Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Floresville public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
37 issues
Tiger Lane rezoning for commercial use
Four residential lots on Tiger Lane could be rezoned from R-1 Residential to C Commercial to accommodate a potential Chick-fil-A project. This could change the character of the neighborhood, bring traffic and commercial activity near homes. The public hearing is the chance for residents to weigh in before the Commission acts.
Capital Improvement Program for water, wastewater, and drainage
The city hired Halff Associates for $175,000 to build a five-year capital improvement plan (FY2027-2031) covering water, wastewater, and drainage, prioritizing about 30 projects against known revenues and bond capacity.
Council comments removed from meeting agendas
The council entered executive session before public comments and has been toggling citizen and council comment periods on and off. Several speakers and council members accused the city of censorship and hiding business from the public.
City Manager Termination
The council met in closed session on the city manager's evaluation and pending grievances against him and a council member. Morones then moved to cancel his contract and dismiss him, but the motion died without a second.
Robert McCain public records grievances
Robert McCain, a repeat commenter, says months of open-records requests about an incident involving the city manager have gone unanswered, even after an attorney general ruling. He wants direct answers and says the council should reach out to him.
Events Center remodel
The Lauro G. Leon Floresville Events Center has a leaking roof, rusted structural beams, non-ADA entrances, and no drainage plan — surface flow floods the baseball field west of the building, creating a sinkhole being studied with the San Antonio River Authority. The council approved $506,800 in design work now; the roughly $6.2 million construction would likely be financed with a debt issuance around 2029-2030.
City takeover/integration of FEDC functions
The council created a new Planning and Economic Development Department and clarified the city-FEDC relationship. FEDC board members and vendors packed the room opposing it, alleging Open Meetings Act violations, financial transparency gaps, and unlawful authority claims by the city manager.
Peanut Festival council participation
A former councilwoman publicly challenged three council members for skipping the Peanut Festival, the city's biggest annual event that receives city funding.
Political sign regulations
New rules cap political signs at 36 square feet and 8 feet tall, ban right-of-way and utility pole placement, and require removal within 10 days after elections — no permit fee.
Council rules of conduct and decorum overhaul
New rules end individual videoconference participation, cap discussion at two minutes per member, set a 9 p.m. end time, and formalize sergeant-at-arms enforcement — critics, including Council Member Lamberth, called it a tool to silence dissent.
Threat of city employee layoffs
A rumor that 10-12 city employees would be fired dominated the meeting. The city manager said he couldn't guarantee no layoffs given the razor-thin budget, while council members demanded he exhaust alternatives — cutting overtime, contracts, and non-essential spending — before touching staff.
FY 2027 draft budget
The roughly $23.5 million budget across all funds passed 3-2, tied to the new fee schedule revenues. Expect higher costs for city services this year.
FY 2026-2027 Property Tax Rate
The council set the property tax rate at 0.416501 per $100 valuation — about 1% lower than the current rate — meaning the city won't collect more property tax revenue than last year. The rate splits between operations (0.199537) and debt service (0.216964).
Water and sewer rate increase reversal
Residents saw bills double or quadruple after an August rate restructuring that cut the base water allowance from 3,000 gallons to 1,000 and charged sewer on total metered water. The council voted 5-0 to reverse to the old rates through December 31, with credits or recalculated bills, and plans to develop a longer-term fix by January.
Water Conservation Plan adoption
The proposed plan includes public education on water conservation and drafting a water preservation ordinance, with possible winter averaging and a second rate study. The council tabled it until supporting documents and costs are provided.
Texas Water Development Board Financial Assistance
The city adopted a required Water Conservation Plan and applied for a Texas Water Development Board grant to improve its own water infrastructure and service to residents. Officials noted the plan creates no new restrictions for residents and is separate from concerns about incoming data centers and the Oak Hills Water interconnect.
