Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution authorizing City of Killeen officials to submit grant application for the Fiscal Year 2027 Non-Urban Outdoor Grant Program through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and to accept any subsequently awarded grant.
Body
DATE: July 21, 2026
TO: Kent Cagle, Interim City Manager
FROM: Antonio Murphy, Executive Director of Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: TPWD Non-Urban Outdoor Grant Program FY27 for Goodnight Ranch Community Park
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) Local Park Grant Program assists local units of government with the acquisition and/or development of public recreation areas and facilities throughout the State of Texas. The program provides 50% matching grants on a reimbursement basis to eligible applicants.
This year, TPWD is offering the FY 2027 Non-Urban Outdoor Grant Program. The City of Killeen is eligible for the Local Parks Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant Program due to the population size of 500,000 or less, with a grant ceiling of $750,000. The application deadline is August 3, 2026, and awards are anticipated in January 2027.
Goodnight Ranch Community Park consists of approximately 38.5 acres of dedicated parkland in southwest Killeen. The project is consistent with the Killeen Parks and Open Space Master Plan, including recommendations related to southwest park and trail development, neighborhood connectivity.
The grant requests would support professional services and eligible park development costs. The project scope will be based on the City’s design services RFQ for Goodnight Ranch Community Park.
Required Grant Assurances:
The city must formally adopt the following program certifications required by the funding agency:
• SECTION 1: That the Applicant hereby certifies that they are eligible to receive assistance under the Program, and that notice of the application has been posted according to local public hearing requirements.
• SECTION 2: That the Applicant hereby certifies that the matching share for this application is readily available at this time.
• SECTION 3: That the Applicant hereby authorizes and directs the City Manager or the Executive Director of Finance to act for the Applicant in dealing with the Department for the purposes of the Program, and that City Manager or the Executive Director of Finance is hereby officially designated as the representative in this regard.
• SECTION 4: The Applicant hereby specifically authorizes the official to make application to the Department concerning the site to be known as Goodnight Ranch Community Park in the City of Killeen for use as a park site and is hereby dedicated for public park and recreation purposes in perpetuity. Projects with federal monies may have differing requirements.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
N/A
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
N/A
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This item conforms with state and local policies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the revenue/expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
TPWD grant revenue or expenditure is anticipated in future fiscal year 27, 28, and 29. If awarded, the City may receive up to $750,000 in grant reimbursement funding, with a required City match of $750,000 for a total grant project of $1,500,000 in future fiscal years. The city would be responsible for all non-reimbursable costs and any costs exceeding the grant reward.
Is this a one-time or recurring revenue/expenditure?
One-time
Is this revenue/expenditure budgeted?
Yes, funding is available in the 2023 Certificates of Obligation Fund for Park Development, CAP -Design/Engineering account 306-56200-900-300-923026 and CAP-Construction account 306-56201-900-300-923026.
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this revenue/expenditure?
Yes
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager, or the Executive Director of Finance, to submit, modify, or cancel, as necessary, a grant application under the FY2027 Non-Urban Outdoor Grant Program for Goodnight Ranch Community Park.
Additionally, staff recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager or the Executive Director of Finance to commit the required matching funds in the form of cash match contributions and permit the Killeen Parks and Recreation Department to allocate and administer the grant duties under the oversight of the City’s Finance Department.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Legal
Purchasing
Finance
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Site Plan
Master Plan Excerpt TR17
Form
Presentation