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Freeport council begins community-driven process to set FY26–27 strategic priorities
Summary
City staff outlined six draft themes— infrastructure, public safety, youth recreation, economic development and tourism, municipal service delivery, and city facilities— and will carry them to community engagement before returning April 20 for prioritization to guide the FY26–27 budget.
City Manager Dr. Kelly presented a framework the council will use to set strategic priorities for the fiscal year 2026–27, asking council members to confirm six draft themes before staff takes them to the community for feedback.
Dr. Kelly said council submissions clustered around infrastructure and utilities, public safety assets, youth recreation, economic development and tourism, municipal service delivery, and facilities and public assets. "Rather than focusing on specific projects right away, the goal of tonight's conversation is to step back and talk about the outcomes council wants to see," Dr. Kelly said.
Infrastructure concerns highlighted by council included drainage and wastewater performance during rain events, lift-station condition and whether existing systems can support future development. Dr. Kelly suggested a citywide infrastructure capacity and growth-impact review as one possible next step.
On public safety, council members urged low-cost, high-impact fixes such as repainting and marking fire hydrants and updating roadway signage to modern reflective standards; staff noted these can improve emergency response times and that the city's new contract with Veolia includes hydrant compliance tasks.
Council also discussed opportunities to expand youth engagement and recreation—examples included exploring a sports complex and youth basketball programming—as well as activating Freeport's beachfront, Brazos River waterfront and historic downtown to boost tourism and local business activity.
Dr. Kelly said staff will conduct community outreach using an open-government budgeting tool and other engagement channels, then return April 20 with compiled feedback and analysis to help council select the top two or three priorities to guide next year's budget.
Next steps: staff will gather community input and produce an analysis for council review on April 20; if council adopts priorities, the chosen themes will inform the FY26–27 budget and work program.
