Item 4B CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
TEXAS ITEM 4e
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES SUMMER WORKSHOP MINUTES
JU N E 22, 2026
LOCATION: 285 Shady Oaks Lane
Legends Hall at The Marq
CITY COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Shawn McCaskill, Mayor Pro Tern Randy Robbins,
Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Austin Reynolds and Councilmembers Gary Fawks, Frances
Scharli, Chuck Taggart and Eric Wang.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Alison Ortowski, Assistant City Manager James
Brandon, Assistant City Manager Stacey Black, Director of Communications Pilar
Schank, Chief Financial Officer Sharen Jackson, Chief of Police Ashleigh Casey,
Assistant Police Chief Jose Luna, Deputy Fire Chief Jeremy Wilson, Assistant Fire Chief
Lorenzo Chavez, Director of Economic Development and Tourism Daniel Cortez,
Director of Planning and Development Services Dennis Killough, Director of Community
Services David Miller, Deputy Director of Community Services Ryan McGrail, Deputy
Library Director Cynthia Pfledderer, Director of Public Works Pritam Deshmukh, Deputy
Director of Public Works Lauren LaNeave, City Engineer Jeff Ginn, and City Secretary
Amy Shelley.
WORKSHOP:
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Strategic Priority Workshop was called to order by Mayor McCaskill at 5:OOpm.
2A. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor McCaskill announced that City Council would convene into Executive Session
pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, Section 551 .072 deliberation
regarding real property. The City Council recessed into Executive Session at 5:10pm
and returned at 5:35pm.
2B. RECONVENE
Mayor McCaskill reconvened the workshop at 5:42pm.
3. DISCUSSION: FY 2027 FINANCIAL OUTLOOK AND STRATEGIC BUDGET
DIRECTION
Chief Financial Officer Sharen Jackson presented an overview of the FY 2027 financial
outlook and strategic budget direction, including current financial performance, key
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITY SUMMER WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES, JUNE 22, 2026
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property and sales tax trends, and projections impacting budget development. Staff
reviewed major cost drivers, efficiency strategies to maintain service levels, and
workforce considerations. The discussion reinforced Council's financial guiding
principles in preparation for FY 2027 planning.
Assistant City Manager Stacey Black provided additional details regarding workforce
and compensation cost drivers.
4. DISCUSSION: SALES TAX DISTRICTS MULTI-YEAR SUSTAINABILITY
Assistant City Manager Stacey Black presented a five-year sustainability outlook for the
City's dedicated sales tax districts (CEDC, SPDC, and CCPD). The presentation
outlined current conditions, projected trends, and planning strategies in response to
evolving operational needs and prior Council direction.
5. DISCUSSION: FEE POLICY UPDATES
Director of Economic Development and Tourism Daniel Cortez reviewed the fee policy
discussion from the Winter Workshop and presented staff's analysis and
recommendations regarding development fees. The presentation also included options
for fire service fees and introduced a potential stormwater utility fee, including
comparisons of Southlake's rates with peer communities.
6. DISCUSSION: PARKWOOD PROJECT UPDATE AND CONCEPTUAL
DESIGN CONTRACT
Assistant City Manager Stacey Black presented an update on the Parkwood Project,
building on prior Council direction to advance conceptual design for the site, including a
future Veterans Memorial, library, and all-abilities park. Staff reviewed the design firm
selection process and outlined the scope and objectives of the proposed design
contract, which will be brought forward for Council consideration at a future meeting.
Director of Community Services David Miller provided additional details regarding the
request for qualifications, contract scope, conceptual design phases, and cost
comparisons.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor McCaskill thanked staff for their work and adjourned the workshop at 7.29 p.m.
*An audio recording of this meeting will be permanently retained in the City Secretary's
Office.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITY SUMMER WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES, JUNE 22, 2026
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MINUTES APPROVED ON THIS, THE 4T" DAY OF AUGUST 2026.
Shawn McCaskill
Mayor
ATTEST:
Amy Shelley, TRMC
City Secretary
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITY SUMMER WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES, JUNE 22, 2026
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