[{"_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",6214189,"mediaKeyId","3671285-fb0483745d08801725f749e828c7841e","parentId",3671285,"title","Legislative changes could reduce Copperas Cove’s disabled‑veteran relief payment and change agenda posting rules","audioSeconds",227,"startMs",7113000,"endMs",7340000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671285-fb0483745d08801725f749e828c7841e&start=7113&end=7340","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671285-fb0483745d08801725f749e828c7841e/thumbnail_7113000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6214189/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/Legislative-changes-could-reduce-Copperas-Coves-disabledveteran-relief-payment-and-change-agenda-posting-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214189-e1f816cd16c3c648dc93c45bc359c6f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180913&Signature=RS5s2vP4Yo5Xbl2cXzk3NaVyaAZ3QojfQoTl-DTLASeVFsTUm5sT1XFWWXZF4x7usMUvOZld-bhPuSukVskCFK4w0uCnDTd3cH01AmGYAmqypC7j-GkKo6heGffm6fiRUDQmxUNZKZ2Ie7YhadTwMG-K93BTsGR9T3qumtlEMOUlxjKM3ZzayoY1MBUmPCIle1ub78VoCZtWd2wh~z35C51nCShiQ65CZPTFDXa~uDSLBkzlx~FXfEIyaBMAXrgEUmiy9sa3uUaskSAckxKeh9I18P4bcDX5TyqzrA23dWuxssEa1-lNKhtqixx-I6dQ3-eTBm5QrnCsb7vA~f48NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Copperas Cove TX","date","2025-06-04T14:00:03Z","article","At the June 3 meeting, Copperas Cove city staff told council of two recent state legislative outcomes that will affect local budgets and administrative procedures: the biennial budget conference agreement left the comptroller’s relief pool for communities impacted by the 100% disabled‑veteran property tax exemption at $19 million, and House Bill 1522, if signed, will change the open‑meetings posting requirement from 72 hours to three business days.

City Manager Ryan Avila said the change to the relief pool matters because the city’s eligible loss under the program increased from $3 million to $3.4 million for the next year, but the larger pool approved by the House did not survive the conference committee. Avila noted that the city received about $418,000 in relief this year and that the expanded eligibility under HB2894 may reduce the city’s anticipated payment next year to an estimated $200,000–$250,000. That difference will be addressed in the city’s upcoming budget presentation on June 17.

On open‑meetings law, Avila told council that House Bill 1522 passed both chambers and was headed to the governor. The bill changes the timing requirement for posting meeting notices from a strict 72‑hour rule to a three business‑day standard, which will take effect Sept. 1 if enacted. Avila said the change would require the city to adjust its agenda posting procedures and calendar to comply with the new statutory timetable.

Avila closed by saying staff will present the proposed FY2025–26 budget on June 17 with adjustments to reflect the expected reduction in the relief payment and other revenue assumptions. Council did not take action at the meeting on either legislative item; the manager presented the information for council awareness and budget planning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 06-03-2025","oneSentenceSummary","City Manager Ryan Avila updated the council on two state legislative outcomes: the conference‑committee budget left the comptroller’s relief pool for losses tied to the 100% disabled‑veteran property tax exemption at $19 million, and House Bill 1522 would change open‑meeting agenda posting from 72 hours to three business days if signed.","taxTitle","Copperas Cove, Coryell County, Texas","taxId",52762,"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},6214194,"Council authorizes submission of two Transportation Alternatives applications for sidewalks",87,3483000,3570000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671285-fb0483745d08801725f749e828c7841e&start=3483&end=3570","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671285-fb0483745d08801725f749e828c7841e/thumbnail_3483000.jpg","/articles/6214194/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/Council-authorizes-submission-of-two-Transportation-Alternatives-applications-for-sidewalks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214194-a7b2bd36422e9025a85057274145a2bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180913&Signature=IILqpQaB3gkQfsCAevSpIswrRnLqufUqTC-mROSbS3pdt~-WhIJUbEbLRzw0HIfXOJgEv3miyNRHyWHS8MQ0J2HF1JMfTOkGTtC5fY~8~Hw1ysFjMH2JCTKT8vieengxYlmXhFJ7fwRFuSJq4zyG~i7OePn21MLuH2jE2tKdA1RaoK~kSbrQeW-4wS9FMot2NY8LqBSj95J5daJSee1CBUpR2EWnY8C3HX3p0K536hURQUqrJd~EGBaDiyDYLZVt0tMnaKkzMyfQY3tn~GXKrllFGSmce5~blQ-GEPGVxVDleSmqVcfjWBaC58eEAQhWSkU6Ftrq-XuRdviRwWB2sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Copperas Cove City Council on June 3 authorized the city manager to submit two final, detailed applications (step 2) to the Texas Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program for sidewalk improvements on Lutheran Church Drive and on Avenue D.

The authorization enables staff to complete the required step‑2 applications and submit them to TxDOT by the June 20 deadline, preserving the city’s eligibility for TA program funding for pedestrian improvements.

