[{"_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",6044299,"mediaKeyId","3619823-fb031b4cd183568fa11a1bd0794664f7","parentId",3619823,"title","Seguin nominates Caterpillar for Texas Enterprise Zone designation to support $30M local investment","audioSeconds",289,"startMs",4066000,"endMs",4355000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619823-fb031b4cd183568fa11a1bd0794664f7&start=4066&end=4355","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619823-fb031b4cd183568fa11a1bd0794664f7/thumbnail_4066000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6044299/Seguin/Guadalupe-County/Texas/Seguin-nominates-Caterpillar-for-Texas-Enterprise-Zone-designation-to-support-30M-local-investment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6044299-f493e1e9b6e812e976395e42a77953e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169503&Signature=Mt~Hyzx5NirwZFN6kBjhRe8BI6TsRK8-qYa4Z2h~QbfZiadwSCgz8mZ~fdEUvTZyfguzd2T~srQ5YiUunDoKOOEGdRNxXTOZowWocnaHTweYvWb7Lazj5kINdnIPUY-vx4TyGZuBuzUzLvrnFHx9T4akfOwy7i19IoefBCU5FIkB~Kc9yWgSv4XgyaRwuvaXBmuuOAbJx1etshrsx2xAHErdxS5gfJHE7mRJYr6am7Jf8WmFh1jYKB175OFKE4xWJghRtayddMc3hZHnKpdpeHjXwgvmUL2~nTXHRh~Kn-cLZorIvdT3~rw8R72djvyZEERO6uqrILfD7X680UgwVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seguin City","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","Seguin City Council approved an ordinance on first reading nominating Caterpillar’s Seguin facility for consideration under the Texas Enterprise Zone Program, a state-administered sales-and-use tax refund program designed to encourage private investment and job creation in designated areas.

City staff told council that Caterpillar expects roughly $30 million in additional capital investment in Seguin over the next five years and anticipates moderate employment increases beyond the approximately 1,100 employees it currently supports in the community. The nomination requests that the Office of the Governor’s Economic Development and Tourism consider Caterpillar for the Enterprise Zone designation, which can provide state sales-and-use tax refunds for qualifying capital expenditures.

Staff clarified that the Enterprise Zone program involves state-administered refunds and does not require the city to provide additional property tax abatements; council members asked and staff confirmed the city’s prior local property tax abatement for Caterpillar had expired and that no new city-funded tax abatement is included in this nomination. The ordinance was approved on first reading; staff said the format is an ordinance to meet state program language requirements.

Council moved and approved the item; staff invited company representatives and the incentive consultant to answer more detailed questions if council requested further information.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Seguin City Council on 2025-05-06 5:30 PM ","oneSentenceSummary","Council voted to approve an ordinance nominating Caterpillar’s Seguin operations for designation under the Texas Enterprise Zone program; staff said the company plans about $30 million in additional investment over five years and currently supports roughly 1,100 local jobs.","taxTitle","Seguin, Guadalupe County, Texas","taxId",69490,"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},6044304,"Visit Seguin reports $79.2M in direct visitor spending and growth in short-term rentals",399,1431000,1830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619823-fb031b4cd183568fa11a1bd0794664f7&start=1431&end=1830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619823-fb031b4cd183568fa11a1bd0794664f7/thumbnail_1431000.jpg","/articles/6044304/Seguin/Guadalupe-County/Texas/Visit-Seguin-reports-792M-in-direct-visitor-spending-and-growth-in-short-term-rentals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6044304-4a1ddb53611b0a6ac9f326d9c742f838/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169503&Signature=nU6w0Zr-VGuM-6DFwvsdGXEEtgqd0rRtAScXZg6ZP-XudRusmB4U6vGjF~ZNKiBOxn2Cy26HqD3wLlwKh5j-2415fKfJIcrz7Mb4aeOJAAZ8s7g92VC0XTnp4AL7G5yNy3g5zKoWiQFM3haRnyNehN8oLXFrd-OIL7tBRo1Kev7w6pn7uQ9U~dwFP~DVZZP-TSzJWbeI17Yya4~5Ggh~PsBjtoZ1Uift~bsqEdIARFCdzDTJacPVOmv~-0N~ixyDuR9hYcRw98yAt0lyMXPxb5NOrFDG9utGFQsZZVhR97OMEOi7GMDnXyNsB3A0yXqI33kXCNgwy8UYG2WDi2TfwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Visit Seguin presented the city’s annual travel and tourism update during National Travel and Tourism Week, reporting $79.2 million in direct visitor spending in the prior 12 months and a continued rise in overnight stays.

