Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Richland Hills public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
28 issues in taxes budget
Employee vacation buyback policy
City employees can now sell back up to 40 hours of accrued vacation per year, paid from the strategic initiatives fund — a retention tool adopted via the consent agenda.
Write-off of uncollectible utility and fire department accounts
The city is cleaning its books by writing off about $942,655 in old, likely uncollectible utility and fire department bills. The debts aren't forgiven — a collection firm keeps pursuing them — but the balance sheet will reflect reality.
Draft Fee Schedule Amendments
Fee changes across the board: the $50 roof permit fee goes away, deposits and high-grass abatement fees rise, a fire hydrant meter deposit jumps to $3,000, and Fort Worth pass-through water impact fees reach as high as $46,000 for a two-inch meter on new development.
Cancellation of four regular Council meetings
Resolution No. 670-26 would cancel regular Council meetings on November 23, 2026, December 28, 2026, June 28, 2027, and July 12, 2027 — around holidays.
FY27 Calendar, Holidays, and Council Training
Council discussed trimming the FY27 meeting calendar, a three-tier training budget (staff recommends the $9,215 middle option), and whether to expand the ten-holiday employee schedule — including concerns from council about residents unable to get water service during long holiday closures.
One-time employee salary supplement
Civilian city employees will receive a one-time payment of up to 3% of base pay to help with retention, without permanently raising salaries. Sworn public safety staff already got raises in the FY27 budget.
Texas Municipal League Region 8 Director Vote
Richland Hills was scheduled to cast its vote for the Region 8 Director of the Texas Municipal League, the statewide organization representing cities' interests in Austin. It's a small item with a voice in bigger regional advocacy.
$5.5 Million in Aged Receivables and Write-off Policy
The city is carrying about $5.5 million in utility and court receivables, much of it years old, that inflates the balance sheet. A new write-off policy sets timelines — 3 years for court accounts, 12–24 months for utilities — while keeping collection efforts alive.
FlashVote Citizen Survey Tool
The city plans to launch a resident survey service that texts, emails, or calls short one-minute surveys to a voluntary panel. It costs $7,900 a year plus $3,000 to set up, and staff will start it without a council vote since the cost is within the City Manager's authority. First surveys will likely cover the budget and capital projects.
Utility and Court Fine Collections
A discussion of how the city collects unpaid utility bills and court fines, including when to write off uncollectible amounts.
FY 2027 tax rate options
Council looked at three rate scenarios. The de minimis rate (about 0.60) means roughly $220 more per year on a median home; staff recommends dipping into debt fund savings to keep the total closer to the mid-$50-cent range.
Falling Taxable Values and TAD Appraisal Concerns
Upcoming legislative proposals could cap all city revenue growth at 3.5% and make it easier to roll back tax rates — a big threat to how Richland Hills pays for police, water, and streets.
Fiscal Year 2027 CCPD Budget
The board reviewed the proposed $1.16 million budget for the Richland Hills Development Corporation, which funds local economic development, business support, and park upgrades. The plan uses some existing fund balance to cover planned community investments.
FY 2027 Development Corporation Budget
The Development Corporation's budget funds Rosebud Park improvements and covers the Link subsidy and parks spending, using $567,678 of reserves as sales tax revenue lags.
TIRZ Number One termination
The council seems ready to dissolve the Baker TIRZ, unlocking about $1 million and redirecting ~$350,000 a year citywide instead of limiting it to Baker Boulevard projects.
City Strategic Plan and Budget Direction
Sales tax is tracking about $1.5 million under what was budgeted, so staff is planning a lean FY2027 with conservative revenue assumptions and will likely revisit the TIF transfer and the de minimis tax rate to build cushion. Budget line-item reviews with individual council members begin this summer.
Pausing Safe Routes to School Funding
The $1.1 million local match for the Safe Routes to School grant is on hold because the state-administered construction agreement came in much higher than expected, and sales tax revenue has dropped. Staff will try to push the project out a few years so the grant isn't lost.
Council committee appointments
New council committees were seated: Campbell and Witt on finance/budget, Skier and Barger on infrastructure/workforce, Malone and Goveas on community development, based on personality assessment results from the governance survey.
Sales tax revenue decline
Sales tax is down 14–41% in recent months after major wholesale taxpayers left town. That's the city's main revenue source besides property tax, so big spending decisions may slow down.
Transportation subsidy elimination
The ~$50,000-a-year ride subsidy for seniors and workers ends when funds run out; staff will bring alternatives through Catholic Charities and other partners.
General Municipal Election Canvass — Council Places 3 and 5
Allison Barger and Athena Campbell were formally declared elected to the council, with Campbell narrowly unseating incumbent GW Estep. New members will shape council decisions going forward.
Proposition A — Sales Tax Reauthorization for Street Maintenance
Voters will decide May 2 whether to reauthorize the three-eighths-cent street sales tax, which brings in about $1.5 million a year for street and sidewalk repairs. A no vote means the city loses that money for at least a year before it can go back on a ballot.
Recognition of Outgoing Council Members
Two longtime council members are leaving after years of service — Theresa Bledsoe (18 years of community involvement) and G.W. Estep (five years on council). Alison Burger and Athena Campbell will take the seats in June.
Capital improvement program management (Viesta)
The city is hiring a national program-management firm to pull all capital projects — streets, drainage, utilities, economic development — onto one heat map so nothing falls through the cracks.
FY 2025 audit findings — bank reconciliations and cash handling
The city's independent audit found bank reconciliations went undone for all of 2025 and over $31,000 in cash and checks sat undeposited in a safe. Three finance directors in under a year contributed to the breakdown; interim staff have reinstated daily deposits and are catching up on reconciliations.
Published Start Time for Regular Council Meetings
Two residents asked the council to publish a firm start time — like 7 p.m. — instead of "immediately following executive session," which they said leaves citizens guessing and makes the city look opaque. Council took no vote but offered to place the topic on a future agenda.
Mayoral webcast / communications
A council member pitched a monthly mayor's webcast to counter 95%-false social-media chatter, inspired by Westlake's polished state-of-the-city video.
Project delivery accountability
Frustration over long-delayed projects like backlit street signs and park restrooms — one member wants individual bids and enforceable timelines on every funded project.