[{"_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",6190084,"mediaKeyId","5052899-7eb2a7bd1ee92db9d54db4d4b0bac7cc","parentId",5052899,"title","Van Zandt County struggles to recruit juvenile defense attorneys at current pay rates","audioSeconds",84,"startMs",6695000,"endMs",6779000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5052899-7eb2a7bd1ee92db9d54db4d4b0bac7cc&start=6695&end=6779","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5052899-7eb2a7bd1ee92db9d54db4d4b0bac7cc/thumbnail_6695000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6190084/Van-Zandt-County/Texas/Van-Zandt-County-struggles-to-recruit-juvenile-defense-attorneys-at-current-pay-rates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190084-7e320662585ba126f14b82736c6c0c35/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199296&Signature=jDWsxED~3cYdNVfh8ooZw5kzyXQOuum2ZNtmD3iXrgahf8nXaaT1dlWjU8jDTEDrkUNVucVS0KPTicJCdzWpA~yRwf43EgBu~hZQO0PoTfhhzo8QjfvoHcPWwVczqjdvWBRuLgOIuFc2rHiqYOKQV5YEWI1E1cFRVD2jkALgYleh~t43IC8RCXsMGrDRuACcCb202QPbsaf10YpPuBOHdfP4JD4gAY4rzP9R9sLY8qyz3p9soHuecYD1p-49C2Ryak-kT7DneSiepctno~aU4EKIezeJuSQnY3bIo4b2s1uFsEl~gPgTnlrj1nRc2jwFKc9OkUc37zVXS8ESvds78Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Van Zandt County TX","date","2025-06-24T04:27:02Z","article","Van Zandt County commissioners discussed a shortage of attorneys willing to take juvenile indigent-defense appointments at the county’s current pay rate.

Presenters said the county historically paid $60 per hour for many indigent-defense assignments but raised that to $80; despite the increase, the county had difficulty recruiting attorneys to its roster. Officials noted neighboring counties pay higher rates (one example cited a $100 hourly rate in nearby jurisdictions) and that local courts sometimes lack sufficient attorneys on the appointed list.

Commissioners discussed whether further increases (for example to $90 per hour) would help populate the roster and reduce delays, and they noted that certain juvenile defense work is handled under fixed-fee contracts in some cases. The county also noted that the new youth-emergency coordinator and related diversion efforts may reduce the number of cases needing appointed counsel, but it remains early to quantify any offset.

No formal change to hourly rates was adopted; staff were directed to continue recruiting and return with further analysis of rate changes and budget impact.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Van Zandt County Budget Workshop 6/23/2025","oneSentenceSummary","County officials said indigent juvenile defense had been hard to staff at the county’s hourly rate; commissioners discussed raising hourly rates from $80 and noted nearby counties’ rates and retention problems.","taxTitle","Van Zandt County, Texas","taxId",63777,"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},6190087,"Road-and-bridge grant match rules complicate planned bridge repair; commissioners to seek bids",356,8268000,8624000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5052899-7eb2a7bd1ee92db9d54db4d4b0bac7cc&start=8268&end=8624","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5052899-7eb2a7bd1ee92db9d54db4d4b0bac7cc/thumbnail_8268000.jpg","/articles/6190087/Van-Zandt-County/Texas/Road-and-bridge-grant-match-rules-complicate-planned-bridge-repair-commissioners-to-seek-bids","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190087-ed46bdced5a72a307e234cf3f8046c51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199296&Signature=B72UQd0fqRJHjFnxhL8515lGu3mtTLGSZjT2OeYgthxBLXQIuG6vFLk4lChh0~mnij36DqXPnbHlRTOppaPXjFXIvIlCfWWPhF1oMNGucsZRU8d9vM-4a9c6kz4UIk6aSAd3dmqIP8b~t1flRgfSuK3GjcaCALZrV43eQ0mOrcyVgCjLcaSWam7r6XvuQ6TjEs644hw8GYXSYHatmtgTPs-I343BZQ8QyKYpOGDE-IZApsi5bBZ1EFp14jbz34lN2LPIJ3ZukBXNu~n-WElsmX4cMxJ-~lMECjeAGH1zWrLnQp7oXg~h1FO9s2y-xxthTAJ7I60X8owCk3mtW-azQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Van Zandt County road-and-bridge staff outlined a costly bridge repair project that will require a 10% local match as a condition of state grant funding and explained why earlier low-cost options may not qualify.

