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Lake Arrowhead leaseholders press council on lot sales, surveys and committee follow‑up
Summary
Residents at the town hall pressed city officials about Lake Arrowhead lot leases and possible sales after a survey of roughly 650 leaseholders; residents said communication was insufficient and asked how lease revenue is used and whether committees will produce binding action.
WICHITA FALLS — At the same town hall where city officials outlined wildfire mitigation plans, several extended exchanges focused on Lake Arrowhead leaseholders’ concerns about surveys, potential lot sales and how lease revenues are used.
Residents said the city sent a survey to roughly 650 leaseholders and received about 250 responses, which officials described as split roughly 50‑50 on interest in purchasing lots at market rate. Multiple leaseholders told the council they feared being forced to buy or otherwise lose rights, describing stress and reduced household spending.
"When they got the letter about whether the property would sell or lease, they panicked. They live day to day in fear now," resident Paul Borum said, urging clearer communication to leaseholders.
Residents also questioned committee follow‑through. Several said prior community or neighborhood meetings produced little action and asked how a city‑sponsored committee differs from neighborhood watch or ad hoc groups. Council members said staff and council would host listening sessions and that formal policy discussions and decisions on leases and possible sales were slated for follow‑up in the spring.
Tim Shepherd and other residents asked about the lake‑lot lease fee (cited as about $1,000) and whether that revenue supported recent raises or other budget items. Steven Calvert, the city’s CFO, said lake‑lot lease revenue is deposited into the city’s general fund and supports standard city operations alongside property and sales tax revenue.
"The revenue from the Lake Lot leases goes to our general fund and our general fund funds police and fire, but all the standard city operations," Calvert said. He added that the general fund combines many revenue streams and that pointing to one source for a specific raise or line item would be "unfair."
Residents also raised enforcement concerns, saying Clay County would not enforce some city ordinances at lake access points and asking whether the city could improve on‑the‑ground enforcement of fireworks bans and other fire‑risk controls.
Councilors and staff acknowledged the concerns and repeated that a yearlong delay on immediate lease changes had been given to allow more study; they invited leaseholders to participate in upcoming meetings and to use city reporting tools for urgent fire or maintenance concerns.
