Wise County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Wise County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Wagner Branch Creek Erosion and Flooding
Residents of the Holly Ridge subdivision raised serious concerns about severe creek erosion, loss of property, and flooding along the Wagner branch, asking for a dedicated agenda slot to discuss remediation and historical diversion issues.
Highway 380 to Old Denton Highway Road Connection Property Purchase
The county is buying a 3.37-acre tract for $63,000 to create a new road link between Highway 380 and Old Denton Highway.
November 2026 Election Planning and Administration
The county locked down its voting schedule, polling locations, and election administration contracts for the upcoming November general election. Voters will have access to four main early voting sites across the county.
Weather-Based Burn Ban Renewal
Due to dry conditions and high temperatures, the county enacted a 90-day burn ban to prevent wildfires.
Proposed Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Rule Changes
The general manager of the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District briefed the court on proposed rules, including a 5-acre minimum lot size for new private wells in the western part of the county where water is scarce, and new spacing requirements to combat declining groundwater levels.
Animal Shelter Capital Improvements
Private donors and county leaders teamed up to fund over $43,000 in new, secure outdoor playpens for the animal shelter. This upgrade will help keep animals active and provide a better adoption experience.
Public Health Advisory
Rhome residents need to boil their tap water right now because of a new public health advisory. Keep an eye on the city's website for updates on when the water is officially safe to drink again.
Water Infrastructure
Wise County is running out of water thanks to the recent population boom, so officials are heading to the state capitol to beg for help. If they don't secure more resources soon, expect your utility bills to climb and new housing projects to hit a wall.
Infrastructure Improvement
Highway 287 is finally getting a much-needed makeover thanks to a new partnership between local and state officials. Expect construction to start soon, which should eventually make your daily commute a lot less stressful and safer.
Municipal Fraud
Wise County is reeling after a fake auditor scammed the city out of $650,000 in taxpayer cash. It’s a massive wake-up call that our local government needs to tighten up its financial security immediately.
Municipal Corruption
The former city manager of Aurora is in hot water for allegedly stealing over $300,000 of taxpayer money. It’s a massive wake-up call that our local government needs way tighter oversight to keep our cash safe.
Disaster Declaration
Wise County just declared a local disaster to unlock emergency resources and speed up the response. This means officials can bypass red tape to tackle the crisis faster.
Fire Department Grant Funding
Decatur just landed a huge $2.1 million federal grant to hire 12 new firefighters, which finally gets our local department up to national safety standards. The cash will help staff the new Fire Station No. 2, though taxpayers will eventually need to cover matching funds to keep things running.