[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_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",6539509,"mediaKeyId","3640450-ab1e51f53d674bd6d05bd2a2fc56c0d0","parentId",3640450,"title","Williamson County approves one-year addendum for towing software amid industry complaints","audioSeconds",118,"startMs",124000,"endMs",5685,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640450-ab1e51f53d674bd6d05bd2a2fc56c0d0&start=124&end=5","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640450-ab1e51f53d674bd6d05bd2a2fc56c0d0/thumbnail_124000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6539509/Williamson-County/Texas/Williamson-County-approves-one-year-addendum-for-towing-software-amid-industry-complaints","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539509-18fe8fe97e56a22a0aff38277553dd55/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403015&Signature=E1Sdblt4HzGlix4sCbWNipL8ZjZbpIV6uUiYIYOFsJ8NBq6AgUL-pXklqVjN~LMO5a0TcK7poH7FAhSeXpH1~EbjklRR1rXqyGRp0jfaBlw1qI89mdGQf9MHz6wNDtZiEbbXX2wNEhIoQ1sRBbfmRutozhCGZQ6ZhZR-M3SqKU2uZlnI67Uq3WLAgCiApYsy1jBu8LTUwS2d7g6DIDXZgCxGZKYFmkzZvHA54jEWVSFo2g4GuVLYTP0LiIuLrZq~XXnjwUlojkXZbKoqU5F0yq4V8vy4viTx0knpPIU2Tc4Hj~uKBHw1yPng-no1vQ7LOEjRkX5Ow7vWzoIQmL1nWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Williamson","date","2025-06-03T00:00:00Z","article","Williamson County Commissioners on June 3 approved the first addendum to the county's agreement for towing and impound services, a vote the court recorded as 4-0.

The court's action follows public comment from local tow operators who said the vendor's software has increased paperwork, created redundant data entry and imposed costs that ultimately fall on vehicle owners. \"We are being asked to pay for the system that increases our workload without delivering a clear benefit to us,\" said John Hammonds, a local towing operator, during the public-comment period.

Sheriff Matt Lindemann, who addressed the court during discussion of agenda item 62, said the department adopted a tow-management system to track towed vehicles, reduce calls about vehicle locations and manage a large and geographically dispersed towing rotation. \"When I took over this office, I would literally get 20 to 30 messages a morning, 'where's my car?' We had no way of monitoring that,\" Lindemann said. He added that the system allows the sheriff's office and the public to locate vehicles and has decreased time demands on communications staff.

Lindemann acknowledged concerns raised by tow operators and said the sheriff's office and communications supervisors have met repeatedly with local companies. He said communications staff offered to provide additional information directly to tow operators when the software doesn't include details they need, and that the sheriff's office is open to exploring alternatives. \"We have a year to work on this, and I'm open to meeting with the towing companies again, meeting with dispatch to try to come up with a solution,\" Lindemann said.

During discussion on the floor Commissioner Long moved to approve the addendum; the motion carried 4-0. The court did not amend the agreement at the meeting; commissioners and sheriff's staff said they expected follow-up work over the next year to address software notifications, paperwork burden and fee concerns.

The court's packet identifies an 18-company rotation and about 4,200 tows last year; county staff said the addendum continues the current managed system while staff and industry stakeholders review alternatives and operational details.

The court's approval does not set a new schedule for further procurement or specific changes to vendor fees. Commissioners said they expect the sheriff's office and communications to report back with concrete options if the county pursues a different vendor or brings functions in-house.

