Templates & Contact Information

Letter & Testimony Templates

Download these templates to communicate effectively with elected officials and participate in public meetings.

Public Comment Templates

• Public Testimony Template (PDF)
  2-minute template for city council and commissioners court meetings. Includes tips for effective testimony.

• Public Testimony Template (Word)
  Editable version for customization

• Written Comment Template (PDF)
  For submitting written comments when you can’t attend in person

Elected Official Letter Templates

• City Council Letter Template (PDF)
  Template for writing to Waco City Council members

• City Council Letter Template (Word)
  Editable version

• County Commissioners Letter Template (PDF)
  Template for McLennan County Commissioners Court

• State Representative Letter Template (PDF)
  Template for Texas State Representatives

• State Senator Letter Template (PDF)
  Template for Texas State Senators

Open Records Request Templates

• Texas Public Information Act Request Template (PDF)
  Standard template for requesting public records

• Sample Meeting Minutes Request (Word)
  Pre-filled example for requesting city council meeting minutes

How to file an open records request:

1. Download the template
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
  Address: 215 N 5th Street, Suite 125, Waco, TX 76701

• Precinct 2
  Phone: (254) 757-5062
  Address: 215 N 5th Street, Waco, TX 76701

• Precinct 3
  Phone: (254) 757-5063
  Address: 215 N 5th Street, Suite 125, Waco, TX 76701

• Precinct 4
  Phone: (254) 757-5064
  Address: 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 20, 2025 by Sean Terrell