Jourdanton council schedules workshops, highlights transparency, infrastructure and tech upgrades

JOURDANTON, Texas — The Jourdanton City Council held a workshop on Feb. 23, 2026, where members outlined short- and long-term priorities and set two follow-up workshop dates. The council scheduled workshops for March 23 and April 27, 2026, both at 6:00 p.m., and discussed goals ranging from improving resident communication to upgrading city technology and coordinating road work with county officials.

Councilmember Katrina Wiatrek said she wanted the city to "focus on citizen communication for better transparency, optimizing the city website as a primary information hub, and collaborating with county commissioners to adopt their successful road construction strategies." Councilmember Raul Morales asked what the Hotel/Motel Tax can be used for, prompting Councilmember Karen Pesek to report she had "looked into permissible uses for Hotel/Motel Tax funds" and that there "may be potential application toward park improvements."

Councilmember Pamela Manning said the city needs to modernize its technology and conduct audits of core systems. "We need to modernize the city's technology, specifically citing deficiencies in computer, audio, recording, and financial systems," Manning said; she also "would like to see an internal audit of water and infrastructure systems" and urged a more streamlined approach to street maintenance and repairs. Mayor Pro Tem Chester Gonzales proposed operational changes to ease permitting, suggesting "check-off lists for new businesses and contractors to simplify the permitting process," and recommended ensuring Hotel/Motel Tax audits are current while promoting local lodging to visiting contractors to maximize tax revenue.

Mayor Robert A. Williams arrived after the meeting began at 6:08 p.m. and adjourned the workshop at 6:50 p.m. No residents delivered public comment during the hearing-of-residents portion of the agenda. The council's discussion on priorities did not include formal votes on policy changes; the session was framed as strategic planning and information-gathering rather than a decision-making meeting.

The council's next steps include the scheduled workshops in March and April, where members indicated they will refine priorities such as improving resident outreach, clarifying permissible uses of Hotel/Motel Tax revenue, pursuing technology upgrades, and evaluating options for road maintenance in coordination with county commissioners.