The Weatherford City Commission on a unanimous motion with one abstention approved a $10,560 Hotel‑Motel Committee grant to the Heartland Museum for digital billboard advertising.

Marshall, chairman of the Heartland Museum board, told the commission the board had shifted to digital advertising because past newspaper placements produced poor results and the museum wanted to be responsible with taxpayer funds. "We're trying to bring people in and stay at our hotels," Marshall said, adding that he had abstained from an internal museum vote related to the advertising to avoid a conflict.

Commissioners aired concern about the appearance of a conflict of interest tied to advisory‑committee members and local vendors. A staff member said the museum had requested $1,900 for Weatherford Daily News advertising but the paper later pursued additional monthly fees, and that the museum had paid nearly $6,000 in monthly fees in prior reports. Commission discussion focused on whether committee members should avoid even the appearance of impropriety and whether abstentions at the advisory meeting affected the committee's action.

The motion to approve the Heartland Museum grant was made by Commissioner Jimmy Ingram and seconded by Commissioner Kendon Wood. The roll call on the council motion was: Wood — Aye; Ingram — Aye; Goldman — Abstain; Smith — Aye; Brown — Aye. The grant was therefore approved with one abstention.

The council did not direct further staff follow‑up beyond the routine oversight of committee‑recommended hotel‑motel expenditures. The hotel‑motel fund distribution practice — committees recommending funds for local museums and events — remains in place and the commission moved on to subsequent agenda items.