Freeport City Council on Sept. 29 approved a series of personnel and facility measures — including a hiring bonus for new first responders, amendments to the city's Texas Municipal Retirement System benefit and a plan to renovate the Freeport Recreation Center pool — and tabled several other items after extended discussion about funding and program design.

The council met in a special session at 6:03 p.m. and took action on more than a half dozen resolutions and two ordinance-level items. Most votes were unanimous or near‑unanimous; the council split 4–1 on the pool renovation package after a separate proposal to pay from the parks budget failed 1–4.

Why it matters: Council members said the personnel measures aim to help recruitment and retention for police and fire staff. The pool work drew debate because it is capital‑intensive, involves a three‑year maintenance contract and staff and some council members asked whether one‑time repairs should be paid from the TERS tourism/ redevelopment fund or from the parks budget. The yard‑of‑the‑month program prompted lengthy discussion over program design, eligibility and whether the city or its parks/beautification committee should fund prizes.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025‑2968 — Waive Brazosport High School golf team player fees at the Freeport Municipal Golf Course for up to 25 players. Motion carried unanimously (5–0). Motion to approve made by Councilman Matamoras and seconded by Councilman Rosso.

- Resolution authorizing the fire chief to sign the 2025–2026 Brazoria County Firefighters Association Fire Protection Agreement. Motion carried unanimously (5–0). Motion made by Councilman Matamoras; second by Councilman Davis. Chief Motley said the annual agreement carries no net cost to the city and the department receives an allocation from the county (up to $20,000 for departments outside an ESD).

- Resolution 2025‑2969 — Nomination of candidates for the Brazoria County Appraisal District Board of Directors. Councilman Pena moved to table to allow additional recruitment/advertising; motion carried unanimously (5–0).

- Resolution 2025‑2970 — Yard‑of‑the‑Month program (proposed $50 water bill credit, residential only). After extended discussion and several suggested amendments the council voted to table the item (motion to table carried 4–1). Council debated whether the prize should be $50 or greater, whether winners should be monthly or annual, who should select winners (code only vs. parks/beautification committee) and which fund should pay (water enterprise, parks or general fund).

- Resolution deeming certain city printers surplus and approving donation to local agencies. Motion carried 4–1; Councilman McNamara voted no. Council required a signed transfer agreement (including indemnification language) and asked that receiving agencies agree to return or ensure secure disposal when the equipment leaves service.

- Resolution 2025‑2972 — Adopt hiring incentive policy for first responders: a $5,000 incentive paid in three installments ( $1,000 at hire, $2,000 at one year, $2,000 at two years); employees may not receive the hiring incentive and the academy reimbursement for the same hire (one or the other). Motion carried unanimously (5–0).

- Resolution 2025‑2973 — Amend academy reimbursement policy: up to $5,000 in tuition/books paid in staged payments over two years for eligible employees; council approved and directed annual budget consideration for funding. Motion carried unanimously (5–0).

- Resolution 2025‑2974 — Support negotiation and execution of a new Brazosport Industrial Partnership contract (nonbinding authorization to begin negotiations; staff said a 15‑year agreement is standard). Motion carried unanimously (5–0).

- Resolution 2025‑2975 (facility use and rental policy) — packet missing a page; item was tabled unanimously (5–0).

- Resolution 2025‑2976 — Approve pool renovation and maintenance proposals for the Freeport Recreation Center. After a failed motion to fund the project from the parks budget (1–4), the council approved the project as presented (financing and project scope as shown in staff packet, including tourist/ redevelopment district funding) by a 4–1 vote. Motion carried 4–1.

- Staff said the larger proposal from Hancock Pool Services would address replastering, tile and coping repairs, leak detection, pump and slide plumbing work and a UV sanitizer; the base scope shown in the packet totaled $157,900 and bonding (if required) would add roughly 3% (~$4,737) for a not‑to‑exceed of about $169,693. Landmark Aquatic (AquaCare) proposed a three‑year preventive maintenance contract priced at $7,056 per year.

- Resolution 2025‑2977 — Amend section 9.07 (overtime/comp time) to add flex‑time options and written guidance for compensatory time; item was tabled for additional review.

- Ordinance 2025‑2746 — Adjustments to the City of Freeport TMRS retirement plan to increase the employee contribution to 8% (city match remains; staff estimated an additional annual cost to the city of about $4,300). Motion to adopt carried unanimously (5–0).

- Resolution 2025‑2978 — Opt into the Texas Attorney General's opioid settlement with certain manufacturers; motion carried (4–0 as recorded at roll call).

Discussion highlights and context

Pool renovation: Staff recommended Hancock Pool Services for major renovations and Landmark/Aquaticare for a three‑year maintenance contract. Council discussion centered on (1) whether to use the TERS redevelopment/tourist fund (which staff said is available under the TERS plan and had previously been discussed by the EDC) or use parks/ general funds; (2) vendor bonding, timing and contractor capacity (staff said the work should be scheduled in the off season and completed before the next swim season); and (3) whether major repairs are sensible given discussion of a potential larger recreation center project tied to a 25‑acre redevelopment conversation that some council members have encouraged staff to revisit.

Yard‑of‑the‑Month program: Staff proposed a resident‑nominated monthly yard award with a $50 water credit (one award per ward). Council members urged expanding prize tiers or moving financial responsibility to the parks/beautification committee; others said $50 plus public recognition would be effective. Council ultimately voted to table so staff can return with options and funding sources.

Personnel measures: The new hiring incentive applies to police and fire hires and is separate from the academy reimbursement program (an employee may receive either the hiring bonus or academy reimbursement but not both for the same hire). Council also adopted a TMRS plan change intended to increase Freeport's competitiveness with neighboring municipalities; staff estimated the city's annual cost would rise by about $4,300 under the adopted configuration.

Public comment: Several citizens spoke during the public‑comment portion. One resident asked about timelines for discussion of applicants to a city vacancy. Another speaker raised concerns about a court ruling and past use of eminent domain by the Port of Freeport, alleged racial impacts and said they planned legal action; those remarks were recorded as public comment and attributed to the speaker.

What's next: Staff will return with amended materials on the Yard‑of‑the‑Month and facility‑use policy, finalize the pool vendor schedule and bonding requirements, and implement the adopted personnel policies through HR and department directors. The council recessed into executive session at the end of the meeting to consult with the city attorney on pending litigation matters.

Ending: The council closed the special session to move into executive session on pending litigation and related personnel items.