The Wichita Falls City Council will talk water when they meet Tuesday.
The meeting will be at 8:30 am. at the Multi-Purpose Events Center, 1000 Fifth Street. It is open to the public and will be streamed live on the city’s website at wichitafallstx.gov.
Councilors will consider hiring HDR Engineering Inc. for $298,700 to look for ways to mitigate flooding on the city’s Eastside.
Several residents have spoken out about the ongoing problem at recent council meetings.
The study would be paid for out of the city’s stormwater fund, which is a portion of residents’ utility bills, and possibly grants. The results are expected by February 2027.
Councilors will also consider applying for a grant of about $20.92 million from the Texas Water Development Board to replace a pump station and add valves and water mains.
The panel will consider hiring a Fort Worth company to be construction manager for an overhaul of the artificial waterfall on the Wichita River.
The city’s namesake waterfall has been closed for months after a study revealed it needed extensive repairs.
Councilors will consider hiring the Fain Group to do the work.
According to the meeting agenda, the Fain Group would do the work for 4% of the actual construction costs, which are estimated to be up to $6 million.
Four percent of $6 million would be approximately $240,000.
On Jan. 20, councilors agreed to pay Garver, an engineering firm, $895,000 to study renovation of the waterfall attraction. The city turned off the falls in September 2025 after paying Garver $130,000 for an initial study.
The 54-foot artificial water feature was built in 1987, according to the city’s website. It is a representation of the city’s namesake, a shallow falls that was destroyed by a flood in the 1800s.
City Manager Jeffrey Jenkins is scheduled to present an update on the search for a new police chief.
Council members will also participate in a pre-budget workshop for fiscal year 2027. The city must finalize a new budget in September.
Much of the Tuesday session will deal with purchases of chemicals and water-meter boxes and applying for or accepting various grants.
In a closed-door executive session, councilors are slated to discuss economic development negotiations related to Oklaunion Power Stations.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita Falls officials to weigh step toward Eastside flood mitigation
Reporting by Lynn Walker, Wichita Falls Times Record News / Wichita Falls Times Record News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Lynn Walker, Wichita Falls Times Record News | USA TODAY Network