Blair and Visit Seguin staff told council that roughly 51% of hotel occupancy tax revenue funds the Visit Seguin operations that run the visitor center, digital promotions and event marketing. Staff said the $79.2 million in direct travel spending generated about $7.6 million in taxable receipts for state, county and city governments. Visit Seguin noted that hotel revenues have softened slightly compared with the post‑COVID peak but that short-term rental revenue has increased and is not included in the hotel-only totals.

Visit Seguin staff reviewed recent projects and metrics: a new visitor center opened in downtown Seguin in October 2023 and recorded more than 3,000 visitors in the past 12 months; the organization logged 79,000 unique views on its new website since an August 2023 relaunch and published 481 local events on its calendar. The staff also described digital advertising placements — including a monthlong presence on Texas Monthly’s barbecue section — and cited partnerships that produced media coverage and bridal-market exposure.

Council members thanked Visit Seguin and staff for their outreach and promotional work. The presentation had no council action attached beyond receiving the report.","Visit Seguin presented a tourism report showing $79.2 million in direct travel spending over the past 12 months, growth in overnight stays, increased short-term rental contributions and usage statistics from the visitor center and website; council thanked the tourism staff and partners.",{"_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},6044309,"Seguin council rejects rezoning request near Jefferson Elementary after neighborhood opposition",2035,5132000,7167000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619823-fb031b4cd183568fa11a1bd0794664f7&start=5132&end=7167","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619823-fb031b4cd183568fa11a1bd0794664f7/thumbnail_5132000.jpg","/articles/6044309/Seguin/Guadalupe-County/Texas/Seguin-council-rejects-rezoning-request-near-Jefferson-Elementary-after-neighborhood-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6044309-bbdfa854991b23c80316924299a05513/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169503&Signature=a8SHoVXYJCdEptQ~qJrXJX2GvON99qctOgOOG7CL5nL7-aB7rMjQKNbD7qDOVJ7VhnB5Ru5kGuEJJKjlcxV2KBiaR9xzSdVguhcPN0Cd4z2FqNV~UEgltoZ8YQvbuXRCnabwJcuycOb61aZk3W1HrFGvPw19tWsEMY5AH5qNfLiLp4-BDwxLQ-VkP6wOKxsuHA~8u4kOa2qILw013qMLpxemPiuvwk42zrFWb-W86TfgFRwntXuuxqIfQB10kt4Nz5MCY0PUVx7dvIeZqngGjI~LcMYoLjFttbbRlQRGSNCZfGvBnCS9drcO6c4BmzcOcyI7y2pmENpFzG4ORq3m4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seguin City Council voted to deny a zoning change that would have rezoned a roughly 2.53-acre tract near Jefferson Elementary from public/single-family designation to multifamily low-density (MF‑1).

Planner Pam presented the request and told council the parcel lies in a traditional residential area but near the new Navarro High School and arterial frontage; staff noted Planning & Zoning recommended approval of MF‑1 by a majority vote. The applicant had originally sought a higher-density MF‑2 designation but later requested MF‑1, which allows a maximum density of six dwelling units per acre and building heights limited to about 30 feet.

Multiple residents testified in opposition during the public hearing, citing existing concentrations of apartment complexes in the area, safety concerns for children walking to Jefferson Elementary, traffic and on‑street parking spillover, and long-term neighborhood character. Speakers described a high local occupancy rate and said many multifamily projects had already been approved or constructed nearby. Several residents asked for single-family infill or smaller subdivision-style development that they said would better match the neighborhood.

