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.
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.
Top issues during term (19)(Taxes Budget)
Open Rewards shop-local program relaunch
Potential changes to how shop-local rebate dollars are distributed; no dollar amount specified yet.
City Manager Retirement and Succession
Unknown — succession and transition costs haven't been disclosed.
U.S. Department of Labor settlement
The city will pay up to $96,797 to settle with the Department of Labor.
Employee health insurance renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield
About $79,000 in additional annual premium for the city; employee costs stay close to current tiered levels.
Urgent facility repairs: police, animal shelter, library
About $860,000 total from fund balance — your tax dollars, but no debt this year.
State legislative impacts on city budgets
Potential state property tax changes could force service cuts if replacement revenue isn't identified.
Certified Tax Roll for Tax Year 2026
Certified valuations determine the tax base on which next year's rate is applied.
New artificial intelligence and personnel policies
Leave accrual changes were negotiated with the police association; the council will review the effects within a year.
FY2026-2027 Proposed Budget public hearing
The budget hearing precedes adoption of the spending plan that funds city services next year.
Proposed $0.6058 tax rate for FY2026-2027
Sets the maximum city property tax rate for next year; the average homestead's city tax bill is estimated at about $1,353.
FY2026-2027 WEDC budget
The EDC sales tax fund is projected to grow from $3.4 million to about $3.67 million, with no sales tax increase projected.
American Rescue Plan Act spending wrap-up
About $6 million in federal money already committed to local infrastructure, staffing, and equipment — no new local cost.
Tarrant County HOME Program renewal for homeowner repairs
The city commits matching contribution requirements for program year 2026.
CCPD budget sustainability and shrinking fund balance
The district's fund balance is projected to fall to about $520,000 by fiscal 2027, barely above the $475,000 minimum.
Annual audit results
The fund balance grew $441,000 despite sales tax coming in below budget, thanks to higher interest income.
FY 2026-2027 WEDC budget
Roughly $803,000 in planned spending, funded by a projected $1.075 million in revenue.
Staffing and Reimbursement Agreement
$355,920 moves from EDC funds to the city's general fund.
Possible 2027 bond election for animal shelter
A $10 million bond ask could hit the 2027 ballot, affecting future tax bills.
30% collection fee on delinquent utility and EMS accounts
Cost-neutral for the city — the 30% comes out of delinquent customers' payments instead of city revenue.
Decisions during term (0)
Recorded while Welch was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
No decisions found matching Taxes Budget.
Voting record (0)(Taxes Budget)
No votes found matching Taxes Budget.