[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6545340,"mediaKeyId","3730913-62727354dc441a54c656f6900acc20b7","parentId",3730913,"title","Council approves replat, pavilion name, fiber contract and grant applications","audioSeconds",130,"startMs",149000,"endMs",279000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3730913-62727354dc441a54c656f6900acc20b7&start=149&end=279","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3730913-62727354dc441a54c656f6900acc20b7/thumbnail_149000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6545340/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/Council-approves-replat-pavilion-name-fiber-contract-and-grant-applications","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6545340-f2b060c45bd86ab458d325c10265f724/orig.mp4?Expires=1770530148&Signature=FicJ9wybGhMGE-2JEgo1ie5O-gnyghjadB8zmmNql~-uvuUfbgIn6M6LEGVe~7UbrxKhvIE9WrbByImWxvoIIsWRo42DY2zw61g6UTNukogeMrz0sFAaaxPuA4-e8UVYbzVKC5nWOBjMgiWhGIZ~Tk19mtjDiQQy~abbIj7pRwRNK58xsUsBd4NG--2ySd1RWFnxYsbZI9Q6yOz~2WWKT1yDIAF8jvhiLJkrrOAbwIDHqN2vIaqabA-57G2YYSeWX6AiUbjXjAahNja8VT14scNKPD1mhMteVx~p2oYhByaj9MFNU6mqK8FIg1ETGG6LTuLy4bZqXQk4rx9u7Z~fzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Decatur","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","Decatur — The Decatur City Council voted on a package of routine and policy items during its meeting, approving a property replat, the naming of a park pavilion, a three-year fiber Internet contract for city facilities and two grant-application resolutions.

Staff said these items met ordinance and program requirements and required simple majority approval. Council approved: (1) RP25-0008, a replat of about 13.799 acres at 1400 Deer Park Road to accommodate an internal utility-easement relocation and campus expansion for Crossroads Church; (2) a motion to name the new pavilion at Lou Ida Willis Park the Mike Bell Memorial Pavilion, funded in part with a $60,000 Christelle Wagner Foundation grant; (3) a three-year service agreement with Fiber First to provide dedicated fiber Internet to City Hall and the City Hall Annex; (4) a resolution authorizing application for a U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) planning grant (staff said the maximum planning grant is up to $525,000 and would carry a 20% local match if awarded); and (5) a solid-waste grant application through the regional council of governments and TCEQ to help purchase equipment such as an air curtain burner and heavy equipment (staff said the grant value is up to $200,000 and indicated no local match is required unless equipment costs exceed the award).

Council also approved the consent agenda and a three-member budget committee appointment (see actions list). No public votes failed on these items.

Why it matters: the replat clears a path for a church campus expansion, the pavilion naming memorializes a local community leader and the broadband agreement and grants aim to improve municipal services and infrastructure planning. The SS4A planning grant, if awarded, would finance an engineering and action-plan phase that the city expects will increase competitiveness for future construction funds.

Details and next steps: Planning staff said the Crossroads Church replat met zoning and subdivision requirements and received a favorable Planning & Zoning recommendation. The pavilion is expected to be finished and open in roughly 30–40 days per parks staff. The Fiber First contract covers both City Hall facilities and includes an option to cancel or extend after three years; staff said the quoted cost equates to $18.46 per month total ($9.23 per facility per month). For the SS4A planning grant, staff said the city would be responsible for 20% of any award (approximately $105,000 on a $525,000 grant) and that additional engineering work by a consultant (Kimley‑Horn) is intended to strengthen future applications. For the solid-waste grant staff described the air curtain burner as a cleaner alternative to open burning used for disposal of storm-generated yard debris.

Votes at a glance (items approved): RP25-0008 — replat (motion approved); Mike Bell Memorial Pavilion naming — approved; Fiber First Internet service agreement — approved; Resolution authorizing SS4A grant application (R2025-017) — approved; Resolution authorizing solid waste grant application (R2025-018) — approved; Budget committee appointments — approved; Consent agenda — approved.

