Weatherford City Council Regular & Executive Session – August 26, 2025

The Weatherford City Council met at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, in the City Council Chambers at Weatherford City Hall, 303 Palo Pinto Street, Weatherford, Texas. Mayor Paul Paschall presided. Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith and Councilmembers Heidi Wilder, Matt Ticzkus, and Luke Williams were present, constituting a quorum. The meeting included the FY26 budget public hearing, direction on outside agency funding, a vote to propose the 2025 property tax rate, approval of an animal shelter interlocal agreement with Parker County, multiple zoning and conditional use permit items, and a large consent agenda. The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.

Opening, Community Interest, and Minutes

• Pastor Steve Bryant of Brownstone Church gave the invocation, and Councilmember Matt Ticzkus led pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags.
• Community updates included: the Clear the Shelter event placed 28 dogs and 17 cats (45 animals total); Zipline drone deliveries began near the Walmart on South Main, with the first drop at Fire Station 4; National Night Out is scheduled for October 7 with a Minecraft theme; Food Truck Lounge Night at Heritage Park is set for September 9; the Parker County Sheriff's Posse Ranch Rodeo is September 12–13; and Movies in the Park will show Lilo and Stitch on September 12 at 7 p.m.
• The council recognized City Manager James Hotopp's 50th birthday.
• The council approved the minutes of the August 12, 2025 regular meeting.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved consent agenda items 6A through 6L except item 6E, which was pulled for separate discussion. Approved items included:
  • Ratification of Luke Haynes's appointment and Steve Martin's reappointment to the Weatherford Housing Authority.
  • Reappointment of Jenni Day, Kathryn Garofalo, and Montanna McMasters to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee.
  • Ordinance O2025-30, amending Section 2-1-5 "Posting of Meeting Agendas."
  • Authorization for C&G Roofing, through TIPS Contract No. 241001-3132, to replace the Fire Station 1 roof for an amount not to exceed $165,200.
  • Final plat approval for Park Hill West, being 2 lots on approximately 44.327 acres at 411 West Park Avenue.
  • A professional engineering services contract with Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. for Lamar Street Extension design in an amount not to exceed $870,500.
  • Sole-source purchase of asphalt pavement rejuvenator services from Pavement Restoration Inc. in an amount not to exceed $96,535.89.
  • Resolution R2025-15, authorizing an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for advance funding for maintenance of railroad pavement markings and signs.
  • Resolution R2025-14, adopting the City of Weatherford Investment Policy and Strategy.
  • A professional services contract with Halff Associates for Clairemont Boulevard Extension design in an amount not to exceed $1,622,000.
  • An increase in previously approved funds for asphalt materials from Texas Materials from $450,000 to an amount not to exceed $500,000.
• Item 6E, final plat approval for Couts Addition, Lot 3R, Block 51 (one commercial lot on approximately 0.473 acres at 710 South Main Street), was approved separately after Councilmember Heidi Wilder asked about floodplain and drainage concerns. Staff confirmed drainage impacts would be reviewed through engineering analysis when neighboring properties develop.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lynn Baber (2126 Timber Cove Court, Weatherford) spoke during the FY26 budget public hearing. She noted budget references to a regional sports complex expected in 2027, plans to sell the old police station, the absence of recently approved 2025 continuing obligation bonds from the bond schedule, and the convention center's "developing" status. She asked for more public information about these potentially expensive projects.
• No public speakers came forward during the public hearings for the Holiday World CUP/plat, Weatherford College zoning amendment, auto repair CUP, or Tin Top Road RV Park/Campground request.
• During the RaceTrac public hearing, applicant representative Tony Ritigliano presented the revised proposal on behalf of RaceTrac. He stated the company removed 22 truck parking spaces, removed the CAT scale, and reduced the store size from roughly 8,000 to 6,000 square feet. He expressed the company's interest in opening its second Weatherford store.

FY26 Budget Public Hearing (7A)

• Budget Manager Ashley Esquivel presented the proposed FY26 budget. She confirmed the budget was filed with the City Secretary, the hearing notice was published in the Weatherford Democrat, and the budget was available at City Hall, the library, and the city's website.
• The proposed FY26 general fund includes $55.8 million in revenues and $55.7 million in expenditures, producing a marginal surplus of approximately $47,000.
• The projected ending fund balance is $32.6 million, equivalent to 229 working days of operation, with $15 million accessible under the city's 120-day reserve requirement.
• Sales tax revenue is projected at $22.3 million, a 4.3% increase from the prior year. The budget uses the no new revenue property tax rate of 0.392246 per $100 of assessed value, a 0.15% reduction from the current rate. Staff noted this is the fifth time in six years the city has proposed or adopted a no-new-revenue rate.
• Public safety accounts for about 50% of general fund spending; development services and economic development account for 6%; and support services account for 14%.
• Key proposed investments include three new firefighters, an animal control officer, an animal care technician, and an IT specialist; Love Street Park splash pad replacement; reconstruction of the McGratten Park skate park, partially funded by a Texas Parks and Wildlife grant; Fire Station 4 exhaust system and bay painting; $3 million for street repair and improvements; and $974,000 for vehicle and equipment replacements. Design costs are included for animal shelter improvements phase two, Fire Station 5, Lamar Street, Clairemont Boulevard, and Kirkpatrick Drive, with no construction costs included.
• Councilmembers asked about the compensation absences reserve and long-term debt service coverage, requesting a historical review and a forward-looking discussion at the 2026 council retreat. No action was required on 7A.

