[{"_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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6212804,"mediaKeyId","3683310-b86fbde8d19efa89d018fb451aff13cf","parentId",3683310,"title","Commissioners approve county tech contracts: AI pilot, digital FTO, and redaction software renewals","audioSeconds",348,"startMs",2953000,"endMs",3301000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683310-b86fbde8d19efa89d018fb451aff13cf&start=2953&end=3301","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683310-b86fbde8d19efa89d018fb451aff13cf/thumbnail_2953000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212804/McLennan-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-county-tech-contracts-AI-pilot-digital-FTO-and-redaction-software-renewals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212804-768a7d750d9d5f787b91cac6f7f1488c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181321&Signature=a5pekU-8enhtFmNP-ZfkwEabb3DtmgrkX2oc1atf1uy8jpoR5EIHQOGNmufslNwS6q~iBU9-y4Dzig0OcFfmGcrmK4~Z1DE1Q3XQOAaDDqdmYsg-PVKGQ4GpxRBYuUzRqOXpTVAAR3qS7VdtuqnXoc2a57u8DULFz30YlXQft1Ads9V3VUfsAL9jK0YkKqHC8rDwfT4El-tmAy4kQt-vlJTkjmCLcaa0MeHbBkrIUw8Z0fSWeU2ctKJIvPwMEFmNRcKedea21iAEG9f6I5XiHsCg9uUdjt6LQXqv7dWPXNbi6UAyP4FP0bin4nfg3gXL5NNXaAjAL5eK~x9IPoVmxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","McLennan County, Texas","date","2025-06-05T18:35:10Z","article","McLennan County Commissioners on Tuesday approved three technology items the county said will improve internal services and public records processing.

The court authorized a limited Copilot licensing pilot with Liftoff LLC to trial Microsoft Copilot for staff as an internal chatbot. IT staff requested five studio (developer) licenses and 10 user Copilot licenses for approximately six months to build and test a chatbot for the intranet that would help employees find forms, policies and procedural documents. IT staff said the pilot can be terminated at any time if it does not meet needs.

The county also approved a services agreement with GovernmentJobs.com (doing business as NEOGOV) for a Power FTO (Field Training Officer) subscription to digitize the sheriff’s FTO and JTO training records, moving away from paper. Major Ives of the sheriff’s office told commissioners that peer counties have had success with digital FTO systems and the change will improve efficiency for roughly 100 trainees per year. Staff said they will fund the first year from forfeiture funds.

Finally, the court approved renewal of Veritone’s video/audio redaction software used by the sheriff’s office to process open‑records requests. County staff said the office handles about 4,000 open‑records requests annually; roughly 25–30% include audio or video that must be redacted before release and Veritone is the tool currently in use.

Why it matters: Together these actions move county operations toward digital workflows — an internal AI pilot to improve staff access to forms and procedures, digitization of a large training program to reduce paper processing, and continued use of automated redaction software to meet public‑records obligations.

IT staff and department leaders said they will monitor usage of the Copilot pilot and the NEOGOV FTO system and report back to the court if they recommend broader rollouts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioner’s Court - 6/3/2025","oneSentenceSummary","McLennan County Commissioners on Tuesday approved three technology contracts: a six‑month Microsoft Copilot pilot, a NEOGOV subscription for a digital Field Training Officer program, and renewal of Veritone audio/video redaction software.","taxTitle","taxId",2712,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6212809,"Commissioners approve $2.13 million pay application for ARPA‑funded courthouse HVAC renovation",43,4689000,4732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683310-b86fbde8d19efa89d018fb451aff13cf&start=4689&end=4732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683310-b86fbde8d19efa89d018fb451aff13cf/thumbnail_4689000.jpg","/articles/6212809/McLennan-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-213-million-pay-application-for-ARPAfunded-courthouse-HVAC-renovation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212809-51b9d14d74de7e8fa5be23107db16d7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181321&Signature=INsZefT2rw6xgXgjVcTPSDZZWSijp-ZbN-NbrelJ6XOyYHpSbuQszDNxI~eHr2uD18mmf0y8ATXHgf89kxKN-YE6si0~XM-vPFlkNbECXcoaLMD6fCSvSYnnmkTmKcN7sRvYAR7aMpTo0Xp7DBcrXtPzCg2b~VDkIttkCxuUofXyGS0LQL-OeUg-zQSXB6~sGnu~-wtMmeFdKUZu3lkNFtWjKYcMMbO5P60-c-tnPfJJwt1NT8MXGQ-Ok1oC4dpofl97v7BEic8OTI5Qzz~zQtzcB2F78xXnJqU-sOuE223T4koOSzoEV4V2nEYpImRHK1Xo4CuWdCqL8bdPergUAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McLennan County commissioners approved a $2,127,806.30 pay application for the county’s ARPA‑funded courthouse HVAC renovation project.

County staff presented application No. 5 from contractor Lockridge Breeze and recommended payment. Ken (county staff) said he and TJ had reviewed the invoice and recommended approval.

