Frost Bites Newsletter
Quarterly updates from the town where Cotton is King and Friendliness is Queen.
October 6, 2026 | October - December 2026
Mayor’s Message
Hello Frostites,
Beginning a New Fiscal Year
October 1 marked the beginning of a new fiscal year for the City of Frost.
Over the last several months, much of our work has focused on getting the City’s financial, operational, and administrative foundation in better order. As we begin FY 2026–2027, the focus shifts from planning and cleanup to putting those improvements into practice and continuing to address the City’s long-term needs.
Our current resources are largely focused on maintaining essential City services and day-to-day operations. At the same time, we are working to better position Frost for the future by identifying infrastructure needs, developing the planning and documentation needed to support them, and actively pursuing federal funding and grant opportunities for larger projects that are beyond the City’s current resources.
Some of that work happens behind the scenes, and some of it — like the utility-rate changes approved this week — directly affects our residents. When those decisions are necessary, I believe it is important to explain not only what is changing, but why.
There is plenty of work ahead, but we are starting the new fiscal year with a clearer understanding of our needs and a plan for moving forward.
Thank you for staying involved, asking questions, and continuing to care about our community.
— Mayor Shannon Wayman
City Updates
Utility Rates Are Changing
What You Need to Know
At its October 5 meeting, the Frost City Council approved updated Water, Sewer and Solid Waste rates for customers inside the city limits.
The new rates will begin with November meter readings and bills. October utility bills are not affected.
Why are rates changing?
Water, sewer and solid waste services are funded through the rates paid by utility customers. Property tax revenue does not fund the day-to-day operation of these services.
Over the past year, the City has taken a closer look at the actual cost of providing utility services. Those costs include wholesale water, treatment chemicals, system repairs and maintenance, electricity, equipment, personnel and solid-waste collection.
As part of the FY 2026–2027 budget process, the City reviewed those costs alongside the revenue generated by the current rates. The updated rates are intended to better align utility revenue with the ongoing cost of providing these services and help put the City's utility operations on a more sustainable financial footing.
What does this mean for my bill?
The exact change will depend on how much water your household uses. Customers who use less water will see a different impact than customers with higher monthly usage.
To help customers understand the change, the City has prepared examples showing how the new rates affect monthly bills at different levels of water usage.
Example: An inside-city residential customer using approximately 3,000 gallons per month with one trash cart currently pays approximately $90.90. Under the new rates, that same monthly bill would be approximately $114.50, an increase of $23.60 per month.
The City recognizes that an increase in a monthly household bill matters. The goal of this rate review was to establish rates based on the cost of providing these services while maintaining reliable Water, Sewer and Solid Waste operations for our community.
View the New Rates
The complete Water, Sewer and Solid Waste rate schedule, along with additional bill examples, is available on the City of Frost website.
View the Complete Utility Rate Sheet →
The updated water rates also apply to customers outside the city limits. The additional outside-city charge provided for in the City's ordinance is being reviewed separately
Streets & Drainage
Planning Today for Future Funding
Streets and drainage remain some of Frost’s largest long-term infrastructure needs. While the City’s current resources are primarily focused on maintaining essential services and day-to-day operations, we are working to put Frost in a stronger position to pursue outside funding for larger infrastructure projects.
As part of that effort, the City is moving forward with a professional road study. The study will help document existing street conditions, identify and prioritize needs, and provide better information for long-term planning.
Just as importantly, having a documented assessment gives the City stronger information to use when pursuing federal funding, grants, and other outside funding opportunities.
A road study does not mean street repairs will begin immediately. It gives us the information we need to develop realistic priorities, pursue available funding, and make better decisions when resources become available.
Our goal is to move away from reacting one street at a time and toward having a documented plan for addressing Frost’s infrastructure needs over the long term.
Behind the Scenes at City Hall
Some of the most important work happening at City Hall isn’t always visible from the outside.
Over the past several months, the City has been working to strengthen financial procedures, improve recordkeeping and compliance, update and organize City ordinances, and modernize some of the technology used for day-to-day operations.
That work continues into the new fiscal year. The goal is simple: clearer processes, better records, stronger financial controls, and more efficient service for our residents.
As these projects begin to result in changes residents will see or use directly, we’ll share more information about what’s coming and how to use the new services.
October Around Frost
Fall is here, and October is shaping up to be a busy month around Frost! Mark your calendars and come out to enjoy some of the events happening in our community.
Citywide Garage Sale
October 9–11
Time to clean out those closets and garages — or spend the weekend hunting for a bargain! Residents may hold garage sales throughout the Citywide Garage Sale weekend without obtaining a City garage sale permit.
Frost Museum Bake Sale
October 10 • 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
While you’re out shopping the garage sales, stop by the Frost Museum Bake Sale and pick up something sweet while supporting the museum.
Donations of baked goods are welcome!
Frost VFD Dinner & Auction
October 10
Dinner — 5:00 PM
Auction — 6:00 PM
Come out Saturday evening and support the Frost Volunteer Fire Department with dinner followed by an auction.
Homecoming Parade
October 14 • 6:00 PM
Garitty Street
It’s Homecoming time! Come out, line Garitty Street, and help celebrate our Frost Polar Bears. Burning of the Letters and a hot dog dinner provided by Frost PTO.
Watch for Polar Bears Crossing!
Trunk or Treat
October 31 • 5:00–8:00 PM
Frost Baptist Church
Finish out the month with Trunk or Treat at Frost Baptist Church. Bring the kids in costume for an evening of Halloween fun with friends and neighbors from around the community.
Code Corner
Planning a Project? Check Before You Build
Thinking about adding a shed, building an addition, installing a fence, moving in a manufactured home, or making other improvements to your property?
Before work begins, check with City Hall to find out whether a permit is required and whether any City requirements apply to your project.
Taking a few minutes to check before construction begins can help prevent delays, unexpected expenses, or problems later. It also gives City staff an opportunity to help you understand the requirements before you’ve invested time and money into the project.
Permit applications and additional information are available on the City’s Permits & Inspections webpage. If you’re not sure whether your project requires a permit, contact City Hall and we’ll help point you in the right direction.
When in doubt, check before you build.
Mark Your Calendar
October
October 8 — City Hall Hours: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
October 9 — City Hall Hours: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
October 9–11 — Citywide Garage Sale
October 10 — Water Bills Due
October 10, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM — Frost Museum Bake Sale
October 10, 5:00 PM — Frost VFD Dinner
October 10, 6:00 PM — Frost VFD Auction
October 14, 6:00 PM — Homecoming Parade on Garitty Street
October 30 — Bulk Pickup
October 31, 5:00–8:00 PM — Trunk or Treat at Frost Baptist Church
November
November 2 — City Council Meeting
November 10 — Water Bills Due
November 11 — City Hall Closed • Veterans Day
November 26–27 — City Hall Closed • Thanksgiving Holiday
November 28 — Bulk Pickup
December
December 7 — City Council Meeting
December 10 — Water Bills Due
December 24–25 — City Hall Closed • Christmas Holiday
December 26 — Bulk Pickup
Looking Ahead
January 1 — City Hall Closed • New Year’s Day
Monthly Reminders
Water Bills — Due on the 10th of each month.
Bulk Pickup — Bulk pickup must be scheduled in advance with Republic Services. Call 903-874-8717 to schedule your pickup.
City Council Meetings — Meetings are open to the public. Agendas are posted in advance at City Hall and on the City website.
Stay Connected
- Follow the City of Frost on Facebook for official updates
- Sign up for City Alerts to receive important updates directly
- Watch for future editions of Frost Bites after the first City Council meeting of each quarter