Kennedale Observer - Latest Newsletter

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May 3, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 18

HIGHLIGHTS:

* Election Results:

Congratulations to the winners:

Mayor – Brian Johnson

Place 2 – Bryant Griffith

Place 4 – Ryon Ray

 

* Mayor Brad Horton presented the State of the City address last Thursday.

 

SCHEDULE:

Sunday, May 10: Mothers' Day.

Monday, May 11: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 12: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 12: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 13: Special City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 13: Special P&Z meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 16: Kidfish, 8:00 a.m. - noon.

Tuesday, May 19: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, May 25: Memorial Day Holiday.

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

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

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

 

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council did not officially meet last week; however Mayor Horton gave the State of the City address. That may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFfTNp2vRAA . He starts at about 12:15 in the recording.

The city council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 13. I would assume this is for canvassing the election results but check the agenda when it becomes available.

The next regular meeting of the city council will be Tuesday, May 19.

 

# # # # # # # # # # #

 

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 meeting was postponed until Monday, May 11.

Mayor Brad Horton presented the State of the City Address last Thursday.

 

This Week

There are no meetings scheduled this week.

 

Public Hearings

On May 13, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ26-04, amending the sign ordinance. This will go before the city council on May 19?

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 did NOT meet this past Tuesday, April 28. They postponed the meeting until Monday, May 11. The agenda packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3778/files/agenda/10539 .

The reports and announcements section has the monthly financials (financials) and the EDC Annual Report (presentation).

There are three individual items for separate consideration.

1. Pavlik and Associates Strategic Action Plan and Market Analysis contract (presentation).

2. Policy review and requirements for applicable real estate acquisitions (staff report).

3. 9-11 Memorial (25th anniversary).

 

P&Z

The Thursday, April 23 meeting was canceled for lack of a quorum planning to attend. The agenda can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3745/files/agenda/10528 . The staff report for the amendment for the sign ordinance can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3745/files/report/16186 . This meeting has now been scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, at 7:00pm.

 

Other News....

Chamber of Commerce

The Kennedale Area Chamber of Commerce has concluded operations. [ https://mailchi.mp/bb4e0f67ceca/future-of-the-chamber?e=b408c67838 ] It has been reported to me that there is work being done to reestablish the Chamber.

 

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

 

HELPFUL WEBSITES and CONTACTS

Would you like to be added to our mailing list? Please send an e-mail to: KennedaleObserver@yahoo.com requesting to be added to our mailing list.

 

Also, please feel free to share this newsletter with your friends.

 

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

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_14.html

 

1083 Bowman Springs:

http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_45.html

 

Open Meetings Act Violations???

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_9.html

 

The Bridge:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_12.html

 

Texas Open Meetings Act Violations???

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_9.html

 

Kennedale Observer: KennedaleObserver@yahoo.com

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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

 

City Council Grades:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_26.html

 

The City of Kennedale website: www.cityofkennedale.com

Mayor and City Council Emails:

Mayor – Brad Horton BHorton@cityofkennedale.com

Place-1 David Glover DGlover@cityofkennedale.com

Place-2 Thelma Kobeck TKobeck@cityofkennedale.com

Place-3 Kenneth Michels KMichels@cityofkennedale.com

Place-5 Jeff Nevarez JNevarez@cityofkennedale.com

 

Recordings of City Council meetings can be viewed at:

[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4a2pjrnxZ5XrbsXcoLOP4Q?view_as=subscriber].

 

To apply for appointed positions:

https://www.cityofkennedale.com/boardapp

 

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