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June 7, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 23

HIGHLIGHTS:

* The Board of Appeals to hold a public hearing on Thursday.

* The city council has moved its bond issuance workshop to Monday, June 15.

SCHEDULE:

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

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

Thursday, June 11: Board of Appeals meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Monday, June 15: City Council Bond Issuance Workshop, 5:30pm.

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

Friday, June 19: City offices/library closed.

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.

Friday, June 26: City offices/library closed.

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

July xx: Opening of Sturgeon Bark Park.

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council will meet Monday, June 15, for a bond issuance workshop. Their regular monthly meeting will be Tuesday, June 16.

The bond issuance workshop begins at 5:30 p.m. and I assume will discuss the $11 million of CO (certificates of obligation) bonds 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, a redesign of Sublett Road and Kennedale Parkway, and purchase a $2 million ladder firetruck. They may also have a discussion of future bond plans for 2031 and beyond (as older bonds are paid off)?

Commentary: Let's Talk the Non-Rumor

On social media I saw one post denying the rumor that Kennedale leadership was selling the city to Arlington. I have NOT seen anyone else stating that rumor. However, just let me say, considering what happened to the Chamber of Commerce [and that fiasco led by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Griffith, two of the newly elected], it definitely would not surprise me.

Somehow, I doubt if the poster realized that Arlington, while having some not-very-smart leadership [associated with Johnson and/or Griffith], also has some very smart people in partial control. Though the not-very-smart win a lot of items, they do NOT always win. Arlington may not want Kennedale, especially if it comes with large costs.

The poster also correctly stated it would take a vote of the people. We do NOT know the terms of the non-rumored deal, but I would think that voters could easily be swayed by the combination of lower taxes and more benefits.

Again, I have heard NO rumors associated with this item, so I would not expect anything in the near future.

# # # # # # # # # # #

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

There were no meetings last week.

This Week

This week the Keep Kennedale Beautiful (KKB) and the Parks Board are scheduled to meet Tuesday. The Board of Appeals will meet on Thursday for a public hearing.

The KKB agenda can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3903/files/agenda/10622 .

The Parks Board agenda can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3901/files/agenda/10624 . [The agenda made no mention of Sturgeon Bark Park scheduled to open in July.]

The Board of Appeals will meet Thursday, June 11, with a public hearing on their agenda. That agenda can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3702/files/agenda/10635 .

Public Hearings

On Thursday, June 11, 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 ??? P&Z and the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ26-05, a replat of 5400 High Ridge Road.

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

On ???, P&Z and the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ26-04, amending the sign ordinance.

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 next Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board meeting should be Tuesday, June 23.

P&Z

Their next scheduled meeting is Thursday, June 25.

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