.jpg)
EAGLE LAKE — Eagle Lake City Council approved its 2026-2027 budget and seventh tax rate decrease, gave input on Rice CISD’s proposed bond and heard public comments in support of its police chief during its meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 8.
RCISD bond
Rice Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Kendall Center provided a presentation to the council about the proposed $55 million bond for a new consolidated elementary school.
RC1SD Board President Jason Pauseway, who was also present, said the Sheridan Elementary property could likely go to Splashway Waterpark. He added that the county has expressed interest in the Garwood Elementary School property, and said the building could possibly be repurposed for police or fire department training and offices.
Center recognized concerns about heavy and fast traffic on Highway 90 Alternate and said the district would plan to seek enhancements to the four-way stop regardless of whether the bond is approved or not.
Center also said the district will hold a town hall on the bond on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 6 p.m. at Sheridan Lions Club, 5803 S Logan Park Dr., Sheridan. A second town hall will be held on Monday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m. at the Nada Community Center, 1231 Old Nada Rd„ Garwood.
Center said he will make the same presentation at the town hall and then leave. That way, board members can discuss details more in depth than he legally can.
Councilmember Billy Sosa said he would prefer to drive his child(ren) instead of letting them take the bus, and voiced complaints over the increased drive time to Altair.
Councilmember Amy Maxwell said she likes the idea of a consolidated elementary, and that would help the community feel less fragmented.
Mayor Anthony Johnson did not speak for or against a consolidated elementary school but said he wants to collaborate more with the district.
Tax rate, budget
The council adopted a property tax rate for 20262027 of $0.572582 per $100 valuation, a 2.3% decrease from the current rate of $0.586240. The tax rate decrease follows the city’s ongoing seven-year reduction of about 15 cents.
The proposed budget maintains rates and usage levels of the utility fund for the water, wastewater and solid waste departments. This follows decisions the city made after a 2025 water and sewer rate study revealed both funds were operating “significantly below break even.” The city also allocated $125,000 each to the water and sewer departments for emergency repairs and $10,000 for fire hydrant work.
The proposed budget allocates $6,500 for the management of the Eagle Lake Golf Course, $7,250 for support of the Eula and David Wintermann Library, $40,000 from donations for city events, $10,000 towards addressing dilapidated buildings, $5,000 for city promotion, and $6,440 for Hotel Occupancy Tax fund requests to promote tourism.
The city also plans to dedicate $20,000 to fund a fire department truck for the Eagle Lake Volunteer Fire Department.
The Eagle Lake Police Department budget includes $25,000 for contract payment of body worn and incar camera systems, $9,000 for replacement tasers, $4,000 for the match of the Flock Camera Grant, and $25,000 for one of two payments on an additional police unit vehicle.
Police chief
Eagle Lake Police Officer Stephanie Botard and former mayor Tim Kelley spoke in support of Police Chief Donald Chaney - and against any leadership changes - during public comments at the start of the meeting. The two speakers both referenced rumors of city officials seeking to remove Chaney from his position.
“Working for the Eagle Lake Police Department has been the first time in my entire law enforcement career that I truly felt supported by its department and its leadership,” said Botard, an Eagle Lake native. “...Law enforcement is not an environment where leadership changes should be made casually or because of personalities, perceptions or political disagreements. Decisions regarding police operations should be guided by those who understand the realities, responsibilities and challenges of the job.”
City officials are not legally able to respond to public comments.
The council conducted a planned private session at the end of meeting to discuss “the duties and responsibilities of the City Manager and Chief of Police” but took no action afterwards. The council held a similar private session on “police department personnel” at its prior meeting on Aug. 11.
