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Haslet council debates joining Metroport Chamber of Commerce and initial fee; council discussion grows heated
Summary
Councilors debated a proposal to join the Metroport Chamber of Commerce at a May 5 meeting, discussing the chamber’s fee schedule, expected benefits and how the membership would serve Haslet’s specific needs.
Councilors debated a proposal to join the Metroport Chamber of Commerce at a May 5 meeting, discussing the chamber’s fee schedule, expected benefits and how the membership would serve Haslet’s specific needs.
Staff presented the Metroport Chamber fee options the city received from the chamber: an initiation fee of $28,950 if paid before Oct. 1, 2025 (or $27,550 if after Oct. 1), and an annual membership fee of $12,150 at current rates. Several council members urged more outreach to local businesses to determine whether a regional chamber provides tangible, local benefits, and one council member suggested exploring whether local economic development entities (ADC boards) could help fund the initiation fee.
Supporters said the chamber provides networking opportunities that can help attract commercial development and that nearby member cities have reported measurable ad valorem and sales‑tax benefits after joining. Skeptics questioned whether a regional chamber would advocate specifically for Haslet versus neighboring communities, noted that many local businesses formerly connected to the chamber were not current members, and asked for clearer, written terms about mandatory event fees and termination rights.
During the discussion the exchange between council members grew heated at times, with one councilor and the mayor trading sharp corrections about roles and responsibilities. The transcript shows a motion made to join the Metroport Chamber at the pre‑Oct. 1 initiation rate with funds to come from contingency and a second; the meeting record in the transcript does not capture a clear roll‑call tally in the text provided. Staff suggested the city reach out to local businesses for feedback and advised council members to consider the chamber membership question further.
Why it matters: the membership—if purchased—would be an annual recurring expense and comes with additional suggested event and sponsorship costs; council members raised questions about tangible return on investment for Haslet businesses and whether a local, Haslet‑specific chamber might better serve the city’s needs.
