[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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],{"_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",6515561,"mediaKeyId","3859312-21c052569f389e5d7ed6f822f4bdb4e5","parentId",3859312,"title","Court approves retainer for redistricting GIS assistance","audioSeconds",65,"startMs",940000,"endMs",1005000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859312-21c052569f389e5d7ed6f822f4bdb4e5&start=940&end=1005","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859312-21c052569f389e5d7ed6f822f4bdb4e5/thumbnail_940000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6515561/Kaufman-County/Texas/Court-approves-retainer-for-redistricting-GIS-assistance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515561-06f0ad68e585eab3aff48563f34faefc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770984011&Signature=OYLnGOmOuVgZhIrnzNbscwogc~lZSv6b6lp1pUxzKLPW~pAXsvCcsRfPFk8iEm~qSgF3WB3scd4tAgnAKC6S~96GnN6zQH-omSjJLzZ8IY6LCBh8-eWglzBu47jJcm7s7N3j2YiaQwio6ICDEn-IIGfxCPhDyhMDvlqSpp8VP1UviTcHAxtbO8nADwYeyxS3zJekyeiqAdF8pomy7yXKQcLr7~a2i6sbFQhi2wC96ZPinOxr3-44bKO-0fPM131n0FcEZJtqMZhtPoJF7vGxvuVRPwuWM~nVmAUFX16ql6O5IUZ3~ieuaBKrsVUgExFqqs86d1-Di~DbYWJ~jCDNjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kaufman","date","2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","article","Kaufman County Commissioners Court approved retaining an outside consultant to assist the elections office with redistricting mapping and GIS shapefiles, the elections representative said at the meeting Tuesday.

The county began its redistricting process earlier this year and conducted initial line drawings in March, the presenter said. Staff reported the county lacks GIS software that allows necessary line adjustments; the elections representative said she contacted Lisonbee Bass, who can take the county’s drawn lines, modify them, and supply shape files for GIS to finalize the project. The presenter said the county’s internal GIS team had been unable to identify a local vendor to complete the work.

Commissioner Lane moved to approve the retainer; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The elections office will work with the consultant and GIS to complete the shape files and finalize redistricting maps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kaufman - Commissioners Court - Jun 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commissioners approved hiring an outside consultant to assist with redistricting shapefiles and GIS work after county staff identified technical limitations with local GIS software.","taxTitle","Kaufman County, Texas","taxId",20433,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":44,"_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},6515566,"Commissioners approve resolution to apply for HAVA security subgrant for elections",100,840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859312-21c052569f389e5d7ed6f822f4bdb4e5&start=840&end=940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859312-21c052569f389e5d7ed6f822f4bdb4e5/thumbnail_840000.jpg","/articles/6515566/Kaufman-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-resolution-to-apply-for-HAVA-security-subgrant-for-elections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515566-11c1d196eab277d5de7dc7baa2cc68cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770984011&Signature=Mq5QWmiqDwsqm9An7Bv4qA4OjIPQEWiNjCKpiuad7dUoEwJET9~ut-pAVF5UkYr4KwzNs43YUk~DBd27FRBzp346UDnJefZEdThhVuMKUCpLgaUTspbCTpv9pxIzwBzpmuB13P6VVl11hMLeCojGk5cytSuCk2Oej4j-myGfArfcoYD3loq6UOta1GQGBgyc2JExIrOLWvQwd8Ogx0xnXrf5jjCSq~ln~9PnxI7bSAd8P2lYlGDli~huFxZLp7tMsyAnBCFYvEmZPgpVVHG8UeZFhBDYy9f8QeervFbrp5wTycVO6oAnRPTfeZwtFpCpF1HHGhY6bnduwXy8XqdbdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kaufman County Commissioners Court approved a resolution authorizing application for a Help America Vote Act (HAVA) security subgrant to fund election security needs, the elections administrator told the court during the regular meeting Tuesday.

The subgrant window opened the prior week and closes June 30, the elections representative said; based on county population the county is eligible to request up to $52,000 but must provide a 20% local match. The funds would pay for security measures and equipment required after recent legislative changes, the presenter said.

The elections presenter noted the application window is short and urged the court to act. “This money can actually be used to enhance our election security, provide the required security for the equipment,” the presenter said. The court approved the resolution by voice vote.

Court members asked to be briefed on the elections facility and security procedures; the presiding officer encouraged commissioners to tour the elections department to understand the security needs before disbursing funds.

