Weatherford utility board approves FY25 budget, multiple contracts and ratifies marina lease after executive session

The Weatherford Municipal Utility Board on Tuesday approved a package of budget and contract actions, including adoption of the FY25 municipal utility budget, several consent‑agenda contracts, authorization of an ERCOT collateral letter of credit and the ratification of a marina lease amendment after a closed executive session.

Key votes at a glance: - Minutes (08/29/2024): Motion to approve by Zach Smith, second by Ken Davis; approved. - Consent item 5g — Horton Tree Services: Renew contract with Northeast Service Inc. d/b/a Horton Tree Services for utility forestry and directional boring, not to exceed $489,000; motion by Heidi Wilder, second by Kim Davis; passed (one recusal recorded). - Consent item 5p — Annual aggregate materials (Bid 2024‑005): Award to Off Duty Excavation LLC, amount not to exceed $135,000; motion by Heidi Wilder, second by Tom Novak; passed (one recusal recorded). - Consent item 5u — Miscellaneous concrete improvements (Bid 2024‑004): Primary award to G Rod Construction LLC and secondary to TexPro Construction LLC, amount not to exceed $650,050; motion by Heidi Wilder, second by Tom Novak; passed (one recusal recorded). - Resolution R2024‑21 — FY25 municipal utility fund budget: Staff budget presentation by Ashley Esquivel showed $84,100,000 in projected revenues and $72,200,000 in projected expenses; Ken Davis moved to adopt, Heidi Wilder seconded; adopted. - Item 6b — Authorization to enter a letter of credit/surety for ERCOT collateral: Staff requested authorization to issue a letter of credit through PlainsCapital Bank to secure load requirements under the Garland contract (estimated cost about $10,000, charged to the electric budget); motion by Heidi Wilder, second by Tom Novak; approved. - Item 6c — GMP 1 for Paul Phillips plant expansion: Board approved the GMP (see separate article for details); motion by Ken Davis, second by Tom Novak; approved. - Item 6d — Adopt FY meeting schedule: Motion by Heidi Wilder, second by Tom Novak; approved. - Item 6e — Update customer service policy fee schedule: Staff requested the policy update following council adoption of the FY25 fee schedule; motion by Ken Davis, second by Tom Novak; approved. - Item 5T — Second amendment to marina lease with Randy and Sheila Plowler (Lake Weatherford Marina LLC): The board recessed to executive session for attorney consultation and later reconvened; following the closed session a motion to ratify the second amendment was made by Heidi Wilder, second by Zach Smith; the board approved the ratification.

Recusals and executive session: Several consent items recorded one recusal each (items 5g, 5p, 5u). Item 5T was considered in executive session for attorney consultation and was ratified on return to open session.

What the votes mean: The budget adoption sets the municipal utility fund’s FY25 revenue and operating targets and the approved contracts authorize staff to proceed with planned procurement and construction activities. The letter of credit authorization allows the city to meet ERCOT collateral requirements without tying up cash reserves.

Provenance: Motions and votes are recorded throughout the meeting; representative segments include procedural motions at SEG 028–037 (minutes) and the reconvened vote on item 5T at SEG 1222–1233.

Sources: Weatherford Municipal Utility Board meeting transcript.