Argyle council awards architecture contract and advances $8.5M financing plan for new police building

Argyle’s Town Council on May 18 voted to award professional architecture services to FGM Architects and to advance a financing timetable that would allow the town to issue certificates of obligation to pay for a new police facility and associated infrastructure.

The council approved resolution 2026‑27 to enter a professional services agreement with FGM (not to exceed $955,645) after the staff selection committee recommended FGM following a February RFQ and subsequent interviews. Mike Sims, the town’s project lead, said the town received seven qualification statements and narrowed the list to three firms before making a unanimous recommendation to the council.

Charlie Kearns of FGM told the council his team will design a hardened law‑enforcement facility with dedicated evidence storage, secure and separated public and officer parking, and an ICC‑500 storm shelter to meet wind‑zone requirements. “Our commitment with FGM and the town of Argyle is really to work together as a team,” Kearns said, adding that the firm proposes a basic‑services fee of 9.5 percent based on an illustrative $7,000,000 construction estimate and that the fee will be adjusted 90 days prior to completion based on final project scope.

Kearns said FGM included a $25,000 contingency line for additional services that may arise during design and emphasized the need to engage a construction manager at risk early to validate cost and constructability.

The council also authorized staff to proceed with the next financing steps for the project by approving the publication of a notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation. Town consultant Nick Boulash of Hilltop Securities reviewed the town’s debt profile and schedule and described an $8.5 million CO scenario that, as modeled, would not require a tax‑rate increase because the town plans to apply available reserves and scheduled debt‑service drawdowns. Boulash outlined a tentative calendar that includes publication, a credit‑rating review, a bond sale targeted around Aug. 3 and a closing in early September.

Sims told the council staff has identified a short list of potential sites and will continue site‑selection work; the council considered an executive‑session discussion on property acquisition the same evening. Sims said the CO resolution’s authorized uses include land acquisition and design for the police facility, construction of related roads and stormwater detention, and professional services in support of those items.

Councilmembers emphasized the need for transparent public engagement before finalizing financing and the possible option of putting the financing question before voters. The council discussed outreach options including town halls and online videos in addition to the statutory newspaper notice required for a CO issuance.

What the council approved - Awarding of RFQ 2026‑63 to FGM Architects for professional services (resolution 2026‑27), not to exceed $955,645; motion passed by voice vote. - Authorization to publish a notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation (notice to begin statutory process). Staff and Hilltop plan further steps including a preliminary official statement and Standard & Poor’s review before returning to council with final pricing.

Next steps and timeline Staff will continue site evaluation, begin CMAR procurement, refine cost estimates with the construction manager at risk, and proceed with the statutorily required publication and investor‑facing documents. The council will consider final bond pricing and the formal CO authorization at a future meeting once the offering is structured.

Speakers quoted in this article are from the town council meeting transcript and include Charlie Kearns, who introduced FGM’s approach, and Mike Sims, who presented staff recommendations and funding context.

The council voted in open session; no closed‑session action on the matter was reported in the transcript.