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August 23, 2026 –Volume 9 Number 34

HIGHLIGHTS:

* The city council approves the budget, tax rate, two new P&Z appointments, and $5 million in bonds.

* Low-income townhomes public hearing will be held at a special P&Z meeting on Thursday, September 3. It will be heard by council on September 15.

SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, August 25: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 27: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 3: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 5: Bring It Clean Up, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Proof of citizenship required.

Monday, September 7: Labor Day.

Tuesday, September 8: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 8: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 10: Board of Adjustments meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, September 11: 9/11 Ceremony, 9:00 a.m.

Tuesday, September 15: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 22: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council met this past Tuesday, August 18 for their regular monthly meeting. That agenda packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3671/files/agenda/10825 . The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vlo6EXIJ2g .

(10:35) Start of meeting. All council members were present. The agenda included a work session, presentations, public comment, two public hearings, a regular session, and an executive session.

(12:19) The only work session item was board appointments (which was also an item in executive session). The current board members and status of current renewal positions (report). Regular appointments will be made in October.

(30:06) Presentations included Brinson Benefits Presentation, (48:40) library card signup proclamation (document), and (55:15) a senior center month proclamation (document). Last year they changed to United Health Care, but they want 46% more this year. They recommend returning to Blue Cross/Blue Shield, with three medical plans.

(1:05:30) Public comment. There was one speaker.

(1:08:57) The two public hearings were on the budget and the tax rate ($0.696190). There were no speakers.

The regular session included:

(1:09:46) * reports and announcements (financials)

(1:23:01) * consent agenda (July 27 minutes , August 4 minutes , ordinance for the Atmos Steering Committee agreement (information starts on .pdf page 39 of the above packet link). Item 3 was pulled for comments. All items were approved, within the two 5-0 votes.

* nine items for individual consideration.

(1:26:57) 1. Roll call vote on the FY2027 budget (information starts on .pdf page 59 of the above packet link). It was approved, 5-0.

(1:30:21) 2. Ratification of the FY2027 property tax rate (staff report). It was approved, 5-0.

(1:34:54) 3. Roll call vote on Ordinance 804, for the FY2027 tax rate of $0.696190 (information starts on .pdf page 209 of the above packet link). It was approved, 5-0.

(1:41:00) 4. Ordinance 805, the Issuance and Sale delivery of $5 million in bonds (information starts on .pdf page 215 of the above packet link). It was approved, 5-0.

(1:47:52) 5. Discuss and approve the various employee benefit insurance plans (staff report). It was approved, 5-0.

(1:49:49) 6. Review of Investment Report (information starts on .pdf page 259 of the above packet link). It was approved, 5-0.

(1:52:35) 7. PZ26-04, updating the sign ordinance portion of the Unified Development Code (UDC) (information starts on .pdf page 279 of the above packet link). It was approved, 5-0.

(removed) 8. PZ26-14, replat of 439 Mansfield Cardinal Road (information starts on .pdf page 287 of the above packet link).

(1:56:05) 9. Approve the $1,011,800 contract for rehabilitation of the T-3 water tower, 500 Gail Drive (staff report , contract). It was approved, 5-0.

(1:59:35) The executive session included board appointments and a potential land deal. About 2:54:24 they approved two appointments to P&Z, 5-0.

Leftovers:

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

Last week the city council did meet for their monthly meeting. They approved the budget, tax rate, $5 million in bonds, and made two appointments to P&Z.

This Week

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is scheduled for its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday. P&Z might have their regular meeting on Thursday.

Public Hearings

On Thursday, September 3, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ26-13, a planned development for townhomes along 509 Corry A Edwards to 506 North Road.

On September 10, the Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on BOA26-03 regarding a special exemption at 404 E. Kennedale Parkway. (continued)

On Tuesday, September 15, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ26-13, a planned development for townhomes along 509 Corry A Edwards to 506 North Road.

EDC

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board is scheduled to meet Tuesday, August 25. The agenda packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3782/files/agenda/10839 .

The agenda includes a marketing and strategic plan from the Pavlic and Associates consultant, financials (report), Town Center update, an update of the upcoming 9/11 event, approval of the July minutes (minutes), the potential approval of the EDC property purchase policy (draft , flow chart), and an executive session including a potential land purchase.

P&Z

P&Z would normally meet for their regular monthly meeting this Thursday. An agenda would need to be posted by Monday.

They will now hold a special P&Z meeting to hear the low-income “townhome” case on Thursday, September 3.

Other News....

KISD Scores Well

The state's ISDs accountability ratings came out, and Kennedale ISD did very well, improving to an overall grade of “B” [up from a “C”]. The accountability ratings can be found at: https://rptsvr1.tea.texas.gov/cgi/sas/broker?_service=marykay&_program=perfrept.perfmast.sas&_debug=0&ccyy=2026&lev=D&id=220914&prgopt=reports/acct/summary.sas .

Zoning Low-income Townhomes

A public hearing for low-income townhomes (PZ26-13) was scheduled to be on P&Z's special meeting agenda for Monday, August 10 and the city council meeting agenda for Tuesday, August 18. However, the meeting was not held (no quorum). Staff has now scheduled a special P&Z meeting for Thursday, September 3 to hold the public hearing. The city council will have a public hearing on Tuesday, September 15.

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