Stephenville City Councilmembers shared their well wishes after they accepted Mayor Doug Svien’s resignation at their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Aug. 5.
This ended a 15year tenure (both as a councilmember and a mayor) for Svien, who said he could no longer continue after suffering a stroke in February. Councilmember David Baskett will serve as mayor pro tem.
“I have full confidence in Mayor Pro Tem David Baskett and his ability to lead the council in my absence. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with David since he was elected, and I’ve seen firsthand his growth, dedication and deep love for this community. He has my full support. Thank you, David, for your friendship and for everything we have accomplished together,” Svien wrote in his resignation letter.
Councilmembers followed with tributes to Svien’s service and emphasized his example of public leadership.
“I am very happy for him that he has chosen to spend time with his kids and grandkids, considering his health. There are certain things that are more important than being up here,” Councilmember Gerald Cook said.
“When I think of Doug I think he was a man of faith. He had a tremendous work ethic, a strong leader and he was always available,” Councilmember Lonn Reisman said.
“Dedication and drive, that’s how I’ve always seen Doug. From day one he was willing to help, guide, assist, whatever I needed,” Councilmember Dean Parr said.
To fill the vacancy, the council called a special mayoral election for Nov. 4, 2025. Candidates must file by Aug. 18 at 5 p.m. So far, both Baskett and Reisman have filed to run as mayor.
The council set the maximum proposed 2025 property tax rate at $.40 cents per $100 of assessed value, matching the voter-approval rate and scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 298 W. Washington St.
The council approved the 2025–26 memorandum of understanding with Stephenville ISD for school resource officers.
“It is almost the same as last year’s, in that we will provide up to three police officers, as school resource officers, during the school year. Right now we have one full-time sergeant who is based out of the Stephenville High School, and then the other two will be filled by officers who are off duty, on their days off at either Henderson or Central. And this is in conjunction with the Guardian Program,” Police Chief Dan Harris said.
Members approved a $183,000 grant to the Cowboy Capital Pro Rodeo Association to add 1,500 seats. Councilmember Maddie Smith voted in opposition to the motion.
In governance updates, the council aligned its rules with House Bill 1522, which changes the Open Meetings Act posting minimum from 72 hours to three business days. In a related move, the council kept advisory boards under the Open Meetings Act but left their meeting notice requirement at 72 hours.
The council designated member LeAnn Durfey as Stephenville’s voting representative to Tex-21 and approved an ambulance permit for Concord EMS to operate non-emergency transfer services within city limits.
The council approved annexation of a portion of railway northeast of Highways 8 and 281 from the city limits line at CR 177; rezoned 640 and 646 N. McCart from Multifamily (R-3) to Planned Development (PD); and assigned Industrial (I) zoning to about 7.577 acres at 0 N. U.S. 281 that were recently annexed.