Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Temple public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with high priority
Proposed Municipal Budget and Added Debt
Resident Sarah Royer has requested time to address the city council regarding the proposed budget and the amount of new debt being added.
Unified Development Code Amendments for Data Centers
Mona Fullmer is asking the city council to examine actions taken by other municipalities regarding data centers and to pause local data center projects.
Airport Infrastructure and Performance
The board is considering recommending a $100,000 state maintenance grant for the airport.
Lowes Drive Rezoning Request
An application proposes rezoning a 0.73-acre parcel at 3401 Lowes Drive from multifamily residential to general retail. This could allow for new retail or commercial uses in the surrounding neighborhood.
2027 Legislative Program
The city is starting to shape its legislative wishlist and policy positions for the upcoming 2027 state legislative session to protect local interests.
Comprehensive Plan and Thoroughfare Updates
The city updated its master thoroughfare and land use plans to align with neighborhood planning district recommendations and upcoming development projects across Temple.
FY 2027 Operating Budgets for Public Housing Properties
The board will review and vote on proposed operating budgets for the upcoming fiscal year for various public housing properties in Belton and Temple. These budgets dictate how public housing funds are allocated to maintain and operate affordable housing units in the community.
Site 64 Infrastructure and Grading Improvements
The city is moving forward with engineering design contracts for grading and wastewater rerouting at Site 64 to prepare the area for future development.
SeAH Drive Extension and Cedar Creek Lift Station Improvements
Infrastructure improvements including the SeAH Drive road extension and upgrades to the Cedar Creek Lift Station and Force Main are up for design contract approval to support local growth.
Emergency Services Master Plan and Operations Review
The department is meeting response time goals and responded to a high volume of calls in December and January, with many fires related to cooking or trash.
2027 Neighborhood Revitalization Goals and Work Plan
The board will establish its strategic priorities and work plan for 2027, which will guide community revitalization efforts and investments across Temple's neighborhoods.
Director of Finance Personnel Review
The city council met privately to discuss the job duties and performance plan for the Director of Finance, ensuring financial leadership stays aligned with city goals.
Annual Reports from City Boards and Commissions
City advisory boards presented their yearly progress, goals, and attendance records, giving leaders a look at how citizen volunteers are helping guide local policies.
Bias-Based Policing Report Review
The commission reviewed the police department's report on bias in policing. This report is key to ensuring fair treatment for all residents and maintaining trust between the community and law enforcement.
E-bike Trail Usage
Temple is asking for your ideas on how to improve Highway 317! This is your chance to weigh in on what the future of this major road looks like.
The Link Subdivision Final Plat
This item concerns the final approval of a mixed-use subdivision that will create 22 lots. It's located in the Temple Medical & Educational District (TMED) and aligns with the city's goals for well-managed growth.
The Link Utilities and Storm Improvements
A new construction project is being proposed to improve utilities and storm drainage in the district.
Economic Development Prospects
The city council met to discuss potential business expansions and incentives to bring new companies to Temple, though no decisions were finalized.
TIF Fund Allocation
Residents raised questions about the expansion of TIFRZ No. 1 and the resulting municipal services payments to the city's general fund during public comments.
Water Infrastructure and ASR Well
Speakers highlighted the critical importance of the city's Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) well project for long-term water security.
Natural Gas Rate Increase
Atmos Energy is raising rates. The city negotiated a deal to keep the increase lower than what the company originally wanted.
Temple Police Association Meet and Confer Agreement
Proposed updates to compensation and promotional processes for city police officers are under review for FY 2027.
Real Property Acquisitions
The Temple Revitalization Corporation sold a 2.5-acre city property along I-35 to Cotton Real Estate Ventures for $1,635,000. The developer plans to build a new sit-down restaurant, adding dining options and boosting economic activity in the corridor.
Chatham Estate Land Donation for New Nature Park
The city is receiving a massive 178.7-acre land donation from the Estate of David and Peggy Chatham, valued at over $7.5 million. The property will become a new public nature park featuring protected woodlands, trails, and open space under a conservation easement.
Meet and Confer Process Training
City officials and police union representatives participated in training to improve their negotiation skills. This process is key to hammering out the details of police officer contracts, affecting pay, benefits, and working conditions.