No formal appeals, ordinance adoptions requiring second readings, or contested roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes for these items. Staff said any award of competitive grants would require further council approval if funding or matching commitments exceed currently budgeted amounts.

Ending: Items approved at this meeting will move to implementation steps described above and, where applicable, to subsequent administrative actions or project kickoffs pending contractor scheduling or external grant awards.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Decatur - City Council - Jun 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Decatur — The Decatur City Council voted on a package of routine and policy items during its meeting, approving a property replat, the naming of a park pavilion, a three-year fiber Internet contract for city facilities and two grant-application resolutions.","taxTitle","Decatur, Wise County, Texas","taxId",52370,"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},6545330,"Council discusses proposed screening, buffering and front-yard fence changes; staff to return with ordinance language",1810,1410000,3220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3730913-62727354dc441a54c656f6900acc20b7&start=1410&end=3220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3730913-62727354dc441a54c656f6900acc20b7/thumbnail_1410000.jpg","/articles/6545330/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/Council-discusses-proposed-screening-buffering-and-front-yard-fence-changes-staff-to-return-with-ordinance-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6545330-423f5b018d65fb86d4be4aea53588aaa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770530148&Signature=X5zHUKR3ygXWpUVoUclRiv447VirFe~kfnpiVThNL7UMzhLSVa5fA3iy9hGEVxuDOcwcK3zgcUHEtfBlhbVM1wqA8HQ9HVWu6p4RSROpC~E7lKaS05DsKrr98M-qlUOblU119kHWCXEzGqT3qfBXmRUckm-n3HqwGJbuOxlsSGXOnQ6Yx-4S2Cj3ruCcp21tbC7GcdEF5j-FIMlSuvwsbiN4ssn8tKkUqrL0ZtxI0Xqtky9A75MZFgssB2YRZjNaybAyOyc0I8vsbnrpKkACCbQHHgfs4zn3KItowZxrE9FULElIWuYGnOJSnQtbIorl~I4b8ahjZHEePauDCg6MWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Decatur — City staff presented draft changes to the zoning code’s screening, buffering and fencing rules and sought council direction on materials, setbacks, maintenance and how to handle existing front-yard fences.

What staff proposed: staff outlined alternatives to the existing required 6–8 foot masonry screening wall for buffer areas between multifamily/nonresidential uses and single-family neighborhoods. Proposals included combinations of privacy walls or fences supplemented with landscaped planting strips, a matrix tying buffer width to minimum tree and shrub counts per 100 linear feet, and discretionary review by the planning director for location, height and materials. For front-yard fences staff proposed limiting front-yard fence height to 36 inches (50% open/visibility requirement), prohibiting solid-panel and boundary compound walls in front yards, requiring a 10-foot setback from property lines (no less than 5 feet from sidewalks), and disallowing placement in utility easements. Staff also proposed maintenance requirements (repair, replace or remove damaged fence elements; require maintenance of vegetation at fence lines) and asked whether chain-link and wire fences should be allowed along visible street frontages.

Council feedback and concerns: councilmembers raised points about long-term maintenance of wooden fences and shrubs, the lifecycle of materials (insurance lifespans/susceptibility to rot), irrigation and water-billing responsibility for required plantings, consistency with historic-district rules, and how to treat existing fences if they are removed or repaired. Several councilmembers expressed a preference for limiting front-yard heights to 36 inches and restricting chain-link in prominent street-front and corner locations; others emphasized the need to allow exceptions where lots have atypical front-yard layouts and suggested a process to designate a front yard when needed. Council asked staff to coordinate the fencing updates with an upcoming landscaping-ordinance revision, to define clear numeric planting metrics that staff can administer, and to return the proposed ordinance for Planning & Zoning review and recommendation.

Why it matters: changes to screening and fence rules affect property owners, neighboring residences, developers and the city’s visual character and public-right-of-way safety. The policy also sets maintenance expectations that can affect municipal code enforcement workload.

