Weatherford Fire chief recommends new northeast station to cut response times; council flags funding approach

Weatherford City Council retreat — Fire Chief John Peacock urged the council to plan for a new fire station to serve the city’s northern and East Loop growth, presenting a redistricting map and response‑time comparisons that showed 3–4 minute improvements for key locations.

Location and rationale: The chief identified a roughly five‑acre city‑owned parcel near Northeast Rick Williamson (East Loop) as a candidate site, explaining that redistricting from that station would shorten response times to the north lake neighborhoods and parts of FM 730. “For example, from this station to the top end of the lake…we can get to that in five minutes. We don't have that luxury at this time,” Chief Peacock said. He told council the new station would remove roughly 1,000 annual unit responses off existing stations.

Cost and schedule: Chief Peacock presented a planning‑level construction cost near $10,000,000 for a new station building; he said adding staff, vehicles and equipment would raise the full delivered cost to roughly $13,000,000. He estimated construction including apparatus ordering could put doors open by October 2028 if council directed staff to proceed. The chief recommended hiring a consultant to complete a staffing and station study to aid final planning.

Council discussion and funding approach: Council members agreed the need is real but debated financing routes. Several council members said the station is a top priority and favored a funding approach that avoids voter risk — either paying with cash or issuing certificates of obligation (COs) — rather than placing a single small GO bond before voters. Don (finance staff) said staff would model blended funding options and warned pending state bills could limit COs in the future.

Ending: Staff will prepare an implementation plan, including a consultant‑led staffing/station study and detailed cost estimates, for council consideration. Council asked staff to return with options — including timing, staffing needs and a recommended funding mix — to enable a decision ahead of a possible 2028 open date.