Bobby Lewis, director of development services, told council the city had submitted preliminary step‑1 applications and received notice from TxDOT to proceed with detailed submissions for the two projects. Council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to file the step‑2 applications; staff recommended adoption so the applications could be completed and submitted before the June 20 deadline.

A voice vote approved the resolution. Staff said they will finalize the two detailed applications and provide any required documentation to TxDOT on or before the program’s deadline.","Council authorized the city manager to submit two detailed step‑2 applications to the Texas Department of Transportation Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program for sidewalk improvements on Lutheran Church Drive and Avenue D; staff will submit the applications by the June 20 deadline.",{"_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},6214199,"Council approves notice of intent for $32 million certificates of obligation",281,6099000,6380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671285-fb0483745d08801725f749e828c7841e&start=6099&end=6380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671285-fb0483745d08801725f749e828c7841e/thumbnail_6099000.jpg","/articles/6214199/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/Council-approves-notice-of-intent-for-32-million-certificates-of-obligation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214199-39f32d760a3aa565014ef82bdfb7bf90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180913&Signature=Tudewf~eKDXkTz7BT4x5ZfsQnElInS-tGsw7V8alc-NGaeUOQQl7TPMv4AvO48eV1sINdNj~Vq00i65O~0UHgfJnwYAYOhPiE2lefPGvqX2it6SOIsBDriyby~ZMwQhXYiIjhFPWTJVdXSFm6TY73zs~FedaFvGjG4lQw6v2eUDqhKlgDsLDMBdZzlXkKH8PmL720YY0DxkiUoHcq2sJ2XaYvtStP-tLaU395AnfzyXDMx-PVhouEi~rzj868C1xSZ5ztw~QtxMpL~hxaAapIHgRr3kKuoKcCh-nu-vR97sfry28iL7fFqTucksbrBX8JtAB5esPVMe8hn-I1XAHyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Copperas Cove City Council on June 3 approved a resolution authorizing publication of a notice of intent to issue up to $32 million in combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation, the first formal step required before the planned August issuance.

The step is required by state law and begins the process to fund capital projects and associated issuance costs included in the city’s 2025 certificates of obligation program.

Arianna Beckman, the city’s director of budget, told council the city has been coordinating the issuance timing with the city’s financial adviser and bond counsel and that the notice and related documents were prepared in compliance with the Texas Local Government Code. Beckman said the first publication must appear at least 46 days before the planned issuance and that the documents would be published once weekly for two consecutive weeks in the local newspaper and posted to the city’s website. Glenn Opel of the city’s bond counsel drafted the notice and was available on the meeting’s Zoom call.

Beckman presented a list of capital items and capital improvement projects to be funded through the issuance and noted the total proposed amount of $32,000,000. Council member Dale Treadway moved to approve the resolution; Christina Strophas seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote.","City council approved a resolution giving notice of intent to issue up to $32 million in combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation to fund capital items and improvements; publication and timing requirements were discussed.",{"_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},6214204,"Council authorizes development, annexation agreement for Mashburn Drive expansion",146,5954000,6100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671285-fb0483745d08801725f749e828c7841e&start=5954&end=6100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671285-fb0483745d08801725f749e828c7841e/thumbnail_5954000.jpg","/articles/6214204/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/Council-authorizes-development-annexation-agreement-for-Mashburn-Drive-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214204-ed7d0ab9fa1b7951a98b5e3d81617f86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180913&Signature=kIRFcXuQa8GV6s27-0S~796gwvm9QeAxM6kYZOkiTWkDTkyu0ps5w4X2AYVGx-9xqJxwh4JpaFSzAkl68WJll05Z0i-kn~DGRVNipS~vfEsfibwbudrvJrMaER~nl5W~ek~jf9Bxk~bWAFK~1UMJnzGYiH7hf3lsQS3BBGqBL1COwCn3gHctMFjrjHpdeBdDzL7iN3sTl2w-imrbhLEfjbNAuKewApLW0IctAn6zR8SSTSVWBZyUYdGFMu2~cPmEd40X3wwhaRo2BbAkgcThC7nmua95U26RywWNAhGfhLtP58dKJGzWM67F2aSMa4YpcDShe7jFc~nZNu9~x42VBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Copperas Cove City Council on June 3 authorized the city manager to execute a development and annexation agreement with the Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation and developers James W. Clark II and Wesley Atkinson for the Mashburn Drive Expansion Project, a roughly 66.242‑acre site along the southeast side of U.S. Highway 190 Bypass and Old Copperas Cove Road.

The action matters because it commits the city to a long‑term (approximately 15‑year) agreement that begins the process of annexation and frames future land‑use amendments and zoning proceedings for a site planned for retail, commercial and industrial uses.

Bobby Lewis, director of development services, told council the EDC has worked with the developers to prepare the property for retail, light industrial and heavy industrial uses and that the tract lies inside the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. The agreement will commence on its effective date and continue for about 15 years. Lewis said that upon annexation and formal submittals by the developers and the EDC, the city will “initiate proceedings to zone the property.”

