WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Policy changes have improved the city’s reputation and made headway toward securing a future water source. A lot has happened within the Wichita Falls city limit signs.

But before they tackle new challenges in the new year, we highlight those changes in our local government.

“If there is no further business before this council, Merry Christmas, and we are adjourned,” Mayor Tim Short said as he closed the final city council meeting of the year. With that, city business is done for the year 2024. But it wasn’t smooth sailing for the seven-member council.

In May, the city had their fingers crossed, as did Clay County landowners. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality took up the decision for Lake Ringgold. Ultimately, TCEQ sided with the city, issuing state permits to build the reservoir.

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“It’s evident that the City of Wichita Falls met our burden to show that we meet all the state rules and regulations for the water permit for Lake Ringgold,” former city manager Darron Leiker said.

“Certainly, we want to be good neighbors to our friends in Wichita Falls, but it was disappointing to see that they overruled the judges’ opinion,” said Clay County judge Mike Campbell. “You very seldom see that, so it’s discouraging but not defeating.”

In September, multiple landowners sued Travis County to overturn TCEQ’s decision. Councilors were set to begin the federal application for section 404 through the Army Corps of Engineers but have postponed the process to spring 2025.

As a campaign promise, Mayor Short revisited the controversial trash collection ordinance passed in 2022. July began with an opening discussion among city leaders and business owners.

“This all had to do with being more business-friendly,” Mayor Short said of the discussion to amend the ordinance. By August, councilors amended the ordinance, which some believe was a step in the right direction.

“I think we have some city council and mayor here that are really working to move this in the right direction,” said M&R Services owner Mickey Fincannon. “As long as that formal work, commercial or residential, and we’re good to go, then I love it — 100 percent.”

In August, Darron Leiker resigned from the city manager position after 19 years in the position and 22 years with the city. By Aug. 20, the council appointed Paul Menzies as acting city manager and hired James McKechnie as interim manager two months later. He assumed duties on Nov. 6.

The council has hired a firm to help find the next permanent city manager.

“He or she can just handle the business of the city,” said Mayor Short during a council meeting. “The formal search for a city manager will begin soon; it will be thorough and take as long as it takes. We have an opportunity to do great things.”

On the tail end of Senate Bill 1145, councilors worked to provide quality childcare for the city, giving qualified childcare centers a 100 percent tax exemption. Multiple center owners spoke on the struggles of closing centers, raising prices and losing staff due to wages.

“It’s such a city problem. If we don’t have quality care, people can’t go to work,” childcare center owner Misty Stone said. “I have 87 on my waiting list for my infants, just infants, not counting all my other classrooms.”

Texas Senator Drew Springer called the bipartisan bill a win for working in Texas, stating, “I was excited to see Wichita Falls do it.”

Public safety departments remain at the forefront of the city. As the police department faces a shortage, the city budgeted an 11 percent salary increase across the department to address the issue.

“That’s getting good quality applicants and not cutting standards. I think that we can still get that quality person. And I think the citizens are owed that,” Wichita Falls Police Officers’ Association President Steve Ginger said.

Year in review: Cases handled by WFPD

While those in red took to voters on collective bargaining and arbitration.

“Collective bargaining is a tool that allows us to sit across from our city administration and sit down and talk about working conditions, safety, fair and comparable wages, benefits, all of those things, and provide our firefighters with things that I think citizens think we already have,” Wichita Falls Firefighter’s Association President Al Vitolo explained.

The two propositions passed favorably. The city also improved its reputation.

“We are here today because of the lengthy administrative process completed by the community,” retired Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Ismael Sagredo said during a council meeting.

The city joins over 900 communities nationwide as a Purple Heart City. Multiple signs are now displayed around the city. A move veterans say brings more light to those who served.

“I’m thinking of what they’ll see that they recognize… ‘Hmm, that’s a purple heart. Oh, I know somebody who has a purple heart,’ and they recognize that they’ve been through what they’ve been through,” said Purple Heart recipient Joe Jimenez.

And lastly, a three-candidate race for Wichita Falls City Councilor At-Large ended with a runoff after none of the candidates received the votes to win outright. Sam Pak won the popular vote by razor-thin margins ahead of Austin Cobb.

On the runoff election day, no clear winner could be determined yet as 45 votes separated the two as the county waited for outstanding mail-in ballots. A week later, Cobb was declared the winner.

“I feel excited,” Cobb said after winning his race. “I think the city has a ton of momentum and I’m going to be excited to get on board and continue to push the city forward.”

With a close on city business for the year, more challenges are ahead in 2025. The new year’s first city council meeting is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2025. That’s when Austin Cobb will be sworn in as Councilor At-Large.

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