Princeton Pulls Firefighters From Unsafe Station 4 As $40,000 Rescue Grant And Library Expansion RFP Move Ahead

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City Council

At the June 23, 2026 City Council meeting, the big issues all tied back to growth and how Princeton pays for it. Council heard public concerns, weighed development deals, and took votes that affect parks, roads, public safety, and the city’s next manager. Residents, developers, and city staff all had a say on what gets built, what gets fixed, and who pays for it.

Data Center Rules Move Forward With Tight New Limits

Council backed starting a formal text amendment on data centers, which would let staff and Planning and Zoning draft rules for where they can go and how they operate. The discussion centered on noise, water, utility strain, and how close these facilities could get to homes. Council also asked staff to consider examples from other Texas cities and keep resident concerns in mind as the rules are drafted.

Library Renovation Plan Clears First Hurdle

Council approved starting an RFP for the Lois Nelson Public Library renovation and expansion. Staff said the goal is to use the bond money already set aside for the current building and see what a contractor can actually do with it. The library director said the building needs help now, but the bigger payoff could be a space that works better for books, programs, and possibly future uses down the road.

Fire Station 4 Is Deemed Unsafe For Firefighters

Council accepted staff’s recommendation to pull firefighters out of Station 4 because the building has serious electrical, roof, septic, and code problems. Fire Chief Steve Gammons said the station would cost close to $1 million to fix, and the department would move the crew to Station 3 instead. Response times to that area would get longer, but staff said it is safer than keeping crews in the current building.

Firehouse Subs Grant Gets The Green Light

Council approved the fire department’s application for a Firehouse Subs public safety grant for rope rescue gear. Chief Gammons said the department has already had multiple rescue calls where outside help was needed because Princeton did not have the right equipment on hand. The grant could cover up to $40,000, with no city match required.

City Manager Search Firm Approved

Council approved hiring CPS HR Consulting to run the search for the next city manager. The firm will help write the profile, recruit applicants, screen candidates, and give council a shorter list to interview. Council also pushed for a guarantee that if the chosen person leaves within 12 months, the firm will redo the search at no extra cost.

Police Grant Would Add More Officers If Funding Holds

Council approved the police department’s application for the 2026 COPS Hiring Grant, which could help fund six officers over three years with a local match. Staff said the grant would be built into long-range budget planning so the city is not caught off guard when the federal share drops. The department said the goal is to grow staffing without putting the city in a financial pinch later.

Public Safety Funding Idea Gets More Study

Council gave direction to keep studying a dedicated public safety funding district that could support police and fire as the city grows. Staff said the idea could create a steadier funding stream than relying only on the general fund, tax swings, or one-time grants. The proposal would come back with numbers and options before anything would go to voters.

Special Counsel Item Gets Delayed

Council tabled the item on retaining special counsel for council-related matters. Members said they want more time to review resident concerns and the scope before taking action. The matter is expected to return later this summer.

Council Orders New Data Center Motion After Legal Warning

Council approved the step needed to formally start changes to the zoning code for data centers, after legal staff warned that any final wording still has to move through Planning and Zoning and public hearings. The discussion included setbacks, noise limits, water studies, and utility impact reviews. Council also asked staff to consider state law and policies from other cities as the draft is built.

Planning And Zoning Seat 2 Is Vacated

Council voted to remove Planning and Zoning Commission member Tyronne Wildshaver from Place 2 and declare the seat vacant. The move was tied to eligibility concerns, and legal said a memo with the full explanation will follow. Staff will now begin the appointment process for a replacement.

Council Wants Follow-Up On Library Fees, Public Records, And County Filings

During future agenda requests, council asked for a discussion about charging nonresidents to use the library, more information on the city’s public records process, and a report on whether development agreements and other filings are caught up with the county. One council member also asked for an update on the Human Relations Commission, with a July review expected.

In all, council approved the city manager search, police and fire grant applications, the library RFP, Station 4 changes, and the data center zoning process, while tabling the special counsel item and moving ahead with more study on public safety funding. The biggest items return next month with more details, especially the data center rules, the public safety funding plan, the special counsel question, and the final path for Princeton’s next city manager.

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🏢 Ribbon Cutting-The Whitley
📅 June 24 | 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
The Whitley
596 N Beauchamp Blvd
Princeton TX 75407
A fresh ribbon cutting is always a nice excuse to pop out and see what’s new in town. If you like being in the loop on local openings, this one has your name on it.

🥪 Lunch & Learn
📅 July 8 | 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
120 Ticky Drive Princeton, TX 75407
A lunch break with a little extra substance? Hard to argue with that. This one feels tailor-made for anyone who likes their midday meal with a side of useful conversation.

🏛️ Princeton City Council
📅 July 13 | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Princeton Municipal Center
2000 E. Princeton St.
Princeton, TX 75407
For locals who like to keep a finger on the pulse, this is where the civic action happens. Not exactly flashy, but definitely one of the better ways to stay plugged into what’s shaping Princeton.