Weatherford City Council Meeting - August 25, 2026

The Weatherford City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting included public hearings, budget discussions, a major zoning decision for a senior housing development, and approval of multiple routine items. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:19 PM after executive session.

Items of Community Interest

• The council recognized Korean War veteran Sergeant Willis Franklin McNeil, whose remains were recently identified; his funeral with full military honors is scheduled for August 31, 2026, at East Greenwood Cemetery.
• Upcoming community events were announced: adoption fee waivers at the animal shelter with food trucks and a water slide on a future date, and a Movies in the Park event on September 11, 2026.
• The council celebrated City Manager James Hotopp's birthday and paid tribute to former Mayor Tom Vick, noting his impact on the city.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the minutes of the August 11, 2026, City Council meeting.
• Consent Items (6a-6e): Approved as a body:
  • Preliminary plat approval for Mathew Meadows Estates (27 residential lots on ~21.13 acres at 1609 Old Dicey Rd.).
  • Final plat approval for Mathew Meadows Estates.
  • Final plat approval for Stonegate (2 residential lots on ~0.508 acres along Cherry Street).
  • Final plat approval for 616 Cove (1 lot on ~1.046 acres along Palo Pinto St.).
  • Resolution R2026-16 adopting the City of Weatherford Investment Policy and Strategy.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 7a – FY27 Budget Public Hearing: No public comments were made.
• 7d – Claremont Senior Housing (703 West Park Ave.): Multiple speakers addressed the council:
  • Lynn Baber (2126 Timber Cove Ct.): Raised questions about the business plan, funding for amenities, operational details of assisted living, hospice, and daycare, and site plan issues (lack of sidewalks, parking). She expressed no definitive opinion but sought clarification.
  • Susie Hudson (2211 Lake Forest Dr.): Spoke in support, highlighting the continuum of care (community center, chapel, adult daycare, assisted living, hospice) and community partnerships.
  • Tammy Reed (416 Moss Ln.): A CPA and foundation board member, she expressed confidence in the project's business leadership and financial sustainability, noting her foundation has reviewed and supported it.
  • Joanne Barn (600 West Park Ave.): Voiced concerns about traffic congestion on West Park Avenue, given existing schools and nearby developments.
  • Alicia Rogers (612 West Park Ave.): Supported the concept but raised concerns about traffic safety (speeding, pet deaths), loss of trees and green space, and the pace of development changing the character of the area.
  • Van Houser (3621 W. Bidison St., Fort Worth): Spoke passionately in support, emphasizing the need for senior community to combat loneliness and shared a personal story about an elderly woman in need.
• 7f – Voluntary Annexation (1726 North Main): Reese Flanagan (civil engineer) answered questions about septic system issues and the status of existing structures. No other public comments.
• Citizen Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
  • Mike McCarty (325 Bent Oak Rd.): Represented the Weatherford Art Association, expressing interest in discussing use of the depot building (currently occupied by the Chamber of Commerce) for an art gallery or educational facility.
  • Candace Grantham (1801 Ability Ln.): Thanked the council for passing the mutual aid agreement, citing recent wildfires in the Palo Pinto area.

