Richland Hills · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Richland Hills public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
Employee vacation buyback policy
Resolution No. 672-26 would let city employees sell back unused vacation time — a staffing and budget matter for city hall.
Write-off of uncollectible utility and fire department accounts
Resolution No. 671-26 would clear uncollectible utility billing and fire department receivables off the city's books under its adopted write-off policy.
FY2027 municipal fee schedule
Ordinance No. 1547-26 would update the city's fee schedule for fiscal year 2027 — the prices residents and businesses pay for permits, services, and other city functions. A public hearing was scheduled before any Council action.
One-time employee salary supplement
A proposed one-time payment of up to 3% of base salary to eligible city employees, paid from the Strategic Initiatives Fund. It would not permanently raise pay.
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.
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
Staff recommended dropping the proposed maximum rate from the de minimis rate ($0.609494) to the voter-approval rate ($0.569028), saving the median homeowner about $200 a year while still producing a balanced budget using an RHDC transfer. The official tax-rate hearing and adoption vote happens August 24.
Fiscal Year 2027 CCPD Budget
The crime district's sales tax revenue has dropped sharply after losing over $3 million in sales tax payers citywide, forcing the FY 2027 budget to spend $608,782 more than it takes in. The city plans to cover this year from reserves, then shift costs like the vehicle lease and some personnel back to the general fund in FY 2028.
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.
Pausing Safe Routes to School Funding
Two resolutions were slated to pause Safe Routes to School spending — one in the Strategic Initiatives Fund and a companion Oil and Gas Fund budget amendment. Sidewalk and route-safety work for students would be deferred, with funds kept in reserve.
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.
Proposition A — Sales Tax Reauthorization for Street Maintenance
Voters overwhelmingly reauthorized the three-eighths-of-one-cent local sales tax that funds street maintenance and repair — 4,386 to 85. The council's certification makes it official, so the road-repair funding stream continues.
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.
Recognition of Outgoing Council Members
Council Members Theresa Bledsoe and G.W. Estep are leaving the Council and were scheduled to be recognized for their service. It's a moment to thank two residents who volunteered years of public service.
FlashVote Citizen Survey Tool
Staff wants to sign up for FlashVote, a service that texts and emails short surveys to a panel of volunteer residents to gauge community opinion. It costs $7,900 a year plus $3,000 to set up, and the City Manager can approve it without a Council vote. Neighboring cities like North Richland Hills and Bedford already use it.
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.
$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.
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.
City Strategic Plan and Budget Direction
The council workshop focused on the city's strategic plan, vision and mission, fiscal review, and how the budget lines up with capital projects. The direction set here shapes what services and improvements Richland Hills funds in the years ahead.