Weatherford City Council Regular & Executive Session – September 9, 2025

The Weatherford City Council met on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers at Weatherford City Hall, 303 Palo Pinto Street, Weatherford, Texas. Mayor Paul Paschall presided, and a quorum was present; Councilmember Matt Ticzkus was absent. The meeting included a public hearing on the proposed property tax rate, adoption of the FY2026 budget and tax rate, approval of an auto crimes task force interlocal agreement, an executive session on economic development negotiations, and action on one resulting development agreement. The Council recessed at 7:26 p.m. for executive session, reconvened at 8:44 p.m., and adjourned at 8:46 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• The Council unanimously approved the minutes of the August 26, 2025, regular City Council meeting. Councilmember Luke Williams made the motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith.

Items of Community Interest

• Aaron Spicer provided community announcements, including: Weatherford Police Department mourning bands for the September 11 anniversary; the Parker County Sheriff’s Posse 21st Annual Ranch Rodeo on September 12–13; Weatherford ISD homecoming on September 19 with a September 18 parade themed “Gold Rush”; free waterwise gardening kits on September 27; the 8th annual Pioneer Heritage Festival on October 4; Movies in the Park on September 12; Concerts in the Park on September 20; Food Park Lounge Night on September 23; and National Night Out on October 7.

Presentation: Life Saving Award

• Eric Shumar, Director of Municipal and Community Services, presented a Life Saving Award to Stephanie Landers, an animal shelter employee. On the morning of August 20, 2025, a coworker was attacked by a large dog in a kennel area. Landers pulled the dog off the injured employee, secured the animal, provided emergency first aid, called 911, and stayed with the victim at the hospital. Shumar stated that Landers’ intervention saved the coworker’s life and that the survivor, Deb, was present with family and friends to support the recognition.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public hearing on the proposed ad valorem tax rate: The hearing was opened and closed with no public comments or questions from attendees.
• Citizen comments on non-agenda items: No residents came forward.

Public Hearing: Proposed Tax Rate

• Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer Dawn Brooks and Budget Manager Ashley Esquivel presented the proposed ad valorem tax rate of $0.392246 per $100 valuation, consisting of $0.295646 per $100 for operations and maintenance and $0.0966 per $100 for interest and sinking (debt service).
• Esquivel noted this was the fifth of six years adopting the no-new-revenue rate, with the only exception being the 2023 tax year when the rate was set above no-new-revenue to add 11 public safety positions. The proposed rate is equal to the no-new-revenue rate, would not increase property taxes for properties on the roll in both years, and is below the rate that would trigger an election. No action was required on this item.

Discussion Items

• FY2026 Budget Adoption (Ordinance O2025-41): Ashley Esquivel presented the City Manager’s proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025, and ending September 30, 2026. The budget spans 25 funds, supports 15 city departments, and provides for 332 committed employees, excluding electric and water utilities. Combined revenue across all funds totals $83.4 million, with total expenditures expected at $83.2 million. Reserve levels maintain more than 120 days of operating funding, with $15 million accessible beyond that reserve requirement. One change from the originally proposed budget was an additional one-time contribution to the Chamber of Commerce for construction of a new facility. Key investments include three new firefighters, completing a three-year staffing plan for Fire Station 5; an animal control officer, animal care technician, and IT specialist through repurposed mid-management positions with no net FTE increase except firefighters; Love Street splash pad replacement; McGratton Skate Park reconstruction partially funded by a Texas Parks and Wildlife grant; Fire Station 4 exhaust systems and bay painting; $3 million for street repair and improvements; $974,000 for vehicle and equipment replacements; and design costs for animal shelter phase two, Fire Station 5, Lamar Street, Claremont Boulevard, and Kirkpatrick Drive. No construction costs are included at this time. Councilmember Heidi Wilder asked for clarification about construction costs and the parks and wildlife grant; staff responded that bond proceeds would come later and a budget amendment would be brought to Council once project fund amounts are known. The motion by Councilmember Luke Williams, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith, passed.
• Ratification of Property Tax Revenue Increase: Under Texas Local Government Code Section 102.007, the Council separately voted to ratify the FY2026 budget property tax revenue increase of approximately $615,000. The motion by Councilmember Luke Williams, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith, passed.
• Adoption of the 2025 Tax Rate (Ordinance O2025-42): The Council adopted an ad valorem tax rate of 39.2246 cents per $100 of valuation for the 2025 tax year (FY2026). The adopted rate is effectively a 1.5% decrease from the previous rate and equals the no-new-revenue tax rate. It includes 29.5646 cents for operations and maintenance of the General Fund and 9.660 cents for debt service. Councilmember Heidi Wilder made the motion, and the item passed.
• Tarrant County Regional Auto Crimes Task Force Interlocal Agreement: Chief of Police Jason Hayes requested authorization for the City Manager to execute the 2026 interlocal agreement with Tarrant County. This would be the Weatherford Police Department’s third fiscal year participating in the task force. The task force was established in 1993, has expanded to include burglary of motor vehicles, theft of parts, and vehicle-related fraud, and includes investigators from 14 state and local agencies across seven counties, serving over 2.4 million people. Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith asked about the value of the $25,000 expense and results over the past three years. Chief Hayes responded that clearance rates for motor vehicle cases increased by 20 to 25 percent since joining, compared with a prior 30 to 40 percent clearance rate, and that the task force provides access to facial recognition software, national databases, and SWAT support. Smith also asked about auto theft rates; Hayes stated auto theft is fairly low at roughly 35 per year and that most involve unlocked cars with keys left inside. The motion by Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith, seconded by Councilmember Luke Williams, passed.

Executive Session & Action on Executive Session Items

• The Council entered executive session at 7:26 p.m. under Texas Government Code Section 551.087 to discuss economic development negotiations for “Project Apex” and “Project Numbers.”
• After reconvening at 8:44 p.m., the Council took action on Project Apex by approving Resolution R2025-17, authorizing the City Manager to negotiate, finalize, and execute a master development agreement and related documents for a destination and mixed-use development and a qualified convention center and hotel project among the City of Weatherford, the Board of Directors of Tax Reinvestment Zone Number One, and Stellar Development LLC. Councilmember Heidi Wilder made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Luke Williams, and the item passed.
• The Council took no action on Project Numbers.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the minutes of the August 26, 2025, regular City Council meeting.
• Adopted the FY2026 City Manager’s Proposed Budget through Ordinance O2025-41.
• Ratified the FY2026 budget property tax revenue increase of approximately $615,000 pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 102.007.
• Adopted the 2025 tax rate of 39.2246 cents per $100 of valuation through Ordinance O2025-42, equal to the no-new-revenue rate and effectively a 1.5% decrease.
• Authorized the City Manager to execute the Tarrant County Regional Auto Crimes Task Force Interlocal Assistance Agreement.
• Approved Resolution R2025-17 authorizing a master development agreement with Stellar Development LLC for a destination and mixed-use development and qualified convention center and hotel project.
• Took no action on Project Numbers.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.