Nacogdoches · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Nacogdoches public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Airport Business Plan
The city is moving toward hiring a consultant to write a business plan that would make the airport financially self-sustaining and a stronger economic engine. The plan would tackle target customers, management structure, pricing, and how to prioritize the $302 million, 20-year Airport Layout Plan projects. A possible $150,000 price tag was floated in October.
Proposed Self-Fueling Regulations and Fee Schedule
The city is introducing new rules and fees for aircraft self-fueling at the airport to maintain safety standards and generate modest revenue.
A.L. Mangham Jr. Regional Airport Runway Construction
The airport is undergoing major runway and taxiway rehabilitation backed by TxDOT funding and local bond dollars to ensure safe and modern facilities.
Airport Unleaded Fuel Infrastructure
The city is introducing new rules and fees for aircraft self-fueling at the airport to maintain safety standards and generate modest revenue.
Vehicle Fleet Management Modernization
The city is scheduled to review multiple capital purchases totaling over $2 million for sanitation trucks, a dozer, an asphalt paving machine, and police vehicle wash agreements.
Municipal Code Amendment on Weapons
The council will consider amending Chapter 70 of the city code regarding weapons, explosives, and fireworks.
Feral Hog Control and Ordinance Amendment
The city is updating its weapons ordinance to allow professionals to trap and remove feral hogs that are damaging yards and public spaces. Current rules made it illegal to discharge firearms, making it difficult to hire wildlife control services.
Regional Water Planning Contract with Plummer Associates
Council members emphasized the vital need to protect local groundwater and surface water supplies from being diverted to major urban centers like DFW and Austin by regional water entities.
Health Plan Sustainability
The city approved a partnership with MyMD Select to provide direct primary care options for city employees, aiming to cut down on expensive emergency room visits and manage rising health insurance claims.
Hospital District Legislation and Sales Tax Allocation
Council members debated whether the city should sponsor targeted legislation regarding the hospital district's sales tax collection and financial responsibilities, with sharp disagreements over local financial sustainability and collaboration.
2027 State Legislative Priorities
The city is preparing its legislative agenda for the upcoming 90th Texas legislative session, focusing on local control, protection of water resources, mental health facility funding, and opposing state caps on local revenues and debt issuance.
Downtown Economic Vitality and Business Inventory
Committee updates will cover the ongoing downtown business inventory to improve communication and track merchant needs.
Downtown Beautification Grant 01.2026 Wallace
The board is reviewing downtown strategies to improve placemaking, alleyway activations, wayfinding signage, and vacant building aesthetics. These efforts aim to boost foot traffic and support local merchants year-round.
NEDCO Annual Luncheon Quorum Notice
City Council members will gather at the annual economic development luncheon, requiring a public notice for a potential quorum. No official city actions or votes will occur at this event.
Convention and Visitors Bureau FY 2026-27 Budget and Agreement
The CVB presented its annual report showing strong hotel occupancy and tourism growth, alongside its $797,500 budget for regional marketing and visitor services.
Possible Quorum Notice for Mayoral Reception
City officials are giving public notice that enough council members might attend an upcoming mayoral reception to constitute a quorum, ensuring transparency under open meetings laws.
Regional Intergovernmental Coordination
The commission was scheduled to receive a presentation on municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction, which affects planning and regulatory controls outside city limits.
Zoning Change on Old Tyler Road (ZON2025-14)
A proposed zone change from B-2 General Business and R-1 Single Family to R-4 Multi-Family was scheduled for a 9.88-acre property at 3607 East Main Street.
Lanana Creek Trail North Bridge Construction
The council approved a $90,000 design-build contract with CoxJones Contractors to replace a deteriorating bridge on the north end of the Lanana Creek Trail, restoring key trail connectivity.
FY 2027 Proposed Budget and Property Tax Impact
The City Council and staff reviewed the proposed FY 2027 budget, discussing revenue estimates, property tax collection rates, departmental expenditures, and rising healthcare and equipment replacement costs.
Economic Development Fund Management
The city approved a Chapter 380 agreement with Icon Cinema to bring a movie theater back to 3801 North Street, providing tax rebates and $50,000 in upgrade reimbursements.
Cottonwood and Hackberry Streets and Waterline Improvements
Nacogdoches is under a boil water notice after a major pipe burst. You'll need to boil your tap water before drinking or cooking until the city confirms it's safe again.
High School Area Pedestrian Safety
Nacogdoches just got flagged as one of the 100 most dangerous cities in the country. It’s a wake-up call that’s going to force city leaders to rethink how we handle policing and public safety moving forward.
Fleet Management Centralization
Nacogdoches just swore in a new mayor and city council to lead the charge for the next few years. These are the people who will be calling the shots on everything from your tax dollars to local policy changes.
Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund Allocation
To keep downtown community events running smoothly, staff proposed shifting $30,000 from the successful Wine Swirl fund to cover negative or low balances in other event and grant accounts.
Downtown Historic Property Alterations
The committee discussed whether they should have a process for reviewing the actual text and historical accuracy of plaques and signs placed in high-impact downtown areas.
Zoning Case ZON2026-06: Appleby Sand Road and NE Stallings Drive Rezoning
An applicant requested a zone change from single-family residential to local business for a 0.35-acre property at Appleby Sand Road and NE Stallings Drive to build an automated coffee kiosk. Neighboring property owners filed formal protests and raised concerns about traffic safety and neighborhood compatibility.
Event Venue and Downtown Hotel Demand Study
The city is partnering with FILO Group to study the feasibility of a downtown event venue and hotel accommodations to support growing economic development.
Manufactured Housing Zoning Compliance
The city updated its comprehensive plan, zoning code, and zoning map to comply with new Texas legislation requiring cities to permit HUD-code manufactured homes by right in at least one residential district.
Water Infrastructure Grant Application
The city is pursuing a $21 million state grant from the Texas Water Development Board to fund major water transmission and infrastructure projects before the 2031 deadline.
Landfill Expansion and Engineering Services
The city is establishing formal franchise agreements with waste haulers like Eco-waste Solutions to monitor waste entering the city landfill, control county waste, and preserve landfill lifespan.
Millard's Apple Park Subdivision Rezoning
A zone change was proposed to rezone 69 lots in Millard's Apple Park Subdivision from R-3 Duplex to R-3M Two Family Mixed.
Manufactured Housing Zoning Compliance
The city proposed updates to the Future Land Use Plan and Code of Ordinances to establish a Two Family Mixed Residential class and a new district accommodating HUD-code manufactured housing.
Commercial Cell Tower Request on SE Stallings Drive
Verizon Wireless requested a Specific Use Permit to construct a 195-foot commercial cellular transmission tower on a large undeveloped tract along SE Stallings Drive.
Summer Hill Drainage Improvements
The city approved a $671,363 contract with TWDirt to fix chronic flooding and property damage in the Summer Hill subdivision.
Sex Offender Residency Restrictions
The council enacted a new ordinance restricting registered sex offenders from living or lingering within 1,000 feet of child safety zones like schools and parks.
North Street Mobility Planning
Nacogdoches is putting a new fire station right inside a local park to help emergency crews get to you faster. It’s a major win for public safety, but it means you’ll have a little less green space to hang out in.
Commercial Exterior Lighting at 322 East Main St.
Downtown business property at 322 East Main St. got the green light to install six stylish, downward-pointing metal light fixtures.
Residential Addition at 311 South Mound St.
A historic home on South Mound Street received approval to add a 12-by-21-foot kitchen and dining space that matches the original architecture.
Historic Restoration Grant Payout for 629 Logansport St.
City officials released $2,600 in grant funds to help cover the cost of a newly installed concrete circle driveway at 629 Logansport St.
Substandard Structures Code Enforcement
The Building Standards Commission evaluated multiple properties flagged for code violations under local urban standards ordinances. These hearings address unsafe structures to improve neighborhood safety and community appearance.
Food Service Establishment and Food Truck Ordinance Update
Following new state laws (SB 1008 and HB 2844), the city amended its code to cap food establishment permit fees and shift food truck licensing and inspection duties entirely to the state starting July 1.
Utility System Revenue Audit
The city hired ISI Water Company (Water Company of America) to conduct a comprehensive audit of utility metering, billing, and collections at no upfront cost. The company will be paid via a percentage of newly recovered revenues.
Road Construction
Nacogdoches is planning a $2.1 million facelift for our local streets to fix up the pavement. Expect some annoying traffic delays around town if the city council moves forward with the project.
Design Guidelines and Paint Color Regulation
A discussion arose regarding how much control the landmark committee has over normal exterior paint colors downtown, highlighting a need to update design guidelines.
Downtown Mural Initiative
The committee approved a barbecue restaurant expansion and a new historical mural downtown, supporting local business and public art.
Park Restroom Improvements
The city is investing over $1.26 million to upgrade park facilities, buying four prefabricated restrooms for Banita Creek, Mill Pond, Robert McCrimmon, and Ritchie parks, and rebuilding a storm-damaged restroom at Lake Nacogdoches West.
Airport Fixed Based Operator Variance
The council approved an aircraft rental business agreement at the regional airport, granting variances from standard ordinance requirements for dedicated office and restroom space due to low operating volume.
Wastewater Infrastructure Upgrades
Council selected Tetra Tech to design a multi-year replacement and upgrade of the city's water and wastewater SCADA control systems.
Capital Improvement Program Funding
City officials planned to review ongoing and future capital improvement projects, but the discussion was called off. Residents will have to wait for a future agenda to hear updates on infrastructure planning.