The developer’s representative, Mitchell James, said the applicant had revised plans to aim for a “pocket neighborhood” of detached units that would look and operate like single-family homes and that the MF‑1 zoning would limit height and density compared with MF‑2. He said the project would likely include roughly 14–15 detached units with off-street parking and garages.

Council discussion focused on community input, compatibility with the land-use plan and the scale of nearby multifamily development. Council member Veil moved to deny the rezoning; Council member Gaetan seconded. The motion to deny carried on voice vote.

Because the council denied the zoning change, the property remains in its existing zoning and the developer must either revise proposals consistent with current zoning or file a new request.","Council denied a developer’s request to rezone a 2.53-acre parcel near Jefferson Elementary from public/single-family to low-density multifamily (MF‑1) following strong resident opposition citing safety, traffic and quality-of-life concerns; the planning commission had recommended approval.",{"_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},6044314,"Seguin council adopts five-year capital and financial forecast amid warnings of potential deficits if all requests are funded",1123,2481000,3604000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619823-fb031b4cd183568fa11a1bd0794664f7&start=2481&end=3604","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619823-fb031b4cd183568fa11a1bd0794664f7/thumbnail_2481000.jpg","/articles/6044314/Seguin/Guadalupe-County/Texas/Seguin-council-adopts-five-year-capital-and-financial-forecast-amid-warnings-of-potential-deficits-if-all-requests-are-funded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6044314-5b819e92cfad82c3cb24106447939457/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169503&Signature=BtpWOG0mB1l~hO107r584HbbZhG-OsPnDNb6s5dNkUGT5BKNcFwaFyKeovj2nxaVyFCcvVk-61kLpVWpmeSy3gPJ9ojtOJ3XDdWfTKbUJkDVNGLJiA1I5H-9LBWjyoq7ad6j-Kt~aVYxqgL3-zNcouXCH2TXOaGcO-9QSVjpgn1U92DJi1dXIDnopxl~AUA4EukqMhndGUwSFh3xtBTL3sj2Bbicz-LNW6J-hCq0Rm7MjfEKmX8gBPvCvE4eeopwKWHPumwN5P83ydYYM01jlemFnBS2ljScRrtLr~M1DlOlNYJRP8g1yZxKIW-oUHI9waKhBO9uyMQasJKTFJnXzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seguin City Council approved a five-year capital improvement and financial forecast for fiscal years 2025–2029, a planning document staff and bond analysts use to identify long-range revenue, staffing and capital needs.

Finance director Susan (presented the forecast) said the document is a dynamic planning tool that includes positions requested by departments and projects under consideration; she emphasized that the forecast assumes full funding of all requests and therefore shows scenarios with projected shortfalls in later years if every item is adopted without additional revenue. Susan told council she modeled a baseline tax rate of $0.5125 per $100 of assessed value, a 7.5% annual tax base growth assumption and conservative year-over-year increases in building permits and sales tax.

Staff described assumptions used in the forecast: a 7.5% tax base growth rate, a 98% collection rate, a 2½% annual increase in building permits, 7% growth in sales tax in the assumptions (noting actual results have been higher), and salary and benefits increases built at 5% annually with health insurance at 7.5%.

Council and staff discussed scenarios if every position request were approved. Susan said that if all requested positions and capital items were funded the model shows a cumulative impact that could produce multi-million-dollar shortfalls in later years; she presented a modeled example showing potential tax-rate increases in cents per dollar equivalent if the city covered all requests. Council members and the city manager noted the forecast is intentionally conservative and that the budget process will vet requests and prioritize within each single-year budget.

The council approved the forecast by motion; Council member Carter moved, Council member Reyes seconded, and the motion carried.