Why it matters: The county has been using ARPA funds for building and infrastructure upgrades; the approved pay application represents a significant progress payment on the HVAC renovation project. Ken told the court the recommendation was reviewed and approved by engineering staff.

The court approved the pay application by voice vote. County staff said payments and contractual oversight will continue through the construction manager at risk and engineering oversight processes, and that the contractor had progressed to the stage covered by the invoice.","The court approved Pay Application No. 5 for the county ARPA HVAC renovation project, authorizing payment to Lockridge Breeze for $2,127,806.30.",{"_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":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6212814,"Commissioners back move to Tyler time and attendance system; sheriff’s office signs on",506,5010000,5516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683310-b86fbde8d19efa89d018fb451aff13cf&start=5010&end=5516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683310-b86fbde8d19efa89d018fb451aff13cf/thumbnail_5010000.jpg","/articles/6212814/McLennan-County/Texas/Commissioners-back-move-to-Tyler-time-and-attendance-system-sheriffs-office-signs-on","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212814-d7ae2b433cda936f0bb58bd877f60d1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181321&Signature=M06hleMnT98y4Q1ZRYrURUnEr99RP3ZwZA~PbEQbaAZzw1i2tx0d6qg4oQ-rVOuTzDmVqf5JoejU9VOMmWqNTSU7742Mbi1CV4vCLFK1PFqc8QfION2gD6zdLQk5cdC-LeEnzmWwf01-K2-tRkA2V7hiTjU8QUemRUjQysTxeTf5eWkqNszRDg-42ZU932mpdP9SYTGo3ad4mrsfxJFUcB59ywIZO9WjFZ0lW1hCzpuuVKzppnJX0G59KXMiM5PjI97Yo2FLZeZjTeH8VGZsWheq9YpenmtDKN3O~YlCtC8zMEzEbjtxnmZ3ushUFjpFOm36p2oN7f~4-itiBHI0gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McLennan County Commissioners on Tuesday approved moving toward Tyler Technologies’ Time & Attendance module to modernize county payroll time capture and decrease manual processing.

Finance Director Francis (surname not given) told the court the Tyler module would replace the county’s current TimeEntry/TimeClock Plus process. The software can accept electronic time capture, allow departments to submit and approve time online and better integrate payroll functions across the county’s Tyler financial and payroll platform.

Why it matters: County staff said the sheriff’s office accounts for roughly 44% of county employees and is already interested in the product because its training and scheduling needs are complex. County staff said 70% of county employees could be on the new system if all interested departments adopt it; the county budgeted $44,000 in FY2025 for the initial SaaS and equipment costs and showed a maximum one‑time implementation estimate of about $47,200 spread across fiscal years.

Francis summarized the benefits: improved integration with payroll, built‑in handling of differentials and grant‑related hour tracking, and reduced manual entry. “We feel very strongly about this piece of software that we’d like to utilize,” Francis said. The sheriff’s office Major Ives told the court the department supports the transition and noted many comparison counties already use digital time systems rather than paper.

Commissioners asked about the recent TimeClock Plus renewal; staff said that renewal would be replaced after transition. The court voted to proceed with contracting and implementation planning; Human Resources, IT and the Treasurer’s office will continue coordination and present contract terms and an implementation schedule.","The court approved transitioning to Tyler Technologies’ Time & Attendance module to replace the county’s TimeClock Plus/time entry processes. The county budgeted $44,000 for the initial year; a one‑time implementation cap was discussed.",{"_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":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6212819,"McLennan County approves master engineering agreement with LEN for water projects and Central Texas Water Alliance work",548,1333000,1881000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683310-b86fbde8d19efa89d018fb451aff13cf&start=1333&end=1881","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683310-b86fbde8d19efa89d018fb451aff13cf/thumbnail_1333000.jpg","/articles/6212819/McLennan-County/Texas/McLennan-County-approves-master-engineering-agreement-with-LEN-for-water-projects-and-Central-Texas-Water-Alliance-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212819-1aa218719998cfc9c701dbb2c47612fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181321&Signature=CeTnsA7O6U9NkfXp8qIioLib9JXCEcPplKSyAXsbRjpsg5QlRGKPUMMfSWftn4y9ja1-d~jDbXl9BPfqltrVmZWnr1kwyRYxgigIqvDGPnM-gnqat5es1GlCnz8fpfTAuNOtG6E262mMU8pPV~9V8e75r6mhx5pB85F7PQKR~3XPGkihlfxXLWAkimiMVcTbXhwNHwzQPspPi6U7OwfqItX0cWCZZNwtfiypOmO1pzPo6KxaQaSIp3MYeH1aiaPUL5s~4kROWDuLit7szXQsHLtvOWVsM52A5FzOIV3hYoluK-DjQVZl20Pm9Gt1u9UG9fasw5UxLf-tTvO5k4LQYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McLennan County commissioners on Tuesday authorized a master engineering and consulting services agreement with Lockwood, Andrews & Newnham to centralize water and wastewater engineering tasks and speed project work.

The master agreement creates a contract framework under which LEN will propose separate work orders for specific projects — from ARPA‑funded water improvements to tasks for the newly created Central Texas Water Alliance and the McLennan County Water Resources Group.