Staff said the candidate project’s estimated construction cost could be in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars; the required county match would be roughly 10% (an example match figure discussed in the meeting was about $65,000). Road-and-bridge staff reviewed alternatives previously used elsewhere in the county — including placing tank cars (large culvert-like steel tank sections) in creek crossings as a lower-cost approach — and said some of those temporary measures may not meet the state program’s matching qualification rules.

TxDOT project manager Jeff Wolford was referenced during the discussion; staff said TxDOT indicated the county’s proposed tank-car strategy may not qualify for the specific bridge program’s match rules and that the county will need an eligible local match project. Road-and-bridge staff said they will solicit outside contractor bids to determine costs and whether using cranes or excavation contractors to install tank cars would be feasible and compliant.

Staff also noted other ongoing maintenance needs and equipment purchases for material, tires and vehicle repairs, and discussed the potential savings to county fuel costs from a new exemption from the Texas motor fuels tax (20 cents per gallon). A preliminary county estimate for fuel-tax savings ranged between roughly $50,000 and $70,000 annually for some departments, but staff said they needed to reconcile how different purchasing arrangements (bulk fueling versus individual credit-card purchases) will be handled.

Commissioners asked staff to get contractor bids, confirm TxDOT eligibility for proposed match pieces and return with an implementation plan and funding options for the commission to consider within the budget process.","Road and Bridge staff described a potential bridge project that would require a 10% local match; the county explored using tank cars as a lower-cost fix but TxDOT review raised qualification questions, prompting staff to seek contractor bids and clarify matching options.",{"_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},6190092,"Commissioners consider doubling monthly stipends for volunteer fire departments, discuss oversight and EMS gaps",243,4712000,4955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5052899-7eb2a7bd1ee92db9d54db4d4b0bac7cc&start=4712&end=4955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5052899-7eb2a7bd1ee92db9d54db4d4b0bac7cc/thumbnail_4712000.jpg","/articles/6190092/Van-Zandt-County/Texas/Commissioners-consider-doubling-monthly-stipends-for-volunteer-fire-departments-discuss-oversight-and-EMS-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190092-2374d68692b9531e504fb432a31e9a90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199296&Signature=bT4zhUsjJnaF7EKfOuF0PyVmfV1p2rK20rE4Dlf0-fkNOREz-QwnILD~CLuKtp4Pn~s7HE0jg~GEmdFGxy9sQI9h7yETNlmf-w7-fiiTs-8ORKvlSQKCT6LmvpA9fw28dbGilisYsQt3evWoSkCU5aAwqjmvzJ445KP96v4TajqKHdvW9bxVPjgXA7jc6iEa0T3LSO~X5DXhcHtbw1Eb~bKH6JrxcgUpadvYXUJ4Az0cuIoTpdnl4BWu3NoHXZn460I8FSjAdUEpsJ3hKM0DaaO4SwY1xdpZBKCs8p--OdDa4wZo5xDoyhbbBu4khioReVS2K2xzzj79IPevID9-KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Van Zandt County commissioners discussed a proposal to increase monthly payments to volunteer fire departments and considered noncash options to support emergency response capacity.

The county currently provides roughly $600 per month to participating volunteer fire departments; staff presented a proposal to increase that amount to $1,200. Commissioners said they would like the county to set modest reporting requirements tied to funding — for example, activity levels, number of calls dispatched, or similar metrics — but said the reporting should not be overly burdensome.

