[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111,123],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6349312,"mediaKeyId","2239030-042082be58221d71031ba8047679cd53","parentId",2239030,"title","Council updates police pay scale to reflect recent 4% COLA","audioSeconds",158,"startMs",3860000,"endMs",4018000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239030-042082be58221d71031ba8047679cd53&start=3860&end=4018","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239030-042082be58221d71031ba8047679cd53/thumbnail_3860000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6349312/Elgin/Bastrop-County/Texas/Council-updates-police-pay-scale-to-reflect-recent-4-COLA","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349312-67ba0306f4f9752af7152a6e939feb7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183366&Signature=Gf7KBx-dEpriZpUMdFjLKR7qk3Ya1XW~KkIRYkRSc3o8VXGWzo0mR08nIo--pRLn279yugojspC8OiUGtvRH0jO5TmnGPfcYs7~tC~11lBXrAkMsU3KdrmLlGyCy9iSftsz28U~Tp2h2IdLiK0kGBDx7wNeLUyf2WPLpbbcJsOd-foeborlUytvrKz01mgMdmC7meymHF~1wO4o~nH9-V0zAItQATObxsf2FG0LA-n0Ckbe4hfM-w0eXjHef5AnvFyz01vs2gOi9OCop2Jyr8qkZmyapN9QLRcdawc4-1ymzgcFLlxZoHrOHPV9lf9cEFck9hbwJDjN5r9CxDbUiuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Elgin, TX","date","2025-02-05T14:34:50Z","article","The Elgin City Council approved a revision to the police pay scale to reflect the 4% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) the council had authorized earlier in the budget process.

Staff explained the existing pay scale is a recruiting mechanism that provides step increases based on service time; the recent COLA raised the baseline pay scales by 4 percent so that officers’ service‑based step increases do not lag behind other employees’ COLA adjustments. \"This was created essentially before you guys had the COLA ... as a way to recruit,\" staff said, and the adopted adjustment updates the scale so officers receive both the COLA and the step progression.

Council member Rodriguez moved to adopt the revised pay scale and members seconded the motion; the council approved the change by roll call. Staff said the change will be reflected in payroll and recruitments going forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ELGIN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 4 , 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved adjustment of the police pay scale so classified pay ranges incorporate an awarded 4% cost‑of‑living increase; staff said the pay scale remains a recruiting and retention tool on top of merit/service step increases.","taxTitle","Elgin, Bastrop County, Texas","taxId",54079,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6349317,"Council reviews options for city manager search firms, asks staff to circulate proposals",559,2121000,2680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239030-042082be58221d71031ba8047679cd53&start=2121&end=2680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239030-042082be58221d71031ba8047679cd53/thumbnail_2121000.jpg","/articles/6349317/Elgin/Bastrop-County/Texas/Council-reviews-options-for-city-manager-search-firms-asks-staff-to-circulate-proposals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349317-dcce30ab7faeccee03c8999e8302c428/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183366&Signature=ayHEXTwJVukWzUR-MeQG4irFyNzjGQaqdMp9hoMoMq3naU3~zF94JC4OH0HkQQ4FHNw2uUB5C-5ZEtzW5zgFnSNxkpJTLi3FCoFzM43He2bC7Q2mnl4t1S6mKCYlIIB005tR6N2Dafs2uOJnig0K9xjjRvA4ySBSoo18ZZIWXL3jjtqY0UIkQkOLSQJ0hBjV35fb4ITtgXFDkS~o0sSoBIjYf4j0PuqmJgqAsFaxQsDCJ8PxjYUo7gTu7VWUhsOZKQPMh9WJMMWvCFhYdSbUt4xKt9t3llA-2mkSvWeFbrXDqxTOvNJN8Jrndy0ywmfGMcVrUrBECDDkb9cExPFgkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elgin City Council discussed next steps in the search for a permanent city manager and the use of an executive search firm. Staff said they had compiled two lists of firms and recommended soliciting proposals from a four‑firm 'Group A' consisting of SGR, Appian, Baker Tilly and CPS. Staff noted they cannot formally recommend a specific firm but can submit the list for council direction.

