[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6583170,"mediaKeyId","3074636-fabbf6ded60d37cd443f5ad36699f689","parentId",3074636,"title","Court hears legislative update on bills that could affect county operations and investments","audioSeconds",335,"startMs",1143000,"endMs",1478000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074636-fabbf6ded60d37cd443f5ad36699f689&start=1143&end=1478","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074636-fabbf6ded60d37cd443f5ad36699f689/thumbnail_1143000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6583170/Collin-County/Texas/Court-hears-legislative-update-on-bills-that-could-affect-county-operations-and-investments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583170-acb48a65c7758cc8b313e70c1d1156bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770668956&Signature=d9Ay6QFmqsB-O3gp8zX73jDOmarzN9PH~VUJn8Q7tHYQ03Vn4xKfxuuzrMJzH3VYaIDG~I3~JIP0uGCfeV~TTDI66DW~Uz2Bq5UD5sb2VLo6CGXzFQiAe~UcBkIj4DrKtQLi2f989yPTCbtHdlmQe5acnGTirchBkPFn0WA2IpQRiyGQeLiLRfnkGWCQiaozyjm-yVyIoxNNtrgxFDM7s5HXDY7--jOOMvsE7of4eM4gtJ-tR~xqQ05RlY0BtgAVCPBWIBmlIGEXeM28GTZjjiJ6btwxKUkpKljYYXSuV7PHYtTmO2V18dubRPC3mKF6d5wCmSh8SOgtsi~eMWhrdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Collin","date","2025-04-21T00:00:00Z","article","County administration briefed the Commissioners Court on several bills in the ongoing legislative session that could affect county operations if enacted.

Deputy County Administrator Russell Schauffner summarized HB 4620 (filed by a Denton County representative), saying it would bar a member of a commissioners court who is an attorney from practicing law in the county where they are elected. “Any law. So, as an example … hypothetically, Commissioner Webb … could not go to JP court, or to municipal court, and fight that traffic ticket,” Schauffner said, describing some practical effects. Schauffner said the bill has raised concerns statewide about its reach and that many in the legal community believe it would face constitutional challenges.

Schauffner also described SB 404, sponsored by Senator Middleton, which would limit the types of pooled funds counties can invest in and would effectively require counties to place investments into state‑managed pools such as a comptroller‑run pool or a Texas Treasury Safekeeping Corporation vehicle. “The long story short is that we would be more or less having to take all of our funds and investments to a single basket rather than look at a number of different things and options that are available to us,” Schauffner said. He told the court he is opposed to SB 404 because it would reduce diversification and competition in the county’s investment options.

Court reaction and context: Commissioners discussed the bill’s potential effects on rural counties and small jurisdictions where an elected official might be the only attorney locally. One commissioner publicly thanked Commissioner Webb for his service and noted the bill’s broad potential effect on attorneys who serve in elected roles. Schauffner said the county will monitor the bills and follow committee action.

Ending: The briefing was informational; the court took no formal action on either bill during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Collin - Commissioners Court - Apr 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff briefed the court on two bills: one (HB 4620) would limit elected county attorneys from practicing locally and is seen as constitutionally vulnerable; another (SB 404) would restrict local investment choices and require use of state‑managed pools, which county staff oppose.","taxTitle","Collin County, Texas","taxId",2696,"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},6583174,"Collin County closes public hearing and approves placement of regulatory signs on county roads",48,602000,650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074636-fabbf6ded60d37cd443f5ad36699f689&start=602&end=650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074636-fabbf6ded60d37cd443f5ad36699f689/thumbnail_602000.jpg","/articles/6583174/Collin-County/Texas/Collin-County-closes-public-hearing-and-approves-placement-of-regulatory-signs-on-county-roads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583174-bf7bc1e4d1016d488ec5285a8cefa562/orig.mp4?Expires=1770668956&Signature=XwIBzM0bau430FxhmR3GS4uuRZqWFLnQDatmUzfchj2jiLqdd67mHKdQYdcBtNOwy32rezsmfRJNgSrMOwn0laQQKk9gVOVdCLfQN5IFE5G0c6-jBOIZLe2xa1lZ~kKMB4sEmAMMUAELEcJdmNF5x5Z7MhL4B9uLxHmbZHbx8h6CSQV7drHYzdiNBkGrqSVvQApoxvcev1IvUVpsWSqN5VD9K~ZBt5FweUfoHGAqL7Jy781maB7EmYfrjKSieDGgX3pjgDZLo1YHbWasRkdMp4g8oolRlePBKV1hGfXlkO0zVmkimiz4IK5URAiKCO7vE0HNM6OoofulIJYffR-oSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Collin County Commissioners Court opened and closed a public hearing on proposed placement of regulatory signs on county roads and approved the measures after no members of the public signed up to speak.