Outside Agency Funding Direction (7B)

• Staff presented FY26 funding requests from Casa Hope, the Chamber of Commerce, the Children's Advocacy Center of Parker County, Doss Heritage, Freedom House, Manis Store House, and the Parker County Committee on Aging.
• General fund requests are capped at $25,000 total and $5,000 per organization; hotel occupancy tax funded requests are not subject to the same limits. Funding for the requests was included in the proposed budget.
• City Manager James Hotopp recommended a $250,000 hotel-motel tax contribution to the Chamber of Commerce's new building fund, citing the chamber's role in business retention and tourism promotion and compliance with the state's "Texas two-step" hotel tax rules.
• Councilmember Zack Smith advocated for $500,000 from hotel-motel tax funds, describing them as "other people's money" paid by visitors. Councilmember Heidi Wilder supported the $500,000 amount and asked that the existing $150,000 allocation also remain funded. Mayor Paschall supported the chamber as a proven community partner.
• No formal vote was taken on 7B; council directed staff to prepare the budget with the general fund requests as presented and the additional $500,000 chamber building fund allocation for consideration at the September 9 budget adoption meeting.

Vote to Propose the 2025 Property Tax Rate (7C)

• Assistant City Manager/CFO Dawn Brooks presented the truth-in-taxation step. The no-new-revenue rate is 39.2246 cents per $100 of taxable value, and the voter approval rate is 50.1813 cents.
• The proposed no-new-revenue rate of 39.22 cents would generate an estimated tax liability of $1,154. Staff noted this is the fifth time in six years the council has proposed a no-new-revenue rate, with the exception being a three-cent increase to fund 11 new public safety positions.
• The council voted to propose the FY26 tax rate of 39.2246 cents per $100 of valuation. The vote results and the September 9 public hearing and adoption dates will be published in the Weatherford Democrat, along with each council member's vote.

Parker County Animal Shelter Interlocal Agreement (7D)

• Director Eric Shumar presented a new interlocal agreement for animal shelter services with Parker County. The existing agreement dated to 2000 and included a 10% annual increase limit.
• Parker County currently pays the city $729,000 per year but accounts for approximately 70% of annual animal intake, while contributing about 42.5% of the shelter budget, leaving the city to cover about 50%.
• The new agreement includes a three-year step-up period: approximately $856,000 in year one (80% of the calculated full share), 90% in year two, and 100% thereafter, with annual true-ups based on the prior year's intake. Salaries for animal control officers and certain revenues would be excluded from the calculation.
• A termination letter was delivered to Parker County by September 1, effective October 1, 2025, but staff said the county was open to continuing the partnership.
• Councilmembers asked how the additional revenue would be used. Staff responded that the FY26 budget includes two new shelter positions — an animal control officer and an animal care technician — and that the increased revenue would offset those costs and help fund ongoing shelter renovations and capital improvements. The agreement does not require Parker County to participate in capital projects because the city retains ownership of the shelter.
• Councilmember Heidi Wilder moved approval; Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith seconded. The motion passed.

Holiday World Conditional Use Permit (7E)

• The council held a public hearing and approved Ordinance O2025-38, a conditional use permit for HWH Real Estate Holdings for recreational vehicle display, sales, or repair on approximately 26.31 acres at 2328 East Interstate 20. The proposal had been approved about three years earlier but the prior CUP expired.
• The site plan includes new RV displays along the interstate, pre-owned RVs interior to the property, and service RVs screened behind fencing and worked on inside. The conditions were the same as the previous approval.
• Councilmembers asked about the long access strip to Bankhead; staff confirmed it would be used for dual ingress/egress and would be required before a certificate of occupancy.
• Councilmember Luke Williams moved approval with conditions; Councilmember Matt Ticzkus seconded. The motion passed.

Holiday World Preliminary Plat (7F)

• The council approved the corresponding preliminary plat for Holiday World, creating one lot on approximately 26.31 acres at the same East Interstate 20 location.
• Staff added a condition requiring the applicant to correct an access easement that was not shown properly before recording. Councilmember Matt Ticzkus moved approval with the easement correction; Councilmember Luke Williams seconded. The motion passed.