Comprehensive master fee schedule
The council adopted a comprehensive fee schedule with new and higher fees for parks, civic center rentals, permits and services after a failed attempt to table it. Council Member Morones argued the increases hit families hard; the city manager said years of underfunded maintenance left no alternative.
C Street bond project funding shortfall
A former council member asked for a full public accounting of the C Street bond project, whose engineering firm was terminated before the final water line replacement phase, and suggested an independent forensic audit.
Septic variance and northward sewer growth
A small commercial development near the Chevrolet dealership wants septic approval because the nearest sewer line is 2,500 feet away with bad elevation — a lift station would cost about $300,000 and kill the project. Council tabled it to explore FEDC-funded sewer extension, which could also open the corridor to future growth.
Brush pickup and dump disposal costs
Republic Services offered extra curbside brush pickups for $1-2/month per customer, and a compactor could cut the city's ~$150,000/year dump roll-off spending. Council took no vote but directed further review.
Automated license plate reader cameras
Council approved TxDOT agreement for fixed ALPR cameras on major highways, 3-2. Police say they solve violent crimes fast; residents warned about privacy, data retention and misuse by officers.
Arbor Fields MUD request and development agreement
The Arbor Fields developer wants the city to consent to a MUD on its four-phase subdivision; the city demanded concessions like wider streets and an additional thoroughfare in return. Details went to executive session.
Watts Park rehabilitation
Parks staff presented a roughly $125,000 fix-up for the center-of-town park — restrooms, courts, pickleball, playground — but only the $8,000 water fountain has funding. Vandalism damaged the restroom in July and suspects face court proceedings.
Health insurance and employee benefits program
A new three-year benefits contract with PWR Strategies gives employees five Blue Cross plan options and is expected to save the city about $102,000 a year.
City employee compensation and classification plan
A new 22-grade pay plan with step increases ends the practice of new hires inheriting predecessors' salaries. Some members objected that the biggest dollar increases go to the highest-paid positions.
B Street water well restoration
A resident asked about the water well on B Street, which has been out of service during construction; staff said pump priming and required state water quality sampling should wrap up this week.
Grant funding pursuits (CDBG-MIT and TxCDBG)
The city is betting $750,000 of local money on a Texas Parks and Wildlife grant that could fund a $1.5 million renovation of the community pool, making it more inclusive and accessible. Part of the match comes from FEDC and bond funds for filtration.
Community Tool Shed Program
New program lends mowers, weed eaters and garden tools to residents — especially seniors — who get code violation letters and can't afford equipment.
Board appointments delayed
Both economic development boards lack members — the 4A board can't even reach quorum — and the council tabled both appointments amid confusion over appointment policy.
Flood mitigation and water quality grant pursuits
The city will pursue state grants for drainage fixes in three flood-prone areas and for water/sewer replacement plus filtration to cut sulfur in the water.
Vendor permit revocation dispute
A vendor says code enforcement falsely told police his permit was revoked, prompting him to be ordered out of city limits despite a valid permit.
City animal control vs. rescue shelter responsibilities
The Wilson County Adoption and Rescue Services says the city is shirking budgeted animal control duties and leaning on the rescue to absorb them; it also flagged the future of its city-occupied property.
Hospital water services contract
A $130,266 water services proposal supporting the hospital got tabled for another month — worth watching since it touches hospital operations and city water.
2024/2025 City Audit
The city's yearly financial check-up was accepted by the council — it's the official look at how Floresville handled taxpayer money.
Manufactured home zoning changes
A new state law effective September 1 will let mobile homes be placed in city limits without special permits, so the city is zoning designated areas for them instead. The ordinance passed 5-0 after a prior P&Z unanimous recommendation.
Connect Floresville transit route ribbon cutting
The Connect Floresville bus route has logged 390 trips in June alone, and council approved closing Third Street July 13 morning for a ribbon cutting with county commissioners.
Children's advocacy services funding
The Children's Alliance of South Texas got its $8,000 request to keep providing forensic interviews, medical exams and trauma therapy — 13 Floresville children were served in ten months.