EAGLE LAKE — Eagle Lake Mayor Tim Kelley presided over the 2025 Eagle Lake State of the City on Nov. 6 at the civic center in Eagle Lake. After recognizing the passing of Councilman Jim Wood and Councilman Chris Parker, Kelley acknowledged the current council members: Mayor Pro-Tem Amy Maxwell, Councilwoman Rene Cooper, Councilman Billy Sosa, and Councilman Randy Turner. One council seat remains vacant. Kelley then introduced the new faces in the city government.
There was less turnover this year than in the past. New faces included Public Works Director Mike Beyette, Utility Clerk Brittney Franco and pa- trol officers Esteban Benetiz, Kyle Winkler and Michael Srinual.
The Street Bond Project is moving forward smoothly. The infrastructure is finished, and chip-sealing is under way. Chip-sealing was chosen over asphalt because it costs about 60% of what asphalt paving does. This process should be done within 30 days.
New technology and updates around the city included upgrades to all city computers and the installation of upgraded network firewalls at the police department and city hall. Under a franchise agreement with Rise Broadband, the city negotiated a nocost high-speed service to every city facility. The city has switched over to a new VOIP phone system, along with switching carriers to T-Mobile. This switch to VOIP and T-Mobile ensures the phones will work without the cost of landlines. New security cameras were added at the police department, airport and community center. This past year has seen added security lighting with timers at the basketball court at the community center and upgraded chairs and improved aesthetics at the council chambers.
The Eagle Lake Bird Trail and Nature Area was a major project for 2025. City crews hauled over 20 dump truck loads of debris out of the natural area and from the sides of the trail. Repairs to the boardwalk and new additional benches were added. The city advertised in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, and profes- sional flyers and pamphlets were cre ated for the park. Eagle Lake received notice from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department that the environmental study for the grant was completed, for a grant agreement to be completed soon. A $300k grant was received in 2023.
The Community Center received a generous donation from the Wintermann Foundation so the city could renovate the center. The center has been wonderfully updated, with the main hall and smaller meeting room remodeled, with the kitchen receiving a facelift. Many other updates were made.
The Downtown Skyline Project was completed this year. The lights can be set to different colors for different holidays.
The Eagle Lake Airport is closer to a B2 airport to handle small jets. A land swap with the Wintermanns of an additional 70-plus acres gives the airport 100% ownership. A new courtesy car can be rented to be used by airport users to go back and forth to the city. A completed water line project and new beacon were upgraded. There is continued work on the new master plan, the Airport Layout Plan.
Surplus Auction of many city vehicles and equipment has been completed, with the funds going to the required computer replacement project and partially funding the traffic con trol signal at McCarty and Highway 90.
The Community Unlimited and Office of the Governor Law Enforce ment Grants were laid out with grants toward a GIS mapping project for all water and sewer infrastructure, and a water and sewer rate study. The law enforcement grant was for $5,453 for new body armor for the officers and a partial reimbursement for body-worn cameras.
Kelley noted the city council supported the Colorado County Volunteer Fire Department's vision to create an Emergency Services District. This, according to Kelley, is an issue that must be resolved soon since the cities of Colorado County can not fully fund its own VFDs.
The Dilapidated Building Program revealed that out of 22 properties put on notice for noncompliance, 10 were repaired by the owner, six were demolished by the owner and six were demolished by the city.
The traffic light at US 90A and Farm-to-Market Road 3013 has been installed after seven years of waiting. The last step is waiting for the railroad to tie the lights into the train signal box.
The downtown truck traffic issue is being resolved through planning with TxDOT and involves an additional stoplight at US 90A and Mc-Carty.
The Bank Building project is underway now that the bank has completed its moveout into its new building. Council is looking at the best options for 2026.
Kelley emphasized the numerous community events throughout 2025 and will carry each over into 2026. These events include National Night Out, Trick or Treat on the Square, The State of the City, Veterans Day Taco Breakfast and Hamburger Lunch, Tree Lighting Celebration and other Christmas events, Blue Santa Program, City Easter Egg Hunt, City Bird Photo Contest, Spring Clean-up, Police Department Movie Nights and the Farmers Market.
In conclusion to the Eagle Lake State of the City, Kelley mentioned numerous ordinances and amendments that were passed in 2025 to the benefit of the city of Eagle Lake.
