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June 28, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 26

HIGHLIGHTS:

* The city council had a budget workshop to hear about all the wants and needs.

* P&Z approved its six cases.

SCHEDULE:

Friday, July 3: City offices/library closed.

Saturday, July 4: 250 years. Happy Birthday America.

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.

July xx: Opening of Sturgeon Bark Park.

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council met last Wednesday, June 24, for a budget workshop. That agenda packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3905/files/agenda/10678 . The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyqI52swyFU .

(13:15) Start of meeting. Council Member Griffith was a few minutes late. They heard department budget presentations from each of the departments. Presentation links:

(23:35) Library About 40:09 it was opened to the council.

(1:16:36) Fire About 1:56:31 it was opened to the council.

(2:23:14) Police (questions by the council throughout).

(4:17:28) Municipal Court

(4:31:21) Public Works About 4:37:30 they opened the asset requests to the council (before the streets presentation).

(5:55:33) Community Development He is promoting another monthly fee (street fee)/tax. About 6:08:10 it was opened to the council.

(6:17:52) Administration Council questions throughout. Looking for a minimum of 3% pay increase for all employees.

(7:10:15) Finance [Council Member Michels left.] Council questions throughout.

(7:25:16) End of meeting remarks/questions.

the workbook draft

(7:27:33) Mayor and Council

Leftovers from the June 16 monthly meeting.

There was a conflict with Fort Worth Water regarding a large sum of money. That contract was a 2010 contract when Bryan Lankhorst was mayor.

The I&S tax rate if the $2.3 million firetruck was a 15-year bond does NOT get any higher. It does cause the highest planned rate to be needed an extra year, and an increase for several of the following years than the 100%-20-year-bond rates but saves over $200,000 in interest.

# # # # # # # # # # #

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 Economic Development Corporation (EDC) met Tuesday. The city council met on Wednesday (budget workshop). On Thursday P&Z met.

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 Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board met this past Tuesday, June 23. The agenda can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3780/files/agenda/10665 . The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUNYKmVe67Q .

(4:19) Start of meeting.

(4:32) workshop on Pavlik and Associates Strategic Plan.

(1:27:07) a Town Center update.

(1:58:19) financial reports.

(2:00:48) a land purchase policy. They will be making more changes regarding the appraisal requirement.

(2:25:49) the 25^th Anniversary coins.

P&Z

Their next scheduled meeting was this past Thursday, June 25. The agenda can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3747/files/agenda/10674 . The more detailed packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3747/files/agenda/10681 . The agenda included six public hearings. The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IItq1qHkBx0 .

(10:54) Start of meeting.

(12:59) PZ Case #26-05 was to consider a replat of the property located at 5400 High Ridge Road (staff report). [starting at .pdf page 8 in the packet] They wish to divide the property into two plats so one will be a hotel and the other a stand-alone restaurant. This was approved, 4-0.

(22:11) PZ Case #26-06 was to consider a replat of the property located at 600 W. Kennedale Parkway (staff report). [starting at .pdf page 23 in the packet] They wish to divide the property into three plats, for the three separate buildings in the proposed development. This was approved, 4-0.

(27:48) PZ Case #26-07 was to consider a replat of the property located at 616 W. Kennedale Parkway and two other properties (staff report). [starting at .pdf page 34 in the packet] They wish to divide the three properties into two plats. This was approved, 4-0.

(41:24) PZ Case #26-04 was to consider a proposed amendment to the Unified Development Code (UDC) regarding electronic signs (staff report). [starting at .pdf page 54 in the packet] This was approved, 4-0.

(54:33) PZ Case #26-09 was to consider a proposed amendment to the Unified Development Code (UDC) regarding P&Z commission specifics (staff report). [starting at .pdf page 74 in the packet] They wish to drop from seven members to five members, making the quorum three, and add an alternate place. This was approved, 4-0.

(1:03:07) PZ Case #26-10 to consider a proposed amendment to the Unified Development Code (UDC) regarding Townhome regulation specifics (staff report). [starting at .pdf page 84 in the packet] They wish to lessen restrictions, to make it more attractive for development, not requiring rear-entry garages and reducing the required parking. This was approved, 4-0.

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 – 15-Year Firetruck Bonds

To use 15-year bonds (vs. 20-year bonds) for the $2.3 million firetruck will save the taxpayers over $200,000 in interest.

The property tax rate is made of two pieces, the M&O [maintenance and operations] rate and the I&S [debt service] rate. I have charted the information below comparing 100%-20-year bonds and firetruck-15-year (rest at 20 years) bonds. The firetruck-15-year bonds will NOT cause the maximum I&S rate to increase but will cause an additional year at the proposed maximum rate, while saving over $200,000 in interest.

Proposed I&S Tax Rate

FiscalYear 100%-20-year firetruck-15-year

2027 $0.2131 $0.2131

2028 $0.2131 $0.2131

2029 $0.2131 $0.2131

2030 $0.2131 $0.2131

2031 $0.2078 $0.2131

2032 $0.1841 $0.1877

2033 $0.1841 $0.1871

2034 $0.1844 $0.1876

2035 $0.1843 $0.1874

2036 $0.1841 $0.1870