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October 18, 2026 –Volume 9 Number 42

HIGHLIGHTS:

* Low-income apartments public hearing coming this Tuesday, October 20.

* Kennedale now has the 12^th highest municipal tax rate in Tarrant County (improved from 8^th).

SCHEDULE:

Monday, October 19: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, October 19: Start of Early voting for the Mid-Term Elections.

Tuesday, October 20: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 22: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 24: Trunk or Treat, Town Center Plaza, 405 Municipal, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 27: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Friday, October 30: End of Early Voting for Mid-Term Elections.

Saturday, October 31: Halloween.

Sunday, November 1: End of Day Light Savings Time, fall back one hour, 2:00 a.m.

Tuesday, November 3: Mid-Term Elections Election Day, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 10: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 10: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day.

Wednesday, November 11: Kennedale Veterans Day event, 9:00 a.m.

Tuesday, November 17: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council will meet on Monday, October 19 and Tuesday, October 20. The Monday meeting is for boards and commissions issues and possible appointments. The Tuesday meeting is the regular monthly meeting including the continued public hearing on the low-income apartments zoning.

The agenda for Monday's board appointments meeting can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3950/files/agenda/10936 .

The agenda packet for Tuesday's regular monthly meeting can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3673/files/agenda/10956 . That agenda includes a work session, presentations, public comments, a regular session, and an executive session.

There are six work session items.

a. Strategic Planning.

b. Charter Committee.

c. Chapter 4 – Buildings and Building Regulations (presentation , ordinance).

d. Updates to the design manual (manual , ordinance).

e. Arlington's Handi-tran cost share (Arlington's letter , Handi-tran flyer)

f. Capital Lane Advisors proposal (letter).

The presentations include World Polio Day, Native American Heritage Month, and the Back to School Bash.

The public hearing is for zoning case PZ26-13 (low-income apartments). Information starts on .pdf page 281 of the agenda packet (link above).

The regular session includes reports and announcements (financials), consent agenda (September minutes), and three items for separate consideration.

a. Kennedale's vote for Texas Municipal League (TML) Board of Directors (ballot).

b. Freese and Nichols professional service agreement (PSA) for Mansfield Cardinal Road (agreement).

c. action of Capital Lane Advisors (from the work session).

In executive session there looks like some potential sale of Oak Crest property(ies).

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 Keep Kennedale Beautiful (KKB) committee met on Tuesday (agenda). The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asdcZhVwE_4 . About 12:27 there was a citizen speaker about beautifying the roundabouts.

The parks board meeting for Tuesday was canceled (canceled agenda).

This Week

The city council will meet on Monday and Tuesday. Monday is board related, including possible appointments. Tuesday is the regular October monthly meeting with a potential vote on the zoning case associated with low-income apartments.

Thursday P&Z will meet for their regular monthly meeting.

Public Hearings

On Tuesday, October 20, the city council will continue a public hearing on PZ26-13, a planned development for apartments (being referred to as townhomes).

On Thursday, October 22, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ26-14 to replat the town home community at 439 Mansfield Cardinal Road.

EDC

The next Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board meeting should be on Tuesday, October 27.

P&Z

P&Z is scheduled to meet this Thursday, October 22 (agenda). There are two zoning cases on the agenda.

PZ26-14 is a replat at 439 Mansfield Cardinal Road.

PZ26-15 is a final plat of 24.814 acres at a legal description of Jessie B. Renfro Survey (hopefully more detailed information will be added during the week, but not currently available).

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 .

TAD Rates

Tarrant Appraisal District has published the tax rates (October 2026) for the county. Kennedale has now dropped to the twelfth highest municipality (from eighth). [https://www.tad.org/content/rates/2026TaxRates.pdf ]

Top 15 of 41 (everyone else is < 0.67)

1. Everman 1.0500000

2. Sansom Park 0.8724830

3. River Oaks 0.8189310

4. White Settlement 0.7622610

5. Lakeside 0.7500000

6. Burleson 0.7298000

7. Blue Mound 0.7234600

8. Fort Worth 0.7056500

9. Forest Hill 0.7045120

10. Pelican Bay 0.7038470

11. Crowley 0.6962600