Employee Benefits Package Procurement
The city is finalizing its insurance contracts for the next year. This ensures that city employees have access to health, dental, and life insurance, which is a major part of the city's compensation package.
East Downs Neighborhood Plan and Collector Road Alignment
The city is rolling out a long-range plan for the East Downs neighborhood to upgrade sidewalks, water lines, and parks. However, property owners raised concerns about a proposed collector road cutting across their land, prompting city staff to look at alternative routes.
Neighborhood District Presentations
Presentations were given on the Oak Hills and Western Hills Neighborhood Districts, providing information and potentially outlining future planning efforts for these areas.
Police Promotional Process
The city and police association are reviewing how officers get promoted. This is important because it affects how the department is led and how officers advance in their careers.
Firefighter Promotional Examination Score Appeal
Fire & Rescue personnel appealed various exercises from recent Captain and Fire Driver promotional exams, questioning scoring and testing fairness. The Civil Service Commission reviewed the appeals and upheld almost all exam results after taking public input and holding executive sessions.
Fire Station Infrastructure
The city is upgrading its fire fleet with new apparatus and planning major station upgrades and relocations, such as Stations 7, 9, and 2, to improve coverage and response times.
Santa Fe Community Market Project
Temple is rolling out new grants for local nonprofits. If your charity is looking for a cash injection to fund its work in the community, this is your chance to apply for city support.
Drone as First Responder Program
The police department is rolling out new drone technology to assist with emergency response and situational awareness. Sgt. Goodson briefed the commission on how the program works and gave a tour of the operations center.
Summit and Sammons Recreation Centers
Get ready for some awesome park upgrades! Ferguson and Jones Parks are getting a major facelift in 2026, meaning better outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Introduction of New Police Chief
Temple has a new Police Chief, Coy Brown. This appointment could bring fresh perspectives and changes to the city's law enforcement.
Introduction of New Police Chief
Temple's on the hunt for a new police chief, and they actually want to know what *you* think! This is your chance to weigh in on who should lead the city's police force.
Police Use of Force
The police advisory commission reviewed monthly crime statistics and the annual biased-based policing report while welcoming new leadership to foster stronger community relations.
Road Closure
Heads up, Temple drivers! North Pea Ridge Road is shutting down for road work. You'll need to find a new route to get around.
Bias-Based Policing Report Review
Temple's on the hunt for a new police chief, and the city has narrowed down the field to its top candidates. Get ready to see who might be steering the ship for the Temple Police Department.
Summit and Sammons Recreation Centers
Temple's Sammons Community Center is shut down for good because the city says it's just too run-down to use. This means a major blow to local programs and events that relied on the space.
Surface Water Rights Legal Briefing
The City Council received a closed-session briefing from the City Attorney regarding municipal surface water rights.
Interstate 35 Corridor Revitalization
The city is working to transform the I-35 corridor by attracting new businesses, specifically sit-down restaurants, to improve local dining options and economic activity.
Homelessness Initiative
Temple's rolling out a new plan, 'Pathway to Stability,' to help homeless residents. They're partnering with a local non-profit to provide resources and support to get people housed and stable.
Fire Chief Hiring Process
Temple's Fire Chief is retiring, meaning the city will soon be looking for a new leader to head up the fire department. This change could bring new strategies and priorities to how the city handles fires and emergencies.
Homelessness Funding
Temple is boosting funding for Feed My Sheep, a local organization dedicated to helping the homeless. This means more resources will be available to support individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.
Parking Policy
Temple's city council is pumping the brakes on new paid parking signs after folks spoke up. They're hitting pause to gather more community input before deciding anything.
Services Agreement with Buie & Co.
The board discussed a potential services agreement with Buie & Co. This could involve engaging external expertise for district initiatives.
Parking Fees
Temple's downtown area is getting a makeover, and part of that includes paid parking. So, if you're planning to visit or shop downtown, be prepared to shell out some cash for parking.
2025 Final Audit Review
The board reviewed the district's financial performance for 2025. This helps ensure accountability and transparency in how public funds are managed.
Property Management and Operations
Resolutions regarding property disposition and fund transfers between properties were approved. These decisions affect how CTHC manages its assets and allocates resources for property maintenance and development.