Wichita Falls council approves public‑health grant, economic incentives and appointments; tours city‑hall renovation

The Wichita Falls City Council on Tuesday approved a package of grants, economic incentives and appointments and later toured progress on the city‑hall renovation.

At a regular meeting Jan. 7, the council accepted a five‑year contract worth $10,303,169 from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to continue the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in Wichita Falls. Amy, a public‑health staff member who presented the item, told the council, “It's a great day for public health. It's $10,000,000, thankfully, for the next 5 years.” She said the contract brings about $2,500,000 annually into the local economy through redeemed WIC vouchers and that the program served more than 40,000 participants last year.

The council also approved two economic development actions proposed by the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation (EDC 4A). Ron Kitchens, representing the EDC 4A, asked the council to amend the 4A budget to allow up to $1,000,000 to purchase mineral rights at the Wichita Falls Business Park. Kitchens said the municipality’s earlier acquisition of surface property “failed to acquire the mineral rights,” and the additional funding would let the EDC finalize agreements with mineral‑rights holders to prevent future drilling that could affect parking lots or underground infrastructure. Council members asked about timing; Kitchens said completion would take “days, weeks, not months.”

Separately, the council authorized up to $3,000,000 as a forgivable loan to Sealed Air Corporation to support a proposed expansion at the company’s Iowa Park facility that would create 25 new jobs. Mariah Williams, who said she has led the recruitment project, told councilors the expansion would add a new product line and that the city is competing with two other states for the investment. “So what we are recommending is that we give them a $3,000,000 incentive,” Williams said. The recommended package is structured as a forgivable loan paid in two installments — $1.5 million in each of the first two years — and would be forgiven over seven years if Sealed Air meets job‑creation and retention metrics; Williams noted the expansion remains subject to corporate approval.

On smaller budget items, the council accepted a grant of $47,900 from the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office, Criminal Justice Division for the purchase of an incinerator and associated parts. A presenter identified as the chief said the department has the purchase order in place, the incinerator and parts cost $47,792, and the grant is “non matching funds, grama, so, nothing to cost us any money.” The council approved the appropriation and authorized the city manager or designee to execute necessary documents.

The council also awarded a purchase order of $73,125 to Rear Rig Pacific Company for rollout refuse and yard‑waste carts. Russell, the sanitation presenter, said the order covers 1,000 trash carts and 500 green carts; he noted the city maintains roughly 25,000–26,000 curb carts and an additional 34,000 customers on dumpster service and that inventory was low.

The council confirmed one appointment to the Wichita County/City Wichita Falls Hospital Board, appointing James McKechnie to a term ending July 1, 2026. It also appointed Jeff Browning as mayor pro tem for a one‑year term and completed a long list of board and commission appointments across airport, library, parks, planning and zoning, TIF, water resources, health and other advisory bodies. The council accepted the consent agenda including minutes and committee minutes and approved the listed ordinances and resolutions by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript.

Councilors took time for recognition and transitions. The council named Officer Joseph Hobert employee of the month for January. Outgoing Councilor Bobby Whiteley received public comments and tributes from colleagues before the body recessed for a short break and then returned to business.

After the votes, the council toured the remodeled city‑hall and Memorial Auditorium project. City staff described the status of the council chambers, new mechanical and fire‑suppression systems, an upgraded elevator, new HVAC and boilers, and reconfigured office suites for IT, finance, public information, community development, legal and the city manager’s office. Staff said much of the visible work has moved from demolition to framing and that long‑lead items such as electrical switchgear and boiler equipment have been installed. The mayor noted the tour will be recorded and posted with the meeting video.

No votes or formal actions were reported from an executive session held during the meeting; the certified agenda said the subjects were deliberated and that no further action was taken.