Ending: County officials emphasized continuity of service for public-safety operations and pledged further meetings with tow companies and county communications staff to identify technical fixes or procurement alternatives.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Williamson - Commissioners Court - Regular Session - Jun 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Williamson County Commissioners on June 3 approved the first addendum to the county's towing and impound services agreement after local tow operators complained the contracted vendor's software increased paperwork and costs.","taxTitle","Williamson County, Texas","taxId",2724,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6539491,"County applies for Safe Streets for All grant; commissioners allocate local bond and road funds to match",0,5087000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640450-ab1e51f53d674bd6d05bd2a2fc56c0d0&start=5087&end=5087","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640450-ab1e51f53d674bd6d05bd2a2fc56c0d0/thumbnail_5087000.jpg","/articles/6539491/Williamson-County/Texas/County-applies-for-Safe-Streets-for-All-grant-commissioners-allocate-local-bond-and-road-funds-to-match","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539491-96a724c09fe1a08ed88743d55590a61d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403015&Signature=NRYrafWSN52KVjAmEGgCO1gl5OktieVgJ0rk6i9gDyPqKWO48Fzoad6zOFRv6RpC4DRjXzAEIi3IuT2Vw3gi0Q3H1hHIkJAb6-EhNsbvRjz7i16fmlN6Bi4z1U4uBkwMormj16QuSWtbll8f-9Ob3mOTEekEjTj4YQo-ETYYcVvHHK3OeFNtvriJyvIgvJ1duz1Kb7iZdXG6L~SsndqC3o1HjX4Xdgm2Wbnfpl2xpUL7n8WUXmD2WLB33BFCvr9AgpCaTinZQT2jQ~2e8vApeIgfjvbcMB2qGZVY6B67j3MHMpoACFayeFYb6QbuO-lM3J5OSTaN26lItUjUq5~5aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williamson County Commissioners on June 3 voted 4-0 to apply for a federal Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant and to commit local matching funds drawn from the county's 2023 road bonds and road-and-bridge funds for projects in partnership with Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown and Taylor.

Commissioner Covey described the application and a county match allocation. The SS4A request is part of a larger package of regional safety projects; Commissioner Covey said the county's match includes $1,320,000 from the 2023 road bonds for work on the Southwest Bypass/I-35 interchange and an additional $426,400 from the road and bridge budget. Covey said the total program is approximately $28 million across partners with $20 million expected from federal funding and $8 million in local matches, with cities contributing about $6.25 million.

Covey thanked regional planning partners and noted that CAMPO's safety study helped identify candidate projects. He said the county seeks grant funds to improve roadway safety, pedestrian crossings and intersection geometry, and to coordinate projects intended to reduce crashes and improve emergency response and pedestrian safety.

Commissioners emphasized projects to clear crashes quickly and to coordinate with TxDOT on auxiliary-lane work; the auxiliary lane itself was not included in the SS4A grant but will be pursued with TxDOT as a related improvement. The court's motion to apply and commit the local match carried 4-0.

Ending: County staff will proceed with the grant application and coordinate with partner cities and TxDOT on project design and matching-fund allocations if the grant is awarded.","The court approved application for the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant, agreeing to provide local matching funds drawn from 2023 road bonds and road-and-bridge funds for a multi-jurisdictional safety project that includes the Southwest Bypass/I-35 intersection.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6539496,"Williamson County accepts ESG homeless services funds, declines HOME program funding",196,4289000,4485000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640450-ab1e51f53d674bd6d05bd2a2fc56c0d0&start=4289&end=4485","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640450-ab1e51f53d674bd6d05bd2a2fc56c0d0/thumbnail_4289000.jpg","/articles/6539496/Williamson-County/Texas/Williamson-County-accepts-ESG-homeless-services-funds-declines-HOME-program-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539496-a788e8ea1f27f50bf46aedd6d3b8f148/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403015&Signature=m9X~-FP4STVcSirv-M0pK3MwYCitW2itvw4ym3ay5pUlic7Ht0pLTfi-UzfZtfdOOikEVsQgaHBDB~iODaZugPS5w54D669qFtK5T90w6B5TCcNp~dzKfc9SwQwH5LgeJ52~Mf6XI7XJliEJoZXKsdq8rTEbR~W3~LLjx4aobM-GWVY-Jf7Q4-AO34AnAtJJYHbLlB01cIhMM~1GZbh1yLfaXjHZQcomIYp9oncVKS0lS-Zig1btJaTOgq6OnhIR1cqN-9dQM2iPb-BFqPXgfeglGwsQa1J8ho23nWWKajiNrWFnFYA6TdLrzInUBWJU4WkXkIpiZ~zxg0gFaWSz-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williamson County Commissioners on June 3 decided to accept federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds for rapid rehousing and to decline acceptance of the HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds (agenda item 52). The court recorded the approval 4-0.

