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September 7, 2025 – Volume 8 Number 36

HIGHLIGHTS:

* September 11 Memorial Celebration is Thursday.

* A big win for the Kennedale Football team, beating Aubrey 17-10.

SCHEDULE:

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

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

Thursday, September 11: September 11 Memorial Celebration, Town Center Park, 9:00 a.m.

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

Saturday, September 20: Library Grand Re-opening, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 23: EDC (Economic Development Corporation) Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 25: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

…..

Senior Tax Freeze

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_10.html

Texas Open Meetings Act Violations???

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

The Bridge:

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

City Council Grades:

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

Kennedale Observer website:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/index_3.html

Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_44.html

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council did not met this past week. The next scheduled meeting will be the regular monthly meeting, Tuesday, September 16.

* * * * *

Leftovers:

The “Investigation”

At the July meeting, there was an update on the “investigation”.

[Commentary: Even while trying to be transparent this administration fails. My initial questions would include:

Why was there NOT a vote in open session approving the selected law firm?

How much is this investigation costing?

What items are being investigated?

Are they going to help write a needed ordinance/definition/charter wording?

What is the scope of this contract?

These issues were discussed on May 1^st. Why do we not know the answers? Other than knowing there is an ongoing investigation...

I did do a public information request for the contract. I did receive a copy of the contract signed by the city manager. So, if the contract stays under $25,000 [the $25,000 limit for the city manager without council approval was increased to $50,000 in August], he can execute the contract without the council's approval [However, on May 1, 2025, the city council approved a motion to “task the city attorney with finding us [the council] a law firm who could investigate this”, not having the city manager approve a contract to do this. Any contracts approved by the city council are to be approved in open session.] The contract includes a bunch of different rates for different types of employees. Depending on how much work they do, they could hit the $25,000 level in the second month. The scope of work is defined as what is asked for in writing with no clue of what they have already agreed upon. I did put in a request for the invoices on August 18 but was told there were none. I put in another request on September 3, but have not heard back yet on that one.]

Last Week

There were no meetings scheduled last week.

This Week

There are the Keep Kennedale Beautiful (KKB) (agenda) and Parks Board (agenda) meetings scheduled for Tuesday.

Thursday will be the September 11 Ceremony.

Public Hearings

none known.

EDC

The next EDC (Economic Development Corporation) Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23.

P&Z

The next P&Z meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 25.

Other News....

Kennedale Wins vs. Tough Opponent

Kennedale beat Aubrey at home, 17-10. Next week is another tough game, at Springtown.

September 11 Memorial Ceremony

The ceremony is this Thursday, 9:00 a.m. at Towncenter Park. The featured speaker is Chief Russell Shelley, Executive Director/Fire Chief Tarrant County ESD1.

KISD A-F Accountability Scores

In an article by Chris Moss of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report he reports on the A-F Accountability scores for the past two years, just released August 15. His report is for the KISD, AISD, and MISD and can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/08/15/heres-how-arlington-area-schools-fared-in-texas-a-f-ratings/ .

Library Closed

The physical library is closed through September 15 for shelving and furniture installation. The electronic library and Arlington and Mansfield libraries are available options.

The library is scheduled to open again on Tuesday, September 16. They also are planning a Grand Reopening on Saturday, September 20.

TAD Rates

Tarrant Appraisal District has published the tax rates (October 2024) for the county. Kennedale is now the fifth highest municipality. [https://www.tad.org/content/rates/2024TaxRates.pdf ].

Top ten of 41 (everyone else is < 0.65)

1. Everman 1.0260800

2. Sansom Park 0.7796050

3. Forest Hill 0.7240940

4. Blue Mound 0.7220330

5. Kennedale 0.7061900

6. White Settlement 0.6798160

7. River Oaks 0.6758270

8. Fort Worth 0.672500

9. Burleson 0.6627000

10. Grand Prairie 0.6600000

Kennedale has passed a new 2025 rate of $0.6961900, which will be on the TAD website in October.