[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6554157,"mediaKeyId","5029371-973d3849a527a337e3db202313a3ec37","parentId",5029371,"title","Type B board shifts FY priorities: more funding proposed for sidewalks, skate park and events","audioSeconds",2627,"startMs",696545,"endMs",3324041,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5029371-973d3849a527a337e3db202313a3ec37&start=696&end=3324","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5029371-973d3849a527a337e3db202313a3ec37/thumbnail_696545.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6554157/Keene/Johnson-County/Texas/Type-B-board-shifts-FY-priorities-more-funding-proposed-for-sidewalks-skate-park-and-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554157-a4418cb75990cb054bb9a21facbd41f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195034&Signature=GsJD4UtOj3zlAsoG6QU1krIj5tJ2O-kGZmrvTCuurkSp5ux-taZ9ivQc1eHPRyfaBHa~io566iTVzhHLIqr-0FCDC1VPjHdv~zxnTxzTrYmPa7sURwB-p7sNF2n5aoDXBti9ddjCJ-pFdaEHU-3K6uLDjFkYZaKdt2HgobeBb9~1lpy0JGU7ftAYtvlJEYbfZy3EK-8vVh3tMgSJwF1Jxj1zMvYCMRmeHM4AjQ7hRfYN67b42bDIIKdIDiABcPxh76MEOo-i3FU2a4BZVZHWquO5l1gWofhHjaDvOxGB9ARrzrprNct9nddOipH8lHu79EuPFlae0iCIbaAT39~-DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Keene","date","2025-06-18T10:22:34Z","article","Keene’s Type B board spent the meeting reviewing the draft fiscal-year budget, discussing revenue assumptions and identifying capital priorities the board wants to advance. Board members and staff weighed proposals to increase spending on sidewalks, add a skate-park project, and set aside funds for StarFest and park equipment while noting available revenues and grant opportunities.

Why it matters: the Type B fund supports local economic-development and park projects. The board discussed directing money toward sidewalks near schools and parks (cited repeatedly as a safety priority) and toward a permanent, concrete skate park the board said would serve youth who currently use other public courts and streets.

Key budget points and staff recommendations

- Revenue and reserves: staff reported projected Type B revenue for the next fiscal year of about $388,000. The current-year budget was reported as $340,000; staff said sales-tax and interest income can vary, and staff proposed increasing interest income in the draft budget from $12,000 to $18,000 based on current market performance. Board members noted recent one-time increases in field rentals that may not recur.

- Field supervisor position: staff described a new “field supervisor” position to oversee park, City Hall and community-center maintenance. The proposal is to split the salary among three funds (Type B board/general fund/water & sewer); a split-third share was discussed and a per-share estimate mentioned of about $19,500. Board members asked staff to provide a precise salary line for final budget adoption.

- Sidewalk engineering and capital: the board resolved to increase the sidewalk/engineering line substantially during the discussion. Staff said previous budgets included $25,000 for capital engineering; after discussion the board agreed to increase the engineering allocation (members discussed stepping from $50,000 toward $100,000 and then to $200,000). The stated purpose is to pay for engineering and to obtain firm cost estimates so the board can prioritize construction segments (for example, sections needed to connect schools and parks).

- Skate park: board members discussed a concrete skate park as a one-time capital investment. Vendors and staff estimated a turnkey concrete skate park in the 5,000–5,200-square-foot range could run roughly $200,000–$350,000; one vendor example cited a similar park at about $350,000 (turnkey, including soils testing and engineering). The board asked staff to include a skate-park capital line in the budget so the item can proceed to public feedback, grant applications and eventual bidding.

- Events and facilities: staff recommended adding a dedicated StarFest line item (board suggested $5,000) and discussed other event lines (banquet, fireworks, business expo). Board members discussed the possibility of using a portion of Type B’s sales-tax allotment to support events rather than expecting them to be revenue-neutral immediately.

- Other capital and maintenance items: staff said drainage repairs at the ball fields will begin soon and described plans to rebuild an infield and install French drains; picnic tables, trash cans, lighting for pickleball and basketball courts, and replacement of aging park fixtures were proposed with approximate costs (picnic table ~$1,000 each; trash-can replacement estimates discussed at roughly $800 each with a prior budget line of about $15,000 for 15 cans). Board members asked staff to identify unspent capital funds and, when possible, to bring budget amendments before council to accelerate purchases.

Grants and procurement

Staff and board discussed grant possibilities (Texas Parks & Wildlife and other sources) and the need for a grant writer or grant administrator to pursue matching grants; participants noted some park-grant programs require land-dedication or other conditions. The skate-park program cited in discussion was described as providing up to about $25,000 — a modest match against a larger construction cost — making grant pursuit useful but not sufficient alone for a full build.

Process and next steps

The board did not adopt a final budget at this meeting. Members directed staff to refine salary numbers, provide firm quotes or engineering estimates where possible, and return with a revised budget at the board’s next meeting (the board identified July 15 as the date to finalize the budget). Board members emphasized the need to generate accurate engineer estimates for sidewalk segments so the council and public can consider construction funding, and they authorized staff to move forward with grant-research and preliminary vendor contacts for a skate-park project.

