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Residents urge fee relief for the fair, help to reopen bowling alley and a street‑name correction during public comment
Summary
Public comment included the Titus County Fair Association asking the council to review a proposed 2025 rental fee, a bowling‑alley owner requesting EDC assistance and tax relief after a 2023 fire, and a resident asking the city to restore a road name to 'Hedges Road'; staff offered to follow up by placing items on the January agenda or meeting with business owners.
During the public‑comment period at the Dec. 17 meeting, several residents and community representatives asked the council for follow up on local issues.
Steve Russell, speaking for the Titus County Fair Association, asked the council to review a proposed rental fee of $13,200 for the 2025 fair, saying that amount more than doubled the 2023 rental expense. Russell described the association as an all‑volunteer 501(c)(3) that provides scholarships (he said $10,000 awarded in 2024 and $16,000 planned for 2025), sponsors youth events and brings thousands of attendees to the fair, and asked the council to take up the rental‑fee question at the January agenda.
Larry Donahue described a May 2023 fire at a local bowling alley, said the building has been appraised at a higher value while renovations are underway and asked whether the EDC could provide assistance for reopening, help with parking or offer a tax break; he also asked for flexibility on sprinkler‑system timing to allow reopening while completing full sprinkler installation later. City staff offered to meet with Donahue, the EDC director and appropriate departments to discuss options and requested contact information.
Debbie Hedges raised a concern about a newly named road recorded as Jackson Burge Road in the city’s records while locals and some mapping services show 'Hedges Road'; she asked the city to consider reverting signage and was asked to submit a written request so staff could initiate the process.
Staff agreed to place the fair rental fee on the January agenda, meet with the bowling‑alley owner to discuss options and to follow up in writing about the roadway request. The council did not take action on these items at the Dec. 17 meeting beyond scheduling follow up and offering staff meetings.