Staff said the forecast will be published to the city’s transparency pages and that follow-up budget work will incorporate vacancy savings, phased hiring and other measures to avoid the worst-case scenarios modelled in the forecast.","Council approved a five-year capital improvement and financial forecast that includes requested staffing and capital items; finance staff cautioned the forecast shows potential multi-year deficits if every requested position and project is funded, and described assumptions used in the plan.",{"_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},6044319,"Seguin council approves Walnut Springs development agreement, including park, PID and fire station pad",463,2013000,2476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619823-fb031b4cd183568fa11a1bd0794664f7&start=2013&end=2476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619823-fb031b4cd183568fa11a1bd0794664f7/thumbnail_2013000.jpg","/articles/6044319/Seguin/Guadalupe-County/Texas/Seguin-council-approves-Walnut-Springs-development-agreement-including-park-PID-and-fire-station-pad","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6044319-311b05341369ebc26e162a1c6bad9c6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169503&Signature=FY4~R3Mx6g3v~b8e-b0pflQdTSSf1-OCKA~RPnhJHdCFs1bMb2bp8-WKjt7QQ4HXvJ7dUEDUMyYJyfo42ohEgCso0ke1hFpFpEcu3dtsOY5zP9X4QHxcgoQtN~Now1Abv7iAoxoaCUbPmO2QGDUyf1AQ4M13EtwlAKL3lnRuxhdyYVqg3IG94WX68xKTOTHAXzLg9gajuWg8bYstVP2-rHK0WsZx-uCEfdxiz8FOEc~3ibXJZzr2QDZJ2JrPrBy6JILtR73zuYCw1Fz9Bf1XhIz-E-w3Yc6TRzNosTdmr8k90fFQjTrCkFBRqfhGO7QSqhY-EjiYGjlt-hrcCY6yww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seguin City Council on first reading authorized the city manager to execute a development agreement with 2021 F2 Walnut LP for the Walnut Springs planned unit development, a mixed-use project north of Interstate 10 near Huber and Bridal roads.

The agreement passed after staff described project components that include a concept 30-acre regional park, roughly 80 acres of open space and an internal trail network, a developer-funded public improvement program supported in part by a Public Improvement District (PID) and a site pad and dirt work for a future city fire station. The council vote followed staff presentations about PID and tax-increment mechanisms to reduce property tax burdens on new lots.

City staff said the PID is capped at about $66,700,000 and that the proposed reinvestment mechanism would be paired with a tax increment component described in meeting materials as buying down the PID at 40% of incremental value on a parcel-by-parcel basis. Staff described an illustrative total effective tax rate “in the ballpark” of $2.74 per $100 of assessed value when all layers are included, and said that pairing the PID with the tax increment structure would reduce the developer’s effective rate compared with an uncapped PID approach.

The development agreement does not yet finalize actual bond issuance, assessment rolls or the legal creation of the PID; staff said follow-up actions will include a service-and-assessment plan, appraisal work and bond-related steps with underwriters and bond counsel. The city’s contribution to project infrastructure was described as limited to delivering the fire station pad and a “not to exceed” $3,000,000 contribution toward a portion of Huber Road improvements; remaining park and public improvements will be paid by a mix of developer funding and PID/bond proceeds.

Councilmembers asked about timing, design and the city’s future maintenance obligations. Staff also said the mobility improvements at the intersection of Huber, Bridal and the Strempel extension are intended to make the area buildable and to provide north-of-IH-10 park access that the city currently lacks.

Council member Leavens moved approval; Council member Keller seconded. The motion carried on voice vote.

The agreement directs staff to proceed with the technical and legal steps needed to create the PID and associated financing documents, and to return to council with the service-and-assessment plan and bond-issuance actions when ready.","City Council voted to authorize a development agreement with 2021 F2 Walnut LP for the Walnut Springs planned unit development, approving a PID cap, preliminary financing parameters, park land and a pad for a future fire station and directing follow-up steps on bond and assessment work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Seguin nominates Caterpillar for Texas Enterprise Zone designation to support $30M local investment

Visit Seguin reports $79.2M in direct visitor spending and growth in short-term rentals

Seguin council rejects rezoning request near Jefferson Elementary after neighborhood opposition

Seguin council adopts five-year capital and financial forecast amid warnings of potential deficits if all requests are funded

Seguin council approves Walnut Springs development agreement, including park, PID and fire station pad