Kennedale Observer - Latest Newsletter

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May 24, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 21

HIGHLIGHTS:

* The city council discussing $11 million in certificate of obligations to be approved next month. Intent to sell next month.

* The EDC to hold budget workshop on Tuesday.

SCHEDULE:

Monday, May 25: Memorial Day Holiday.

Tuesday, May 26: Primaries Runoff Election Day, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 26: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

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

Tuesday, June 9: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 9: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 9: City Council Bond Issuance Workshop, 7:00pm.

Tuesday, June 16: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 21: Fathers' Day.

Tuesday, June 23: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 25: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council met this past Tuesday, May 19, for their regular monthly meeting. The agenda packet for the meeting can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3668/files/agenda/10594 . The agenda included public comment, presentations, the regular session, and an executive session. That meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxLPt4dd6xc .

(3:55) Start of meeting.

(5:54) Public comment, one speaker.

(7:54) Presentations.

The regular session had three items for individual consideration, two consent agenda items (April 21 minutes , May 13 minutes), and reports and announcements (financials).

Items for individual consideration:

(21:30) 1. Appointment and swearing in of Municipal Judge Monroe Solomon III. The council approved, 5-0.

(24:03) 2. Bond Issuance presentation (no information given). This would be for $11 million of CO (certificates of obligation) for 20 years split between 2026 and 2027. One of the assumptions is a 3% growth in revenues.

Some of what they are looking to do is fund the full design for the Little School Road project, redesign of Sublett and Kennedale Parkway, and a $2 million ladder firetruck.

Currently they are looking to move forward for a vote at next month's meeting after required postings.

(36:22) 3. Outdoor Weather Warning System (staff report , LAWS proposal , LAWS info). There was a motion to delay until next meeting so a contract may be reviewed. That motion was approved, 5-0.

4. YMCA Contract (removed; it was on the originally posted agenda).

(1:01:03) Consent agenda was approved, 5-0.

(1:02:07) Reports and announcements.

(1:14:03) In the executive session they plan to discuss a potential land purchase. They reconvened about 2:08:00. They took no action on executive session items.

# # # # # # # # # # #

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.

# # # # # # # # # # #

Last Week

The city council met last Tuesday for their regular monthly meeting. They are looking at issuing $11 million in certificates of obligation bonds over two years.

This Week

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will meet on Tuesday for their regular monthly meeting.

P&Z will meet on Thursday for their regular monthly meeting. They have three public hearings on their agenda.

Public Hearings

On May 28, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ26-04, amending the sign ordinance. This will go before the city council on June 16.

On May 28, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ26-05, a replat of 5400 High Ridge Road. This will go before the city council on June 16.

On May 28, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ26-06, a replat of 600 W. Kennedale Parkway. This will go before the city council on June 16. [The Kennedale EDC owns the land and is selling it to the developer for a greatly reduced price, $25,000.]

On ???, the city council will hold a public hearing for ordinance #795 to prohibit the exposure of children to illegal drugs.

On ???, the city council will hold a public hearing for ordinance #796 for adopting speed limits on certain roadways.

EDC

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board will meet this Tuesday, May 26. The agenda packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3779/files/agenda/10617 .

The agenda includes a budget workshop, a regular session (financials , Town Center development update , minutes , 9/11 Memorial coins), and an executive session (future land purchases and YMCA contract).

P&Z

P&Z will meet this Thursday, May 28. The agenda packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3746/files/agenda/10614 .

The agenda includes a staff report and Unified Development Code (UDC) update and three public hearings.

PZ26-05 is a public hearing for a replat of 5400 High Ridge Road. Information can be found starting on page 9 of the packet link above. They wish for two plats for the purpose of building a hotel on one plat and a restaurant on the second. [Commentary: This land was bought from the EDC at a greatly reduced price years ago, maybe 2017-ish (George Campbell-era), with the intent that a hotel would already be there else the land would be bought back by the EDC. Not sure what happened (lack of transparency), but at least now it looks like a hotel might finally be built.]

PZ26-06 is a public hearing for a replat of 600 W. Kennedale Parkway. Information can be found starting on page 32 of the packet link above. [Commentary: This land is still owned by the EDC but was bought by a developer at the greatly reduced price of $25,000 last year for a development that still has not happened, but at least—again-- might finally happen.]

PZ26-04 is an amendment to the sign ordinance. Information can be found starting on page 47 of the packet link above. They [the city] wish for modification to the sign ordinance to allow larger electronic signs.

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