Commissioner Moore moved to approve the resolution; Commissioner Lane seconded. The motion carried.","The court approved a resolution authorizing application for a HAVA security subgrant of up to $52,000 with a 20% county match to fund election security needs; application window closes June 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":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6515571,"Kaufman County approves HEBP 2025–26 renewal; county to absorb employee premium increase",750,120000,870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859312-21c052569f389e5d7ed6f822f4bdb4e5&start=120&end=870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859312-21c052569f389e5d7ed6f822f4bdb4e5/thumbnail_120000.jpg","/articles/6515571/Kaufman-County/Texas/Kaufman-County-approves-HEBP-202526-renewal-county-to-absorb-employee-premium-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515571-a53da3e050ec594a9fd7558838602a52/orig.mp4?Expires=1770984011&Signature=HRwaysQ-~r-zDFYsYv-r9hBrjOoxiuPEcmNcEKQO5IPmmbqa8I2fWMr6I43GiTo2AYyMUjK3Qkp4RHi5mN4sKc2F3bN38UJcSy5iA7DcwQDj-5UrhI51SbBaqpTTtRLA7nxggGOB9oMO8Hd4v6k15DntpZa2eR70YX-5fn9juLq1~PmlBgNqQpeT-rTc2RFEE63vSaEyD3U~enQWMU2FqWLQ5Fw3Yf3kV20tCQf4dSRF6SsWrSHPbHpeB-s6~3iyBPwc5RDBAQnaAPU0Dcrm-cO4jpSfC4gOaO68fR12Xryds7ogOAxvRslNf-pA-iT3dsvhdGyNEvRaIhGGi1mNzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kaufman County Commissioners Court approved the Health Employee Benefits Pool (HEBP) 2025–26 renewal during its regular meeting at the annex building Tuesday, voting to accept a county-specific increase of 5.2% and to have the county cover the per-employee cost.

The renewal matters because the pooled plan overall required a 6% increase; Kaufman County’s 5.2% renewal means the county’s claims were better than the pool average, county staff said. The county will also absorb a separate dental renewal increase of 12.7%.

Cathy Davenport, the meeting presenter, said the pooled plan’s overall “pool needed amount” settled at 6% but Kaufman County outperformed the pool, arriving at a 5.2% renewal. “Your claims experience or loss ratio is running at 94%. So what that means is you are running right at a breakeven point,” Davenport said. She told the court the pool’s principal statewide cost drivers were cancer claims and an increase in high‑cost individual claimants. “Cancer was our number 1 cost driver, and those costs increased over 6%,” she said.

Davenport described dental plan changes pushed by market demand — removing age limits on orthodontics and covering implants — and said those changes tripled dental claims in some groups. The dental renewal averaged a 12.7% increase, she said. The county’s auditor asked for the per‑employee cost the county would pay if it picked up the increase; the auditor calculated about $619–$620 per individual.

Davenport also said two administrative steps must accompany renewal: signing a current interlocal agreement with TAC HEBP and completing a HIPAA certification process. She said outside counsel advised that some groups had not signed updated interlocal agreements since the early 2000s and that the HIPAA certification adds legal protection when personal health information is shared for plan management. Davenport said the pool does not provide the HIPAA training but can point to free online training options.

Commissioner Phillips moved to approve the renewal and the associated documents; Commissioner Boyle seconded. The court voted in favor. The motion carried.

The court’s action covers the plan renewal, acceptance of the dental renewal, and agreement to pick up the identified employee cost; staff said they will provide the interlocal and HIPAA certification materials for signatures and implementation.

Details the court cited in debate — the pool’s 6% baseline, Kaufman County’s 5.2% renewal, the dental 12.7% increase, the county incentive (one PTO day for employees who receive an annual physical) and the $619–$620 per‑person cost estimate — were provided to the court by Davenport and the county auditor during the item presentation. The court’s motion to approve carried unanimously.","Commissioners approved the Health Employee Benefits Pool (HEBP) 2025–26 renewal after staff said the county’s increase is 5.2% (below the pool average). The court agreed to cover the per-employee cost. Officials also flagged required paperwork and HIPAA certification.","actionData","errors"]

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Court approves retainer for redistricting GIS assistance

Commissioners approve resolution to apply for HAVA security subgrant for elections

Kaufman County approves HEBP 2025–26 renewal; county to absorb employee premium increase