Your twice-monthly source on city news, decisions, and projects — all in one place.
Each edition gives you:
- What’s Been Decided
Key actions from recent City Commission meetings and other decisions affecting our community. - What’s Happening
Updates on projects currently underway. - What’s Next
A look ahead at upcoming projects, opportunities for input, and other things on the horizon for Abilene.
What’s in this edition
- Teen Dating Violence Awareness Proclamation
- LAST DAY - Dog Tag Renewals Due by February 27
- City Manager Candidate Interviews Held
- Traffic Signal at 21st & Buckeye Repaired
- Agenda Center — New Look
- Technology Standards Advisory Committee Established
- City Commission Actions: February 23, 2026
- Stay Connected
LAST DAY - Dog Tag Renewals Due by February 27
Dog tags are required for any dogs living within the city limits. Dog tags must be renewed each year.
The deadline to renew is February 27, 2026. A late fee will apply after that date.
To Register:
- Apply in person at City Hall, 419 N Broadway.
- Provide proof of current rabies vaccination.
- Cost is $2 for spayed or neutered dogs, and $5 for intact dogs.
- A late fee will be applied after February 27th.
Tags must be worn on the dog’s collar when the dog is outside.
View a printable version of registration requirements at https://www.abilenecityhall.com/DocumentCenter/View/3013/Dog-Licensing-info.
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Proclamation
At the February 23, 2026, City Commission meeting, Mayor Rein proclaimed February 2026 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness month and urged citizens to recognize, support, and assist all those who serve the rights and needs of victims of teen dating violence, and to promote healthy, respectful relationships throughout our community.
View the signed proclamation (PDF)
View an accessible text version of the proclamation
City Manager Candidate Interviews Held
On February 25, 2026, the Abilene City Commission held a special meeting to interview candidates for the City Manager position.
The meeting opened in public session and then recessed into executive session, along with the selection committee, to conduct interviews. No action was taken following the executive session, and the meeting was adjourned.
The City Commission and the selection committee will continue the recruitment process during a special meeting scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2026.
The selection committee includes the following community members:
- Ross Taplin
- Dana Sprinkle
- Elizabeth Weese
- Cassy Wilson
- Marcus Rothchild
- Natalie Muruato
Updates will be shared as information becomes available.
Traffic Signal at 21st & Buckeye Repaired
The traffic signal at NE 21st Street and Buckeye Avenue has been repaired and is operating normally.
As previously reported, the signal had been going into flash mode during damp or wet weather due to aging wiring within the system. The wiring has now been replaced, resolving the issue.
Thank you for your patience while this work was completed.
Agenda Center — New Look
A new layout of our board agenda and minutes center was launched on the website this week. The updated platform includes a refreshed look and improved navigation for agendas, packets, and minutes.
The most noticeable change is within the meeting agenda itself. Discussion items are now clickable links to the supporting documents, which means no more scrolling through hundreds of pages to find an attachment.
As with any system transition, there may be minor technical adjustments as we work through the rollout.
We appreciate your patience while we finalize setup and continue improving the user experience.
If you are not already signed up to receive notifications when agendas are posted, visit https://www.abilenecityhall.com/782/Agendas-Minutes to subscribe.
Technology Standards Advisory Committee Established
A Technology Standards Advisory Committee (TSAC) has been formed to support coordinated and forward-looking use of technology across City departments.
Technology plays a role in how services are delivered, how information is managed, and how the City communicates with residents. TSAC will review current software and digital tools, consider data governance and security practices, and discuss best practices for evaluating emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. The intent is to promote consistency and long-term planning in how technology supports City operations.
The committee is composed of staff representing multiple departments:
- Mike Ragsdale (Chair), Police Department
- Kellie Olson (Vice-Chair), Community Development
- Kris Kobiskie, Police Department
- Caleb Barnhart, Police Department
- Angie Wilkins, Parks & Recreation
- Jeremy Stuck, Fire Department
- Megan Jenkins, City Hall/Utility Department
City Commission Actions: February 23, 2026
The following is a brief summary of action taken at the February 23, 2026, City Commission meeting, and does not represent the official minutes. This recap highlights Commission actions and provides background for context. Full details, staff reports, and supporting documents are available in the official agenda packet in the Agenda Center.
Consent Agenda
The Commission approved the consent agenda, which included:
- Meeting Minutes – February 9, 2026 (Regular Meeting) — Formal record of actions taken at the previous City Commission meeting.
- Meeting Minutes – February 18, 2026 (Special Meeting) — Formal record of actions taken at the previous special meeting.
- Appropriation Ordinance A-022326-1 — Routine approval of scheduled City expenditures.
- AP Payment Register 022326 — List of accounts payable (vendor invoices and bills) authorized for payment.
Public comments and communciations
- A resident asked questions related to drainage under the railroad tracks (to be discussed when the Interim City Manager returns), the CCLIP downtown project (including why storm drain improvements are included), and damage in the Civic Center parking lot related to roofing work.
Unfinished Business
- Resolution No. 022326-1 — Public hearing notice for proposed Community Improvement District (CID) — The Commission approved a resolution calling for a public hearing on the advisability of creating the “Scooters 1406 N. Buckeye Ave. Community Improvement District” and a 1.0% CID sales tax within the district. [Approved]
New Business
- Ordinance No. 26-3473 — Rackets Tap House special events alley closure and alcohol consumption area — The Commission approved an ordinance allowing the consumption of alcoholic liquor in a specified portion of the public alley between N. Broadway St. and N. Spruce St., along with temporary alley closures during certain special events hosted by Rackets Tap House, Inc. [Approved]
Department Reports
Monthly department reports received (January 2026) — Community Development code violations; Community Development permit summary; CVB and transient guest tax; Fire Department; Police Department; Public Works.
Annual reports received (2025) — Recycling and Tree Board.
Proclamation
- Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (February 2026) — A proclamation was read recognizing Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
Study Session – No Action Is Taken
Following adjournment of the regular meeting, the City Commission held a study session at City Hall.
Topics discussed during the study session included:
- Community Improvement District (CID) Policy Update – Continued Discussion — The Commission continued its review of proposed updates to the City’s Community Improvement District (CID) Policy. The discussion focused on revisions to the policy language, application procedures, evaluation criteria, and financing guidelines for future CID requests. No formal action was taken.
The study session provides an opportunity for Commissioners and staff to discuss items in greater detail, ask questions, and explore topics that may be brought forward for formal action at a later date. Study sessions are open to the public but are not televised.
For more in-depth information on agenda items, including staff reports and supporting documents, visit the full agenda packet in the Agenda Center.
A recording of the meeting is also available on the city’s YouTube channel.
- March 2, 2026 — 4:00 p.m., City Commission Special Meeting
- March 9, 2026 — 4:00 p.m., City Commission Meeting and Study Session
- March 23, 2026 — 4:00 p.m., City Commission Meeting and Study Session
Residents are encouraged to be active participants in their city government by attending City Commission meetings at the Abilene Public Library or by watching live on the city’s YouTube channel on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 4:00 p.m.
Meeting agendas are posted on the city website the week before each meeting. Each agenda includes time for general public comments under Item 6, allowing residents to address the Commission on topics not listed on the agenda. Many agenda items may also allow time for topic-specific public comment.
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