Weatherford City Council Regular Session – August 11, 2026

The Weatherford City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation for the 100th anniversary of Schulman Theatres, approval of the July 28 minutes, consent agenda items, and three regular agenda items: the Fiscal Year 2027 proposed budget presentation, acceptance of the Tax Year 2026 property tax rate notice, and an amendment to the LaSalle Ranch Development Agreement. The council also entered executive session on real property and economic development matters, taking action on the real property item. No citizen comments were made on non-agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Appointments: Approved the appointment of Assistant City Manager/CFO Dawn Brooks to the Weatherford Economic Development Board as an ex-officio member; reappointments of Dawn Brooks and Eric Shumar to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee; and appointment of Kevin Cleveland to the Municipal Utility Board.
• Encroachment Agreement 1: Approved an encroachment agreement with Four 19 Properties, LLC, for property at 1220 North Rusk Street, and authorized the City Manager to execute.
• Encroachment Agreement 2: Approved an encroachment agreement with Connect Investment LP, Ted Wright, for property at 129 North Denton Street, and authorized the City Manager to execute.
• Vehicle Repair/Maintenance Amendment: Approved an amendment to the combined purchase authorization for vehicle repair and maintenance services from Siddons-Martin (sole source vendor), increasing the total amount authorized to not exceed $159,000.

Discussion Items

• Presentation of FY27 Proposed Budget: Assistant City Manager/CFO Dawn Brooks presented the proposed budget, emphasizing financial discipline and resilience against regional pressures. Total citywide expenditures are projected at $120.8 million across 26 funds. The General Fund is balanced at $61.4 million in revenues against $61.3 million in expenditures, with a marginal surplus of approximately $65,000. The proposed tax rate is flat at $0.392246 per $100 valuation, marking the sixth time in seven years the city has proposed a rate at or below the no-new-revenue rate. The budget includes $3.2 million in one-time fund balance use ($1.5 million for self-insurance fund and $1.7 million for Fire Station 5 apparatus). Reserves are projected at 211 working days. Key investments include $3 million for street repairs, $785,000 for vehicle/equipment replacement, $827,000 for public safety equipment, and continuation of major capital projects (McGrattan Park, Hall and Lake Park, Fire Station 5, etc.). Councilmembers commended the presentation and noted the importance of strategic commercial growth in offsetting state-mandated property tax exemptions.
• Receive Notice of Publication of Tax Year 2026 Property Tax Rates: Finance Director Lindsay Blaine presented the required notice. The no-new-revenue rate is 40.3187 cents per $100, the voter approval rate is 52.7534 cents, and the city proposes a flat rate of 39.2246 cents. Due to House Bill 9 (raising the business personal property exemption from $2,500 to $125,000), approximately $68 million in commercial value was removed from the tax roll, but new construction offset the loss, allowing the flat rate. The average home value ($300,183) would see a city tax bill of $1,177.46, saving $33 compared to the no-new-revenue rate and $406 compared to the voter approval rate. The council accepted the notice unanimously; formal proposal will occur on August 25, with public hearing and adoption on September 8.
• Consider Authorizing City Manager to Execute Amendment 1 to LaSalle Ranch Development Agreement: Assistant City Manager Chad Marbut presented the amendment. The approximately 1,000-acre development (with about 800 homes valued at $1–$2.5 million each) annexed in May 2024. The amendment allows the city to take the lead on off-site water design (a 16-inch water line extension to a new elevated storage tank), with the developer reimbursing the city for its portion within 12 months of design completion. The developer must begin construction of off-site water infrastructure within 18 months of design completion. The amendment also permits PID bonds to fund 100% of eligible off-site water costs (previously capped at 80%). Councilmembers noted the development's equine-based Western heritage platform. The motion to approve passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: The minutes of the July 28, 2026, council meeting were approved.
• Consent Agenda Approved: All four items (7a–7d) passed unanimously.
• Tax Rate Notice Accepted: The council unanimously accepted the Tax Year 2026 property tax rate notice, with the proposed flat rate of $0.392246 per $100 valuation.
• LaSalle Ranch Amendment Approved: The council unanimously authorized the City Manager to execute Amendment 1 to the LaSalle Ranch Development Agreement.
• Executive Session Action: The council approved the purchase of an approximate 1.21-acre tract (Block 9, B.F. Draper Survey, Abstract No. 405) via a contract of sale, authorizing the City Manager to execute closing documents. No action was taken on the economic development negotiation (Project Verde).
• Future Agenda Item: Councilmember Smith requested that staff provide an annual report to the council on the return on investment (ROI) for the restaurant incentive program, including data on sales tax, ad valorem tax, and revenue per square foot, in addition to the report already planned for the Weatherford Economic Development Group.