatever else.

On Tuesday, July 21, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ26-10, amending Article 3 of the Unified Development Code (UDC). This appears to modify many of the standards for townhomes.

EDC

The next Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board meeting will be on Tuesday, July 28.

P&Z

The next P&Z meeting should be scheduled for Thursday, July 23.

Other News....

TAD Rates

Tarrant Appraisal District has published the tax rates (October 2025) for the county. Kennedale has now dropped to the eighth highest municipality. [https://www.tad.org/content/rates/2025TaxRates.pdf ].

Top eleven of 41 (everyone else is < 0.65)

1. Everman 1.0260800

2. Sansom Park 0.8457840

3. Blue Mound 0.8138000

4. River Oaks 0.7439910

5. Burleson 0.7218000

6. White Settlement 0.7147780

7. Forest Hill 0.7004660

8. Kennedale 0.6961900

9. Pelican Bay 0.6762930

10. Fort Worth 0.6700000

11. Grand Prairie 0.6600000

Commentary – Community Garden Error

Based on a post I saw on social media, the community garden that received $25,000 in Economic Development Corporation (EDC) funds has packed up and is gone [the shed is gone, etc.]. At the time these funds were approved, outsiders could see the very high potential for failure and promises made but never kept. Yet council members Michels and Nevarez still voted to use taxpayer-controlled funds to support it.

The good news here is the error in the decision will most likely not happen again. Thanks to the EDC efforts, largely by Council Member David Glover, policies for the EDC have been changed so a repeat will most likely not happen. Thank you, Mr. Glover.

Don't feel too bad. In 2021 the Arlington City Council approved a $200,000 economic development deal from which they did not see a penny of benefit. In 2010 the Arlington City Council approved a $70,000 expense for a worthless piece of paper of renewal energy credits.

Governments are full of easily predictable, poor decisions and the wasting of taxpayers' funds. The secret is to try to elect council members who have common sense instead of rubber-stampers. Unfortunately, “establishment” prefers rubber-stampers over what is best.

KISD Low-Income Apartments

On June 23 the Arlington City Council reconsidered and now has approved low-income apartments along U.S. Highway 287 (approximate address 6700 and others). There should be a second reading of the ordinance on August 4. These apartments will be in the KISD. Lance Murray of the Arlington Report has an article after the item passed P&Z at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/05/22/affordable-housing-pre-k-development-clears-arlington-zoning-hurdle/ .

HELPFUL WEBSITES and CONTACTS

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Kennedale Observer website:

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

Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

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

The “Investigation” Report

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_13.html

Senior Tax Freeze Missing

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

Hammack Creek Apartments Disaster