Sally Bardwell, who manages the county's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, told the court that the HOME program requires either a county match of approximately $89,000 or the state to provide matching funds; HUD had no assurance the state match would be available and the county lacks the implementation capacity Bardwell said. \"I do not believe that the county is in a place at this time to receive these HOME funds,\" Bardwell told the court.

Bardwell recommended accepting ESG dollars and partnering with Bluebonnet to use funds for rapid rehousing services; she said HUD and the Texas Homeless Network have been involved in setting up the program. Commissioners amended the motion to accept only ESG funding; Commissioner Covey moved the amendment and Commissioner Cook seconded. The court then approved the amended motion 4-0.

County staff said they will notify HUD that the county accepts ESG funding for fiscal year 2025 and will not accept HOME funding. Bardwell said final HUD approval of the ESG arrangement with Bluebonnet remained pending as of the meeting.

Ending: The county will proceed with ESG-funded rapid-rehousing activities through a partnership with Bluebonnet and declined the HOME program because of local capacity and matching-fund concerns.","The court voted 4-0 to accept Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding for rapid rehousing managed by Bluebonnet but declined the larger HOME program that would require local matching and administrative capacity.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6539499,"Commissioners approve temporary funding for a lead attorney position after state legal request",217,4058000,4275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640450-ab1e51f53d674bd6d05bd2a2fc56c0d0&start=4058&end=4275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640450-ab1e51f53d674bd6d05bd2a2fc56c0d0/thumbnail_4058000.jpg","/articles/6539499/Williamson-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-temporary-funding-for-a-lead-attorney-position-after-state-legal-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539499-3c99824e18591ffba883797189d9453e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403015&Signature=WUZB5lAvvELpvLEqMP4Gze6xQF0MAnkAGt57oiItEWUM9DwbmvVCkM7cZyqgdKu3gi-2wd~8UuU~I6I0FQKYVTbsbGDVrFTA3NmuarrTeWZcfCQX5FLoIFj8yAoWKS8hKiwhyEJSF8h56e-cSRPh-Ut6~7QpSC5jWQfRbCYh3VLAc0~rmKxE3QEA~44k7sA-B9dwZOgS~SnnE-TTYW56uPsW5vGAlsVWYihXrjBNBLsmjOoUV1Ubfsvq5LwhBFWzIiPvmYhM22PStp9XaSdyX208ZHXnrHBL0HXO0JWrjkBhtc2VuW7EcUX8HQlTlTu6wJs7V4JUCUfUgNexD9kv1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williamson County Commissioners on June 3 approved temporary funding to cover 8.3 pay periods for a lead attorney position in the county attorney's office, a measure the commissioners said is intended to meet an information request from the Texas Office of the Attorney General.

The court's packet shows the requested amount is $39,430.57 for the remainder of the budget year. During the public hearing earlier in the meeting, several residents criticized the request and the prospect of adding staff. \"They're gonna send the SWAT team to your house and shoot you right between the eyes,\" said Jim Dillon during public comment, remarks the court's presiding officer asked to remain on topic.

County staff said the funding will be taken from unspent salary dollars and does not require an additional appropriation. County officials described the request as a short-term measure driven by an external mandate from the attorney general's office and said the commissioners could revisit the position as part of the regular budget process. \"This would come out of unspent salary dollars, and so no additional budget requirement,\" a court official said while reading the item background during the hearing.

Commissioner Covey moved to approve the item and Commissioner Cook seconded; the court recorded the vote as 4-0 in favor. Commissioners discussed the contingency that if litigation or a state stay affects the underlying matter, the position could be addressed during the county's budget cycle.

