PRESENTER: Presenter
Gayle Wilkinson, City Secretary
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider the first reading of an ordinance appointing the initial Board of Directors to the City of New Braunfels Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Four - Zipp Park, naming the place designations of the appointed Directors, establishing term dates, and declaring an effective date.
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DEPARTMENT: City Secretary
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 2
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On November 10, 2025, City Council passed Ordinance 2025-68 establishing the New Braunfels Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #4 - Zipp Park to provide a dedicated funding source and revitalization strategy for the zone. Included within the Ordinance, a preliminary Project and Finance Plan was approved. A Board of Directors will provide recommendations to City Council concerning the administration, management, and operation of TIRZ 4.
The application process for TIRZ 4 Board of Director applicants was opened on November 24, 2025, and facilitated through the City Secretary’s Office. Applications were accepted until January 5, 2026 and a sufficient number of candidates have been received to fulfill the Board of Director positions. An Ad Hoc Committee of City Council members met on January 13, 2026 to review applicants and selected the following to be appointed:
Place 1 - Zone County/Adjacent County Resident or Property Owner:
Stephen Brockman, term expiring 11/30/2027
Place 2 - Zone County/Adjacent County Resident or Property Owner:
Stewart Pickard, term expiring 11/30/2027
Place 3 - Zone County/Adjacent County Resident or Property Owner:
Jacob Hixon, term expiring 11/30/2027
Place 4 - Zone County/Adjacent County Resident or Property Owner:
Thomas Jordan, term expiring 11/30/2027
Place 5 - Zone County/Adjacent County Resident or Property Owner - OR - Guadalupe County Representative:
Payton Adams, term expiring 11/30/2027
Place 6 - Zone County/Adjacent County Resident or Property Owner - OR - Guadalupe County Representative:
Tara Woodard, term expiring 11/30/2027
Place 7 - Zone County/Adjacent County Resident or Property Owner:
Travis Engler, term expiring 11/30/2027
Note: Positions five and six may be held for Guadalupe County if they intend to participate in the TIRZ 4 as taxing jurisdiction. Failure of Guadalupe County to participate shall be deemed as a waiver to appoint Directors, and the City Council will appoint these positions. As of creation of this agenda item, Guadalupe County has not indicated their participation status.
Once formed, the TIRZ 4 Board of Directors will meet, review the preliminary Project and Finance Plan, and make recommendations to City Council for the approval of the Final TIRZ 4 Project and Finance Plan - to be scheduled at a City Council meeting in early Spring 2026. Additionally, at this same upcoming meeting, City Council will appoint a Board Chair for the remainder of 2026 - a term that shall expire on December 31, 2026.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to appoint Board of Directors to the TIRZ 4.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council appoint the initial Board of Directors for the City of New Braunfels Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number 4 Zipp Park and establish place designations, term dates, and declaring an effective date.