The Mineral Wells City Council voted to set a proposed property tax rate of 0.5717881, known in the agenda material as the voter‑approval tax rate, and scheduled required public hearings on the fiscal year 2026 budget and the property tax rate for Sept. 16.

The action matters because the council’s choice sets the baseline for the city’s projected general fund and debt service revenue and determines advertised notices the city must publish under state law. Margaret Griffith, the Palo Pinto County tax assessor and collector, presented the certified rates and taxable valuation the city used to compute the options presented to council.

Griffith told the council the certified taxable value was $1,173,548,283 and listed state‑required tax‑rate calculations, including the “no new revenue” rate, the voter‑approval rate (0.5717881), the voter‑approval plus unused increment rate (0.6136011), and the de minimis rate (0.5925277). She said adoption of the voter‑approval rate would yield about $7,850,818 in total city revenue, with $7,032,008.65 to the general fund, $350,006.16 to debt service and $467,337 to the tax increment reinvestment zone. Under that scenario the average home would see a $21.53 increase compared with the prior year.

Council discussion referenced the budget’s sensitivity to utility‑rate changes and cost‑of‑living pressures on staff. Councilmembers said they preferred the voter‑approval rate instead of the higher “unused increment” option, citing the incremental revenue for streets would be a one‑time gain and the household burden alongside an expected utility increase.

A motion to set the proposed tax rate at 0.5717881 was moved and seconded, the city clerk called the roll, and the vote was recorded as follows: Rusher — Aye; Ramsey — Aye; Kelly — Aye; Mitchell — Aye; Watson — Aye; Franken — Aye. The motion passed 6–0. Mayor Johnson was noted as absent.

City staff noted the FY‑26 budget as presented is built around the voter‑approval rate and described the next steps: public notices will be published as required by state law, staff will present the water district and TERs budgets, NewGen Strategies will present the utility‑rate study Sept. 2, and the formal public hearings and adoption are scheduled for Sept. 16.

The council’s vote this evening is a procedural setting of the proposed rate and scheduling of hearings; the tax rate will be finalized after the statutorily required public hearings and any further council action.