City Council Meeting June 16, 2026

The City Council of Wichita Falls held a meeting on June 16, 2026, which included several procurement and budget-related discussions. Key procurement actions included the approval of a $298,700 task order with HDR Engineering Inc. for flood mitigation engineering services, and multiple resolutions awarding bids for bulk chemicals ($4,990,139.38) and water meter boxes ($139,768). The council also authorized grant applications to FEMA for fire prevention and safety and firefighter assistance grants, and approved a construction manager at risk agreement with the Fane Group LLC for the Falls Rehabilitation Project at 4% of actual construction costs. Additionally, the council authorized a $26,801 interlocal cooperation contract with the Texas Department of State Health Services for mobile food inspection services. The meeting featured a detailed pre-budget workshop for fiscal year 2027, highlighting challenges such as a $188 million reduction in taxable property values due to state exemptions, strong sales tax growth, inflation impacts, and the need for competitive employee compensation. The council discussed strategic capital reinvestment funded by sales tax growth, water and sewer infrastructure needs including the aging Cypress Plant, sanitation fund improvements, and potential rate adjustments. The budget calendar was outlined with proposed budget release in late July and public hearings in August and September. No votes were taken to finalize the budget during this meeting, but council members requested further analysis on tax rates, water/sewer rates, and capital spending priorities.