Weatherford College Planned Development Zoning (7G)

• The council held a public hearing and approved Ordinance O2025-40, a zoning map amendment from C1 General Commercial and R1 One Family Residential to PD Planned Development for several Weatherford College properties: approximately 1.87 acres at 205 East Park Avenue, 0.30 acres at 207 East Park Avenue, 11.4 acres along Martin Drive, 0.50 acres at 1403 Sloan Street, and a portion of a 55.905-acre tract along the west side of Texas Drive.
• Staff said the college is pulling properties it already owns into its existing PD zoning for long-term campus plans. Councilmember Heidi Wilder asked whether the existing PD restrictions would apply to the newly added properties; staff confirmed they would.
• Councilmember Zack Smith moved approval; Councilmember Matt Ticzkus seconded. The motion passed. The mayor noted Weatherford College will provide a campus update in September.

Auto Repair Conditional Use Permit at 113 South Line Street (7H)

• The council held public hearings and approved Ordinance O2025-37, a conditional use permit for Jason Kuritz for auto repair on approximately 1.192 acres at 113 South Line Street.
• The property is currently operating as a body shop under a temporary special use permit. The temporary tent at the upper repair area will expire in December; the CUP would allow the applicant to construct a permanent structure there if desired, subject to current development standards.
• Staff recommended conditions including a commercial-quality visual screening fence along the US 180 corridor. Council discussion raised concerns about corridor compatibility, landscaping requirements, parapet walls, and existing standards for businesses along Fort Worth Highway/US 180. Staff confirmed any new construction would have to meet current setback, landscape, lighting, and irrigation requirements.
• Councilmember Zack Smith moved approval as presented by staff, with conditions; Councilmember Luke Williams seconded. The motion passed.

Denial of Tin Top Road RV Park/Campground Expansion (7I)

• The council held a public hearing and denied Ordinance O2025-34, a request by James McDonald for a general plan and zoning map amendment from C1 General Commercial to C2 Interstate Commercial and a conditional use permit for an RV park/campground expansion on approximately 10.97 acres at 2205 Tin Top Road.
• The site contains an existing legal non-conforming RV campground. The applicant requested expansion by 28 lots. The Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommended denial, finding the proposed interstate commercial use incompatible with nearby uses. Staff noted dirt work had begun on the property and was stopped after the CUP requirement was identified.
• Councilmember Luke Williams moved to deny the application, allowing the existing non-conforming campground to continue operating without the expansion. Councilmember Heidi Wilder seconded. The motion passed; a yay vote was for denial.

RaceTrac Fueling Station Conditional Use Permit (7J)

• The council held a public hearing and approved Ordinance O2025-39, a zoning map amendment from AG Agriculture to C2 Interstate Commercial with a conditional use permit for a fueling station on approximately 7.341 acres at 1825 Old Brock Road.
• Applicant representative Tony Ritigliano presented the revised RaceTrac plan, which removed 22 truck parking spaces, removed the CAT scale, and reduced the store from approximately 8,000 to 6,000 square feet. The station will offer gasoline and diesel under separate canopies.
• Staff recommended conditions modeled on other fueling stations in the city, including restrictions on truck-stop-style diesel advertising. Councilmembers asked about the company's loitering policy; the representative said RaceTrac has a policy and would provide it to city staff. Councilmembers praised the applicant for responding to Planning and Zoning and council feedback.
• Councilmember Luke Williams moved approval with conditions; Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith seconded. The motion passed.

RaceTrac Weatherford Preliminary Plat (7K)

• The council approved the corresponding preliminary plat for RaceTrac Weatherford, creating one lot on approximately 7.341 acres at the northeast corner of Ric Williamson Memorial Highway and Interstate 20, with the conditions included in the packet. Councilmember Heidi Wilder moved approval; Councilmember Luke Williams seconded. The motion passed.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the August 12, 2025 regular meeting minutes.
• Approved consent agenda items 6A–6L, with 6E pulled and separately approved.
• Approved the proposed FY26 no-new-revenue property tax rate of 39.2246 cents per $100 for the public hearing and final adoption process.
• Approved the Parker County animal shelter interlocal agreement with a three-year step-up in fees.
• Approved the Holiday World CUP and preliminary plat, the Weatherford College PD zoning amendment, the South Line Street auto repair CUP, the RaceTrac CUP, and the RaceTrac preliminary plat.
• Denied the Tin Top Road RV park/campground expansion request; the existing non-conforming campground may continue without expansion.
• Directed staff to include outside agency funding as presented and to add a $500,000 hotel-motel tax contribution to the Chamber of Commerce building fund.
• No action was required on the FY26 budget public hearing; the next meeting on September 9, 2025, is scheduled for the public hearing on the proposed tax rate, adoption of the FY26 budget, and final tax rate adoption.
• The posted executive session items (9A and 9B) concerned economic development negotiations under Texas Government Code Section 551.087 for Project Apex and Project Numbers; no action was reported following the executive session items.