Wichita Falls City Council members on Tuesday will consider issuing up to $26.9 million in certificates of obligation to renovate the former Kirby Middle School into a new police headquarters, renovate Fire Station No. 4, renovate the artificial falls at the Wichita River and complete the circle hike and bike trail in the vicinity of Lake Wichita.
The agenda states the city’s Sales Tax Corporation would kick in $1.4 million per year for the projects while the rest would come from property tax revenue, which would be offset by debt that rolls off this fiscal year.
The meeting will be at 8:30 a.m. in the Seminar Room of the Multi-Purpose Events Center, 1000 Fifth St. The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed at share.google/6PYcGpq5YoPphDsrc.
Kickapoo Downtown Airport struggles to be self-sustaining
Also on the agenda is a proposal to buy a study from an engineering firm to assess the future of the money-strapped Kickapoo Downtown Airport.
The proposal submitted by city staff states the general aviation airport has been unable to sustain itself financially, requiring growing subsidies from the city’s general fund.
It asks the city to pay HDR Engineering Inc. $192,799 to conduct an economic study to assess the airport’s long-term financial sustainability.
The study would take 8 to 10 months.
Loan for flight school
Also related to the airport, the City Council will consider giving a $300,000 forgivable loan to Cobra Kai Flight Academy doing business as Aerospace N3xt.
City staff said the money from the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation would be used for initial pilot training for the U.S. Air Force at Kickapoo Airport.
The agenda item said the private company plans a $15 million project that includes a 10,000-square-foot expansion for classrooms and hangar space, leased aircraft and the addition of 10 new full-time positions.
Money for Miniature Wonders
The City Council will also be asked to ratify the city’s Sales Tax Corp. approval of up to $360,000 to the Miniature Wonders nonprofit to pay for fencing around the group’s project site in Kiwanis Park.
The group said more than 80,000 people annually would pay to see a collection of miniature buildings and landmarks.
In October 2025, the City Council approved a long-term lease to the group for a 15-acre site within Kiwanis Park. The 4B Board approved funding assistance for the $360,000 low bid for perimeter fencing.
Both the Economic Development Corp. and the Sales Tax Corp. get their money primarily through a portion of the sales tax paid in Wichita Falls.
Westlake Pipe & Fittings Corp.
The panel will also consider closing portions of Industrial Drive and Radio Lane to Westlake Pipe & Fittings Corp. for $116,400. The transaction would be to accommodate expansion of the plant and hiring of 50 more workers.
Total incentives from the city and Wichita County amount to $1.085 million, according to a May 24, 2024, article in the Times Record News.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita Falls City Council to consider spending $26.9 million Tuesday
Reporting by Lynn Walker, Wichita Falls Times Record News / Wichita Falls Times Record News
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