Commissioners and staff also discussed the contractual EMS arrangement with CHRISTUS. Presenters said CHRISTUS had been contractually obligated to post an ambulance in Precinct 2 but had not posted a staffed ambulance since the 2019 contract; in some areas CHRISTUS instead deploys a non-transport “Q1” medical response unit housed at a station. Commissioners said the Q1 can provide on-scene treatment but cannot transport patients and that local volunteer departments often provide first-response assistance.

County leaders raised the possibility of transferring surplus county vehicles — older marked Tahoes from the sheriff’s fleet — to volunteer departments for use as command or first-response vehicles. Commissioners said transfers would be contingent on a department demonstration of need, appropriate training for personnel (EMT/paramedic) and that vehicles be used for official response activities.

No formal funding increase was approved at the workshop; commissioners asked staff to draft grant or stipend-reporting templates and to return with implementation options and cost impacts for the fall budget hearings.","Van Zandt County commissioners discussed a proposal to raise volunteer fire department stipends from about $600 to $1,200 per month, asked for activity reporting, and debated using surplus county vehicles to support first-responder capacity amid concerns over EMS coverage contracts.",{"_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},6190098,"Commissioners weigh 3%–5% staff raises as health insurance, postage and other costs rise",137,2193000,2330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5052899-7eb2a7bd1ee92db9d54db4d4b0bac7cc&start=2193&end=2330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5052899-7eb2a7bd1ee92db9d54db4d4b0bac7cc/thumbnail_2193000.jpg","/articles/6190098/Van-Zandt-County/Texas/Commissioners-weigh-35-staff-raises-as-health-insurance-postage-and-other-costs-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190098-88e897ca4b69b330d13b8f588b8145dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199296&Signature=jASw9dhsbTDGDhsaU~5c5o2ri~sXZbMS1fm-zkfMiZroxprFEUaqupwaS1a4e6SpzM7U3PUt5E27j2Hasaex2INHzGvXFgW1Zonxw1dCptKXGqqNazzL12qO6NCQ3iHY0yeVc3g~BMHL2mZB6YUB70MCG-Tc3p~kI7EGisrGc-P7oDmhSjsKzVPr-Cj472ntuv8AlK2OHmRL83-O94BVUAe7TxLTuPhBITjqbbiPikkx5oJNHHvPmil1u7ubhtF~nKM50mBgBOtOgZanewJ8eU~MVwTp6cs7X~jx0NMG8fp-OAnSRasseKuoOnFfMOIy96pz1NlPCbXJU2J9Dao8Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Van Zandt County commissioners reviewed potential countywide salary increases and related budget impacts as staff identified known cost increases for fiscal 2026.

Staff presented three illustrative salary scenarios: a 3% across-the-board increase (estimated additional cost about $371,229), a 4% increase (about $493,778) and a 5% increase (about $616,347). The presenter cautioned these figures exclude requests for additional positions and certain grant-funded pay elements tied to SB 22 grant funds for the sheriff and jail.

Officials also flagged several cost drivers staff can project now: a 5.7% increase in health insurance representing roughly $120,000; a U.S. Postal Service increase effective July 13 that will raise first-class stamps from 73 cents to 78 cents and postcards from 56 cents to 62 cents; and an expected rise in property and auto insurance tied to the county radio system and a recent vehicle fleet expansion.

The Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) contribution and a proposed longevity or retirement-match adjustment were discussed at length. One presenter said a prior proposal to raise longevity pay (from $1.75 to $2.00 — shorthand from prior cycle) had been estimated at roughly $250,000 and that commissioners will need to identify offsets if they approve higher salaries or retirement matches.

County staff and commissioners discussed trade-offs and noted that final salary decisions depend on certified revenue estimates after appraisal-roll certification. No formal salary decision was made at the workshop; commissioners directed staff to continue refining cost estimates and bring detailed options to upcoming workshops and the July and August meetings where salaries and proposed rates will be considered.

