[{"_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",6184515,"mediaKeyId","5089403-207b8dd0c043d6acefbc12a4baf36f9b","parentId",5089403,"title","State awards Longview $3 million toward Stamford Park pool; council accepts grant on consent","audioSeconds",321,"startMs",4620000,"endMs",4941000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5089403-207b8dd0c043d6acefbc12a4baf36f9b&start=4620&end=4941","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5089403-207b8dd0c043d6acefbc12a4baf36f9b/thumbnail_4620000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184515/Longview/Gregg-County/Texas/State-awards-Longview-3-million-toward-Stamford-Park-pool-council-accepts-grant-on-consent","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184515-cf42b4eba5aed77d1c455b022e6e334c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019575&Signature=TNyurJgeD-EklUPNaisxe2HEM5hQO15WTytc8RHVOvZRklXUBuWSc0OSZIJzlY8l2MoxvuQMzguuItn3M~QXAKibozhW4V2GFA~EsPqazcX49O~ygfbWK6uHjra3lbgr3yS9RisCZAkE~~QK~lK9XuCzTKufmxa-sekDQ4GY2jq79BMaqz0YqBQf6TaneqIm1Hz8tFCcvxCmOe8NDc4Q4xxaylIWT2vNvqH38tWauX9kIGmHjyrjL0ZBTwBymvf58aQVJos-28~ctSVjUb8Ubfqo-pjxt2QBj0GaNjAHJKwqQxHaGd0t-4FgBtHHfeKZzhEjfGd6A-sGbuKCf8tBog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Longview, TX","date","2025-06-27T11:55:05Z","article","State Representative Jay Dean addressed the Longview City Council on Thursday to report that the city had been awarded one of nine statewide Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grants, $3,000,000, to support construction of a Stamford Park pool.

Dean said the grant is a 90/10 award, and the city would be responsible for a 10% match. He told council that Texas Parks and Wildlife will coordinate with city staff on disbursement phases and that the office will follow up with the city manager to lay out timing and next steps. \"I will not let the $3,000,000 get away from you,\" Dean said.

Council approved the consent agenda, which included accepting the TPWD grant, and staff indicated they would bring any required final grant details back to council as needed. Councilmembers and staff discussed protecting reserve funds and balancing capital priorities such as roads and fire apparatus replacement while noting the new grant reduces the local share of the Stamford Park project.

The administration said details about timing and exact accounting of the local match and any associated budget adjustments would be worked out in coming weeks and returned to the council for formal action if necessary.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 26, 2025 City Council Work Session and Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","State Representative Jay Dean told council the city received a $3 million Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant for the Stamford Park Pool project; the council approved the consent agenda, which included the grant acceptance and requires a 10% local match under the TPWD program.","taxTitle","Longview, Gregg County, Texas","taxId",2796,"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},6184520,"Residents tell Longview council Guthrie Creek work has caused repeated flooding at Town Lake Village homes",365,4206000,4571000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5089403-207b8dd0c043d6acefbc12a4baf36f9b&start=4206&end=4571","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5089403-207b8dd0c043d6acefbc12a4baf36f9b/thumbnail_4206000.jpg","/articles/6184520/Longview/Gregg-County/Texas/Residents-tell-Longview-council-Guthrie-Creek-work-has-caused-repeated-flooding-at-Town-Lake-Village-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184520-1e6c900287790192bf9dfc93425e22b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019575&Signature=Mx2U-SIZ2JyZ13xoX0-sj5rZJYbhVXc~BC4MmNRJBxa4bMSws-YXAJGxSGfwzqsPXj2ftD66JJAPetn-mSzraZjMx7crdLmXoTzbhqz0y8W5GZy7S88wxmvLLrVxjgrh76qfS~cRrjl32C-m4SV-VFKy8GT-wzefxRtZyk1aVAFnuPxE5M6Exr-Yw6Bd~2MZLu-Mmo9MIArPLgBJOwiUKTRm4U6lqY3aOhrCg15GRKZ5hHNXC8iLuztAHg-tCI7pyFgi65paotPgg3QVnfRk37jlMda6Z1~nklIzWCZRSmn5Lw-KYy~6P0filkIZzj9W~nHBO0wI6hxm49D1JqcrZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple homeowners from Town Lake Village told the Longview City Council on Thursday that a recent pathway and related work in Guthrie Creek have caused recurring flooding that entered homes and damaged property.

Steven Thacker, a resident of 2 Camden Court, said his house flooded three times in two years and that recent work along Guthrie Creek has changed drainage patterns. \"The water comes from behind us. The concrete and dirt y'all put in that in Guthrie Creek causes the water to back up on Glen Crest,\" Thacker said. He said city crews had previously inspected drains but left some blockages in place and that his home required about $100,000 in repairs after a prior flood.

