Orange council bans game rooms, approves utility rate increases and several contracts; tiny-home rules tabled

The Orange City council on Oct. 14 approved a package of ordinances and contracts that will ban game rooms and amusement redemption machines across the city, raise water and sewer rates by 3 percent, and authorize multiple vendor contracts, while leaving proposed rules for tiny-home villages under further review.

The council voted to amend the city code to prohibit amusement redemption machines and game rooms in all zoning districts and to add new definitions and zoning restrictions to Chapter 12 (planning and zoning). The measures passed on the first readings recorded at the meeting. Council members recorded aye votes during roll calls on the ordinances.

The votes came amid other routine and policy business: the council approved a modest 3 percent increase to water and sewer rates to raise revenue for repairs and maintenance; authorized a multi-year trash service adjustment under the Waste Management contract that raises residential and commercial rates; and approved contracts for electrical services and cloud-hosted police software. Councilors also adopted the Orange Economic Development Corporation (EDC) fiscal 2026 budget and made multiple EDC board appointments.

Why it matters: The ban on game rooms changes where amusement-style redemption machines may operate in Orange and could affect small businesses that currently host these machines. The utility increases and the trash-contract rate adjustments will be reflected on residential and commercial bills, officials said, and the grant programs described at the meeting show ongoing external funding that the city is pursuing for infrastructure and disaster recovery projects.

Most significant actions

Votes at a glance - Ordinance banning game rooms and amusement redemption machines (Code ch. 4.17; planning & zoning amendments): Passed (roll call: McKenna Aye; Chandler Aye; Childs Aye; Birch Aye; Mortimer Aye). The ordinance adds definitions for "amusement redemption machines," "gambling device," and "game rooms" and prohibits them in all zoning districts; effective upon second reading if approved on both readings.

- Ordinance amending zoning map (rezoning multiple subdivisions to MUZD, mixed-use): Passed (roll call as above). Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval 5–0.

- Ordinance creating definitions and permitting rules for tiny-home villages (site development standards and zoning changes): No council action. The Planning & Zoning Commission had tabled the item 5–0; council took no action at this meeting.

- Ordinance updating home-occupation rules (Chapter 12.6117) to comply with a state law effective Sept. 1: Passed (roll call as above). Planning & Zoning recommended approval 5–0.

- Ordinance adding posting requirements for zoning amendment applicants (Chapter 12 amendments): Passed (roll call as above). This amends the zoning ordinance to require applicant-posted notice signs and related procedures.

- Outdoor burning ordinance amendments (Article 6.6): Passed (roll call as above). The ordinance removes burn permits from the code and narrows allowable material (natural cut firewood only), requires contained noncombustible containers and attendance by an adult, and preserves exemptions (firefighter training, cooking, debris removal after storms). Council noted that county burn bans and ozone action day rules still apply.

- Waste Management contract / trash service rate changes (appendix A): Passed (roll call as above). Staff said the contract sets a 6.5 percent annual rate adjustment in the current five-year contract; the example residential increase is $2.11 per month for a single cart and $1.38 for an extra cart; commercial rates increase by $2.69 per month.

- Utility rate ordinances (water and sewer): Passed (roll call as above). Council adopted a 3 percent increase across water and sewer enterprise rates. Staff said the water base portion increases by about $0.38 on a base bill (38¢ per 1,000 gallons after that) and sewer base increases by about $0.44 (with 28¢ per 1,000 gallons for additional usage).

- Abandonment of subsurface easement on Hazelwood Drive (approx. 0.0742 acre parcel): Passed (roll call as above). First of two required readings; staff recommended approval.

- Resolution authorizing annual electrical services contract with 70 Industrial LLC: Passed (roll call as above). The city said the contract covers electrical work at treatment plants, city buildings, parks, and public safety facilities; a selection committee scored 70 Industrial highest of three proposals.

- Resolution to contract with Tyler Technologies for Tyler Public Safety Pro (cloud-hosted): Passed (roll call as above). The move will host police records/cad/records management in a cloud environment similar to other hosted city systems.

- Resolution approving one-year collective bargaining/contract adjustments with the Orange Municipal Police Association: Passed (roll call as above). The agreement includes adjustments to vest reimbursement and cleaning allowance.

- Orange Economic Development Corporation budget (FY2026): Adopted. The EDC approved a budget with a 4 percent COLA for two EDC employees, a $100 monthly auto allowance increase, higher legal allocation and capital outlay for city-hall repairs.

Other business, presentations and reports

Grants briefing: The council heard a presentation from Justin Meyer of Traylor and Associates, the city's grant administrator. Meyer summarized active and prospective grant work: a $300,000 Resilient Communities award (0% match) for a comprehensive plan and building code updates; Texas General Land Office (GLO) disaster funds tied to Hurricane Harvey (roughly $7.9 million in infrastructure projects and about $3 million for a buyout program); a Sunset Park water project tied to the 2019 Imelda disaster (about 50 percent complete in construction); FEMA-funded home-elevation and buyout awards distributed this year after multi-year processing delays; FEMA/TDEM COVID-related infrastructure grants (generators at the water treatment plant, an armory generator and police department generator, roughly $1.6 million with a 10% match); and approximately $6 million in reallocation applications currently in queue with the GLO. Meyer said Traylor has secured about $19 million in grants for the city to date and currently has about $6 million in submitted applications.

Mr. Meyer told council, "A lot of the larger GLO projects were tied to Harvey; that's why there's such large awards. When you award non-disaster funding, the award amounts are much lower." (Justin Meyer, Traylor and Associates)

Recreation center report: Recreation staff reported steady usage and expanding programs. Director-level remarks and guest testimonials showed weekly averages and event scheduling: the rec center staff reported daily averages (roughly 33–38 persons per day in sampled weeks), and numerous tournaments and community events are scheduled through next year, including a large tournament series that draws about 800 people per event.

Public comment on tiny homes: Edward Hawthorne, 3006 Bobby Boulevard, spoke during citizen comments in favor of tiny houses as an option for seniors. "I'm a senior, since I'm 89 years old... A lot of us would like to be able to downsize," Hawthorne said, urging the council to adopt tiny-house provisions.

Fire department ISO rating: Chief Bilbo reported the state's fire marshal accepted the city's ISO rating at 2/2X with a score of 84.41, essentially the same classification as before. Chief Bilbo noted the rating affects insurers and that surrounding areas may pay higher fire insurance rates.

Executive session: The council recessed into executive session to discuss a personnel/contract matter involving firefighters and reconvened later. After returning, the minutes show the council "took action regarding item 13.81" (motion passed in roll call) and "no action taken on 13.82." The meeting then adjourned.

What the council did not decide: The proposed ordinance establishing comprehensive tiny-home village standards (definitions, site development standards, and where tiny-home villages would be permitted by right or by special exemption) remained on hold after Planning & Zoning tabled the item; council took no final action on that specific ordinance or on an associated lot-size amendment at this meeting.

Context and next steps: Staff and council discussed starting detailed budget workshops in January 2026 and holding special/overnight sessions to review line items and revenue assumptions, including potential impacts from nonrenewal of certain large tax-increment/industrial development contracts. Traylor and Associates will continue monthly project coordination meetings the third Tuesday and provide updates on pending grant competitions.

Ending: Council members said residents should expect the water and sewer rate adjustments and Waste Management billing changes on upcoming utility bills, and staff will publish additional details and timelines for implementation. The council scheduled further work on the budget and zoning items in subsequent meetings.