LOCAL GOVERNMENT ROUNDUP
City Council approved a series of infrastructure, public safety, and housing measures during its regular meeting Tuesday, including authorizing a federal grant application for new firefighter breathing equipment, supporting infrastructure improvements tied to future residential growth, and advancing the city’s 2026 federal housing plan.
A proposed five-year tax abatement agreement with Technology Towers LLC within Reinvestment Zone No. 24-1 was removed from the regular agenda before consideration.
Fire Department Seeks $1.6 Million Grant
The council authorized the San Angelo Fire Department to apply for a Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to firefighters grant totaling $1,646,190.
The funding will allow for the replacement of the department’s current fleet of self-contained breathing apparatus with 112 new SCBA units, 110 face pieces, and 288 air cylinders.
According to the agenda packet, the city will provide a required local match of $149,654 if the grant is awarded.
City Backs Infrastructure for Southland Hills Expansion
Council members approved a resolution authorizing the city to participate in portions of water and roadway improvements for the Southland Hills subdivision expansion.
Under the agreement, the city will reimburse developers Southland Hills Inc. and Duncan Group Southland LLC for the approximately $33,989 material cost difference between installing the city’s standard 8-inch water line and a larger 12-inch water line requested by the Water Utilities Department.
The city also agreed to contribute $146,920 toward constructing the additional roadway width on Valleyview Boulevard beyond the standard local street design.
City staff said constructing the full roadway now will eliminate the need for a half-width street until adjacent property develops, improving long-term traffic safety.
Federal Housing Plan Advances
Council accepted the proposed 2026 Annual Action Plan governing the use of approximately $648,017 in Community Development Block Grant funding, $260,143 in HOME Investment Partnerships funding, roughly $8,000 in anticipated program income and approximately $55,000 in previously uncommitted HOME funds.
According to city staff, the Annual Action Plan serves as San Angelo’s application for federal housing funding and identifies projects for the 2026 program year. The city is also proposing updates to its Citizen Participation Plan, which was last revised in 2015.
Within the city’s five-year housing strategy, goals include rehabilitating 33 homes, providing direct financial assistance to five households, assisting 240 homes through rehabilitation programs, adding three new affordable homes to the city’s housing stock and serving 10 tenant-based rental assistance clients through MHMR.
The draft plan will remain available for public review and comment through July 31 before returning to council for final approval and submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Animal Services Receives Funding Support
The council also approved a $90,000 donation of NexGard flea and tick prevention medication for the San Angelo Animal Shelter and advanced a budget amendment adding $60,883 to Animal Services to help cover operational and medical expenses through the remainder of the fiscal year.
Read more about those actions here.
In Other Business
Council members unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone incentive policy allowing owners of multiple properties within a TIRZ to apply for funding on each property and permitting owners of structures with multiple valid addresses to apply separately for each address.
The council also approved an encroachment agreement with Downtown San Angelo Inc. to facilitate construction of the North Chadbourne Street downtown archway and waived the associated application fee. According to city staff, the structure will be donated to the City of San Angelo upon completion, after which the city will assume responsibility for its ongoing maintenance.
