Templates & Contact Information

Letter & Testimony Templates

Download these templates to communicate effectively with elected officials and participate in public meetings. Each template is available in both PDF (view-only) and Word (editable) formats.

Public Comment Templates

Public Testimony Template

2-minute template for city council and commissioners court meetings. Includes tips for effective testimony.

Written Comment Template

For submitting written comments when you can’t attend in person

Elected Official Letter Templates

City Council Letter Template

Template for writing to Waco City Council members

County Commissioners Letter Template

Template for McLennan County Commissioners Court

State Representative Letter Template

Template for Texas State Representatives

State Senator Letter Template

Template for Texas State Senators

Open Records Request Templates

Texas Public Information Act Request Template

Standard template for requesting public records

Meeting Minutes Request Template

Pre-filled example for requesting city council meeting minutes

How to Use These Templates

Step 1: Download the template you need

• Choose PDF to view and print
• Choose Word (DOCX) to edit and customize

Step 2: Fill in your information

• Replace bracketed placeholders like [YOUR NAME]
• Add specific details about your issue
• Include relevant facts and sources

Step 3: Submit your letter or testimony

• Follow the submission instructions in each template
• Keep a copy for your records

How to File an Open Records Request

1. Download the PIA Request Template (above)
2. Fill in specific information you’re requesting
3. Email or mail to the City Secretary’s office
4. Response required within 10 business days under Texas law

Resources:

• Texas Attorney General Open Government Guide
• Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552)

Elected Officials Contact Information

Waco City Government

Mayor Jim Holmes
Email: Via city contact form
Phone: (254) 750-5640
Address: P.O. Box 2570, Waco, TX 76702
Website: www.waco-texas.com

City Council Members:

• District I - Andrea Barefield | Phone: (254) 750-5640
• District II - Isabel Lozano | Phone: (254) 750-5640
• District III - Josh Borderud | Phone: (254) 750-5640
• District IV - Darius Ewing | Phone: (254) 750-5640
• District V - George Chase | Phone: (254) 750-5640

City Manager - Bradley Ford
Phone: (254) 750-5640

City Secretary’s Office (for public records requests)
Phone: (254) 750-5640
Website: City Secretary

City Council Meetings:
1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month
Work Session: 3:00 PM | Business Session: 6:00 PM
Location: Waco Convention Center - Bosque Theater, 100 Washington Ave

Lacy Lakeview City Government

Mayor Charles Wilson
Phone: (254) 799-2458
Email: Via city contact form
Address: 501 E. Craven Ave., Lacy Lakeview, TX 76705

Mayor Pro-Tem - Jonathan Olvera
Phone: (254) 799-2458

Council Members:

• Henry Bush | (254) 799-2458
• Richard Lednicky | (254) 799-2458
• Ronnie Hurst | (254) 799-2458
• Victoria Lee | (254) 799-2458

City Secretary (for public records requests)
Phone: (254) 799-2458
Address: 501 E. Craven Ave., Lacy Lakeview, TX 76705

City Council Meetings:
2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month
Agenda Briefing: 6:00 PM
Location: Lacy Lakeview City Hall, 501 E. Craven Ave.

McLennan County Government

County Judge Scott M. Felton
Phone: (254) 757-5049
Address: 501 Washington Ave., Waco, TX 76701
Website: McLennan County

County Commissioners:

• Precinct 1 | Phone: (254) 757-5061 | 215 N 5th Street, Suite 125, Waco, TX 76701
• Precinct 2 | Phone: (254) 757-5062 | 215 N 5th Street, Waco, TX 76701
• Precinct 3 | Phone: (254) 757-5063 | 215 N 5th Street, Suite 125, Waco, TX 76701
• Precinct 4 | Phone: (254) 757-5064 | 215 N 5th Street, Suite 125, Waco, TX 76701

County Clerk (for public records requests)
Website: County Clerk Records

Commissioners Court Meetings:
Check Agenda Center for schedule
How to participate: (254) 757-5049

Texas State Legislature

State Senator - Brian Birdwell (District 22)
Note: Senator Birdwell announced he will not run for reelection

Capitol Office:
Address: 1E.3, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 463-0122

Waco District Office:
Address: 900 Austin Avenue, Suite 500, Waco, TX 76701
Phone: (254) 772-6225 | Fax: (254) 776-2843
District Manager: Robyn Morrison

State Representative - Pat Curry (District 56)

Capitol Office:
Address: Room 1N.8, P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768
Phone: (512) 463-0135

Waco Office:
Address: 204 Woodhew Drive, Waco, TX 76712
Phone: (254) 855-4900
Email: pat@patcurry.com

U.S. Congress

U.S. Representative - Pete Sessions (District 17)

Washington Office:
Address: 2204 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6105
Website: sessions.house.gov

Waco Office:
Address: 400 Austin Avenue, Suite 302, Waco, TX 76701
Phone: (254) 633-4500 | Fax: (254) 300-5736

U.S. Senator - John Cornyn

Austin Office:
Address: Chase Tower, 221 West Sixth Street, Suite 1530, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 469-6034 | Fax: (512) 469-6020
Website: cornyn.senate.gov

U.S. Senator - Ted Cruz

Austin Office:
Phone: (512) 916-5834
Website: cruz.senate.gov

Texas State Agencies

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
General Information: (512) 239-1000
Submit Environmental Concerns: TCEQ Complaint Form
Website: www.tceq.texas.gov

Texas Water Development Board
Phone: (512) 463-7847
Website: www.twdb.texas.gov

Public Utility Commission of Texas
Phone: (512) 936-7000 | Consumer Complaints: (888) 782-8477
Website: www.puc.texas.gov

Railroad Commission of Texas (Energy regulation)
Phone: (512) 463-7288
Website: www.rrc.texas.gov

Tips for Effective Communication

Writing to Elected Officials

1. Be concise - One page maximum
2. State your position clearly - Support or oppose in the first paragraph
3. Use facts - Reference specific studies, data, or local impacts
4. Make it personal - Explain how this issue affects you and your family
5. Be respectful - Professional tone gets better results
6. Include contact information - Address, phone, email
7. Follow up - Call to confirm receipt and ask for response

Public Testimony Best Practices

1. Arrive early - Sign up to speak as soon as possible
2. Time limits - Usually 2-3 minutes, practice your statement
3. Written copy - Bring copies to hand out to council members
4. State your name and address - Required at most meetings
5. Stick to facts - Emotion is fine, but lead with data
6. Specific asks - What action do you want them to take?
7. Dress professionally - Shows respect for the process

Open Records Requests

1. Be specific - Exact documents, date ranges, department
2. Reasonable scope - Overly broad requests can be denied
3. Expect delays - 10 business days minimum, complex requests take longer
4. Know your rights - Denials must cite specific legal exemption
5. Appeal if denied - You can request Attorney General review

Stay Organized

Track Your Outreach:

• Date contacted
• Official’s name
• Method (email, letter, phone)
• Response received?
• Follow-up needed?

Join Meetings:

• Waco City Council: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 6:00 PM
• Lacy Lakeview Council: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 6:00 PM
• McLennan County Commissioners: Check online agenda

Sign up for email alerts:

• Subscribe to our updates for meeting reminders
• Waco City Council agendas
• McLennan County agendas

All contact information verified as of December 2025. If you find outdated information, please let us know.

Last Updated: December 24, 2025