Ending: The position funding will be covered from unspent salary dollars, and county officials said they will evaluate ongoing needs in the regular budget process.","The court approved funding, drawn from unspent salary dollars, to provide 8.3 pay periods (total $39,430.57) for a new lead attorney in the county attorney's office to meet a near-term document-production deadline from the Texas Office of the Attorney General; commissioners recorded a 4-0 vote.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6539504,"Williamson Central Appraisal District outlines property values, homestead audits and legislative changes",2083,1087000,3170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640450-ab1e51f53d674bd6d05bd2a2fc56c0d0&start=1087&end=3170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640450-ab1e51f53d674bd6d05bd2a2fc56c0d0/thumbnail_1087000.jpg","/articles/6539504/Williamson-County/Texas/Williamson-Central-Appraisal-District-outlines-property-values-homestead-audits-and-legislative-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539504-12298e8eb575e49bc9681074a26bbe6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403015&Signature=Wnh5oJSVbkXP6GbCOTU08JVhgcRBKo9LlUTJuN0Mm5gEeGSfmYO1UlcIBYCAg2yvpCy2sIDKwi204KD-ATkrsD2GZgEno6fPsKer6ce~SopK2InaEGsKCQ1B9Z5Dv8HyvkRHBFYbP2qOr41U0zHIzqnVeEdamaG~9Uq8-wddY7YHgntc~VIYl1YUMWMQmqVwckl1vcVL3MZ2gpvpdjUZPZSD0BKbaVveIxBksCdBMrBb3enjof4sWgMhcDoBhDYnue7j6k0VIILunSta6gislEoWCHsCAYecdO6C~I7RKE1hNm5f0tA9BscurQnuABVeYryGM1b8whuz470XKiPmYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alvin Lankford, chief appraiser for the Williamson Central Appraisal District (WCAD), briefed the Williamson County Commissioners Court on June 3 on the district's preliminary 2025 market values, a new homestead-audit process and several legislative changes affecting local taxpayers.

Lankford said WCAD's preliminary total market value rose to about $184.69 billion, a figure that includes both existing property growth and new improvements. \"This is preliminary. This is not after protests have been settled,\" Lankford told the court. He said residential value has crested and new-improvement growth accounted for several billion in added taxable value.

On homestead compliance, Lankford described a change in state law, which he referenced as tax code 11.43(h-1), that directs appraisal districts to audit homesteaded properties on a five-year cycle. He said the audit will flag a small percentage of properties for reapplication and that most homeowners need not take action unless they receive a notice. \"That's only about 4% of the properties within the county,\" Lankford said. He warned that private companies are marketing homestead-monitoring services and charging up to 25% of a homeowner's savings for filing assistance; WCAD staff said filing takes three to five minutes on the district website and videos are posted to help taxpayers.

Lankford reviewed legislative items affecting local taxpayers: Senate Bill 4 (a proposed ballot measure to increase the school homestead exemption to $140,000), House Bill 9 (raising the business personal property exemption to $125,000), and Senate Bill 973 (expanding transparency to allow sketches and aerial or street-level imagery on appraisal district websites). Lankford said the homestead exemption measure would apply only to school districts and, if approved by voters in November, would take effect for the January 2026 levy.

He also described litigation trends: the number of lawsuits filed against appraisal districts has surged since 2022, driven primarily by commercial accounts, producing higher litigation expenses and prompting WCAD to hire an in-house attorney to manage case volume.

Lankford demonstrated WCAD's public-facing tools and said the appraisal notice contains a QR code linking to a property dashboard. He highlighted a sales-comparison grid that WCAD provides to approximately 90% of residential property notices and said the district has made that information available to help taxpayers understand how values are derived.

Ending: Commissioners did not take action on the presentation; Lankford said WCAD will finalize values after protests are resolved and encouraged taxpayers to use the district website to view notices and file homestead exemptions.","Williamson Central Appraisal District Chief Appraiser Alvin Lankford presented the district's 2025 preliminary market values, explained a new homestead-audit process required by state tax code, and summarized several state bills that will affect taxpayers if approved by voters or signed into law.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Williamson County approves one-year addendum for towing software amid industry complaints

County applies for Safe Streets for All grant; commissioners allocate local bond and road funds to match

Williamson County accepts ESG homeless services funds, declines HOME program funding

Commissioners approve temporary funding for a lead attorney position after state legal request

Williamson Central Appraisal District outlines property values, homestead audits and legislative changes