Weatherford Municipal Utility Board Regular Session – March 26, 2026

The Weatherford Municipal Utility Board met on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 12:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The board accepted the annual audit report, approved a construction contract, and received detailed project updates from staff. The meeting adjourned at 12:46 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes of the February 26, 2026, Municipal Utility Board meeting. Motion by Ken Davis, second by Tom Novak.

Discussion Items

• Annual Audit Report (FY 2024-2025): Assistant City Manager/CFO Dawn Brooks presented the audit, performed by Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP. Audit supervisor Michelle Majowski reported a clean (unmodified) opinion with no material misstatements, no instances of non-compliance, and no internal control findings. Financial highlights included a $17.6 million increase in equity, a $1.1 million increase in electric sales, and a $0.7 million decrease in water/wastewater revenues. The board accepted the report unanimously.
• Construction Contract – Spring Street, Eastview Drive, and Garner Road Water and Wastewater Improvements: Public Works Director Matt Leppla presented a $3,495,885 contract with J&L Construction, LLC. The project includes 4,800 linear feet of 6-inch water line, 2,000 linear feet of 8-inch water line, 4,000 linear feet of 8-inch wastewater line, and 60 linear feet of 6-inch wastewater line. Notice to proceed is scheduled for April 26, 2026, with a 240-day contract schedule aiming for completion in December 2026. Streets will be repaved after installation. The board approved the contract unanimously.
• Staff Reports – Project Status Updates:
  • Water/Wastewater Projects (Matt Leppla):
    • Bodark Street water and wastewater project: underway, on schedule, within budget, completion expected August 2026.
    • Town Creek Interceptor Project: behind schedule; liquidated damages began March 5, 2026; contractor submitted a revised schedule targeting completion by end of April 2026.
    • Frankfort Pleasure Plain project: $3 million, 270-day contract, notice to proceed in April 2026, completion in January 2027.
    • Impact fee study: revamping water and wastewater impact fees, consolidated with roadway fees for efficiency.
  • Electric Utilities Projects (Joe Farley, Director of Electric Utilities):
    • Overhead feeder construction on Fort Worth Highway (planning stage): 4,300 linear feet, dual-certified territory, includes joint use with Oncor and Texas DOT permitting.
    • Palo Pinto Street overhead-to-underground conversion (planning): 6,500 linear feet, includes AT&T and Spectrum; RFQ for engineering, design 6–9 months, construction 9–12 months, project likely 2+ years out.
    • Interstate 20 north side overhead line (design): 6,700 linear feet, dual-certified with Oncor, serving undeveloped property near Costco.
    • Azel Highway overhead line upgrade (design): 9,300 linear feet, will improve capacity at Lake Weatherford substation.
    • Eureka Street main feeder upgrade (construction): 3,100 linear feet, $215,000, improves backup feed to the hospital.
    • Weatherford Point commercial development (construction): 2,400 linear feet underground primary, $300,000, nearly complete, serving area that is triple-certified (Weatherford, Tri-County, Oncor).
    • Completed projects: new main feed on Highway 51 from BB Field to Airport Road ($180,000); automated metering system base station replacements at Kwana Hill, Harburger Hill, and a third location (total ~$51,000, providing backup coverage for 10–15 years).
    • Residential subdivisions: approximately 1,000 new meters expected within the next year.
  • Water Utilities Projects (Rick Shaffer, Water Utilities Director):
    • Water Purification Plant Expansion: Phase 2 (filter process building) – contractor 80% complete on west wall, 50% on east wall, scheduled for completion by end of July 2026, followed by testing. Phase 3 (raw water pump station and pipeline) – 75% design complete, 100% design due in two weeks; new pump station will increase capacity and redundancy (two fully redundant pipelines from Lake Weatherford and Benbrook). Permitting with Corps of Engineers and Texas Historical Commission ongoing; no historical findings from shovel tests. Expected to advertise in May 2026, award in August 2026. Phase 4 (clear well, high service pump station, backwash, chemical improvements, GAC contactors 5–6 plus shells for 7–8) – may be split to avoid delays; GAC structure may be issued as separate GMP 6. Grant funding opportunities: up to $15 million (100% grant) from Texas Water Development Board (House Bill 500) – application available April 1, 2026, deadline July 2026, decision by September 2026; separate $30 million grant application for GAC structure due in two weeks, decision expected September/October 2026.
    • Water Distribution System Update: 311 miles of pipe; 62% PVC, ~20% asbestos cement or cast iron; 13% of AC/cast iron replaced in last 5 years; estimated 20 years to replace remaining. Wastewater collection: 76% PVC, 24% clay; 24% of clay pipe replaced in last 5 years; estimated 15–20 years to replace remaining.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous acceptance of the annual audit report for FY 2024-2025.
• Unanimous approval of the construction contract with J&L Construction, LLC for $3,495,885 for the Spring Street, Eastview Drive, and Garner Road water and wastewater improvements.
• Directive: Staff will pursue grant funding opportunities (House Bill 500 and GAC grant) and consider adjusting the Phase 4 schedule to accommodate potential delays from grant awards.
• Next Steps: The Town Creek Interceptor contractor is under liquidated damages; staff will monitor progress. The water plant expansion will continue with Phase 2 testing in August 2026. The raw water pump station design will be completed and advertised in May 2026. No citizen comments were made.