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Watauga, TX
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Place 5 Council Member· 2026-05-11–2028-05-01 (start: sworn into office May 11, 2026 per cowtx.org/800/Council-Place-5; unexpired Place 5 term after Malissa Minucci resigned September 8, 2025; month-level end: May 2028 per cowtx.org/826/Elections 'next general election is scheduled for May 6, 2028 ... Places 3, 4, and 5')

Stephen Welch

Watauga, TX

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
0

Term ending May 1, 2028.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
4
Total speaking time
0:24
Avg per meeting
0:06
Segments
6

Want every word Welch has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Welch said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Filtered to Public Safety

Top issues during term (16)(Public Safety)

low↑Oct 2026[10]

Veterinarian vacancy on Animal Advisory Board

medium↓Aug 2026[5]

SAFER grant firefighters and future staffing costs

The city covers 25% of three firefighters' costs now, but faces the full cost starting in year four.

medium↓Aug 2026[5]

Police hiring standards on prior marijuana use

None — but it could help the department fill officer openings faster.

low↓Aug 2026[5]

Disciplinary appeal hearing document exchange

low↓Aug 2026[5]

Death of Judge J. Stuart Bass

medium↓Aug 2026[5]

Failing Outdoor Warning Sirens

Purchase price wasn't stated in the discussion; cost is covered through the HGACBuy cooperative contract.

high↓Jun 2026[4]

Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and street safety funding

Roughly $1.33 million in suggested improvements — council members noted that's seven to ten police cars and a fire truck in budget terms.

medium↓Jun 2026[2]

Shared services cost increase

About $93,000 more for regional dispatch, jail, and IT shared with neighboring cities.

medium↓Jun 2026[2]

Flock license-plate camera privacy and data concerns

low↓Jun 2026[2]

Kids Fire Camp 2026 recognition

None — the program was supported by sponsors and volunteers.

high↓Jun 2026[2]

Bullet-resistant components for police vehicles

Up to $74,116.56, but covered by a state grant rather than local tax dollars.

medium↓Jun 2026[2]

Rise in park graffiti and vandalism

Cleanup and repair costs weren't itemized, but repeated vandalism drains parks maintenance dollars.

high↓Jun 2026[2]

Shelter capacity strain

high↓Jun 2026[2]

Overhaul of Chapter 6 animal ordinances

Fines up to $500 per animal for shelter abandonment; the city says no new enforcement costs or citation increases overall.

low↓Jun 2026[2]

Traffic enforcement levels questioned

medium↓Jun 2026[2]

Crime Control and Prevention District FY 2026-2027 budget

The proposed budget's tax impact isn't set yet — public hearings come before adoption.

Decisions during term (0)

Recorded while Welch was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

No decisions found matching Public Safety.

Voting record (0)(Public Safety)

No votes found matching Public Safety.