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Willow Park

Council votes to buy city hall building

Posting police chief position

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Shortly after moving into their new digs in January, Willow Park city officials were raving about the new home they were renting at 120 El Chico Tr.

In fact, they love it so much that now they have decided to purchase the entire building. At their meeting on Monday, April 3, the council voted unanimously to announce the approval of the issuance of certificates of obligation in the amount of $8.5 million for the purchase, renovating, improving, and equipping the building.

Along with housing city officials and council, the building will serve as public safety facilities, judicial facilities, a city hall, and municipal facilities for administrative offices for city departments.

“I do not think we will be close to that, but I want a little cushion,” City Manager Bryan Grimes told the council. “Based on all the facts we have today, I feel confident about this.”

Grimes went on to call it, a “big day.”

Mayor Pro Tem Lea Young said, “It allows us to grow without having to add on with construction later.”

Willow Park Mayor Doyle Moss called it, “A monumental day in the city,” adding, “We’ve been talking about a city hall since I got elected in 2007.”

Following the informing of the public of the intent to issue COTs, which includes posts in The Community News and on the city website, the council is expected to formally confirm a deal at the May 23 meeting.

The council has the option of paying off the note in 30 or 40 years. They can also pay off the debt early after nine or 10 years.

Grimes noted that the cost to lease the building annually is about $200,000, which would be around $6 million over the span of 30 years. Also, there are two other tenants in the building, Sylvan Learning Center and McKnight Title. Should they decide to stay for the remainder of their respective leases, one ends in July of 2026 and the other in December of 2026. Grimes said those leases bring in around $100,000 annually.

 

Profit instead of spending

At their March 30 special meeting, the council was prepared to authorize Grimes to transfer funds from reserves to the general fund an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 to pay off loans with government capital for certain fire equipment and vehicles being sold to Parker County ESD No. 1.

However, that vote did not take place because the funds were not needed. Instead, when the equipment was appraised, the city actually made a profit of around $5,000.

“When we went to trade the car in we thought we’d be upside down, but we actually made $5,000,” Grimes said.

The Parker County ESD No. 1 took control of the Willow Park Fire Department following an election in November.

 

Police chief posting

Also on March 30, the council announced a posting for police chief applicants on the Texas Municipal League website for 30 days beginning April 3. The city is seeking to fill the position following the retirement of Carrie Ellis in late March.

Daniel Franklin is the interim police chief and is also a candidate for the position.

“This doesn’t take him out of the running,” Grimes said of the posting. “He’s still a very viable candidate.”

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