Council member Dale Treadway moved to authorize the city manager to execute the agreement; Vania Hart seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote.

The agreement locks in a framework for annexation proceedings and future zoning review; specific project approvals, platting, infrastructure commitments and permitting will follow the standard development review and public hearing process required by city code and any applicable state rules. Lewis recommended council authorize the manager to sign the documents so the EDC and developers can proceed with detailed planning and engineering.","Copperas Cove City Council authorized the city manager to execute a development and annexation agreement covering about 66.242 acres in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction for the Mashburn Drive Expansion Project; the agreement sets a 15‑year term and anticipates future annexation, land‑use and zoning proceedings.",{"_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},6214207,"Copperas Cove staff brief council on shift to self-funded health plan",2295,2240000,4535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671285-fb0483745d08801725f749e828c7841e&start=2240&end=4535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671285-fb0483745d08801725f749e828c7841e/thumbnail_2240000.jpg","/articles/6214207/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/Copperas-Cove-staff-brief-council-on-shift-to-self-funded-health-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214207-fb24fc8eb0ded6a4578451bd6ddfa820/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180913&Signature=j9IwG5vgXgeJRqFZE1Cxx~C5G-RKS6fJayRv4iSu4o-3R9GDaA3QSxouWNj9XClb6p5Cz-8P1v~GdBro2OpYvZU3Ax3hXzmWV3NUzYqx6K6ysHH~NNL7K~Ha9dT5DRxyeFIPoAvX4m7KTPMq-dhapI~XSxkOnDH5gxQQlvZxSoUpBfk9S2f4H5Ph4SNUOXoPvV2p4aaJ1xvp2yOs3nkyQTYb8MMsA3izMvYpfoj~x6YCGzghHxsketXH0Icu6SEQIlGPSLRjXV4AVJQac1gWnA8U6HPa5I3vkrSoosxgQa7WThGDcq~lQ6oCR-gXrmoDfpqduV4t5j1cBkJuA9s60A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Copperas Cove city staff and a brokerage consultant explained the mechanics and risks of switching the city’s employee health coverage from a fully insured plan to a self‑funded model during a June 3 workshop, saying the change could provide more data and long‑term cost control but would require new administrative and reserve strategies.

The presentation matters because the change would shift how the city pays for employee medical and pharmacy claims, potentially altering annual budgets, cash flow practices and the city’s exposure to high‑cost claims.

Jeff Davis, the city’s director of human resources, told the council the city’s renewals have averaged about 1.25% over the past nine years and that the city has “been very proactive in trying to manage health care costs.” He said those performance results, coupled with high employee engagement in the wellness program, support considering a move to self funding. Ted Doro, a consultant with the brokerage team working with the city, described how self funding retains risk for claims below stop‑loss levels but allows an employer to “keep money” in good years and build reserves for bad ones.

Doro explained the core components council members should expect if the city moves forward: a third‑party administrator to process claims, a pharmacy benefit manager for prescription drugs, stop‑loss insurance to limit both per‑employee and aggregate exposure, network adequacy reviews to preserve access to providers, and a clear plan document that defines cost shares and benefits. He said stop‑loss insurance sets the city’s maximum liability in a bad year and that aggregate stop‑loss protection, which typically costs “less than $20 per employee,” is a common backstop.

The presentation walked council through national claim patterns cited by the broker — for example, that a small share of employees drive most health spending and that major claims are often concentrated and limited in duration — and described tools self funding makes available, including more detailed claims data, opportunities to negotiate custom network or facility agreements, and participation in buying groups or captives to smooth volatility.

Davis and the consultant identified trade‑offs: administrative complexity, upfront work to secure suitable stop‑loss terms, and the need for actuarial modeling to set deductible and aggregate levels. They also discussed operational steps the city would need to take, including selecting a TPA, a PBM, stop‑loss carriers, and vendor partners, plus developing reserves and cash‑flow arrangements to cover monthly claim payments.

Council members asked clarifying questions during and after the presentation; the consultant closed by inviting additional questions and follow‑up meetings with staff. No policy change or formal vote occurred at the meeting; staff said they will accept questions and provide follow‑up analyses to council as requested.

City staff noted that any move to self funding would be implemented through contracts and annual budget decisions and that actuarial and underwriting details would be presented prior to any final authorization by council.","City staff and outside broker presented potential move from fully insured coverage to a self-funded model, outlining financial levers, stop-loss protections and operational trade-offs; no formal vote was taken.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Legislative changes could reduce Copperas Cove’s disabled‑veteran relief payment and change agenda posting rules

Council authorizes submission of two Transportation Alternatives applications for sidewalks

Council approves notice of intent for $32 million certificates of obligation

Council authorizes development, annexation agreement for Mashburn Drive expansion

Copperas Cove staff brief council on shift to self-funded health plan