Vernon public meetings in 2024
16 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Agendas & Minutes
The City Commission approved the sale of several tax properties via Texas Communities Group. The body also authorized a temporary street closure for a holiday event and approved the 2025 meeting calendar.
- Sale of 11 tax properties including 1523 Maiden ($300), 2501 Bowie ($3,000), and 2020 Eastland ($4,000)
- Closure of Eagle Street from Marshall Street to Wilbarger Street on Dec 21, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- Approval of the Proposed City Commission 2025 Calendar
- Amendment to the City Manager's contract regarding communication on merit raises
Agendas & Minutes
The City Commission met for a special session to fill a key administrative role and update bank access. The body also approved a request for a community group to use a city park for a holiday event.
- Hired Madala Rodriguez as Finance Director
- Added Darell Kennon, Marsha Jo Stone, and Madala Rodriguez to Happy State Bank lock box access
- Removed Deanna Boatenhamer from Happy State Bank account access
- Approved Juneteenth Committee use of Lyday Park for a Christmas celebration on December 14
Agendas & Minutes
The Vernon City Commission will hold a special meeting to discuss and possibly hire a Finance Director, authorize additional staff access to lock box functions at Happy State Bank, and approve the use of Lyday Park for a Juneteenth Committee Christmas Celebration. The meeting includes an executive session on personnel matters.
- Discuss, consider and take possible action on hiring a Finance Director for the City of Vernon
- Discuss, consider and take possible action on adding staff access to lock box functions at Happy State Bank
- Discuss, consider and take possible action on approving Lyday Park for a Juneteenth Committee Christmas Celebration
Agendas & Minutes
The Vernon City Commission will hold a regular meeting with a consent agenda for approving minutes, financial reports, and department reports. Public comment will be heard before executive sessions. Action items include a 380 Economic Development Program agreement with Hasanour Investments, LLC, exploring new water treatments, leasing Brock Farm, purchasing three police vehicles, and raising rates at the Vernon Transfer Station.
- Consider 380 Economic Development Program and Agreement with Hasanour Investments, LLC
- Consider exploring new water treatments for potable water
- Consider lease of Brock Farm
- Consider purchase of three new police vehicles and upfit equipment
- Consider raising rates and minimum rate base at Vernon Transfer Station
Agendas & Minutes
The City Commission will hold a public hearing and vote on a Specific Use Permit for a front yard carport at 2802 14th Street. Other action items include authorizing a grant application for the Texas Community Development Block Grant program, approving a police radio purchase through a USDA grant, and entering a mental health crisis MOU with Wilbarger General Hospital. The consent agenda covers minutes, financial reports, and department reports.
- Public hearing and vote on Specific Use Permit for carport at 2802 14th Street
- Resolution to submit 2025–2026 Texas Community Development Block Grant application
- Police Department request to purchase mobile radios via USDA Rural Development Grant
- MOU with Wilbarger General Hospital for mental health crisis response
- Approval to purchase a 2024 Backhoe Loader for the Transfer Station
Agendas & Minutes
The Vernon City Commission will discuss and vote on several items including Ordinance 1824 amending the city's fiscal year budget, Ordinance 1817 adopting a drought contingency and water conservation plan, and an amendment to the water supply contract with Pease River Development LLC. Other actions include road closures for events, appointments to the Housing Authority board, and a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
- Ordinance 1824 amending the FY 2023-2024 budget
- Ordinance 1817 adopting the 2024 Drought Contingency and Water Conservation Plan
- Amendment to contract with Pease River Development LLC on water volume
- Closure of Pease Street for a Voter Registration Rally
- Appointment of three members to the Vernon Housing Authority Board
Agendas & Minutes
The City Commission of Vernon is holding a public hearing on a proposed property tax rate of $0.52000 per $100 valuation for 2024, which is above the no-new-revenue rate of $0.49657. The proposed rate is below the voter-approval threshold, so no election is required. The hearing will allow residents to express support or opposition.
- Proposed tax rate: $0.52000 per $100 valuation
- No-new-revenue rate: $0.49657 per $100
- Voter-approval rate: $0.55620 per $100
- Tax on average homestead rises from $461.27 (2023) to $497.86 (2024), a 7.93% increase due to rising property values
- Total tax levy increase of $137,533 (5.23%) to $2,765,061
Agendas & Minutes
The Vernon City Commission will discuss and take possible action on a settlement with Atmos Energy on a rate case, the 2022-2023 annual audit, a drought contingency and water conservation plan, and changes to itinerant vendor permit fees. The agenda also includes a consent agenda for routine approvals, an executive session for legal advice, and a budget work session.