Interim staff and council discussed options for how to gather council feedback: a SurveyMonkey ranking, written responses to the mayor, or selecting one or two firms to invite for in‑person presentations. Council members asked that staff distribute the Group A names and related materials and requested a short turnaround so council could return preferences by the following Monday in time for the next council meeting.

Staff said they will send firm information to council members and, if desired, arrange for one or two firms to present at a future meeting. The council did not select a firm at the meeting; it directed staff to collect council feedback and return the matter to the next regular agenda.","Council discussed a list of executive search firms for the city manager recruitment, identified a preferred 'Group A' set of four firms (SGR, Appian, Baker Tilly, CPS), and asked staff to circulate proposals and collect council preferences ahead of the next meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6349322,"Council allocates $50,000 in community nonprofit funding; extra $2,787.50 split between food programs",609,3501000,4110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239030-042082be58221d71031ba8047679cd53&start=3501&end=4110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239030-042082be58221d71031ba8047679cd53/thumbnail_3501000.jpg","/articles/6349322/Elgin/Bastrop-County/Texas/Council-allocates-50000-in-community-nonprofit-funding-extra-278750-split-between-food-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349322-0459d8b6aa5fb3fd1629182fbb375d13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183366&Signature=MbMYiz-XV~J01BC6zFRPdOybo4nXnOv3AKeqc0iKKJ4OCeXlZvJFiTkSzwmRbLdQxpTDuVb6VZiB-kGlRFm6oEZyAsMDdFTHD8aJarGeyyQjXZBlZqVK0BAKl2YmxLgK~TE5H~Y-jgiG2gQ-sNJed5zlQabvTsUPvyAHtZUGVJxArjXKzNdEKqaG8C14G6Xrd7IPzK2f9owcUKpS-ln~OS1zaLxXXyqTfb2Rae7oS7Egb3uypWGP8XaMXb1hzmSSWkFhiDJGwuz3dv4hlW-2TzU-80K5ME8gjoqb9JGkL4doeBhVIw43KQd2c6glbSITBtjyfU6pkIP4D7op9VTT7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elgin City Council voted to distribute the city’s annual $50,000 community nonprofit support fund and assigned an unallocated balance of $2,787.50 to two local food programs.

Staff presented the list of recommended awards and an average‑funding figure; the recommended awards fit within the $50,000 set‑aside. After discussion, a council motion directed staff to keep the presented amounts and to add $13,937.50 to line 10 (Elgin Community Covered) and $13,937.50 to line 9 (Elgin Cares Organization) — the extra funds representing the unallocated $2,787.50 divided between the two entities to bring the totals to the $50,000 cap. (The transcript identifies the net allocation approach and the specific lines by the staff numbering on the packet.)

Council members discussed the difficulty of evaluating requests when disparate categories (emergency services, arts, historical projects) compete for a single pot and suggested future refinements to categorize applicants for scoring. The motion passed by roll call.","The council approved distribution of $50,000 in community nonprofit support funding and directed an additional unallocated $2,787.50 be split between Elgin Community Covered and Elgin Cares to bolster local food assistance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6349326,"Council appoints charter review committee; city attorney outlines legal updates council should consider",294,2677000,2971000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239030-042082be58221d71031ba8047679cd53&start=2677&end=2971","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239030-042082be58221d71031ba8047679cd53/thumbnail_2677000.jpg","/articles/6349326/Elgin/Bastrop-County/Texas/Council-appoints-charter-review-committee-city-attorney-outlines-legal-updates-council-should-consider","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349326-195e9e95821083e01e7fc2a8ef521bf6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183366&Signature=JseJp2BNmir9GfOY-G4dQEHs82XLUROS9UqBP2ZJbXSoRRVc47-kq5SIL-l8rpp7JDbk~PB48gOUzsP7zrjsZZI1wM2wsFkYh~Av2JeMdQiOkUyrBC89JsY-uttcyI6etlcUQZIbuxP5FE7Su8CHDuFCRstYYlY9nlpmkqGF5bBjKjPq~Jj1voyXxIbCaFouo4jgNr9AbNptiFT9bX8UsDDuSM31Jw0xMifBDW~b5PF1H~ZRFBDtlucSjZ5Yattbgg1uWpZbHzBXkB0QF~Clcrm1BTia1qyr6PEZFcBLeM12supe4OdHDde24QFlA-qljAkEHAMnYNBQDdrKtQiB0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elgin City Council voted to appoint nine people to a Charter Review Committee and heard a legal review of the city charter that flagged a small set of technical inconsistencies with state law.

