[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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],{"_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",6270872,"mediaKeyId","3031652-114507e48723986bcab088e61e01e5e9","parentId",3031652,"title","Henderson code and community development reports rising permit values and staff training progress","audioSeconds",174,"startMs",2783000,"endMs",2957000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031652-114507e48723986bcab088e61e01e5e9&start=2783&end=2957","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031652-114507e48723986bcab088e61e01e5e9/thumbnail_2783000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6270872/Henderson/Rusk-County/Texas/Henderson-code-and-community-development-reports-rising-permit-values-and-staff-training-progress","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270872-b32a67a70d60901609b7044a3c02aa59/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545569&Signature=M0gl5jm4yeVac6Eat0W54z48qZyZjRKb~mLGagfDxM3zz9uRupb2HlIi5ayqH2dC23uJ6V3u4kF7F5uI0uYmVbylOpwnF0rbbun1F2JkrVVyS0SmNvhFgZk03I-oilMJTi23kmPTSPEBWtQXuQRfY84texOYBfaM5jzhESbYgSTVY86rJLHDNsG1zx8Gygq0iSu7a2Xgn8WSJqDIDW3pbJQQkIw6ZuCoqZi19pie7rikFowhbwtMu0-51VHx5M-feONT2GVRL~GTsnWED0Vyn01DhTLF9m~HXPeqvUlFHysg7Syx2KyLLzMhGevxTae3GmMXpc1JccTR8yYIVJS12w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Henderson TX","date","2025-04-17T03:14:26.527Z","article","During the April 15 meeting the City of Henderson’s code enforcement and community development staff presented departmental activity data, training updates and a status report on code updates.

Staff said the department issued 882 permits in 2023 with a total valuation of about $2,893,000 — a high year linked to storm and hail damage — and issued 201 permits in 2024 valued at $11,701,000. For 2025, through early April, the department reported 27 building permits valued at $2,951,000.

The department also reported the completion of training and licensing for two code‑enforcement officers, a process that took about a year. The presenter said code‑enforcement and development code updates are under way to align with surrounding jurisdictions (Longview, Kilgore) and to help contractors and insurers work more easily across the region.

The speaker emphasized safety concerns for enforcement staff and said the department took care to license officers before sending them into fieldwork. The council received the report and thanked staff; no formal action was required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Henderson | Regular Scheduled Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reported building-permit trends, recent code-enforcement licensing of two officers, and ongoing updates to local codes to align with surrounding jurisdictions.","taxTitle","Henderson, Rusk County, Texas","taxId",58113,"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},6270873,"Votes at a glance: Henderson City Council decisions April 15, 2025",1471,1018000,2489000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031652-114507e48723986bcab088e61e01e5e9&start=1018&end=2489","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031652-114507e48723986bcab088e61e01e5e9/thumbnail_1018000.jpg","/articles/6270873/Henderson/Rusk-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Henderson-City-Council-decisions-April-15-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270873-a950e6044f727202f65bd0be421b11d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545569&Signature=RHbpk7ayCzbSE9QitcvJCWDUACijzArSTmeKZPLz9AU9f0dx1bXStpMpKtJJwEY87W7PY7zcAnCjomaPzmb8nEA~uBt~UcUvYX-StcxdiwEaQxMMzufzpJNMGICyo9al8C9eO3X8B8SOrvc7bGrhWpc7ZcTqbMXsYZJeHYGx4JtHYXwC-xmgTfdH2RaAVWaFpgFhkLxlhCzig6nHYX2Ybk87EvKmIY68f7Cw1vqCajRe1iAR61Ysc6BIZLksT6DHTsxmNedOnHVo6Z5Nk81lexIvNGK43vUO-p7nlyRX8Zex6ZdVLHbemNelGTXbg2gB45waBj5lZXAlb3YpOHIPKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April 15 meeting the Henderson City Council approved a set of routine and land‑use items, most by voice vote, after moving through the consent agenda and regular business.

