Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Kerens Community Development Committee President Jennifer Combs (standing) shows Kerens City Council member Greg Allen plans to build a park in the city that she says would be completely accessible for people with disabilities, and which would bring people to the city.

KERENS–Sept. 9, the president of the Kerens Community Development Committee (KCDC) told Kerens City Council that her group plans to seek grants to build a fully accessible park for persons with disabilities, saying it would be the only one this side of Fort Worth.
That president, Jennifer Combs, said the park (named Ickey Crawford Community Park) would be built on city-owned land located between the baseball field and a private daycare center, located just south of downtown. “So, there’s one handicapped park that you can take them to in Fort Worth, that’s it,” Jennifer Combs said. She added that Corsicana has a similar park, but it requires some assistance to use. Also, older people can use the park for rehabilitation purposes, Jennifer Combs said.
The reason KCDC brought their plans before the council is because the committee needs its permission to apply for grants on behalf of the city, Mayor Jeffrey Saunders said. Jennifer Combs said she doesn’t believe Kerens will have to pay anything for the park if the grants come through. Council Member Lance Horner asked what would happen if the money wasn’t granted. Jennifer Combs said the scope of the park would then be reduced.
“Sounds good to me,” Council Member Darren Lane said. Council Member Greg Allen commented the park “would really be a good addition to the city.” Pursuit of the grants was approved.
In other business, the council:
• Approved the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget, which City Administrator Katherine Combs said is balanced and includes employee pay raises, upgrades to the city water system and new software.
• Approved the municipal property tax rate for 2025, which is $0.5525 per $100 valuation.
• Approved a settlement agreement with Atmos Energy resolving a 2025 rate review mechanism filing, which Atmos Energy Manager of Public Affairs Darwin Winfield said meant a $7.83 monthly residential rate increase.
• Approved increasing Kerens’ water and sewer rates because the city’s water provider, the City of Corsicana, raised its rates. Katherine Combs said.