City Of Lufkin, Texas

09/01/2026

CITY OF LUFKIN
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
September 1, 2026 – 5:00 p.m.

https://ayrs.io/l2Xika

The Regular Meeting of the Lufkin City Council will be convened at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, in the Council Chambers of Lufkin City Hall, 300 East Shepherd Avenue, Lufkin, Texas, 75901, in accordance with Section 551.002 of the Texas Local Government Code.

INVOCATION

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT AGENDA
1. Consider approval of minutes from the August 18, 2026, Regular Meeting.

2. Consider approval on Second Reading of an ordinance authorizing an amendment to the 2025-2026 Operating Budget (Budget Amendment No. 6) appropriating Fiscal Year 2025 Edward Byrne Justice Grant funds for the Lufkin Police Department.

3. Consider approval on Second Reading of an ordinance authorizing an amendment to the 2025-2026 Operating Budget (Budget Amendment No. 5) appropriating funds for the repair of two cross culverts at Allendale and Jefferson Streets.

BUSINESS AGENDA
4. Conduct a Public Hearing and consider approval on Second Reading of an ordinance granting a zone change for property located at 104 Whippoorwill Drive from “Residential Large” to the “Residential Medium” zoning district and described as Lot 6, Block 27, of the Lufkin Land & Lumber Co. #2 Subdivision, totaling approximately 0.79 acres. This item also includes a Future Land Use Map change from “Low Density Residential” to a “Medium Density Residential” classification.

5. Receive a presentation, conduct a Public Hearing, and discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget.

6. Conduct a Public Hearing and consider approval on First Reading of an ordinance adopting and levying a property (ad valorem) tax rate for the City of Lufkin for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.

7. Consider approval on First Reading of an ordinance adopting the City of Lufkin Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, beginning on October 1, 2026, and ending on September 30, 2027.
The proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget is available on the City of Lufkin’s website at: https://ayrs.io/jfCMNp

8. Consider approval on First Reading of an Ordinance ratifying the property tax increase reflected in the Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council may convene into Executive Session pursuant to the following provisions of the Texas Government Code. No formal action is scheduled following the Executive Session:
§ 551.074: Deliberate the annual evaluation of the City Manager.

ADJOURN

08/28/2026

City of Lufkin Shares Tools for Staying Informed and Safe

The City of Lufkin spent a great afternoon with the residents of Pinecrest Independent Living Homes on August 12, joining their Resident Association for a conversation about staying informed and staying safe.

Councilwoman Kimberly Abeldt shared updates on current City affairs and talked through how residents can stay connected with the City using the new MyLufkinTX application. Information Technology Director, Jerry McIlroy, walked everyone through the features of the new application and provided a demonstration of the applications features, from reporting issues to tracking updates, and explaining how technology can make City services easier to access.

Lufkin PD Detectives Chris McClurg and James Cowan led an eye‑opening discussion on common scams targeting senior citizens. They demonstrated just how quickly personal information can be accessed and how convincingly scammers can present themselves, offering practical, easy‑to‑remember tips to help residents stay protected during uncertain moments.

Assistant City Manager Brian Bray answered citizens' questions on a variety of topics. His portion of the conversation gave residents the chance to ask about day‑to‑day city operations, ongoing projects, and issues they encounter in their neighborhood. The open Q&A added a helpful layer of clarity and connection to City leadership.

The collaboration between our City departments made the event especially meaningful. Their presentations gave residents clear, practical ways to stay involved, stay aware, and stay safe.

We’re grateful to Pinecrest for the invitation and even more grateful for the kindness shown by their residents. It’s always a privilege to spend time with a community so engaged and eager to stay informed.

08/28/2026

Ag News by Cary Sims
Don't Wait for Cooler Weather to Start Your Fall Garden

I know what you're thinking. “There is no way I'm planting a fall garden in this heat.”

And honestly, I don't blame you. It is hot, dry, and dusty across East Texas. The garden soil is dry, the thermometer is still pushing toward triple digits, and the idea of putting young vegetable plants into that environment doesn't sound like a recipe for success.

But fall gardening in East Texas doesn't wait for the weather to become comfortable.

The calendar says fall garden. The thermometer says summer. The soil says drought.

So, what should a gardener do? Start ‘getting ready’.

