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Weatherford council authorizes $28.6 million certificates of obligation to fund local projects; approves animal shelter contract and zoning change
Summary
At its Oct. 14 meeting, the Weatherford City Council authorized the sale of $28,555,000 in certificates of obligation to fund roughly $30 million in infrastructure projects, approved a construction contract for animal shelter renovations, and approved a zoning amendment and conditional-use permit for 200 Auto Drive.
The Weatherford City Council on Oct. 14 authorized the issuance of $28,555,000 in certificates of obligation to fund transportation, public-safety and park projects and approved two separate local actions: a construction contract for animal shelter renovations and a zoning map amendment with a conditional-use permit for a contractor office at 200 Auto Drive.
Dawn Brooks, city staff, told the council the bonds were priced the morning of the meeting and that the proceeds will fund a list of projects identified by the council and a community survey, including Claremont Boulevard and Lamar Street infrastructure improvements, construction of Fire Station 5, renovation of Holland Lake Park and additional public-works space. "There is no tax rate increase associated with this financing," Brooks said, urging the council to approve the final authorization.
Hilltop Securities managing director Nick Boulash said the bonds sold at a final par amount of $28,555,000 and produced a net premium that allowed the city to fund about $30,000,000 in spendable projects. "The winning bid was KeyBank Capital Markets at 3.93%," Boulash said, noting that investors paid a premium on the issue and that the city’s ratings were affirmed by S&P and Moody’s.
Councilmember Heidi Wilder moved approval of the certificates of obligation and Mayor Pro Tem Zach Smith seconded the motion; the council approved the item by voice vote. The resolution and ordinance authorizing the issuance were listed on the agenda as Ordinance 02025-48.
On a separate finance and capital-work matter, the council authorized the city manager to execute a TIPS contract with DRI for Phase 1 improvements to the Weatherford animal shelter. Staff said DRI’s proposal for the work was $573,000 with a 130-day substantial-completion period; staff requested authorization up to $600,000 to provide contingency funds. Chad Marbo, presenting the project scope, described LED lighting, HVAC upgrades, installation of 42 composite kennels, epoxy floor coatings and upgraded adoption and quarantine spaces. The motion to approve was made and seconded; the council approved the contract.
During the same meeting the council also approved a zoning map amendment and a conditional-use permit (CUP) for approximately 1.632 acres at 200 Auto Drive to allow a contractor office/facility with outside storage. Scott McDonald, the city’s new development services director, and applicant representative Robert Stuckey (Stuckey Architects) described site improvements and landscaping; staff recommended approval subject to stated conditions, including time limits for commencement and certificate-of-occupancy milestones. Councilmember Matt Tiscus moved approval with conditions; the motion was seconded and passed.
What happens next: the bonds are expected to close in about 30 days after attorney general review, with a closing date stated as Nov. 13, 2025. Construction at the animal shelter is scheduled to be substantially complete within roughly 130 days, and the developer for 200 Auto Drive indicated work would begin quickly after approvals.
Votes and formal actions recorded on the agenda included authorization for certificates of obligation (Ordinance 02025-48; motion by Heidi Wilder, second by Zach Smith; outcome: approved), contract authorization for DRI under TIPS for animal shelter phase 1 (motion by Heidi Wilder; second by Zach Smith; outcome: approved), and approval of the zoning map amendment and CUP for 200 Auto Drive (motion by Matt Tiscus; second by Heidi Wilder; outcome: approved). The transcript did not record a roll-call vote tally for these items; the record shows the motions passed by the council.
Authorities and references on the agenda: ordinance numbers and certificate language were listed on the meeting agenda and supporting materials; city staff noted that the financing uses the city’s existing I&S tax rate to service the debt and that no new tax-rate increase would be required.
