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Innis City Commission approves $50,000 increase to Old Telco Road realignment incentive
Summary
At a special called meeting the commission approved amending a development incentive to add up to $50,000 for the Old Telco Road realignment, capping the combined city and Innis EDC contribution at $150,000; staff said the total project is estimated at about $226,000 and the design now includes sidewalks and lighting to meet city and ADA standards.
At a special called meeting, the Innis City Commission approved a resolution to increase the city’s development incentive for the Old Telco Road realignment by up to $50,000, bringing the city and Innis Economic Development Corporation (EDC) combined cap to $150,000.
A city staff member told the commission the project previously received a $100,000 reimbursement incentive in December 2024 and that the final design has since added elements that raised costs. "This amount is to be increased by an additional 50,000," the staff member said, adding that the total project cost is "estimated, in the realm of $226,000." The staff member said the city’s and EDC’s shares are capped at $150,000 and that cost overruns beyond that cap are not the city’s obligation.
Mayor Rayburn said the city prioritizes pedestrian connectivity and ADA compliance. "My preference is that we have walkability in the city," the mayor said, noting city ordinance and ADA requirements that drive the inclusion of sidewalks and pedestrian ramps in final designs. Commissioners pressed staff on constructability and why elements such as sidewalks and lighting were not in the original concept; staff replied the developer’s initial concept omitted these items and that engineering later required additions to meet the Unified Development Code and ADA standards.
Staff described the engineering changes as necessary to comply with local code and to coordinate with TxDOT and the adjacent retail development. The realignment would remove a sharp-angled connection to State Highway 34 and align the roadway with an opposing driveway for the incoming retail project; staff said that coordination with TxDOT and the developer aims to mitigate potential traffic impacts.
Commissioner Jones criticized the recurring need to revise designs after initial approvals, urging that future incentive agreements be based on finished designs to avoid repeated returns to the commission. Staff agreed, saying the city now has final approved plans and recommending future agreements follow completed designs.
Mayor Pro Tem Biswell moved to approve Item B1; Commissioner Fockenbach seconded. The commission approved the resolution by voice vote with no recorded opposition, and the mayor was authorized to sign documents related to the agreement. The meeting adjourned at 5:51 p.m.; the commission said it would reconvene for a budget workshop at 6:00 p.m.
