Burkburnett commission approves rezoning, updates fee schedules and names planning board members

The Burkburnett City Commission used its meeting to approve several administrative and land‑use actions, adopting updated fee schedules, confirming appointments and granting a rezoning request for a small property on Copper Road.

Rezoning approved: Commissioners approved Case 2025‑25 to rezone about 4.02 acres commonly described in the staff packet as 947 Copper Road in Burkburnett from Single‑Family Residential (SF6) to Commercial Business (CB). The motion passed unanimously; commissioners noted the property owner (referred to in the meeting as Mr. West) had improved storage buildings on both sides of the road.

Appointments: The commission appointed Jodie Hill, Justin Houston and Josh Stimson to the Planning & Zoning Board, moving each from an alternate role onto the full board. Staff said the appointees had served as alternates and the move provides continuity; the motion passed unanimously.

TML ballot: Commissioners voted to submit Burkburnett’s ballot in support of incumbent Pam Gosling for Region 5 director of the Texas Municipal League board; the motion to endorse Gosling carried unanimously.

Ordinance 1102 — land‑use fee schedule: The body adopted Ordinance 1102 to revise Title 15 (land use) fees. Staff said the ordinance updates building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit rates, establishes a 2% technology fee to support digital plan review and online permitting, adds an annual CPI adjustment (3% by default unless council decides otherwise) and requires applicants to reimburse the city for third‑party professional review costs when incurred.

Ordinance 1103 — public works fee schedule: Commissioners adopted Ordinance 1103 to update public works and water billing fees, including a tiered restructuring of sewer tap charges and water meter set fees that staff said were overdue for adjustment. As an example, staff cited a sewer‑tap tier that had been $125 and is now shown in the packet at $1,124.78 for a specified installation tier; staff said the increases bring fees in line with documented costs so new development pays its fair share rather than being subsidized by existing taxpayers.

Quotes and discussion: Planning and public works staff emphasized the goal of cost recovery and transparency. In discussing the sewer‑tap adjustments a staff member said the prior flat fee failed to cover labor and equipment, especially for larger development projects; “That was just a fee we collected,” a staff presenter said, describing why new rates are tiered and based on actual installation costs.

Executive session and follow‑up: The commission recessed into executive session for personnel matters and invited the city attorney; no action was taken in open session that night and the body scheduled a reconvened special meeting for Monday, Oct. 27 at 1:00 p.m.

What this means: The fee ordinance updates take effect per the ordinance language and are intended to reduce the subsidy by the general fund for development‑related services. The rezoning converts a small parcel to commercial use, and the new planning board members will participate in future development reviews.

Next steps: Staff will implement the revised fee schedules and continue to process development permits under the new rates; the council will monitor the outcomes and the special call meeting will address outstanding personnel matters.