Key votes and outcomes

- Consent agenda: Approved (items not individually separated on the record).
- Appointment to East Texas Council of Governments board: Mayor Henry Pace and Councilman Michael Searcy were appointed as the city's representatives for Russ County (motion made and carried).
- Cemetery board appointment: Council approved the recommendation to appoint John Buzz Fullen to a vacant seat on the cemetery board (staff presentation by Kimbrell; motion carried).
- Resolution 20 20 five-four-one (Master Fee Schedule adjustments): Approved on a voice vote; specific fee changes were not read into the record.
- Minor plat — 710 West Fordall Street (Fordall LLC): Approved; staff described the item as a boundary correction based on a recent survey.
- Lot split/plat — 1503 West Main Street: Approved; staff said the split creates a standalone lot that meets R‑1 zone requirements.
- Zoning ordinance second readings: Ordinance 20 20 five‑three‑one (2500 South Evenside Street, WCG Properties) and ordinance 20 20 five‑three‑two (part of Lot 1, Block 89013.357 acres near Highway 79 South and South Evenside, BIH LLC) were adopted on second reading.
- Zoning ordinance first reading: Ordinance 2025‑04‑01 (Lot 8A Block 1134 Tall Pines Estate, behind United Ag & Turf) received a first reading; conditions related to shrubbery and site plan compliance were discussed; no final vote was taken.
- Civic Center Advisory Committee reappointments: Bill Garman, Leanne Mills and Jean Stokes were reappointed.

Most motions were made, seconded and approved by voice vote; detailed roll-call tallies and monetary figures for fee adjustments were not provided in the public record during the meeting.

The council then heard departmental reports and adjourned.","The council approved routine appointments, plats, zoning second readings, a master fee schedule adjustment, and committee reappointments. Several items were approved by voice vote with no detailed public debate.",{"_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},6270875,"Henderson council authorizes talks to renegotiate animal-center and jail services with Russ County",124,1716000,1840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031652-114507e48723986bcab088e61e01e5e9&start=1716&end=1840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031652-114507e48723986bcab088e61e01e5e9/thumbnail_1716000.jpg","/articles/6270875/Henderson/Rusk-County/Texas/Henderson-council-authorizes-talks-to-renegotiate-animal-center-and-jail-services-with-Russ-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270875-7b62534934ffe02e7fe881637e2c4d4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545569&Signature=BUqI-dtEqLS-X9miAJJFVdGzaeBK~Q9~J6X5HYPtH91MhurvCaCTvs2rN1Q9JJQXryxVWRwgDV7IJZwRky8QQtnBVcMxjxJsvvwsJWoERSFX11EN55InXA9A564Xpb357J1MYe7v4ORLn4HLR~69XLEjKR2HD2czaTpn1zkBv9COF-zstk2JpnY9smXsEyKAKyTe8CTT1yvS8EMQTebU~9s-Tu2ogDCa0lmwi4~3zVoJM8NaH5yuZB~RqgI1v0pFJlWk4BssYV4H~qdW~1rvagS9DjP0RViNOvl2BILs0PkBEIxlQnSWuFZ8MXJHvOSjUQ9mSQU437FJ~JkkDsctqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henderson City Council on April 15 authorized staff to begin renegotiating a long‑standing agreement with Russ County that allows county inmates to be housed in the city jail and county use of the Henderson Animal Center for animal care.

City staff said the agreement — sometimes called a \"pets-for-prisoners\" arrangement — has been in place for many years but needs updating because state law and local caseloads have changed. Staff and council members said the animal center is housing more animals now than the arrangement originally anticipated and that the city should reassess the terms.

\"We probably just need to update this, and look at it from a different perspective and just kind of see what that looks like,\" a city official said. City staff praised Carissa Pool and the animal center team for their ongoing management of shelter operations.

Councilman Michael Searcy said the city will exercise the option to terminate the existing agreement to open negotiations on a new contract; any proposed agreement would come back to the council for approval. Councilman Strong moved to authorize staff to start negotiations; Councilwoman Martin seconded the motion, and council approved it.

No specific new terms, costs or timelines for the renegotiation were discussed at the meeting.","Council authorized staff to begin negotiations with Russ County to update a long‑standing agreement that lets the county use the Henderson Animal Center and the city use county jail capacity; council said changes in law and caseloads require an updated agreement.",{"_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},6270876,"Henderson adopts combined paid time off policy; effective June 1",349,1364000,1713000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031652-114507e48723986bcab088e61e01e5e9&start=1364&end=1713","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031652-114507e48723986bcab088e61e01e5e9/thumbnail_1364000.jpg","/articles/6270876/Henderson/Rusk-County/Texas/Henderson-adopts-combined-paid-time-off-policy-effective-June-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270876-2a292f4a76e5c353c6fdd14cd24f2838/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545569&Signature=hWXM5qBKWV7zS9Fgj1Hk3ItykXfKbNfmrBhGOLTLdH4eRAMhkP7s27lq5N6sC4SkVrQrSZLSlibJ-TIQJWq455vHSa0gWfhzEw~F8PHUjgglrWxZmVddUyW8wUPdLnlN3S31sglb7GwWXm5p7-t6ihsJbxoKnWSFUXgiQxdfHS1E0akaQSOY0dhHJw6J~sXlz689ONeErX7ZU0FZE2m7UoGI6goXxxf-y9DCPGrLMD20A4lpgrmEu-6cY7yMkwsHz5Ti0ls44MLRrOGK0J9O~H2FizQNYRUbaR9PSBrg0xyvxIMFJch3hGhogDiebjFsTPf1L-x0X6OcX9YGTC-smA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henderson City Council on April 15 approved a new paid time off (PTO) policy that combines the city's separate vacation and sick-leave banks into a single PTO system, with an effective date of June 1.