Discussion Items

• 7a – FY27 Budget Public Hearing: Budget Manager Ashley Esquivel presented the proposed FY27 budget:
  • General fund revenues: $61.4 million; expenditures: $61.3 million; surplus: ~$65,000.
  • Use of $3.2 million in fund balance reserves for one-time allocations, with $13.6 million remaining beyond the 120-day reserve requirement.
  • Sales tax projected at $23.6 million (7% growth); property tax rate proposed at $0.39246 per $100 valuation (same as FY26, one cent below the no-new-revenue rate).
  • Personnel costs: 57% of budget; Police and Fire remain the largest expenditure areas.
  • Capital highlights: $3 million for street repairs, $785,000 for vehicle/equipment replacement, $827,000 for public safety equipment (cardiac monitors, SCBA), and projects including Love Street Park playground replacement, McGrath Park skate park reconstruction, Hall and Lake Park renovation, Fire Station 5 construction, and transportation initiatives on Lamar Street, Claremont Boulevard, and Kirkpatrick Drive.
  • Council discussed the impact of House Bill 9 (property tax relief) and the city's conservative budgeting strategy, which relies more on sales tax growth than property tax.
• 7b – Outside Agency Funding: Ashley Esquivel presented staff recommendations for FY27 grant requests. Total general fund cap is $25,000; hotel occupancy tax (HOT) has no cap. Staff recommended funding all eight applicants except United Way of Parker County due to its pass-through funding structure. Council directed funding as follows:
  • General Fund: $5,000 each to CASA Hope for Children, Children's Advocacy Center of Parker County, Freedom House, Manna Storehouse, and Parker County Committee on Aging (total $25,000).
  • Hotel Occupancy Tax: $150,000 to the Chamber of Commerce and $5,000 to DOS Heritage.
• 7c – Property Tax Rate Proposal: Director of Finance Linzy Blain presented the 2026 proposed tax rate of $0.392246 per $100 valuation (same as FY26, ~one cent below the no-new-revenue rate of $0.403187). For the average home valued at $300,001, the city tax would be about $1,177.46—saving $33 compared to the no-new-revenue rate and $406 compared to the voter approval rate. Council voted unanimously to propose the rate.
• 7d – Claremont Senior Housing Zoning Change: The council held a public hearing and considered a request to rezone 31.01 acres at 703 West Park Ave. from AG to R3 with a Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay for a 204-unit senior (62+) housing community with amenities including a community center, chapel, adult daycare, assisted living, and hospice houses. Developer Glenn Lynch presented the need, citing that 49.6% of senior households in Weatherford qualify for affordable housing. Key discussion points:
  • Staff recommended approval, noting the development meets PUD criteria and includes a development agreement requiring amenities to be substantially completed before residential certificates of occupancy.
  • Council members asked about architectural consistency, completion timelines, traffic impact (a traffic impact analysis will be required), and protection against occupancy by non-seniors.
  • A motion was made and seconded to approve with two conditions: (1) design materials and colors to be finalized at staff level; (2) auxiliary buildings must receive a certificate of occupancy before any housing certificates are issued. The motion passed unanimously.
• 7e – Preliminary Plat for Clairemont Addition: Staff recommended disapproval due to outstanding comments and the need to revise the plat from four lots to two (divided by Claremont Drive). Council voted unanimously to disapprove, allowing the applicant to resubmit without additional fees.
• 7f, 7g, 7h – Annexation and Related Zoning/Plat for 1726 North Main: The council held a public hearing on voluntary annexation of a 9.434-acre tract (North Weatherford Business Park). The civil engineer noted an unpermitted septic system for a laundromat on the property. Council expressed concerns about existing structures and lack of applicant presence. No motion was made on the annexation, effectively killing it. Consequently, the related zoning and plat items were not acted upon; the final plat was denied by motion.
• 7i – Downtown Restaurant Incentive Policy Revisions: Economic Development Director Ashley Seiler presented updates to the policy, including new investment tiers and leverage ratios, increased funding from $200,000 to $400,000 (reallocated from the facade improvement grant), and strengthened application requirements (projected sales tax, job creation, private investment, ROI). The Weatherford Economic Development Board recommended approval. Council approved unanimously.
• 7j – Parker County Mutual Aid Agreement: Fire Chief Jonathan Peacock presented an updated mutual aid agreement among Parker County fire departments, including new participants and clarified rescue services. The city retains control over its resources and is not obligated to respond if it leaves Weatherford inadequately protected. Council approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• FY27 Budget Process: The public hearing was held; the budget will be adopted on September 8, 2026.
• Tax Rate: Proposed at $0.392246 per $100 valuation; final adoption scheduled for September 8, 2026.
• Outside Agency Funding: Council directed $25,000 in general fund grants (five organizations at $5,000 each) and $155,000 in HOT funds ($150,000 Chamber, $5,000 DOS Heritage). United Way of Parker County was not funded due to policy conflict.
• Claremont Senior Housing (703 West Park Ave.): Approved rezoning and development agreement with conditions on design and completion of amenities. Preliminary plat disapproved; applicant to resubmit.
• 1726 North Main Annexation: No action taken; annexation failed. Related zoning and plat denied.
• Downtown Restaurant Incentive Policy: Approved with revisions.
• Mutual Aid Agreement: Approved.
• Future Agenda Items: Next regular meeting on September 8, 2026, for budget and tax rate adoption.