Living in the Bay

Regular Session | March 17, 2026 Quick Summary: ·       Federal funding secured and major projects moving toward construction phase ·       Jim Walters Road repair update ·       Addressing Data Centers in Wise County ·       Water Quality Update   Public Forum Bailey Farley spoke regarding Martins Road, asking about the use of city funds for paving. City response will be addressed separately Consent Items (Approved) February 3, 2026 – Work Session & Special Session minutes F

Good Afternoon, Runaway Bay! As spring is peeking its head around the corner, things are starting to get busy in Runaway Bay! Starting this week, you may see crews working in or around manholes across the city. The company handling this is RH Borden, based in Salt Lake City, UT, in conjunction with their local DFW office. This crew will create virtual models of each manhole to provide an objective survey of its physical condition. They will also install flow sensors to determ

Many residents have asked about the continued closure of Jim Walters Drive following the roadway washout that occurred several months ago. We understand this closure has been frustrating for those who regularly travel this route, and we appreciate the community’s patience as the City works toward a safe solution.   Following the washout, the City requested an evaluation from the County Engineer to determine the proper repair needed to safely restore the roadway and prevent fu

Over the past few weeks, the City of Runaway Bay has been made aware of several social media videos and photos showing city infrastructure in various states of condition. It is very difficult for the city to determine whether the videos are accurate or whether the situations shown are actually in Runaway Bay or related to known current issues. Some of the issues have been located, verified, and corrected. Other photos that have been posted have been determined to be aged base

Residents Asked to Help Protect Aging Sewer Infrastructure   The City of Runaway Bay continues to experience sewer system blockages - some of which are preventable and caused by improper materials being flushed into the wastewater system.   Recently, Public Works crews responded to another lift station obstruction caused by diapers, wipes, rags, and other non-flushable materials. These items accumulate inside pumps and pipes, causing mechanical failures and increasing the ris

The City of Runaway Bay has received questions about whether it operates under a “strong-mayor” form of government. To provide clarification, the City requested a written legal opinion from Brown & Hofmeister, LLP. The attached letter confirms that Runaway Bay does NOT operate under a strong-mayor form of government. Runaway Bay is a Type A General Law municipality governed by Chapter 22 of the Texas Local Government Code. Under Texas law, strong-mayor systems are found only

The City of Runaway Bay will hold a General Election on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The filing period has closed, and the following candidates have filed for a place on the ballot: Mayor • Herman White • Sam Berry City Council – Place 2 • Richard Griffin City Council – Place 4 • Phil Reicheneker We appreciate the willingness of these individuals to serve our community.

Recently, inaccurate information has been shared publicly regarding the status of Runaway Bay’s wastewater system and related infrastructure efforts.  To ensure residents have accurate and factual information, the City of Runaway Bay would like to provide clarification directly from a qualified professional who is actively involved in overseeing these operations.   The following statement is from Roddy Boston, who serves as Deputy Director of Public Works for the City of Deca

Many residents have questions about zoning, deed restrictions, and what is legally possible regarding the Golf Course. I want to share the Planning & Zoning Commission’s summary of the information presented during their January 6 work session, providing clarity about the legal framework that currently exists.   P&Z Summary   A comprehensive legal and planning review confirms that the Runaway Bay Golf Course is subject to long-standing deed restrictions that significantly lim

Recent media coverage has caused understandable concern regarding a rezoning request from the former RB Golf Club. I want to be very clear: the Runaway Bay City Council is unanimously opposed to the rezoning proposal as presented by the property owners.   Under Texas law, the City cannot legally prevent a property owner from submitting a rezoning application, nor can we refuse to place it into the required public process. The word “consider” reflects a legal obligation - not

I would like to provide accurate information regarding recent media coverage of a federal fraud investigation in North Texas that referenced activity within our city.   Regional Case Overview During the investigation, the City was not privy to all details, as the matter was handled at the federal level  Now that the defendant has pleaded guilty to all charges, additional information related to the case may be disclosed  The investigation identified approximately $5 million in

As another year comes to a close, we reflect on the infrastructure work completed in 2025 and share what lies ahead for Runaway Bay in 2026. This past year largely focused on foundational work to the City’s water and sewer systems. Much of it behind the scenes and not always visible, but necessary to keeping Runaway Bay safe, compliant, and well-maintained for years to come.   Infrastructure Planning & Oversight Water and sewer infrastructure remained a priority for safety, r

We’re pleased to share that the City of Runaway Bay now has an official YouTube channel where residents can easily access recorded City Council meetings and other important video updates. You’ll be able to: ✔ watch recent Council meetings ✔ find previous recordings ✔ stay updated when new videos are added Our most recent December City Coucil Meeting and 2 other recorded meetings are now available to view at your convenience. 📺 Visit our YouTube Channel and subscribe if you

The City of Runaway Bay will hold a General Election for City Council on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Residents interested in voting, learning about the election, or running for office can find key information below. Voter Registration Information For voter registration details, polling locations, and election administration, please visit Wise County Elections. Run for Runaway Bay City Council Residents who meet eligibility requirements and are interested in running for Runaway Bay

Community Highlight: Haylee Olsen   This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for the residents because you make Runaway Bay feel like home. Today, we want to shine a light on a young resident who absolutely crushed her College Government Module by doing something rare - she reached out, asked questions, and got involved.   Earlier this month, Haylee emailed Mayor Herman White after struggling to find information on how our local government works. Instead of guessing, she took the in

City Hall will close at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, November 26, and will remain closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Regular business hours will resume Monday. Emergency Contacts While Offices Are Closed: • Public Works On-Call: 940-389-0255 • Police Non-Emergency: 940-627-5971 • Emergency: 911

Get involved. Stay informed. Help shape your city. Runaway Bay is built on community involvement, and our monthly board meetings are one of the best ways to stay connected to what’s happening across the city. Residents are always welcome and encouraged to attend. Monthly Meeting Schedule (all at 6 pm, Norma Coble Civic Center): • 1st Tuesday – Planning & Zoning • 2nd Tuesday – Economic Development Corporation • 3rd Tuesday – City Council • 3rd Thursday – Cemetery Board • 4th

The Runaway Bay Planning and Zoning Board met on November 4, 2025, to review development discussions regarding the RB Golf Club & Resort property. I’d like to share a brief summary and the City’s official position on the matters discussed. Golf Course Donation Offer The RB Club and Resort owners informally offered the golf course property as a donation to the City of Runaway Bay. After reviewing the condition of the existing city infrastructure and the city’s current financi

Runaway Bay’s biggest fall event of the year is heating up! The 2nd Annual Smoke on the Water Festival is right around the corner, and sign-ups are officially open for several fun community contests. Whether you’ve got a creative streak, a four-legged best friend, or a little one with a big smile, there’s something for everyone to join in on the fun. 🐾 Dog Costume Contest Get your furry friend ready to strut their stuff! Dress up your fur baby and show off their best look at

The City of Runaway Bay is kicking off the fall season with a community favorite: the Smoke on the Water Turkey Trot 5K. This fun and family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, November 15th at 513 Port O’ Call, Runaway Bay, Texas. The 5K run begins at 10:00 a.m., and registration is $35 per participant. Those who pre-register at RaceRoster.com will receive a free event T-shirt, guaranteed with registration. Shirts will also be available for purchase at the event. Su