Ending

Board members closed the discussion by instructing staff to bring prioritized sidewalk segments, updated salary split numbers for the field supervisor, and cost estimates for the skate-park proposal to the next meeting so the board can finalize the FY budget.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Keene, Texas | Type B Board Meeting | 06/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At a Keene Type B meeting, staff and board debated the fiscal year budget, revenue projections and capital priorities, including increasing sidewalk engineering funds to $200,000 and adding a skate-park line item; board directed staff to return with refined figures.","taxTitle","Keene, Johnson County, Texas","taxId",69538,"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},6554162,"Type B board approves lawn-care and park contracts for City Hall, Eliza Carver and pocket parks",329,182780,512292,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5029371-973d3849a527a337e3db202313a3ec37&start=182&end=512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5029371-973d3849a527a337e3db202313a3ec37/thumbnail_182780.jpg","/articles/6554162/Keene/Johnson-County/Texas/Type-B-board-approves-lawn-care-and-park-contracts-for-City-Hall-Eliza-Carver-and-pocket-parks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554162-afdd9e5837ce02e4e69fb71a2802b477/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195034&Signature=aayuy7TGfNoUHJbsjOmBHlIky0U9HtFCNuKsnKa1RATzzauIRLikvqSC0qvP7mc~qHj1ycSRsWF37mWlqVWbXgDdfX1b7kf-T~2JbYzO70uGJjg2swB2uUjDvcB8r7J3sc3rLv1qZ1p2qCV~j3~YE8Rvid1zSLDLkbn9KjzrPiwlaGCBofyptFuI7LM-8nXFwBWlZhr1MUKecN40dn252LdhlqrMCqcfMvHYbMnmxxblTMtUo9972T828oDA1~XgZ~jw8KpSWhWMs3hwhCAKcej-LfRpfY5dWhhZefz3lb-P7n08Bny8UmPOOdznGeG08F9VyqAqTz0linxwMpCdBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Keene Type B board on an unspecified July meeting day approved a set of maintenance contracts for City Hall, Eliza Carver Park, the pocket/Heinrich park and landscape work at the Highway 67 welcome sign. The board moved and seconded each contract and recorded unanimous approval on each motion.

The package included: a City Hall landscaping contract that is paid monthly with a 30-day cancellation clause; a $2,500-per-month contract for Eliza Carver Park; a contract for mowing and routine maintenance of the pocket park (listed in paperwork as “Heinrich Park” but discussed as the pocket park/Lou’s Araujo Park); and a contract to maintain the planted area and welcome sign on Highway 67 near College Drive. Board members said some costs will be split across funds — for example, City Hall maintenance will come from the general fund, while community-center work may be split among the Type B board, water and sewer funds or other departments.

Board members and staff discussed scope details during the motions: routine mowing, irrigation maintenance, seasonal flower replacement and occasional tree trimming were cited as included services. The board noted that some contracts are priced as an annual amount divided into 12 monthly payments; staff explained that is why the agreements include a 30-day notice requirement (a month is prepaid). For the pocket park the contractor’s schedule lists about 31 service visits annually; board members observed that visits will vary by season and rain conditions.

Financial details mentioned in the discussion: Don’s Lawn Service was cited in budget materials with $30,000 budgeted for park work (that figure was discussed as covering other park sites). The board did not vote on a specific new appropriation during these motions; motions were limited to accepting the contracts as presented. Where a mover or seconder was recorded in the transcript, the minutes reflect it (for example, Neli Youngberg seconded the Eliza Carver Park motion; Gary Henrich seconded the Heinrich/Pocket Park motion; Donnie Beason seconded the Highway 67 motion). Several speakers clarified which fund should pay which portion (City Hall from general fund; community-center side to be split), and staff said it will be apportioned among departments as appropriate.

Votes at a glance

- Accept contract for City Hall landscaping — motion made and seconded; outcome: approved (recorded as unanimous). Funding: general fund for City Hall portion; community-center portion to be split. Notes: contract billed monthly, 30-day cancellation.
- Accept contract for Eliza Carver Park — motion made by a board member and seconded by Neli Youngberg; outcome: approved (unanimous). Stated cost in discussion: $2,500 per month (as shown in the contract schedule).
- Accept contract for Pocket/\"Heinrich\" Park (to be known informally as Lou’s Araujo Park) — motion by Neli Youngberg, seconded by Gary Henrich; outcome: approved (unanimous). Scope: regular mowing, shrub cleanup, annual tree trimming; contract lists about 31 service visits/year.
- Accept contract for Highway 67 welcome sign and flower bed maintenance — motion made and seconded (Donnie Beason noted as second); outcome: approved (unanimous). Scope: weed control, flower-bed upkeep, signage area cleanup; work reportedly already begun in recent weeks.

No formal roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript excerpt; each vote was announced as unanimous by the presiding person. The board did not adopt new budget appropriations during these contract votes; staff and board members said existing budgets will cover the payments and that some costs are split across funds.

Ending

Board members moved on to the next agenda items after the unanimous votes. Staff will finalize the contract distributions by fund and return as needed for accounting and budget tracking.","Keene Type B board unanimously approved multiple maintenance contracts covering City Hall, Eliza Carver Park, a pocket park and landscaping on Highway 67; funding for each location will be split among relevant funds or departments.","actionData","errors"]

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Type B board shifts FY priorities: more funding proposed for sidewalks, skate park and events

Type B board approves lawn-care and park contracts for City Hall, Eliza Carver and pocket parks