Copperas Cove council declines WBW development agreement, directs staff to remove CCN reimbursement
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Summary
After public comment and extended debate over who should pay for CCNs, Copperas Cove City Council voted down a proposed development and annexation agreement with WBW; council then directed staff to present a counterproposal with 0% city reimbursement for CCN costs.
Copperas Cove City Council on Nov. 18 rejected a proposed development and annexation agreement with WBW Single Development Group LLC covering about 310 acres in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and directed staff to return with a counterproposal that removes city reimbursement for CCN costs.
City staff and the developer presented the draft agreement, which included a provision allowing the developer to be reimbursed by the city for up to $149,180 of the cost of a certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) transfer, with reimbursement tied to certificates of occupancy for completed homes. City Manager Ryan Havelock said the developer would pay the full CCN purchase cost up front and the city’s reimbursement would be paid over time as COs were issued; the draft set a per‑CO reimbursement of about $480.
The agreement generated multiple public comments during Citizens Forum opposing city payment for CCNs. George Mcmaster called the street maintenance program and related exemptions unlawful and warned of legal challenges. Fred Chavez called proposed CCN reimbursement “corporate welfare.” Several residents, including Daniel Halbecker and Ray Payne, warned that existing ratepayers and taxpayers should not subsidize utility hookups for new development.
Council debate focused on financial precedent and long‑term fiscal impacts. Several councilmembers argued that requiring developers to pay upfront preserves equity and avoids burdening current residents with future rate increases; others said new residents and tax revenue are needed to support city services and infrastructure. After discussion, a motion to authorize the development and annexation agreement failed on roll call: John Hale and Jack Smith voted aye; Christina Strophas, Rita Hogan, Howard Hock (also referenced in the meeting as Howard Hawk), Del Treadway, and Fania Hart voted nay.
Following an executive session to consult with legal counsel, council gave staff direction to reduce the CCN reimbursement to 0% and present that counterproposal to WBW, with staff to return to council with the developer’s response and any revised terms. City staff stated the 0% direction will be a formal counteroffer for WBW to accept or reject.
Votes at a glance: the council approved the consent agenda (items 1–5) and approved ordinances 2025‑37 (Mashburn Drive future land use), 2025‑38 (Mashburn Drive zoning), 2025‑39 (remove PC overlay along US‑190 corridor), 2025‑40 (subdivision design standards updates), and authorized a professional services agreement with TIP Strategies for a strategic marketing and communications plan.
What happens next: City staff will present the 0% CCN counterproposal to WBW and return to council with the developer’s decision and any revised agreement language. No formal agreement was authorized at the Nov. 18 meeting.