No formal motions or votes occurred during the session.","Van Zandt County budget workshop reviewed options for countywide salary increases, projected costs of 3%–5% raises, insurance increases and retiree/retirement-match proposals; no formal vote taken.",{"_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},6190103,"Van Zandt County gets preliminary appraisal roll as commissioners set tight budget timeline",132,1762000,1894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5052899-7eb2a7bd1ee92db9d54db4d4b0bac7cc&start=1762&end=1894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5052899-7eb2a7bd1ee92db9d54db4d4b0bac7cc/thumbnail_1762000.jpg","/articles/6190103/Van-Zandt-County/Texas/Van-Zandt-County-gets-preliminary-appraisal-roll-as-commissioners-set-tight-budget-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190103-3c954694e9a719d9158ed202cacb4fa0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199296&Signature=BMsIbdM9uxQANPpxEsvQJG0qR82SpBcgGQzoSD1nd-Lq25LQpaM6plZzWxGWVePAGjowS~0n6QCE3DnOo2lD9GAuiE-l~~kCZW4uO-qfsKVQati99ARYMPaP-76v6XPCrhU-Zi019sw1SfVXK8TR2wCO3NZyXsG09qxmNEQ-ynsswOifAswPwBxpgg-6dfWuI3HZjoihLu8UVGCSRX0iXqE65T24yYEPtzYka1sRaT28KNPXor8eRumHUYRVZl3ezsDA-hAvHzmnb0epzH-~8UfZ-ko-MX2kdKWt7O5TcPr~ImxYLxsL3W54zdrMtOIfMxIm7vlW2THQK5Arv5r-dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Van Zandt County officials reviewed preliminary numbers from the Van Zandt County Appraisal District and reiterated a compressed schedule for finalizing the fiscal 2026 budget and proposed tax rate.

The county received appraisal data on April 15 showing 2025 market value down compared with 2024 but taxable value up: market value fell by roughly $300 million while taxable value increased to about $6,265,282,911. County staff said certified appraisal rolls are due July 25 and that the county must file a proposed budget by July 30, with adoption and the public hearing on the tax rate scheduled for Sept. 10.

County leaders stressed the difference between market and taxable values and pointed to large amounts of agricultural and timber exemptions as a main reason taxable value diverges from market totals. They also noted pending legislative changes affecting business personal property exemptions were not yet reflected in the appraisal numbers. The legislature considered raising the business personal property exemption from $2,500 to higher amounts this session; the presenter said the final legislative decision was a $125,000 exemption and that those changes are not yet reflected in the appraisal district figures provided to the county.

County staff walked commissioners through the calendar of required steps: certification of the appraisal roll on or around July 25, budget workshops after certification, selection of a grievance committee at the July commissioner court meeting, and the Sept. 10 meeting where the court will hold the public hearing on the proposed tax rate, adopt the fiscal year 2026 budget, and adopt the tax rate. The presenter described the July 30 filing deadline for the proposed budget as required by law and emphasized the schedule leaves limited time for adjustments once appraisal values are certified.

Officials also pointed to “frozen” taxable values for homeowners 65 or older as another factor affecting calculations; those properties keep the tax base frozen at the amount set when the homeowner turned 65, subject to increases only for new improvements.

County staff requested commissioners review the appraisal materials and said department-level budget workshops would follow the appraisal certification.

The county did not take formal votes during the workshop; the session was used to review numbers and set the schedule that will shape required public hearings and final budget adoption in September.","At a Van Zandt County budget workshop, officials reviewed preliminary appraisal district numbers that show taxable value rising even as market value fell and discussed legally required budget and tax-rate deadlines ahead of September adoption.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Van Zandt County struggles to recruit juvenile defense attorneys at current pay rates

Road-and-bridge grant match rules complicate planned bridge repair; commissioners to seek bids

Commissioners consider doubling monthly stipends for volunteer fire departments, discuss oversight and EMS gaps

Commissioners weigh 3%–5% staff raises as health insurance, postage and other costs rise

Van Zandt County gets preliminary appraisal roll as commissioners set tight budget timeline