Why it matters: County leaders said the agreement will let the county move faster on technical work that supports groundwater planning, water availability, treated supplies from Lake Waco, wastewater projects and ARPA‑required deliverables. Commissioners emphasized the county’s convening role for rural water systems and municipalities in the region.

Tom Ray of LEN told the court the master agreement is intended to avoid repeated full contracting steps for each task and allow LEN to return with defined scopes and costs as work arises. “We’ve got an overlay contract that we can operate under, and we’re able to move pretty quickly on these issues as they come up,” Ray said.

County Judge and commissioners discussed priorities including conjunctive use in eastern McLennan County, arsenic reduction efforts that involve the City of Waco, coordination with the Brazos River Authority and concerns about potential contamination in the Bosque River watershed related to nearby dairy operations. The county said LEN will develop work orders that will be presented to the court for approval before any money is spent under the master agreement.

The motion to approve the master agreement passed with a second and voice vote. No cost was associated with the agreement itself at the time of approval; commissioners said individual work orders will include cost estimates and return for court consideration.","The Commissioners Court authorized a master engineering and consulting services agreement with Lockwood, Andrews & Newnham (LEN) to consolidate water‑related engineering work under one contract; future work orders will be brought to the court for approval.",{"_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":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6212824,"Commissioners approve second full‑time court reporter for 470th District to speed child‑protection dockets",491,805000,1296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683310-b86fbde8d19efa89d018fb451aff13cf&start=805&end=1296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683310-b86fbde8d19efa89d018fb451aff13cf/thumbnail_805000.jpg","/articles/6212824/McLennan-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-second-fulltime-court-reporter-for-470th-District-to-speed-childprotection-dockets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212824-2ef8a9595cdb3b7f8a8f1b15a182f950/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181321&Signature=eFJybBGe938N1kxikUzL~fcIaa~6BsDX42gwILNxkIBPmzl5~Hn25hjJ0xsb5uzpvbd0m~mfzgH2aL8~hHDaMqrIExO9MX2g-DRJQpTDizpUdWIk~cPk8L0ubTKqpg3JffIYOao-3ZLzzDzqv~jckCs8xphS4qjLZV7UI4Ps50mNSnXykG4i24dzkX6e80O8S9Jatr-nXWEIjzg4W5oKu-ugNK2oo2sBd5TdtnKJlfuGvbceZ6eub~tznFsUP8E05XIvuyMBiXypRc8JE1qKLhLK~bSOTfZdeea4HJ4xjSl~TNeTIWyOYGTF4lY6P7MliPCCPlKoex0-l0Xm9VIoDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McLennan County commissioners on Tuesday approved a second full‑time court reporter position for the 470th District Court to support the child protection docket and help meet statutory deadlines.

The court voted to make the position effective immediately so the county can post the job and begin recruiting. Judge Susan Minkowski, who requested the position, told the court the additional reporter is needed because the child protection docket runs concurrently with an associate judge’s hearings and a single reporter cannot cover both calendars.

Why it matters: Section 263.401 of the Texas Family Code gives child protection cases a dismissal date roughly 12 months after children are removed from their homes, and the statute requires the final hearing to commence on or before that dismissal date. Judge Minkowski said repeated use of contract reporters and frequent interruptions to hearings have resulted in delays and threatened compliance with that deadline.

Judge Minkowski told commissioners the court has relied on contract reporters who often appear remotely and whose turnover is high. “When you have multiple court reporters working on a single case, that can be pretty complicated,” she said, and added the lack of a consistent reporter has forced courts to recess mid‑trial and reschedule, prolonging cases.

Budget and timing: Judge Minkowski estimated a reporter’s full compensation at about $112,000 plus benefits. She said the 470th Court will contribute $35,000 already budgeted for contract services and proposed a $30,000 reduction elsewhere in the 470th budget; she also noted $28,000 in the April budget that could be amended to cover part of FY2025 costs to allow a July 15 start if desired. Commissioners instructed staff to make the position effective immediately for posting purposes.

The court approved the request by voice vote. The judge and county staff said they would return with a formal job posting and salary details to be resolved by the district judges and HR.

Looking ahead: Commissioners and the judge framed the hire as an operational change to ensure statutory deadlines are met and to reduce repeated interruptions and rescheduling of multi‑party child protection trials. Staff will post the position and return with a hiring plan and formal budget amendment if needed.","The McLennan County Commissioners Court approved creating a second full‑time court reporter position for the 470th District Court effective immediately, to help the child protection docket meet the 12‑month final‑hearing deadline under Texas law.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve county tech contracts: AI pilot, digital FTO, and redaction software renewals

Commissioners approve $2.13 million pay application for ARPA‑funded courthouse HVAC renovation

Commissioners back move to Tyler time and attendance system; sheriff’s office signs on

McLennan County approves master engineering agreement with LEN for water projects and Central Texas Water Alliance work

Commissioners approve second full‑time court reporter for 470th District to speed child‑protection dockets