City may back off on plans to raise rent on lake lots for now

Residents who lease lots at lakes Arrowhead and Kickapoo may not see rent hikes after all.

Mayor Tim Short emerged from an executive session with city staff and councilors Tuesday and suggested rent hikes may be off the table for now.

"I think at this time what we're looking at is not going to raise the rents at the land on the lake lots for at least for the next year," Short said, "while exploring possibilities including selling of the lots, and by state law that would have to be at fair market value."

A news release from Chris Horgen, city Information officer, on Friday provided a somewhat different version of the mayor's remarks, elaborating on them.

It said: "The Mayor's statement included: The City Council will not consider any rate adjustments in 2024.City Council and City staff will investigate the potential benefits of providing the option for existinglessees to purchase their lots at no less than market rate. There is currently no timeline related topurchasing the lots.

"Regardless of any future decision related to the ability of lessees to purchase their lots, all existingleases will be honored for the duration of their term."

The council took no action on the issue Tuesday.

Councilors tabled a proposed rent increase at a March 5 meeting after several residents complained about the hikes.

The city owns the land around the lakes and has leased lots for homes for decades. City staff proposed raising the leases at Lake Arrowhead by 30 percent and at Lake Kickapoo by 10 percent.

Generally, according to the city, lots at both lakes have leased for $1,000 annually since 2019, but older leases were grandfathered in at lower rates.

More: Wichita Falls City Council tables lake lot lease hike after public outcry

More: Controversy: Commissioners Court orders treasurer to pay Republican election workers

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: City may back off plans to raise rent on lake lots for now