City Human Resources staff and a volunteer Strategic Insight Team presented the policy and told the council the change is designed to consolidate leave while preserving existing protections. Staff said no employee will lose accrued hours and that the city's long-standing sick-time donation pool will remain available for employees who exhaust leave because of extended illness.

“It’s important that we did not take away anything from anybody,” a staff presenter said. Under the new plan, PTO hours will be designated as compensable time that carries a cash value if an employee separates from the city; sick hours retained in the sick pool will continue to be available for donation to employees with extended medical needs.

The city introduced the Strategic Insight Team at the meeting; team members include Britney Wright, Stacy Strong, Mark Marsh, Jesse Bridges, Robert Lowery, Kevin Lockridge and Laura Farquhar. Staff described the group as mid-level managers and volunteers from multiple departments who helped draft the policy and who will help communicate benefits changes to employees.

Councilman Jackson moved to approve the policy; Councilwoman Martin seconded the motion and the measure passed on a voice vote. City staff said implementation will include benefit communications during the upcoming budget process.","The City Council approved a new paid time off policy that consolidates vacation and sick leave into a single PTO bank, preserves an existing sick pool and sets a June 1 effective date.",{"_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},6270877,"Henderson council approves five-year extension of Allied Waste solid-waste contract",140,1202000,1342000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031652-114507e48723986bcab088e61e01e5e9&start=1202&end=1342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031652-114507e48723986bcab088e61e01e5e9/thumbnail_1202000.jpg","/articles/6270877/Henderson/Rusk-County/Texas/Henderson-council-approves-five-year-extension-of-Allied-Waste-solid-waste-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270877-4a46a0aae9a4f82bd41b6b41ad2cd34b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545569&Signature=CfyqzlX3Ic9MJ1EETHosIYfVNRra0SgTBVSTk3FhwJvdo0DlpY0ZrQFF1VoydYEc7qFHLuMlpnqgpPgKyatavJkKHLRIhXCgZfigO~nH8h3WNS-hdFUj-ldWCjpskvuFZdAF43rc-rad7IbdJRyVyFTVlPNxRVU3Y1Ji413hDsWlFsigAJty1zQx~qRfvbQP-Qn~hF9TYqlbKDG~CoNljFixmG369ufgq-UK7eTYGFJ4Uh4YwtiXLZWo1h68kge3eMHatQeHmuO4GwCN-8izxW1sk06Gs1KZeVIAuOa3zlOtyKQvTaqbSIc3GzzgTN2l424yW~aJk9-hedyZx7pDOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henderson City Council on April 15 approved a five-year extension of the city's solid-waste contract with Allied Waste Systems of Kilgore.

City staff said the original contract included an option for a five-year extension and recommended exercising that option. Allied Waste representatives and several council members described early “growing pains” after the company began service five years ago but said the firm has responded quickly to problems and made operational adjustments.

“All of that still stays with that employee’s line,” council members said in support; Allied Waste representatives said they would continue to follow up when issues arise. Councilman Michael Searcy moved to approve the extension; Councilman Strong seconded the motion and the council voted to approve it.

The extension was approved on a voice vote during the regular business portion of the meeting. The council did not discuss changes to contract price or detailed service-level adjustments during the meeting; that information was not specified on the record.

Council members and Allied Waste representatives emphasized responsiveness to service complaints and continued partnership with the city. No amendments to the contract text were presented at the meeting.

The council moved on to other agenda items after approving the extension.","The Henderson City Council approved a five-year extension of the city's solid-waste contract with Allied Waste Systems of Kilgore after staff and the vendor reported generally positive service and follow-up on past problems.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Henderson code and community development reports rising permit values and staff training progress

Votes at a glance: Henderson City Council decisions April 15, 2025

Henderson council authorizes talks to renegotiate animal-center and jail services with Russ County

Henderson adopts combined paid time off policy; effective June 1

Henderson council approves five-year extension of Allied Waste solid-waste contract