Garland council reviews free water benefit and finalizes Factory Street rezone

Garland's free water overage benefit for qualifying city employees, volunteer firefighters, retirees and current council and planning members is headed for a rewrite. The City Council on Oct. 7 discussed an ordinance (O-26-04) that would modify the benefit and cap it at 20,000 gallons, according to draft minutes. Members discussed the benefit's legality, the city auditor's recommendations and the need for transparency about amounts and recipients, and considered replacing the water benefit with money to comply with state requirements. No vote on the ordinance is recorded. ^[1]

The council determined that an updated, audit-friendly ordinance should be developed for the 2027-2028 budget. Until a new ordinance is adopted, the four people now receiving the benefit will continue to. A resident who spoke in public comment, citing a July 17, 2024, council approval recognizing 22 years of service to local children, asked that her exemption be reinstated, and she will receive it. ^[1]

The council adopted Ordinance O-26-14, rezoning a property on West Factory Street from agricultural to R-1 single-family residential. The rezoning was approved at the Sept. 16 meeting on a 4-1 vote, with Council member Josh Munns opposed, and the Oct. 7 action put it in writing. ^[1]

On a roll call, three council members voted yes on Resolution R-26-29, titled the Munns Water Contract, with Munns recusing and Council member Tena Allen absent. City attorney Steve Brooks said it is a contract the city needs to honor. The minutes give no terms. ^[1]

The council also approved Resolution R-26-28 to apply for a Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity grant, which Mayor Danny Austin said would help fund projects in the city. ^[1]