Councilors approved a motion to appoint Noble Smith, Brian Lonergan, Debbie Warman, Dr. Jenna Reeder, Tiffany Miller, Anna Rao, Darren Magoni, Roger Adams and Jessica Himes to the Elgin Charter Review Committee. The council voted to appoint the group collectively rather than take separate votes on each name.

City attorney Mark (presenting for a consultant, Mr. Zech) reviewed the legal assessment and said the document focused on conflicts between the charter and state law rather than policy changes. Mark summarized the consultant’s findings: the charter contains language that would allow involuntary annexation (a practice preempted by state law), lacks an explicit residency‑period statement for ward candidacy, includes a local procedure for resolving similarly named candidates on ballots that differs from the Texas Election Code, and specifies a five‑day canvass period that conflicts with the state’s 11‑day canvass timeline. The legal review recommended cleaning those provisions to make them consistent with state law.

Mark said the recommended changes are legal housekeeping items rather than urgent fixes and suggested the charter committee incorporate the recommended amendments into its broader review. Council members discussed timing and whether to put recommended language on an earlier ballot; staff and the attorney advised bundling committee recommendations rather than piecemeal changes to avoid multi‑year delays.

The council directed staff to provide the committee with the legal review, allow the committee to meet and return recommendations, and asked staff to present a slide deck to the committee explaining next steps.","Council appointed nine community members to a Charter Review Committee and the city attorney summarized a legal review recommending noncontroversial technical amendments to the city charter so it aligns with state law.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6349330,"Council approves two rezones: Highway 95 parcels to industrial, Elgin Business Park lot to commercial",1667,462000,2129000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239030-042082be58221d71031ba8047679cd53&start=462&end=2129","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239030-042082be58221d71031ba8047679cd53/thumbnail_462000.jpg","/articles/6349330/Elgin/Bastrop-County/Texas/Council-approves-two-rezones-Highway-95-parcels-to-industrial-Elgin-Business-Park-lot-to-commercial","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349330-4fd7060ab9dc33ceedb174478e3d46f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183366&Signature=hk9e5zcoE33PygZCm6Zpq94YKYrHAQNYHOTs9GbEfIoHaDtK4Vm~2P1MXNV91GTdwijb7ZpjK5wxwEWhFbP6lx7PQJDQGlX62xb3DHHpwy6PDrfZixoUBYgjusd2VWwFl31TjGvxjGhfE2CcfTcSoP74Iu9noq1UOFUrukAD2MWJVot52QbfBdYf4UdeUeGdkwNwqh80cxTEf3n4feCvDON7nHe2hONdOXUwXdQ4QiLnnjODAMfZG-bJzbUXDywnHKCNBGyZTNipfL2GiX7jzxMIRW5~bv-oZuIkib4Yl9sPQ4L2AF9HtI0vI1LbdNniqaly6vWvMX63AFzNPzHK6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elgin City Council approved two separate ordinances amending the official zoning map after public hearings drew no public speakers.

First, the council adopted an ordinance to rezone a portion of land on the west side of North Highway 95 — listed in the Bastrop County Appraisal District as Parcel 15336 (Portland Subdivision, Lot 3, 2.462 acres) and Parcel 87879 (Portland Subdivision, Lot 2, 2.000 acres) — from C-3 Highway Commercial District to I General Industrial District. The change was read into the record as an amendment to Chapter 46, Section 46-3 of the city’s code of ordinances.