One of the biggest mistakes I see with fall vegetable gardening is waiting until it finally feels like fall to begin. By the time cooler temperatures arrive, some of the best planting windows have already passed.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension reminds us that planting at the proper time is probably the most important factor in successful fall gardening. The trick is knowing what to plant, when to plant it and how to get those plants established during the heat of late summer.

Start with the garden itself.

Since your spring garden is likely finished, remove the old vegetable plants and weeds. Don't simply leave everything lying in the garden. Old plant material can harbor insects and disease problems that can carry into the next crop.

Next, prepare the soil.

If your soil is powder-dry and hard, give it enough water to make it workable. Incorporate organic matter where appropriate and get the beds ready before planting. If you have been gardening in the same spot for years, a soil test can also tell you what your soil actually needs instead of guessing.

And then comes the fun part—deciding what to plant. Not every vegetable belongs in the ground at the same time.

Some warm-season vegetables can still be planted or harvested during this transition, while many of the vegetables we associate with fall—such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, carrots, chard, kohlrabi, lettuce, spinach, radishes and turnips—have specific planting windows that depend on where you live.

For East Texas gardeners, that means pay attention to the calendar rather than waiting for the first cool morning.

But there is another problem with planting a fall garden in late August and early September. It's hot.

Young transplants have small root systems, and they can dry out very quickly in late-summer heat. Texas A&M AgriLife recommends using transplants for many fall crops because they get the plants established more quickly. However, those young plants may need frequent attention during their first couple of weeks while their roots expand into the surrounding soil.

That doesn't mean keeping the soil constantly wet.

In fact, AgriLife cautions that too much water can be just as harmful as too little. Soaking-wet soil can lead to root problems and plant decline. Check the soil before watering rather than automatically reaching for the hose every day.

Mulch can be your friend here.

A good organic mulch helps conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures while the young plants establish themselves. Drip irrigation is another excellent option because it puts water near the roots without continually wetting the foliage.

And don't forget that you don't have to plant everything on the same day.

Get the garden cleaned up now. Get the soil ready. Get your seed. Find good transplants. Decide what you want to grow.

Then watch the weather and take advantage of a good moisture opportunity.

A good soaking rain can change the equation dramatically. If we get one, that's the time to get serious about planting rather than simply following a calendar blindly.

Fall gardening is one of the great advantages we have as gardeners in East Texas. While our friends farther north are putting their gardens to bed, we are getting ready for another growing season.

The trick is not to wait until it feels like fall.

Start preparing now.

Your garden will be ready when the weather finally catches up with the calendar.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Cary Sims is the County Extension Agent for agriculture and natural resources for Angelina County. His email address is [email protected](Opens in new window).

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, s*x, disability, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.

08/27/2026

Kiwanis Park Playground to Temporarily Close for Maintenance

The City of Lufkin Parks and Recreation Department announces that the playground at Kiwanis Park, located off Tulane Drive, will be temporarily closed to the public from Monday, August 31, through Friday, September 4, 2026.

During the closure, crews will replace the playground borders and replenish the cushion mulch to help maintain a safe and enjoyable play area for the community.

The playground is expected to reopen on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

The City of Lufkin Parks and Recreation Department thanks the public for its patience and understanding during the closure.
For more information, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 936-633-0250.

08/26/2026

cityoflufkin.com/calendar.php

08/20/2026

Ag News by Cary Sims
New World Screwworm Meeting to be Held in Lufkin

The movement of New World Screwworms (NWS) in Texas has been held to the far western and southwestern regions. Counties from the Texas’ valley northwest to the Big Bend region are the only places they have been found.

And to date, control measures with the Sterile Insect Technique have proven successful.

Studying the USDA – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has identified 46 cases of the NWS in the United States since June of this year.

At this writing, 44 of the 46 have been resolved or determined ‘inactive’. Only two are presently labeled as ‘still active’.

To answer any lingering questions and provide an opportunity for local residents to hear directly from the experts, the Angelina County Extension Service is hosting a New World Screwworm Meeting this coming Thursday, Aug 27 at 6:30 pm. It will be hosted by the Angelina County Extension Office at 2201 S. Medford Dr. This located on the south loop in Lufkin between Café Del Rio and the Farmers Market.

