Richland Hills · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Richland Hills public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Comprehensive Plan as a zoning guide
Council agreed that new zoning requests must fit the 2025 comprehensive plan — no more approving whatever shows up just to fill a building. Conflicting visions should trigger a formal plan amendment instead.
Utility rate increases from Fort Worth
Your water bill goes up a bit this year — about $2 a month for a typical 2,000-gallon customer, more for heavy users — because wholesale costs from Fort Worth and TRA rose. It's far less than the 2024 study projected, and the city is adopting a tool to model rates in real time.
Booth Calloway Road reconstruction funding
The city plans a ~$375,000 initial design phase — survey, drainage, and 30% design — paid for with Tarrant County funds, positioning the road project for up to $2 million in federal money later. Formal approval is expected at the next meeting.
Cecil Drive street reconstruction
The city awarded the contract to rebuild Cecil Drive, a 2023 bond-funded street project. Construction could start almost immediately, with contractors required to notify residents and post project contact information.
Citywide street conditions and paving priorities
The city's street resurfacing program for next fiscal year was up for discussion, including pricing and timing. Residents on rough streets have a direct interest.
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 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.
Tree-Trimming Compliance and Public Safety Access
After fire trucks couldn't get down some streets, the city sent over 200 notices requiring limbs trimmed to 13.5 feet over rights-of-way. Council discussed whether public works or a contractor could help residents — especially elderly or health-limited folks — comply during the summer heat, with a proposal due at the August 24 meeting and no citations until then.
TIRZ Number One termination
The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone on the Baker Boulevard corridor is being shut down. About $1 million of remaining money moves into the strategic initiatives fund for one-time projects — think business grants or capital purchases — and the county gets its proportional share back.
Five-Year Capital Improvement Program
Staff presented a five-year roadmap for streets, water and sewer, drainage, parks and facilities, asking the council to shape priorities and funding assumptions before final approvals.
IT Infrastructure Replacement Package
The city was considering a broad replacement of aging network and server equipment — a Fortinet purchase of up to $210,000 from oil and gas reserves, Dell servers and storage up to $500,000 from the General Fund, and a seven-year meter network subscription of up to $43,763 per year.
Ending the Real Time Transport Program
The council was scheduled to consider ending the city-subsidized Real Time Transport ride program once current funding runs out. Riders who depend on the subsidized service would lose it after closeout.
Aging city IT network replacement
The city's 16 network switches — some dating to 2018 — are aging out of support, and replacing them piecemeal would cost roughly $99,000 up front. Staff propose a Meter "network as a utility" subscription at about $27,118 a year for five years, covering hardware, monitoring, firewalls and Wi-Fi with free upgrades. Council wants longer-term pricing and a cost comparison before signing anything.
Public Beautification and Art Advisory Committee
Council members said the city looks "trashy" along the freeway approaches and want a beautification program, more frequent mowing and litter pickup, and screening like berms and trees.
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.