Second, the council approved a separate ordinance to rezone a parcel identified as Parcel 84627 (Elgin Business Park Lot 2, 0.996 acres) from I General Industrial District to C-2 General Commercial District. City staff said the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended both changes.

Staff noted both actions were standard map amendments; no members of the public signed up to speak at either hearing. Councilors asked routine questions about uses and setbacks; staff explained in one case the owners plan to combine multiple tracts for clearer setback lines and to bring an intended commercial or industrial use into conformance with zoning. Each ordinance passed on roll call votes.","After public hearings with no speakers, the council approved two zoning map amendments: a portion of land along North Highway 95 was rezoned from C-3 (Highway Commercial) to I (General Industrial), and a lot in Elgin Business Park was rezoned from I (General Industrial) to C-2 (General Commercial).",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6349334,"Elgin council sets May 3 general election, shifts Elgin polling place to county annex",349,1137000,1486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239030-042082be58221d71031ba8047679cd53&start=1137&end=1486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239030-042082be58221d71031ba8047679cd53/thumbnail_1137000.jpg","/articles/6349334/Elgin/Bastrop-County/Texas/Elgin-council-sets-May-3-general-election-shifts-Elgin-polling-place-to-county-annex","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349334-9764e72fdd1f5054e93d7b92d150fd47/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183366&Signature=gvvmbVeJ~-Lv9ypv09bhjZHKlOtVyiuM~6~O5NXCn1pWb6qPML9FJm9hCwm4d2suYNzRzJC4j6uzeXgQCGuWLqRMwfQsIuJ2GxLwTvf45RanLMGwj8ff4qcu6LPsZu-HpGRYjgtvIh5~9TZtdu1y3it8QEukf-CsYPsLVEBfhY8zGmh-csFlhDWL5~XIxT051eqIOm-ApEbKaYzsYnONclfSCoyjGxCMtWdgB3mMsdpl826zs~EkZe~d1rjS0yGz738~Dn5xletSMMR1QPLd7T1arNvEp4O7sSlPH-YSR9-Sj12W7BC3quCPUaKc6pWJMCXJl2n4ou5-qw--Fj4sjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elgin City Council voted unanimously on a motion to call a general election for May 3, 2025, to elect city officials and to set related procedures for early voting and accessible voting systems.

City staff told the council the Elgin polling location will move from the Recreation Center to the North Bastrop County Community Annex. Peyton, a city staff member who has been coordinating election logistics, said the county remodeled and expanded rooms at the annex and that “it’s a better place, I think, overall, just because of the line, you know, in getting people there.”

The change followed several weeks of coordination with Bastrop and Travis counties over ward maps, GIS updates and polling locations. Council member Love asked for clarification about the new location after reports the Recreation Center had functioned as the polling site in previous elections. Peyton said the annex project is permitted and that the remodel is limited to nonstructural changes (demising walls and finishes), and staff expect the room to be available by May.

Staff outlined an outreach plan to notify voters, including website postings, repeated social‑media messages, fliers in water bills (where possible), signage at the Recreation Center and partner notices through the Elgin Independent School District. Peyton recommended starting city messaging about two weeks before early voting and increasing notices as early voting begins.

Councilors asked how the move would be communicated if Travis County had not finalized its selected location for voters who are on the Travis side of the city; staff said they continue weekly follow-ups with Travis County and will notify the council when that county picks its location.

The ordinance calling the election passed on a roll-call vote.","The Elgin City Council on a unanimous vote called a general election for May 3, 2025, and approved moving the Elgin polling location from the recreation center to the North Bastrop County Community Annex; staff outlined outreach steps for notifying voters.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council updates police pay scale to reflect recent 4% COLA

Council reviews options for city manager search firms, asks staff to circulate proposals

Council allocates $50,000 in community nonprofit funding; extra $2,787.50 split between food programs

Council appoints charter review committee; city attorney outlines legal updates council should consider

Council approves two rezones: Highway 95 parcels to industrial, Elgin Business Park lot to commercial

Elgin council sets May 3 general election, shifts Elgin polling place to county annex