- Resolution 1105 settlement with Atmos Energy on rate case
- Ordinance 1817 Drought Contingency and Water Conservation Plan 2024
- Seal bid contract for installation of a 24-inch pipeline
- Ordinance 1819 changing permit fees for itinerant vendors and requiring a sales tax permit
- Road closures at Main/Pease, Texas/Cumberland, Mesquite/Pease, and Wilbarger/Cumberland for Bacon City USA event
Agendas & Minutes
The City Commission will consider setting the proposed 2024 tax rate and scheduling public hearings for the 2024-2025 budget and tax rate for September 12, 2024. The meeting includes a budget work session and a discussion on ambulance services.
- Proposed 2024 Tax Rate and 2024-2025 Budget public hearings
- RFP/RFQ for Texas Community Development Grant Program 2025/2026 services
- Potential termination of ambulance billing contract with Change Healthcare
- Hiring of Ryan Matthews for an Ambulance Services Survey
- Informational report from Kimley Horn Engineering on street seal coat methods
Agendas & Minutes
The Vernon City Commission will meet on June 25, 2024, to discuss requests for street closures during upcoming local events at Orbison Park. The commission will also consider bids for the Gordon Street project and the reconstruction of the Ferrell Street Sewer Lift Station. A budget work session is also scheduled.
- Street closures for July 3, 2024, Independence Day Celebration
- Traffic flow adjustments at Orbison Park for SWRE Annual meeting
- Purchase of a new server for the Vernon Police Department
- Sealed bids for the CDBG Gordon Street project
- Proposal to reconstruct the Ferrell Street Sewer Lift Station
Agendas & Minutes
The City Commission will discuss the appointment of a Mayor Pro-Tem and the use of Lyday Park for a Juneteenth Celebration. The body will hold public hearings on ordinances regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and Short-Term Rentals (STR).
- Public hearing on Ordinance Number 1813 (ADU)
- Public hearing on Ordinance Number 1814 (STR)
- Sale of tax properties: 2907 Bacon ($1,000), 2909 Bacon ($1,000), and 2401 Wanderer ($300)
- Resolution Number 1102 regarding state mandated tax exemption for qualified Day Care Facilities
- Resolution Number 1103 to deny AEP’s request to increase distribution and transmission rates
Agendas & Minutes
The City Commission will discuss several operational contracts, including municipal solid waste hauling and an interlocal agreement with the DPS. The body will also consider emergency repairs for the Aquatic Center and a grant for the police firing range.
- Emergency purchase for Aquatic Center freeze damage repairs
- Contract to haul Municipal Solid Waste from the Vernon Transfer Station at 11053 CR 97 N
- NRA Law Enforcement Range Grant for Vernon Police Department firing range improvements
- Interlocal Cooperation Contract with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for office space
- Appointment to the Wichita-Wilbarger 9-1-1 District Board
Agendas & Minutes
The City Commission will discuss potential rate increases for solid waste and ambulance services. The body will also consider street closures for upcoming events and a zoning change for 3304 Bacon.
- Ordinance 1811: rate increase for Solid Waste Services
- Ordinance 1812: rate increase for Ambulance Services
- Public Hearing: Zoning Change 3304 Bacon
- Sealed bids for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Gordon Street Water Infrastructure
- Closure of Pease Street from Main to Cumberland for Vernon Pride event on June 9, 2024
Agendas & Minutes
The City Commission is holding a special meeting to discuss and potentially take action on hiring a Main Street/Tourism Director. This includes a scheduled executive session to discuss personnel matters related to the position.
- Hiring of a Main Street/Tourism Director
Agendas & Minutes
The City Commission will discuss several items including a charter amendment, a water sale contract, and the purchase of a truck tractor. The body will also consider sealed bids for a CDBG project on Gordon Street.
- Ordinance Number 1810 to place a Charter Amendment on the May 4, 2024 ballot
- Contract for the sale of water outside city limits
- Sealed bids for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Gordon Street
- Purchase of one Truck Tractor
- Resolution Number 1098 authorizing the 2024 Atmos Cities Steering Committee Assessment
Agendas & Minutes
The City Commission will consider calling a general election for Mayor and two City Commissioner precincts. The body will also discuss grant applications for police radio replacement and recreational trails, as well as the 2024 healthcare contribution rate.
- Resolution Number 1097 to call a general election for Mayor and City Commissioner Precincts 1 and 2
- Public hearing for Vernon Police Department USDA Grant for Mobile Radio Replacement
- Application to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Texas Recreational Trails Program
- Adoption of Financial Policy FY23-24
- Discussion on the 2023 Healthcare Expense Report and 2024 contribution rate