MINERAL WELLS — As Mineral Wells residents focus on the May 4 election, competing groups are funding much of the city council campaign.
In the mayoral election, there are seats representing the 1st Ward in the south-central part of the city and the 3rd Ward in the northwestern part of the city. This guy is in contention for all three wards.
The mayoral election is between incumbent Mayor Regan Johnson and Mayor Ron Davis.
And challengers Brian Sleeman and DB Thomas are facing incumbent Jerrell Tomlin in District 1 and Beth Watson in District 3, respectively.
Tomlin has been targeted in one of three recall elections. In any case, his term has expired, so there will be two votes for his position with the aim of re-electing him.
The remaining two recalls concern 2nd Ward Councilman Carlos Maldonado, who represents Northeast Mineral Wells, and 4th Ward Councilman Doyle Wright, who represents the city's southwest region.
The fiscal report, filed last Thursday, provides clear lines of distinction for voters at polling stations.
Reports from groups on both sides of the lake show significant spending for small city council elections and significant increases in water rates.
The increase was approved unanimously by the sitting council members and other council members to address the large increases the city is facing from water providers and to support the anticipated financing for the construction of the Turkey Peak Reservoir. Established by.
In one corner, a Gordon-based group called Grass Roots Mineral Wells reported raising $12,100 to support challengers and incumbents opposed to the rate hike.
Each challenger lists a $4,033 donation from Grass Roots Mineral Wells.
In the other corner is a committee calling itself “Mineral Wells Tomorrow,” which has $10,900 and $4,500 raised to support incumbents during the reporting period from February 25th to March 25th. expenditures are listed.
The first 146% price increase in five years for most residential and commercial meters started appearing on December bills.
There are two culprits.
One is a $3 million annual increase in the amount the city pays Palo Pinto County Municipal Water District 1, which owns Lake Palo Pinto, the city's water source.
The other is a $277.5 million loan the water district is seeking to build the $200 million Turkey Peak Reservoir directly below the first lake dam (the city plans to apply for a bond). However, the idea was blocked by two ongoing challenges (Public Utilities Commission).
The remaining funds expected will replace the 60-year-old Hilltop water treatment plant and fund other supporting water infrastructure.
Despite a name like Mineral Wells, Grass Roots Mineral Wells reports one $500 donation from a city resident.
Most of the remaining war chest ($11,000) went to the Palo Pinto County Conservative Party, which listed a Gordon Post Office box in the address field of the report.
The financial director who submitted the report is Joanna “Joey” Miller of Palo Pinto. The filing lists council challengers Davis, Sleeman and Thomas as selected candidates.
Mineral Wells Tomorrow lists Brad Bennett, a Mineral Wells resident as well as eight of its nine donors, as its financial director.
Out-of-towners who support the incumbent are listed in the RLW 2012 Trust of Fort Worth. RLW is the group's second-largest donor, behind Famous Mineral Water co-owner Carol Elder of Mineral Wells, who donated $2,500.
The incumbents are spending modestly, with Mr. Watson being the most active. She reported $1,708 in expenses from Jan. 16 to April 4.
Watson also had $2,500 that day. Her military funds were used for direct mail and other advertising.
Johnson reported no expenses and only $100 in cash donations. She reports that Watson gave her $1,200 in-kind donation, which was sent by mail.
Watson's opponent, Thomas, had not yet spent any money from Grassroots Mineral Wells as of last Thursday.
Neither of the other two challengers had exhausted their $4,033 in contributions by last Thursday.
Incumbent Tomlin did not file financial reports, City Clerk Sharon McFadden reported.
