Weatherford
Weatherford City Council, Sept. 10, 2024: 12 items; Proclamation recognizing John Hale
3 consent items, 9 regular items, 2 public hearings, 1 executive-session topic. Written from the minutes.
5.a: Proclamation recognizing John Hale. The City Council presented John Hale a proclamation in recognition of his service and dedication to the community.
5.b: Proclamation designating September 17-23, 2024 as Constitution Week in the City of Weatherford. The City Council presented a proclamation to the Weatherford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution declaring the week of September 17th through the 23rd as Constitution Week in the City of Weatherford.
Consent agenda, approved as one vote: 7.a: Authorized the City Manager to renew the support contract with Azteca Systems, LLC for the City Works system in the amount of $63,000. 7.b: Authorized the City Manager to purchase security solutions and services from NextGen Security, LLC under Omnia Contract #R192008 with budgeted dollars in an amount not to exceed $90,000. 7.c: Authorized the City Manager to execute the Tarrant County Regional Auto Crimes Task Force Interlocal Assistance Agreement with Tarrant County.
8.a: Hold a PUBLIC HEARING on the proposed ad valorem tax rate of $0.39842 per $100 valuation, including $0.29882 per $100 valuation for operations and maintenance and $0.0996 per $100 valuation for interest and sinking (debt service). CFO Dawn Brooks presented this item and explained that the 2024 proposed rate of $0.39842 was equal to the no-new-revenue tax rate and would raise the same amount of property tax revenue from the same properties in both the 2023 and 2024 tax years. She added that the proposed rate of $0.39842 was used to build the FY2025 proposed budget and would provide sufficient revenue to meet the City’s needs for the next fiscal year. Mayor Paul Paschall opened the Public Hearing at 6:16 p.m. • Richard Heizer, 1001 Thistle Hill Trail, expressed his support for adoption of the no- new-revenue tax rate. As there were no other speakers, Mayor Paschall closed the Public Hearing at 6:18 p.m. No action was required or taken on this item.
8.b: Consider and/or act upon approval of Ordinance O2024-30 adopting the City Manager's Proposed Budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024 and ending September 30, 2025. CFO Dawn Brooks presented the FY25 proposed budget, which covered 25 funds, 15 departments, 330 employees, and all City functions (excluding electric and water utilities). She added that the budget was balanced with a reserve exceeding 120 days of operating costs. Mrs. Brooks reported total revenues of $77.5 million and expenditures of $75.6 million across all funds, with the General Fund balanced at $53.5 million in both revenues and expenditures and a $13,000 surplus. She noted the projected FY25 fund balance was $30.4 million, or 218 working days, with $13.1 million available beyond the 120-day reserve policy. • Lynn Baber, 2126 Timber Cove Court, emphasized the need for greater detail regarding the budget’s contractual services and reserves line items. On the motion of Luke Williams, second by Zack Smith, the City Council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance O2024-30 adopting the City Manager’s Proposed Budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024, and ending September 30, 2025. The motion carried 3 – 0 and the ordinance is captioned as follows: ORDINANCE NO. O2024-30 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF WEATHERFORD, TEXAS, ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR [...]
8.c: Ratify the adoption of the property tax revenue reflected in the FY25 Budget pursuant to Tx. Local Government Code section 102.007. CFO Dawn Brooks presented this item and explained that Texas Local Government Code requires the City Council to take a separate vote to ratify the property tax revenue increase reflected in the budget. She reported that the FY25 budget includes an increase in property tax revenues of approximately $142,000.00. On the motion of Zack Smith, second by Luke Williams, the City Council voted unanimously to ratify the adoption of the FY25 budget which will generate more revenue from property taxes than in the previous year. The motion carried 3 - 0.
8.d: Consider and/or act upon approval of Ordinance O2024-29 adopting the ad valorem tax rate of 39.842 cents per $100 of valuation for the 2024 tax year (2025 fiscal year). CFO Dawn Brooks presented this item and reviewed that the 2024 proposed rate of $0.39842 was equal to the no-new-revenue rate and would raise the same amount of revenue for properties on the tax roll in both the current fiscal year and next fiscal year. She added that the proposed rate was used to build the FY25 Adopted Budget and would provide adequate revenue to meet the needs of the City for the fiscal year. Zach Smith moved to adopt an ad valorem tax rate of 39.842 cents per $100 of valuation, which is effectively 0.15% decrease in the tax rate and equal to the No-New-Revenue tax rate. This includes a rate of 29.882 cents for the operations and maintenance of the General Fund and 9.960 cents in order to service the city's debt, and to adopt Ordinance O2024-29. Luke Williams seconded the motion, and it carried 3 – 0. The ordinance is captioned as follows: ORDINANCE NO. O2024-29 AN ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR OCTOBER 1, 2024 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 FOR THE CITY OF WEATHERFORD, TEXAS; ENACTING PROVISIONS RELATING THERETO; PROVIDING FOR APPROVAL OF THE TAX ROLLS PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE [...]