Next steps: staff said it will refine proposed language (including setback, material and maintenance standards), coordinate with the landscaping ordinance, and present the package to the Planning & Zoning Commission as an informational item before forwarding to council as a zoning-ordinance amendment. Staff estimated a Planning & Zoning review as soon as the July meeting cycle and will return a consolidated ordinance for council action.

Ending: Council directed staff to move forward with ordinance drafting, asked for clarity on exceptions for corner and atypical lots, and signaled preference for a conservative approach on visibility, materials and maintenance standards.","City staff presented proposed changes to screening, buffering and front-yard fence rules, including alternative screening methods, planting matrices, material restrictions and limits on front-yard fence height and visibility. Council offered direction on preferred limits and asked staff to draft ordinance language for Planning & Zoning review.",{"_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},6545335,"Council signals support to raise over-65 property tax exemption to $30,000; ordinance to be drafted",607,781000,1388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3730913-62727354dc441a54c656f6900acc20b7&start=781&end=1388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3730913-62727354dc441a54c656f6900acc20b7/thumbnail_781000.jpg","/articles/6545335/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/Council-signals-support-to-raise-over-65-property-tax-exemption-to-30000-ordinance-to-be-drafted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6545335-869b1e1094e37666d65420b479ab04c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770530148&Signature=kX4z26iqmGLYfY2v0Rddb0hbQH3KU5Ix-RQtCm8L8tRzirNLDquTPBi5HtgKYR2T-9GCNdfjiKkaCsU-nnkkOpC0X4Rhb-OiPLu29TZpCZmrMMRHAsXmdx2B8Fh9Vcz~18O8s4LpvBepWvIWjYBeRaMdaLOlW0W4Za2Sx9kTwjj0ZNwazRjbaO9xXKgfmM7C1sz-zRqG6Z-qVXzGhjC1tZcGP1UTQKCB1MexAXF2RnFT5-k1DecbZ1dkml6YiDf3CO~5tjG7zAjzpvbxTirgSLTP~xczYzhquWO8jXapVb7iQhqhbfhWuFaL1c7kIvIXgGtPFE-M5XTXtIq2enKY9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Decatur — Council members discussed raising the city property-tax exemption for residents aged 65 and older and directed staff to prepare an ordinance set at $30,000.

During discussion staff reviewed the current exemption ($25,000) and presented examples of levy effects under the voter-approval tax-rate scenario. Staff showed that increasing the exemption by $5,000 would reduce the city’s levy by an estimated amount presented in the packet (staff examples put the estimated levy loss in the mid five-figure range) and that, for a household that qualifies, the homeowner tax savings would increase from about $139 to about $167 under the working example. Staff reminded council that any ordinance must be finalized and submitted with meeting minutes to the tax office before July 1 to be effective for the year’s tax-rate calculations.

Why it matters: the exemption targets fixed-income residents and would provide modest annual savings to qualifying homeowners; however, the city would record a corresponding revenue reduction in its property-tax levy that must be absorbed or offset in the budget.

Council comments: councilmembers voiced support for a ‘‘stair-step’’ approach to increases and some concern about current budget pressures from capital projects (water and wastewater) and other needs. Several members said a $30,000 exemption was a reasonable near-term increase; others said timing should be sensitive to the city’s fiscal picture. After discussion the mayor asked staff to finalize the ordinance language at $30,000 so council could proceed to a reading and vote at a subsequent meeting.

Next steps: staff will draft the ordinance with a $30,000 exemption for the first reading and bring the ordinance back to council for formal readings and a vote; staff offered to provide additional information to any councilmember before the next meeting.

Ending: Council provided direction to proceed; no ordinance was adopted at this meeting. Staff cautioned that the final tax rate and assessed values will affect the net benefit to homeowners and the ultimate levy impact to the city.","Council members discussed increasing the city’s property-tax exemption for residents 65 and older from $25,000 to $30,000 and gave staff direction to draft an ordinance reflecting a $30,000 exemption for formal readings and later vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves replat, pavilion name, fiber contract and grant applications

Council discusses proposed screening, buffering and front-yard fence changes; staff to return with ordinance language

Council signals support to raise over-65 property tax exemption to $30,000; ordinance to be drafted