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Willow Park council moves on bonding, tax abatement and staff longevity pay
Summary
Council reviewed intent to issue up to $10.1M in certificates of obligation for streets and water projects, approved a Chapter 380 tax-abatement agreement for Cork and Pig Tavern capped at $150,000, and granted budgeted one-time longevity payments to 41 city employees amid resident requests for transparency.
The Willow Park City Council on Dec. 9 reviewed a notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation not to exceed $10.1 million to fund road ($6.3 million) and water-utility ($3.5 million) improvements and scheduled formal approval for Feb. 10, 2026 when pricing will be set.
Eric Maha, presenting the notice of intent, said the council would reconvene in February to set interest rates and officially approve the certificates after pricing. He described the current packet list of eligible projects and said the bond attorney had confirmed they meet state legal requirements.
In a separate item, staff presented a Chapter 380 economic development agreement with Cork and Pig Tavern (Willow Park LLC) that would provide an incremental abatement of food sales tax over five years up to a $150,000 incentive; alcohol tax was excluded. Staff recommended approval and told the council the restaurant had opened in October and seen early success; the council approved the agreement by voice vote.
Budget and pay: Council also debated and then approved a one-time "longevity pay" for all 41 full-time city employees. A resident, Tandy Blackstock, pressed the council for transparency and asked how the $8,200 (the resident's calculation for $200 each) appeared in the agenda. Council members explained $300 per employee was already built into the budget this year (intended to net roughly $200 after taxes) and that the agenda item was the formal grant of the budgeted amount; council voted to grant the budgeted amount to all 41 employees.
Why it matters: The certificates of obligation would fund multi‑million-dollar capital projects that shape street and utility infrastructure; the Chapter 380 agreement is an economic incentive to retain a new business in downtown Willow Park; the longevity pay prompted debate about transparency and budget process but councilors said funds were already budgeted.
Ending: Council approved the Chapter 380 agreement, directed staff to return with bond documents in February, and granted the budgeted longevity pay to city staff. Residents asked for clearer public explanations of budget changes and staff said they will post information and continue outreach.
