05-11-2026 WorkshopMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
May 11, 2026
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Monday,
May 11, 2026, at the City Council Chamber, 107 Kaufman Street, Paris, Texas.
Present
Absent:
Mayor:
Mayor Pro -Tem
Mihir Pankaj
Gary Savage
Council Members: Rebecca Norment, Alix Putnam & Tracy Attebury
City Staff: Rose Beverly, City Manager; Stephanie Harris,
City Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; M.A.
Smith, Chief Operating Officer; Steve Marriott,
Finance Director; Danny Rowell, Utilities
Director; Thomas Herndon, Airport Manager, Jon
McFadden, PR Officer; and Duke McGee,
Building Official
Council Member: Shatara Moore
The matters to be discussed are:
Call meeting to order.
Mayor Pankaj called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and moved to item 3.
2. Discuss solar farms in the city limits and zoning.
City Manager Rose Beverly said it had come to the City's attention that there was
someone interest in using property for solar. She said as this point, it was only a rumor but that
the City needed to address codes and zoning should that occur.
Building Official Duke McGee said staff had been working on this for several years with
regard to city limits and the ETJ. Ms. Beverly said the City had some jurisdiction over the ETJ.
He said battery storage projects were developing faster than code could keep up. He provided
City Council with an informational handout about solar farms and a draft ordinance. Mr. McGee
stressed the purpose of regulations was to establish reasonable land use, compatibility,
operational, and infrastructure standards for utility -scale solar energy facilities in order to protect
the public health, safety, and welfare while allowing appropriate renewable energy development
within the city. He said these regulations were not intended to prohibit solar energy systems but
to establish reasonable standards governing location, design, operation and long-term
maintenance of the facilities. He spoke about safety concerns, such as fires and de -commission
regulations for these projects which should include requirement of a bond for cleanup because
of environmental waste after 20 years.
Workshop Meeting
May 11, 2026
Page 2
City Attorney Stephanie Harris said recent legislations passed that called for de-
commission. Mr. McGee referred everyone to page 5.
Mayor Pro -Tem Savage inquired if these projects would be regulated like KC or a little
more and Mr. McGee said a little more. Ms. Beverly said the bond would be required to be
reviewed every five years. Mr. McGee said regulations would need to be put in place for the
future and what was safe for Paris. Council Member Attebury inquired about an overlay of the
future use map and uses. Mr. McGee said these type of projects should probably be in heavy
industry and maybe light industry with a SUP. Ms. Beverly inquired of Council what they
preferred. Mayor Pankaj favored heavy industry or light with industry with a SUP and a buffer.
Council Member Norment asked about an update for future residential growth. Ms. Beverly said
they were about to update the comprehensive and future land use maps. Council Member
Norment inquired about how much property was in ag and Mr. McGee said there was quite a lot,
and it was a place holder. Council Member Norment recommended taking out ag completely..
3. Discuss amending the FY 2025-26 budget.
City Manager Rose Beverly said it was necessary to amend the budget mid -year. She
explained that the City had begun using new budgeting software last year and ended up having
to go back to the old software because some items were left out.
Finance Director Steve Marriott said there were also some new items that needed to be
added to the budget, such as stipends for Fire and EMS personnel. Mr. Marriott said the funds
that needed to be amended were the General Fund, Water Fund, Airport Fund, Grant Fund, and
Auto Theft Program Fund and summarized those amendments. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage asked
the amount of the total increase of the budget, and Ms. Beverly estimated it at about three million
dollars. Mayor Pankaj inquired if EMS was back up to running transfers. Fire Chief McMonigle
said they were not where they were but working on getting back there.
Mayor Pankaj returned to item 2.
4. Adjournment.
There being no further business, Mayor Pankaj adjourned the meeting at 5:10 p.m.
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