Richland Hills · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Richland Hills public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
Utility rate increases from Fort Worth
Fort Worth is raising water and sewer impact fees on new development in two phases (October 2025 and October 2026), and Richland Hills must mirror the rates in its own ordinance — a combined fee for a typical 3/4-inch meter climbs from $8,256 to $8,742 next October. Existing residents aren't affected unless they add a meter, and the city determined it's not worth a ~$150,000 study to add local fees on top.
Comprehensive Plan as a zoning guide
Commissioners clashed over whether filling an older commercial building with an ice cream plant helps or hurts the city's new vision for Baker Boulevard as a walkable, mixed-use hub. The debate turned on whether redevelopment will ever come to this odd, small 'sandwich' lot — and whether saying yes now locks in the status quo.
Accessory structure height and setback variance at 7171 Richland Road
The city is looking to update rules for backyard sheds, garages, and shops, including how building height is measured and how large these structures can be. RV storage on larger lots was part of the earlier discussion.
Booth Calloway Road reconstruction funding
The Council was set to discuss Halff Associates' proposed scope, fee, and schedule for the Booth Calloway Road project — a road improvement that would come before the city for eventual contract action.
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.
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.
Adoption of 2024 International Codes and 2026 National Electrical Code
The city is still on 2018 codes and plans to adopt the 2024 ICC codes with regional amendments by October — covering new construction, sprinkler thresholds, carbon monoxide detectors, and lithium battery storage. Existing homes aren't forced to upgrade unless they do major remodels.
Cecil Drive street reconstruction
The council was set to award the 2026 street project contract for Cecil Drive, drawing on the 2023 street bond funds. This is the bond money at work on neighborhood streets.
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.
Citywide Landscape Services Contract
The council was scheduled to consider a $178,500 contract with Nico's Landscape LLC for keeping city properties mowed and maintained. It's a routine service contract but a meaningful slice of the city's operating 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.
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.
Economic Development Project #26-02
An economic development project at 7294 Glenview Drive was set for possible closed-session discussion.
Proposed Citizen Civic Academy
The city is considering launching a civic academy class to teach residents how local government works.
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.
Atmos Energy Rate Settlement
A consent-agenda resolution approving a negotiated settlement over Atmos Energy's 2026 rate filing — this affects natural gas bills for area customers.
Code Compliance Communication Strategy
Staff planned to discuss better ways to get residents to comply with city code on things like overgrown grass, weeds and tree limbs — outreach first, enforcement second.
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.
Mimosa Park Drive Mill and Overlay
About $1.275 million in road and street sales tax will fund mill-and-overlay paving, with roughly $1 million for curb and gutter work being scoped with Tarrant County Precinct 3 to determine how many streets can be done.
NCTCOG Electric Vehicle Charging Grant
Richland Hills won a regional grant covering 70% of the cost to add two Level 2 charging stations with four parking spaces at The Link. Council wants to confirm whether charging will be free or paid before the March 3 kickoff.
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.
Splash pad removal and playground enhancement
The perpetually broken Link splash pad is getting pulled from the capital plan. Its ~$60,000 would go toward upgrading the playground at The Link, possibly reusing equipment from Creek Trail Park.
Permitting and Inspection Services Strategy
A strategic discussion was scheduled on how the city handles permitting and inspections — this affects how quickly residents and builders can get projects approved.
Five-Year Capital Improvement Program
The council was scheduled to receive updates on the park restroom and street projects.
Economic Development Project #26-05 — Former TRE Richland Hills Station
The council was scheduled to discuss a possible economic development incentive for a business prospect tied to the former TRE Richland Hills Station site, behind closed doors.
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.
Short-Term Rentals Update
The city is hiring Decker Technologies to find unregistered short-term rentals and collect hotel occupancy tax, with a target launch by late April. Long-term rentals — possibly 1,200+ homes, about 35% of the housing stock — are next, with outsourced inspections planned every time a tenant changes.
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.
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.
Public Beautification and Art Advisory Committee
A new advisory committee is being formed to oversee the ~$30,000 library mural grant and future public art; appointments come at the next meeting.
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.
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.
Accessory structure height standards (Chapter 90-4.02)
Council told staff the intent is to measure height to the roof line — not chimneys or cupolas — and asked for tiered options by lot size so residents can build RV garages without monstrous structures dwarfing neighbors.
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.
Portable Narcotics Analyzer Grant (Resolution 646-26)
The police department was seeking grant funding for a handheld device that tests suspected illegal substances in the field — no local matching dollars required. The resolution just updates who signs off on the grant paperwork. Faster field testing means quicker, safer handling of drug cases.
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.