Sweetwater council approves routine items; city manager highlights dispatch upgrades, CJIS audit, new chief and website

The Sweetwater City Council handled routine business and several administrative matters during its morning meeting. On voice votes with no recorded opposition the council approved meeting minutes for Sept. 9 and Sept. 16, approved the quarterly investment report, authorized solicitations for fuel/oil/asphalt bids, reappointed members to the Sweetwater Housing Authority and the Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development and Municipal Development District, approved a slate of nominees for the Nolan County Central Appraisal District, and authorized the city manager to sign contracts with the Texas Department of Transportation for improvements at Avenger Field Airport. The council also tabled a zoning/land-use ordinance update and two waterline replacement projects to permit additional review.

City Manager Brian Sheridan delivered the manager’s report, noting that National Night Out was well attended and that the Mustang Harbor Splash Pad will close for the season on Oct. 19. He thanked staff and community partners (including Sarah Anderson, Kathleen Cox and the Chamber crew) for event support and read local "Reader's Choice" winners. Sheridan described upgrades to the Sweetwater Police Department communications center — new carpet, an upgraded console and monitors — funded in large part (approximately $31,000) by the West Central Texas Council of Governments.

Sheridan also announced that the Sweetwater Police Department completed and passed the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security audit from the Texas Department of Public Safety, praising dispatch supervisor Jeanette Pritchard and IT staff. He said, "We're also proud to announce Corey Stroman has been named the chief of police for the city of Sweetwater after serving as interim for the last couple of months." Sheridan introduced the city’s newly launched website and noted staff produced a demonstration video of its capabilities.

Votes at a glance (actions recorded in the meeting): - Approval of minutes (Sept. 9 & Sept. 16): approved by voice vote, no opposition recorded. - Quarterly investment report (quarter ended 09/30/2025): approved by voice vote, no opposition recorded. - Resolution denying Encore Electric rate-change application: approved by voice vote. - Zoning/land-use ordinance update: tabled to the November meeting. - Resolution authorizing city manager to execute Avenger Field contracts with TxDOT: approved by voice vote. - Reappointment of Sherry Roden, Carol Stewart and Javier Franco to the Sweetwater Housing Authority: approved by voice vote. - Authorization to solicit annual bids for fuel, oil, lubrication and hot-mix asphalt (FY2025–26): approved by voice vote. - Alabama and Arizona Avenue waterline replacement projects: tabled to November for bid review. - Award of Contract B (wastewater collection system improvements): approved by voice vote (see separate article for procurement details and record inconsistencies). - Appointments to the Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development and Municipal Development District: Russ Petty and Mark Nessus reappointed. - Nomination slate for Nolan County Central Appraisal District board (including Mark Reeves): approved. - Motion to enter closed session under Texas Government Code §551.071: approved; council entered closed session at 09:24.

The meeting proceeded through these administrative matters and then moved into closed session to consult with the city attorney under Texas Government Code §551.071. No additional public testimony was recorded during the open session.