Public Works staff member Mr. Kleinhechsel told the court that public works had completed the required traffic studies and postings to hold the public hearing. “Public works have completed all the necessary traffic studies, postings, etcetera, to hold [a] public hearing,” he said. The judge opened the hearing for public comment; when no one spoke, the judge closed public comment and the court moved to approve the sign placements.

Court action: A commissioner moved approval and another seconded; the judge called the voice vote and announced the motion carried. No written objections or public comments were recorded during the hearing.

Context: The item was presented as a routine regulatory action with documentation included in the meeting packet. No additional data or technical details were discussed at the hearing.

Ending: With the motion approved, public works may proceed with the sign placements consistent with the studies presented to the court.","After a brief public hearing with no speakers, the Commissioners Court approved placement of regulatory signs on county roads based on completed traffic studies and postings.",{"_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},6583178,"Commissioners defer adoption of formal policy on opposing MUDs, ask staff to add road‑maintenance language",427,705000,1132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074636-fabbf6ded60d37cd443f5ad36699f689&start=705&end=1132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074636-fabbf6ded60d37cd443f5ad36699f689/thumbnail_705000.jpg","/articles/6583178/Collin-County/Texas/Commissioners-defer-adoption-of-formal-policy-on-opposing-MUDs-ask-staff-to-add-roadmaintenance-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583178-68022c94868d5f02d26b8e2e5f34d8df/orig.mp4?Expires=1770668956&Signature=oy9OCSJLgTcnIg8IFPE6azV5yfKa0EWKI6tbnWloSAq7T1q2po44pn1Ki9F9X-j4-tM2wKtiaZtHcYcY6Tb9W05Q7uJ2fDU9Y0mVELECp~eqSR9uLmPDAbIa8f3oZ~VhbTMRfCUYujwnrAE59JOCEZmnJFVC4-kmzsHqAzBwQqkPyKEEQ-n~JHLVhhjYixZ9ZEktq8VqP2soVM~U1kp9~MJW9GS460uqnV0--RqLGfTLHavWgBZ~gjs3sKSLqThR7ZTQf1YDNBN5gaUAGxLyX~27AT7ZPQny0tlWXLrVgq6tiFbU1W3wSrdHRy3VTONnSpBC4e4YuDhCuefSA6ihKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Collin County Commissioners Court on Thursday discussed and temporarily pulled a proposed resolution that would formalize the court’s historical practice on whether to oppose or not oppose municipal utility districts (MUDs) and municipal management districts (MMDs).

Deputy County Administrator Russell Schauffner presented the draft policy, which would require supplemental contracts for police, fire, emergency services and animal control for any district the court chooses to classify as non‑opposition, and would continue the court’s historical practice of preparing a resolution when districts meet the county’s listed requirements. Schauffner said the draft also adds administrative monitoring of districts created through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) so the court can consider non‑opposition or opposition when MUDs are created administratively rather than by legislation.

Why it matters: Commissioners flagged that many MUDs now seek “road powers,” meaning they build and seek to retain roads rather than dedicate them to county maintenance. One commissioner urged the court to add streets/roads to the list of services MUDs should be expected to retain. “So, essentially, just let them know we’re not going to accept their roads for county road maintenance. They’re gonna keep their roads,” a commissioner said during the discussion.

Court action: Rather than vote on the draft policy, commissioners agreed to pull the item for one week and asked staff to return with revised language that clarifies the court’s stance on road powers and other service responsibilities. No final resolution or opposition was adopted at the meeting.

Substantive points and concerns: Commissioners discussed whether including streets in the policy could block legislative approval for some districts, and whether courts could require districts to voluntarily retain roads through agreements. Schauffner noted that many districts have shifted to formation through TCEQ because that path can grant road powers without legislative action. Commissioners asked about performance bonds for roads; staff said typical performance bonds require roads to stand up for two years.

Next steps: The court instructed staff to bring back the draft with clarified language addressing road powers and related concerns, and that item will return to a future court agenda for reconsideration.

