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Killeen council approves FY 2026 fee schedule; residents voice concerns about drainage, golf and utility costs
Summary
After a public hearing, the council approved the proposed FY2026 fee schedule effective Oct. 1, 2025. Residents raised objections about drainage fee increases, golf-course rate hikes, and transparency on bond-funded projects.
KILLEEN, Texas — The Killeen City Council held a public hearing on June 17 and approved a fiscal 2026 fee schedule set to take effect Oct. 1, 2025. Staff said the schedule compiles fees across departments and is required under the city’s financial governance policy; council approved the fee schedule 5–0.
Public commenters pressed council on several fee items. Heather McNeely said scheduling workshops and regular sessions at 3 p.m. makes it difficult for working residents and asked that the city allow remote signups and Zoom participation for citizen comments. Multiple speakers, including Melissa Brown and Sean Price, objected to proposed increases affecting the golf course and drainage fees and asked for clearer projections of how the fee changes and new bond debt will affect household water and sewer bills.
Brown noted the recent water and sewer revenue bond presentation and asked for more time and public access to the bond analysis and total interest cost before final approval of fee-related budget amendments. Other commenters supported a proposed $4,000 surcharge for electric-vehicle-related fire response, saying single-use blankets used to extinguish EV fires are costly.
Staff said the fee schedule follows the charter requirement to hold a public hearing and that fee revenue and some bond debt service will be included in the FY2026 budget; staff also said some fees and permits are set by ordinance and excluded from the schedule. Councilmember Solomon moved to approve the fee schedule; Mayor Pro Tem Adams seconded and the motion passed 5–0.
Councilmembers acknowledged public concerns and asked staff to provide clearer materials on how bond proceeds and fee changes affect ratepayers and to explore remote sign-up options for citizen participation.