8.e: Hold a PUBLIC HEARING and consider adoption of Ordinance O2024-31, updating the Building Permit Fees for Fiscal Year 2025 Fee Schedule. Director of Development and Community Services Kaleb Kentner presented this item and explained that HB 1922, passed by the Texas Legislature and effective January 1, 2024, mandated that any city building permit fee would be automatically abolished on the tenth anniversary of its adoption or its most recent reauthorization under Section 214.908 of the Texas Local Government Code. To maintain these fees, the city would need to hold a public hearing and vote to reauthorize them. He noted that this required hearing would reauthorize the City’s building permit fees, along with proposed amendments to its current building and construction-related fees Mayor Paul Paschall opened the Public Hearing at 6:31 p.m. There being no speakers, Mayor Paschall closed the Public Hearing at 6:31 p.m. On the motion of Luke Williams, second by Zack Smith, the City Council voted to adopt Ordinance O2024-31, updating the Building Permit Fees for Fiscal Year 2025 Fee Schedule. The motion carried 3 – 0 and the ordinance is captioned as follows: ORDINANCE NO. O2024-31 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF WEATHERFORD, TEXAS, REAUTHORIZING AND AMENDING THE BUILDING PERMIT FEES AFTER PUBLIC HEARING; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE CUMULATIVE OF ALL [...]
8.f: Consider adoption of Ordinance O2024-28 amending Title IX, Chapter 8 "Utility Rates" of the Official City Code. Director of Water Utilities Rick Shaffer presented this item and explained that the City routinely works with rate consultants every five years to update the cost of service model and design electric, water and wastewater rates for the Municipal Utility System. He introduced consultant Chris Ekrut with NewGen Strategies and Solutions who provided an overview of the rate study process. Mr. Ekrut explained that no electric rate increases were recommended, while smaller, inflationary-level annual increases of 2% were suggested for water rates, and higher annual increases of 8% were recommended for wastewater rates. • Lynn Baber, 2126 Timber Cove Court, spoke regarding the differences between commercial and residential water rates. On the motion of Zack Smith, second by Luke Williams, the City Council voted to adopt Ordinance O2024-28, amending Title IX, Chapter 8 "Utility Rates" of the Official City Code. The motion carried 3 – 0. The ordinance is captioned as follows: ORDINANCE NO. O2024-28 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF WEATHERFORD, TEXAS, AMENDING TITLE IX, CHAPTER 8, (UTILITY RATES), SECTIONS 9-8-1, 9- 8-3, 9-8-5, AND 9-8-8 OF THE CITY CODE OF WEATHERFORD BY AMENDING WATER RATE SCHEDULES AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATES FOR WATER RATE SCHEDULE [...]
8.g: Consider approval of a Development Agreement between The City of Weatherford and Retail Partners, LLC for a 7.9-acre parcel generally located on I-20 frontage and Center Point Road. Assistant Director of Economic Development Ashley Seiler presented a Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreement between the City of Weatherford and Retail Partners, LLC for a 7.9-acre parcel of property located on the northeast corner of Center Point Road and Interstate Highway 20. She added that this development would be inclusive of a major grocery anchor, Sprouts Farmers Market, along with an additional 35,000 square feet of retail space, for a minimum capital investment of approximately $20 million. On the motion of Luke Williams, second by Zack Smith, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the Development Agreement between the City of Weatherford and Retail Partners, LLC. The motion carried 3 - 0.
Future agenda items: There were no future agenda items requested.
Action on executive session items: On the motion of Luke Williams, second by Zack Smith, the City Council voted to adopt Resolution R2024-20 accepting the proposed settlement agreements with Tyco and BASF, and any potential future settlement agreements relating to the Aqueous Film-Forming Foams products liability litigation. The motion carried 3 – 0.
Executive session topics, as posted: Section 551.071. Consultation with Attorney: Pending or contemplated litigation, or a settlement offer: Tyco/BASF. Mayor Paul Paschall recessed the City Council meeting at 6:44 p.m. so that the City Council could convene.
Compiled from the city secretary's minutes by the Ledger's extractor, in the minutes' own wording, item by item; the Ledger adds no characterization. Read the minutes for the full record.
Sources: City of Weatherford: council minutes, Sept. 10, 2024 (Granicus); Agenda for this meeting (Granicus); Meeting video (Granicus)