Ending: The judge and commissioners agreed to delay final action to allow staff to incorporate requested edits and to give members time to review the revised text.","Court members discussed a proposed policy formalizing Collin County’s historical practice on opposing municipal utility districts (MUDs) and municipal management districts (MMDs), focusing on requirements for service contracts and whether districts should retain roads. The court directed staff to return with revised language.",{"_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},6583183,"Collin County OKs vendor contract to redact ballot images; staff estimate $324,000 to do work manually",304,146000,450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074636-fabbf6ded60d37cd443f5ad36699f689&start=146&end=450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074636-fabbf6ded60d37cd443f5ad36699f689/thumbnail_146000.jpg","/articles/6583183/Collin-County/Texas/Collin-County-OKs-vendor-contract-to-redact-ballot-images-staff-estimate-324000-to-do-work-manually","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583183-c5618d85a76d928e672e06a57ceda1ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770668956&Signature=QT1~ey1KIM43z4i6nMhp5ZAGwJ5gipTjeIhS31BAiXphy5giBvGzQ0IT6fFsepGSgcIGhT1kZMnK~oRkt-tYM5soQ5YRnJHdXTOK8tLM23AkwCuFI3BNXGL5CCr~TGiSdSH~BrKrf3LgaNvIgPlPtLlXPfGmr94zRW3Wrz2Cwm83ycOrHKzYE5y69SQXYrYWfZlpJioBauuasZCTEjSPgc2wEGw2nxcsJ87B-e-QpAzzLvjaJ2gCr4Bs0BzRpSQD0sldY1Q8YQeY~Umd4JrVIm740yT2KEyDiQZ8QIh6T3LBmrydwHkd6H4GzzOrur~HCH2EP~GvB3hURpjU85mr2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Collin County Commissioners Court on Thursday approved use of a commercial redaction tool and related contract to prepare ballot images for public release, after county elections staff said the alternative—manual redaction—would be time‑consuming and costly.

Collin County Elections Administrator Caleb Breaux told the court the county sought guidance after a Texas Attorney General opinion advised redacting ballot images before posting them online. Breaux said the county solicited feedback from neighboring counties and a vendor named Seveira (used by Denton and Tarrant counties) that provides an automated redaction tool and a hosted service. “Seveira’s in‑house redaction tool … would be handed off to us in about 2 months after we send these files up,” Breaux said.

Why it matters: The vendor tool would let the county remove identifying information from ballot images more quickly than doing the work by hand; Breaux provided a staff estimate showing manual redaction was a heavy lift. “For the 2024 general election, we have 520,196 records that need to be redacted,” he said, and that manual processing would require about 21,675 staff hours and an estimated cost of $324,000. For the 2024 primary (37,685 records), he estimated about 5,737 hours and $84,000.

Court action and cost details: The court moved and approved the contract and associated procurement by voice vote; the judge announced the motion carried 5‑0. Court members asked whether Seveira’s hosting service (which would allow the public to download images directly from a vendor site) was included; Breaux said hosting is an additional service and not included in the redaction contract budget but that he had included hosting in his budget for future consideration.

What court members asked: Commissioners pressed staff on alternatives and safeguards. A commissioner asked if the county could instead provide mock files for testing; Breaux said the vendor would accept a sample set of about 1,000 mock ballots so the county would not need to send live election files for the trial. A separate line of questioning sought the vendor’s pricing for hosting; Breaux said he would confirm whether hosting fees were included and circle back to the court.

Discussion versus decision: The formal action approved by the court was to proceed with the vendor contract and procurement as presented; the court did not adopt any separate policy changes in the discussion. The court’s approval was recorded by voice vote as “Motion carries 5 to 0.”

Next steps: Breaux said the vendor would provide the cloud‑hosted redaction system to the county roughly two months after the county transmits sample files for configuration; Breaux also said Seveira’s staff would not access ballots except to troubleshoot issues with the tool.

Ending: Court members did not request further delay and the procurement will move forward; the judge closed discussion and the meeting proceeded to other agenda items.","The Commissioners Court approved a contract to use a third‑party redaction tool for public release of ballot images and heard staff estimates showing a manual redaction effort would cost roughly $324,000 and take more than six months for the 2024 general election files.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Court hears legislative update on bills that could affect county operations and investments

Collin County closes public hearing and approves placement of regulatory signs on county roads

Commissioners defer adoption of formal policy on opposing MUDs, ask staff to add road‑maintenance language

Collin County OKs vendor contract to redact ballot images; staff estimate $324,000 to do work manually