City of Marlin Water Rates and Related Utility Charges Increases
A Regular Meeting of the Marlin City Council was held November 12, 2025, at 6 pm, Mayor Susan Byrd presiding. Council members present were Terence McDavid, William Roe, Jo Mark Taylor, and Morris Watson, Jr. Council member Cecil Sparks arrived at 6:48 pm.
The minutes of the Council Meeting from October 9, 2025 special called meeting and October 14,2025, regular City Council meeting, were approved.
Staff Reports and Staff Updates were presented. Jason Creacy, new City Manager, reported on several matters to be addressed. Of his eight days in the position, he has met with various city officials and citizens and is aware of the many opportunities Marlin has to offer. Creacy is about transparency and correcting the water situation so that Marlin can move forward. He described himself as a “hands-on” type.
Police Chief Hommel reported that despite the weather, the Trunk or Treat had decent attendance. Including 10-12 vendors distributing candy, over 400 hot dogs and 300 hamburgers were served. Marlin PD continues to assist other agencies and has two new officers but is still in need of two more.
Fire Chief Justin Parker noted as of October, Emergency Management has received over 700 calls. The department has played an active role in the community including Fire Prevention school related programs. Located on Live Oak St, the 61year-old Fire Station #2 will re-open to access non-train areas. The 161-year-old Station 1 will remain open with anticipated construction improvements. The county is not currently under a Burn Ban.
Updates on the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and other related projects, including the filter project, were reported by an MRB Group representative. Signatures are required for many of the outlays. It was explained that with approval, the $207K left from the projects may be allocated to other related ones.
After a public hearing and second reading, Council member Jo Mark Taylor moved to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 46 Article II, Rates, Charges, and Billing, Division of Water, an increase in water rates and related utility charges. Second by Council member Scottie Henderson, the motion carried. The amendment will result in a decrease in the “unbilled” allocated amount of water usage. In speaking of the increase in water rates, Council member Henderson asked as to “How we (City of Marlin) got to this?” Basically, it was explained there was not enough money to fund the $13 million bond voted on in 2017. The City Manager expressed his goal “To do what’s fair, not cheating and get the City of Marlin to legal status.”
Other agenda matters approved were (1) purchase of a $28K value for the water treatment plant, (2) purchase of a pump ($23K) for the wastewater retention pond (backwash) at the water treatment plant that’s near TCEQ violation.
Council members approved equal votes for the 2026-27 Falls County Appraisal District Board for Shirley Melton, Debra McDavid, and Melissa Mahoney. Because of their availability to engage in municipality accounting, Council member Taylor moved to change auditing firm. Second by Council member Roe, the motion carried. It was noted a Letter of Engagement is required to the current firm. For submission proposals, Council approved a Request for Quote (RFQ) for the Marlin FEMA WWP Berm Improvement, a FEMA $13 million project fund.
The Council convened into executive/closed session pursuant to Tex. Gov’t Code Sec. 551.071, and Section 1.05, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, to consult with the City Attorney regarding lease agreement between the City and the Falls County Youth Fair, Inc. Upon reconvening, no action was taken.
The MRB Group submitted qualifications in response to the Request for Qualification for Engineering Services for the Fiscal Year 2025 Economic Development Administration Disaster Supplemental funds category grant program and was selected as the qualified firm. In addition, funded by ARPA, construction service bids for the Fire House and Police Department Improvement projects were shared.
John Barrett, Director of the Marlin 4B Economic Development Corporation noted an application for a $2500 Business Improvement Grant, Jimi Lynn State Farm at 225 Live Oak, had been approved. On another note, due to the resignation of a Board member effective December 31, 2025, Council member Roe moved to appoint Jackie Sanders to complete the unexpired term of the resigning Board member. Second by Council member Taylor, the motion carried. The Council also approved the reappointment of four members of the Board of Directors whose terms end December 2025: John Barrett, Courtney Henderson, Hermetta Paul and Melissa Mahoney.
Mayor Byrd moved to accept the resignation of City Attorney/Municipal Court Prosecutor, James Parker effective December 1, 2025. Second by Council member Watson, the motion carried.
Discussion on the Charter Commission’s recommendation for amendments to the City of Marlin Charter, two workshops and town hall meeting were suggested by mid-February. Dates will be determined and announced.
With no further agenda business, the meeting adjourned.