Waco · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Waco public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
AJGA Waco Junior Open Incentive Request
IRONMAN 70.3 Waco sold out with 3,225 athletes and drew its largest checked-in field in four years, generating an estimated 5,232 hotel room nights and over $1.1 million in dining spend. IRONKIDS was rained out, but companion events like Beast of the Brazos and Waco Wild West added thousands more room nights.
Tourism incentive requests for 2027 events
Three organizations sought hotel-occupancy-tax-funded incentives totaling $35,500 to bring events to Waco in 2027: the Texas Innovation Invitational, QuiltWeek Waco, and the Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference. Together they're estimated to generate roughly 3,700 hotel room nights, much of it in off-peak months.
East Waco Redevelopment and 25th Street Activation Initiatives
The city is hiring the Better Block Foundation for $196,000 to lead a community engagement process and a 12-month pilot activation at 2423 Cole Avenue to revitalize the 25th Street corridor.
Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Outreach
The city is working to improve local business participation and accessibility through its e-procurement portal and community outreach initiatives.
National League of Cities Endorsement for Council Member Barefield
The City Council expressed strong unanimous support for District 1 Council Member Andrea Barefield's national leadership bid, endorsing her candidacy for 2nd Vice President of the National League of Cities.
Advisory Board Annual Reports and Governance Review
With several board terms expiring, members discussed leadership succession, vice-chair selection, and the formation of specialized committees. These changes will help guide the museum through its upcoming expansion and strategic planning phases.
Convention Center Branding Project Replacement
Updates regarding facility management by Legends Global and ongoing branding initiatives were reviewed by the board.
Commercial Rezoning for Waffle House on S. 7th Street
A 0.7-acre vacant parcel at 722 S. 7th Street was rezoned from office-residence to community commercial to clear the way for a new Waffle House location. The site sits near downtown amid mixed commercial and residential uses.
AI Enablement and Workflow Modernization Contract
The housing authority is looking at hiring a consultant to upgrade its document management and introduce AI tools to streamline operations.
Line of Credit Extension for Grassroots Community Development
The board was scheduled to evaluate whether to extend a line of credit to Grassroots Community Development, which supports local housing and community initiatives.
Establishment of GradAssist Pilot Private Loan Program
The board reviewed a proposed pilot private loan program designed to support graduate and professional students at Baylor University. This initiative sets parameters for interest rates and credit requirements to assist students pursuing advanced degrees.
Parking Authority Annual Report
The board was scheduled to review and approve the annual report covering parking operations and board activities from July 2024 through December 2025.
Brazos Higher Education Student Loan Note Program (2026-2028)
Brazos Higher Education Authority is seeking city approval for its upcoming tax-exempt bond issuances to fund affordable student gap loans for Texas families. City leaders reviewed the program's strong financial performance and confirmed that the bonds carry zero debt or financial liability for Waco taxpayers.