Mineral Wells improvement difficult but progressing, speakers at State of the Community share

Feb. 12—MINERAL WELLS — A trio of speakers outlined progress and pain during the annual State of the Community lunch on Friday.

Mayor Regan Johnson also played a Fourth Musketeer, welcoming diners for the annual Greater Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce event, this one under new President and CEO Seth Hobbs.

"Nothing ever stays the same — communities either grow or they regress," Johnson told some 250 in the First Baptist Church gym. "Not long ago, we were known as Miserable Wells. ... We have water challenges today, because yesterday came and went without a solution."

Johnson referred to challenges building a new lake, a task that prompted the city to raise water rates 146 percent to attract $277.5 million in bonds for Turkey Peak Reservoir and a new water treatment plant.

Three council members have been targeted for recall under petitions gathered by opponents of the hike.

"We. Need. Your. Support," Johnson said to applause that turned into a standing ovation on her final line. "We are working to help everyone, even those who disagree with us."

The general manager of the district that owns Lake Palo Pinto, the city's water source, also updated the room on engineering and land purchase progress for the new lake.

More timely, though, Howard Huffman said his Palo Pinto County Municipal Water District No. 1 has contracted with "several municipalities" for raw water that will feed a coming reverse osmosis facility this spring.

The setup will keep the city sustained at non-drought levels as the risk of dry times descends again next summer.

"And we can sustain that as long as six years," Huffman said.

As for Turkey Peak, the manager said its 40-year planning history actually is pretty quick. That included 15 years of permitting which has been completed.

"This is a fast pace compared to other places," he said. "This is a huge undertaking for rural Texas."

The dam has been designed, Huffman said, adding land purchasing for the lake footprint will be finished within 60 days.

A pre-construction schedule is in place and contractors have begun giving feedback on plans, he said.

"Starting in the first quarter of 2025, we will begin construction of the Turkey Peak Reservoir," Huffman said.

Before he spoke, Palo Pinto General Hospital CEO Ross Korkmas updated the room on renovations and new facilities at the hospital and its clinics in the county.

Ancient, cast iron pipes have been replaced at the hospital and a new roof is planned.

"We're taking care of what we've been given," Korkmas said, adding the ER and ICU have been renovated with durable, solid surface countertops.

"We've renovated all 13 public restrooms," he said.

A ribbon cutting is planned for the new Palo Pinto Mammography & Women's Wellness Center. and he added "radiologists are just thrilled to death" about a new Tesla MRI.

An advanced wound care center is coming this year, and telemedicine is bringing health care professionals into patients' homes.

Finally, Hawes-Hill consultant Tony Allender recalled the company arriving in 2018 to help with planning and economic development.

"Watching this community transform is truly, truly inspiring," he said, complimenting residents for progress so far, and to come.

"It shows this community is not afraid to do the hard stuff," Allender said, adding the city has doubled down on what makes it unique. "This community doesn't want to be like other communities."