City Council Meeting Recap - 06/23/26
Speaker: Heath City Manager Steven Alexander

Hello, I’m Steven Alexander, City Manager for the City of Heath, and I’d like to share highlights from the June 23 City Council meeting.

The meeting began with Mayor Jeremiah McClure proclaiming July as Park and Recreation Month in Heath. The proclamation provides a great opportunity to celebrate the premier outdoor lifestyle our community enjoys and the investments we continue to make in parks and trails, including the renovation of Towne Center Park.

Heath residents Dalton Tassett and Christie Cheek also made a special presentation on behalf of the Rockwall County Historical Foundation regarding America’s 250th Anniversary. Mr. Tassett thanked the City for participating in the countywide celebration, which includes commemorative street banners displayed throughout Rockwall County, including along Chris Cuny Parkway here in Heath.

Three public hearings on the agenda were tabled and will return to City Council for consideration at a future meeting.

Council approved a change order to the Hill & Wilkinson contract to support completion of the Towne Center Park renovation project. The changes include a new fence along Laurence Drive, additional power at the amphitheater, drainage improvements at the cubit structure, and temporary electrical service for Water Well No. 1. This temporary service will allow the City to use the well to irrigate the park and fill the pond until the well is fully operational next summer and able to contribute potable water to the citywide water supply. A small fraction of the well water will be needed for ongoing irrigation of the park.

The change order totals $98,347.52 and will be funded through the 2023 Certificates of Obligation issued for the Towne Center Park renovation, the two new public safety facilities, and the new Public Works facility.

Council also awarded a contract for construction of the new 1.5-million-gallon elevated water storage tank on Governors Boulevard, an important

component of the City’s Water Plan to expand the water supply and storage capacity.

Four bids were received ranging from $7,863,553 to $10,717,745. The contract was awarded to the lowest qualified bidder, Phoenix Fabricators & Erectors, Inc., in the amount of $7,863,553.28.

Council also approved a professional services agreement with LUCK Design Team in the amount of $118,500 for the design of a sidewalk along Terry Lane. With the Terry Lane rehabilitation project completed in May, this next phase will help provide pedestrian connectivity from the existing trails on Terry Lane to Terry Park.

Director of Public Works Bryan Creed provided an update on the many capital improvement projects currently underway throughout the city.

Staff continues to meet weekly with the contractor for the Hubbard Drive Improvement Project to encourage every effort to shorten the current completion timeline, improve detour signage, and address grading and dust control along temporary roadways. The project remains on schedule for completion in December 2026.

Regarding the Hubbard Trail project, construction around the causeway requires an easement from the City of Dallas. The City’s request has been placed on the Dallas City Council agenda, and if approved, construction by the developer of Heath Golf & Yacht Club could begin in late summer or early fall.

Contractors have mobilized for the Candlelight Fireflow Improvement Project, and engineering work is underway for the remaining neighborhoods included in the program as staff works to accelerate completion of this important infrastructure investment.

At the new Public Works facility, the exterior shell and interior framing are complete, and gas and electrical installation is now underway.

Construction of the City’s two new public safety stations also remains on track for completion in spring 2027.

Director of Finance Jay Ayres presented the April 2026 Financial Report and provided an update on development of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget.

The proposed budget will be presented to City Council on July 14, when Council will also consider a proposed tax rate. Following that meeting, the proposed budget will be available on the City website, and residents will have multiple opportunities to provide input, including two posted public hearings.

You can find the financial report and all meeting materials on the City website under the Government section. As always, please contact us at City Hall if you have questions or would like additional information. We welcome hearing from you.

As a final reminder, we hope you will join us on July 4 as we celebrate our nation’s 250th Anniversary and the Grand Opening of the newly renovated Towne Center Park immediately following the parade.

You can find event details and a parade RSVP link on the City website.

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed about your community. I hope to see you on July 4.