Red Oak council approves voluntary annexation, expands data-center zoning; hires police consultant and adopts censure resolution

The Red Oak City Council voted July 15 to annex roughly 207.556 acres into the city, amend planned-development zoning to accommodate a data‑center complex on the larger tract that includes the new acreage, authorize a one‑year consultant agreement to support interim police leadership, and adopt a resolution censuring a council member.

The annexation ordinance (No. 25-030) covers approximately 207.556 acres in the Andrew J. Porter survey in Ellis County; staff said the landowner requested voluntary annexation so the property can proceed to the zoning item that followed. The council opened and closed a public hearing with no speakers and approved the ordinance in a single vote, 5-0.

Council members then approved Ordinance No. 25-031, which amends the citys zoning map to add the newly annexed acreage into an existing planned development district for a proposed data center complex and related infrastructure. City staff said the amendment does not add new uses beyond those already permitted in the existing PD but incorporates the additional acreage so the same uses will be allowed across the combined property. The public hearing on the zoning item drew no public comment; the council approved the ordinance 5-0.

Later, following an executive session held under the Texas Government Code sections cited on the record (including sections 551.071, 551.074, 551.072 and 551.087), the council approved a contract with a consulting firm to provide services supporting interim police leadership. The agreement with the consultant identified in the record as Mike Wilson T2 is for an amount not to exceed $108,000 (structured at $9,000 per month) for a one‑year period. According to the motion, the consultant will provide interim chief duties and responsibilities, organizational-improvement work plans, manpower assessments, audits and best-practice recommendations for the police department and assist with placement of a permanent chief. The motion passed on a recorded vote listed as 5-0.

The council also adopted Resolution No. 25-043R, described on the record as a resolution of the City Council concerning conduct by the council member in Place 5 that the city says violated the home-rule charter and the citys ethics ordinance. The agenda and staff statement noted that the council member in Place 5 did not participate in the vote on the resolution; the five‑member council recorded the resolution as adopted 4-0 (the member in Place 5 did not vote).

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (items 18): Approved in one motion; recorded outcome 5-0. - Ordinance No. 25-030 (voluntary annexation, ~207.556 acres): Approved 5-0 after a public hearing with no speakers. (Mover/second on the record: Councilman Franklin; Councilman Flannery.) - Ordinance No. 25-031 (PD amendment to permit a data-center complex, incorporating newly annexed acreage into the existing PD): Approved 5-0 after a public hearing with no speakers. (Mover/second on the record: Councilman Miller; Councilman Franklin.) - Consulting agreement with Mike Wilson T2 (police interim/organizational support): Approved 5-0; not to exceed $108,000 at $9,000/month for one year. (Motion recorded; supporters on the record included Councilmembers Franklin and Lightfoot.) - Resolution No. 25-043R (censure-related resolution concerning council member in Place 5): Adopted 4-0; the council member in Place 5 did not vote. (Mover/second on the record: Councilmember Franklin; Councilmember Miller.)

What council said and next steps City staff told council the annexation was voluntary and intended to allow the developer to proceed with zoning and future site plans. Staff said the PD amendment did not add new uses but consolidated the newly annexed acreage into the existing planned development so the same data-center uses would apply. City staff said an appropriate site plan will be filed and reviewed when the developer is ready to proceed.

On the consultant contract for police-department support, staff described the scope as organizational review, manpower analysis, audits, best-practice recommendations and assistance with placement of a permanent police chief. The contract term recorded on the motion was one year.

The council held the executive session under Texas Government Code provisions cited on the public record and returned to open session to take the two items above; the agenda packet and staff remarks as recorded describe the resolution as addressing alleged violations of the citys home-rule charter and the ethics ordinance by the council member in Place 5.

No public speakers addressed the annexation or PD items during the hearings; the record shows no public testimony against or in favor.

— End of report.