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Josephine council approves parks master plan contract, adopts Atmos franchise and dissolves JCDC; certifies election results
Summary
At its Dec. 9 meeting, the Josephine City Council approved a $134,000 parks and trails master‑plan contract (50% reimbursed by a Collin County grant), adopted an Atmos franchise ordinance, voted to terminate the Josephine Community Development Corporation and formally declared special‑election results. Council also authorized staff to appropriate funds after executive session.
Josephine’s City Council on Dec. 9 approved multiple measures intended to move planned infrastructure and municipal governance changes forward.
The council voted to authorize Individual Project Order No. 25, a $134,000 contract with Kimley Horn to create a parks and trails master plan. Staff told the council the city budgeted the full amount but secured a grant that will reimburse 50% of the cost. A council member noted, “So we're basically saving $67,000 for our taxpayers.” The contract is expected to begin in January and includes multiple rounds of public engagement to map future trails, sidewalks and neighborhood connections.
Council members also adopted an ordinance approving the Atmos franchise agreement. Staff said the ordinance is the same agreement discussed at an earlier meeting with minor clarifying edits reviewed by the city attorney.
On the tax and governance front, the council adopted a resolution terminating the Josephine Community Development Corporation (JCDC) after voters approved sales‑tax propositions in a Nov. 5 special election. Staff said JCDC will continue to collect the tax through the first quarter; on April 1 the sales/use tax will convert to a city tax and the new Municipal Development District (MDD) will begin collection for its portion. Council later approved a separate ordinance formally declaring the results of the Nov. 5 election so the city can send results to the comptroller’s office.
Finally, after a closed executive session to discuss real property, the council voted to authorize the city administrator to appropriate funds and proceed as discussed; the motion passed with three votes in favor and one abstention recorded (Brad abstained).
Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda: Approved (motion and vote during consent). No split roll call recorded in transcript. - IPO No. 25 (Kimley Horn) — $134,000 parks & trails master plan: Moved by Speaker 7; seconded; approved. Staff said 50% will be reimbursed by the Collin County Parks and Open Space Grant. - Atmos franchise ordinance: Moved and seconded; approved. - Resolution terminating Josephine Community Development Corporation (JCDC): Moved, seconded, approved. Staff will file follow‑up paperwork with the state to finalize termination. - Ordinance declaring special‑election results (Nov. 5, 2024): Moved, seconded, approved; clerical correction to date was noted in discussion. - Authorization to appropriate funds (post‑executive session): Motion passed with three in favor; Brad abstained.
What this means
Staff said the parks and trails master plan will guide where future sidewalks and trail connections are prioritized and will include public workshops. Ending JCDC will shift the dedicated half‑percent sales tax to the city; staff outlined a multi‑quarter transition so collections and remittances align with state processes. The Atmos franchise adoption maintains a local franchise relationship with the gas provider after minor, attorney‑reviewed edits.
Next steps
Staff will finalize the Kimley Horn agreement and begin the master‑plan public‑engagement process in January; the city will submit required state paperwork to complete the JCDC termination. The council asked staff to return with any additional documentation related to franchise or tax transitions as needed.
