Weatherford City Council Regular Meeting – August 12, 2025

The Weatherford City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The council approved the consent agenda, received the FY26 proposed budget, accepted the tax year 2025 property tax rates, authorized the publication of notice for up to $30 million in certificates of obligation, and adopted an ordinance to close an alley. After executive session, the council approved a lease for property at 548 Santa Fe Drive. The meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Appointment of Assistant City Manager Dawn Brooks to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee as the municipal official representative.
• Renewal of the support contract with Tyler Technologies for municipal software systems, services, and licenses, not to exceed $450,000.
• Approval of Resolution R2025-11 authorizing City of Weatherford representatives to perform activities associated with bank accounts and investment pools.
• Approval of Ordinance O2025-28 amending Title IX, Chapter 11, section 9-11-1 park general regulations.
• Award of contracts for Financial Advisory (Hilltop Securities) and Bond Counsel (McCall Parkhurst & Horton, LLP) services related to Texas Water Development Board financing programs for a three-year term.
• Adoption of Resolution R2025-12 to deny a proposed rate change by Texas Gas Service Company.

Public Comments & Testimony

No members of the public spoke during the public hearing on the alley abandonment (Item 7d) or during the citizen comments on non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

• FY26 Proposed Budget Presentation: Chief Financial Officer Dawn Brooks presented the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026. Combined revenues across all funds are projected at $77.5 million, with expenditures of $75.6 million. The general fund is balanced with $55.8 million in revenues and $55.7 million in expenditures, resulting in a marginal surplus of $47,000. Fund balance is projected to end FY25 at $32.6 million, equivalent to 235 working days, with $15 million accessible beyond the 120-day reserve. The budget adds three firefighters (completing a three-year staffing plan for Fire Station 5), an animal control officer, an animal care technician, and an IT specialist. Capital projects include Love Street Park splash pad, McGrattan Park reconstruction, and design costs for future priority projects. The proposed tax rate of 39.2246 cents per $100 valuation is the no-new-revenue rate, a 0.5% reduction from last year. Personnel costs are 60% of the budget; contractual services 34%; supplies 4%; capital outlays 2%. Public safety remains the top priority.
• Tax Year 2025 Property Tax Rates: The council accepted the notice of tax rates. The no-new-revenue rate is 39.2246 cents per $100 of taxable value, a decrease of approximately two-thirds of a cent from 2024. The voter approval rate is 50.1813 cents. The total tax base increased to $5.3 billion (8.41% increase) with $124 million in new improvements. The proposed rate would generate an estimated $1,154 tax liability for the average home valued at $294,321.
• Certificates of Obligation (Resolution R2025-13): The council approved the authorization to publish notice of intention to issue up to $30 million in certificates of obligation for four priority projects: Lamar Street and Claremont Boulevard improvements ($18 million), Fire Station 5 ($10 million), Holland Lake Park renovation ($2.5 million), and a public works equipment storage facility ($1.5 million). Annual debt service is estimated at $2.4 million, fitting within capacity from maturing obligations. Staff noted that 48.7% of community survey respondents listed roads as their top priority, and the projects align with council strategic priorities.
• Alley Abandonment Ordinance (O2025-36): After a public hearing with no comments, the council adopted an ordinance closing, vacating, and abandoning a portion of an alley in Block 5 of Mutual Realty Company Subdivision, to allow the property owner at 207 East Sixth Street to combine parcels and replat.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the minutes of the July 22, 2025 regular meeting (motion by Luke Williams, second by Matt Ticzkus).
• Approved all consent agenda items (6a-6f) unanimously.
• Accepted the Notice of Tax Year 2025 Property Tax Rates (motion by Matt Ticzkus, second by Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith).
• Approved Resolution R2025-13 authorizing publication of notice for Certificates of Obligation, Series 2025, not to exceed $30 million (motion by Luke Williams, second by Zack Smith).
• Adopted Ordinance O2025-36 closing an alley (motion by Matt Ticzkus, second by Luke Williams).
• After executive session, approved a lease for property at 548 Santa Fe Drive and authorized the city manager to execute it (motion by Heidi Wilder, second by Luke Williams). No action was taken on other executive session items (Project Apex and Project Numbers).

The council also recognized Assistant City Manager Brad Burnett on his retirement after 20 years of service (10 with the city), with comments from the city manager and mayor highlighting his contributions to fiscal stewardship.