The scientific and historical solution – the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) has again proven itself the best option for control. With the SIT, sterilized male flies are released to mate in an area with an established NWS population. Females, only mating once in their lifetime, then lay nonviable eggs. The population decreases without the addition of new larvae and dies off naturally over a few lifecycles.

Let’s remember the basics. First, this is not a new insect. It is an old insect pest that was eradicated from the United States decades ago and has made its way back into our country. This Screwworm affects all warm-blooded animals including livestock, wildlife, pets, and even people.

Second, this is not a food safety issue. Meat inspection in the United States has been federally regulated since 1906. Animals showing signs of disease or abnormal conditions do not enter the food supply. The recent screwworm detections are an animal health issue, not a food safety issue.

Through close inspection of animals and prompt reporting when a problem is found, we can treat wounds on affected animals and flood the area with the sterile insects. Other ‘suggested remedies’ are not effective and should be avoided to save you time and money.

There are only four places to go for real, factual information. USDA- Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (AgriLife).

APHIS information can be found at Screwworm.gov. Look for the link “View Dashboard” and you can scroll down to see the map and table with cases listed out by county, date, species, and current status.

From the Texas Animal Health Commission, go to www.tahc.texas.gov and click on the New World Screwworm link. If you think you have an infection in livestock, call the TAHC at 903-919-3748. The latest infection and restricted-zone maps are also available through the TAHC website.

Texas Parks & Wildlife is the lead agency for wildlife affected by NWS. Check out their website at https://tpwd.texas.gov and call (409) 383-8055 if you find wildlife alive with larvae (maggots) in or around Angelina County.

AgriLife is the lead on educational outreach. You’ll find many of our posts and stories sending you directly to the agencies listed above.

Be sure to mark your calendar for this Thursday’s in-person seminar at the Angelina County Extension office in Lufkin. There is no fee to attend. Call 936-634-6414 x 0 for more information.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Cary Sims is the County Extension Agent for agriculture and natural resources for Angelina County. His email address is [email protected](Opens in new window).

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, s*x, disability, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.

TPWD.Texas.gov is the place to find information about Texas state parks, hunting, fishing, licenses, wildlife, Game Wardens, boat registration and more.

08/18/2026

Lufkin's Boo Bash on the Plaza 2026

Lufkin's Boo Bash on the Plaza returns October 30 for a free family Halloween celebration

Visit Lufkin invites families to celebrate Halloween at Lufkin's Boo Bash on the Plaza on Friday, October 30, 2026, from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Plaza at the Pitser Garrison Convention Center, 601 N. Second Street in Lufkin.

This free community event brings local businesses, organizations, families, and community partners together for a safe and welcoming evening of trick-or-treating, activities, music, costumes, and Halloween fun.

Families are asked to arrive at 5 PM, when the event officially begins.

Boo Bash on the Plaza is held in partnership with the Museum of East Texas, which hosts Halloween activities on the plaza during the event. The Museum's popular pumpkin decorating activity will be available for families to enjoy, with pumpkins sponsored by Brookshire Brothers, while supplies last.

Local businesses and organizations will be set up throughout the plaza to hand out candy and treats. Costumes are encouraged, and families should bring a bag for trick-or-treating.

Businesses, nonprofits, schools, churches, clubs, and community organizations interested in participating may register online at:

https://www.eventcreate.com/e/lufkin-s-boo-bash-2026(Opens in new window)

Participating groups will receive 10x10 booth spaces. Groups needing additional space, including vehicle displays, trailers, oversized games, or large setups, should note those needs during registration so event organizers can plan accordingly. This is a free community event, and sales of products, merchandise, food, drinks, or services will not be permitted during the event.

Boo Bash on the Plaza will be canceled if it rains. Event updates will be shared through Visit Lufkin and City of Lufkin communication channels.

For more information, contact Visit Lufkin at 936-633-0359 or visit VisitLufkin.com.

08/13/2026

P&Z Commissioner, Jack Ellis, Receives Service Award

On August 10th the Planning & Zoning Commission recognized Jack Ellis for his service on the Commission. Ellis served on the Commission from 2022 to 2026 and was presented with an award recognizing his contributions to planning initiatives and work on land use and development issues throughout his tenure.