Neighbor Kent Pause said repeated flooding has forced him to file three insurance claims and that his insurer dropped coverage; he described electric shock risks and contamination in floodwaters. \"This is not just a private problem. It's a public safety emergency,\" Pause told the council and requested a full assessment, a transparent maintenance schedule, a stormwater improvement plan with timelines and public input, and emergency assistance options for impacted residents.

City staff told the speakers they could not respond during citizen comment but that someone would follow up after the meeting. Councilmembers acknowledged the complaints and asked staff to contact residents; no formal action or timeline was announced during the meeting.

Residents asked for immediate attention to blocked drainage structures and said they had previously raised the issue with a city staff member who they said postponed a deeper inspection. Councilmembers and staff later indicated that public works would follow up with the neighborhood to locate and clear obstructions and produce a plan for needed repairs.","Several Town Lake Village residents told the council that construction in Guthrie Creek has caused water to back up and flood yards and homes repeatedly over two years and asked for an immediate assessment and cleanup of stormwater infrastructure.",{"_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},6184525,"Longview housing office updates 5‑year plan, proposes occupancy, notification and fraud changes",451,5237000,5688000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5089403-207b8dd0c043d6acefbc12a4baf36f9b&start=5237&end=5688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5089403-207b8dd0c043d6acefbc12a4baf36f9b/thumbnail_5237000.jpg","/articles/6184525/Longview/Gregg-County/Texas/Longview-housing-office-updates-5year-plan-proposes-occupancy-notification-and-fraud-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184525-2a0ff273aed9f02464f0aac6cdd419b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019575&Signature=Gtuw1QP1XExM519IMFXB6d3~nhQPI55ujTcia1GcSX0vU1RecgLaG7WToO9Ia4Vy0KvFPVRTn0KsfT4Yy1NyRAU3zzoF1hapfMli65N5zRh4rPbUxW7EdgQTOboxBQDRX8B3inTrwKAa8hIqnUls~J-NwKi6Xan-C4bCiNC6JCxy4k7ExlhKf8NjBMdHpMoSnpyC7urwvhU5vp3xtOLEQlR-diAqzAPM4WsJxX3fNQVB~b~5CgyTieOB66qXiuGahpC1cei9QNxubZgAi1ZuzCEHqtEPXD2d4PnS0rBABOPjGnC3NFq32Y9WqBodt9VgBztL9Meb-25~Ebe2~AOcCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shetiva Marshall, who presented the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) five‑year plan to the council on Thursday, said the plan covers the City of Longview service area — Longview, Kilgore, Henderson, Beckville and Carthage — and governs administration of just over 1,200 vouchers.

Marshall told council the five‑year plan is HUD‑required and aims to expand affordable housing supply, promote economic mobility and strengthen operations and customer service. She outlined several discretionary administrative updates staff will implement if the council approves the resolution.

Key proposed changes in the administrative plan include rolling Foster Youth Initiative (FYI) participants into the regular HCV program at the end of FYI eligibility so their rental assistance continues; changing how rent increases are handled so landlords must give the housing office 60 days’ notice and the office will notify participants (rather than requiring certified mail to tenants by landlords); tightening occupancy standards toward HUD’s baseline guidance of roughly two people per room to better match available housing stock; and making a mandatory workforce‑referral process for families reporting zero income who are able to work.

Marshall also said the housing office will prioritize elderly, disabled, domestic‑violence survivors, homeless and local applicants on its wait list and will not include foster youth or veterans on the general wait list because separate programs (for example, VASH for veterans) provide quicker placement. She told council that the wait list opened in August 2023 and attracted about 911 applicants in four hours and that the office has since reduced the active wait list to under 50.

On fraud recovery, Marshall said households that owe more than $5,000 in unreported or misreported subsidy would be required to repay within 18 months, and debts above that threshold would be referred to HUD OIG for prosecution. She said unit inspections occur every other year, with more frequent inspections for units that have repeated deficiencies.

Council approved the HCV resolution on the consent agenda without recorded opposition. Marshall said the changes are intended to increase transparency, reduce landlord/tenant disputes about notice of rent increases and improve program financial sustainability.","The city’s housing office presented a HUD-required five‑year plan and proposed administrative changes including rolling foster‑youth vouchers into the regular HCV program at program end, adopting two‑persons‑per‑room occupancy guidance and changing landlord notification rules for rent increases.",{"_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},6184529,"Longview council weighs raising minimum general‑fund reserve to 15%",149,6649000,6798000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5089403-207b8dd0c043d6acefbc12a4baf36f9b&start=6649&end=6798","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5089403-207b8dd0c043d6acefbc12a4baf36f9b/thumbnail_6649000.jpg","/articles/6184529/Longview/Gregg-County/Texas/Longview-council-weighs-raising-minimum-generalfund-reserve-to-15","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184529-9ce0ba8fe078de2e8f7194bb3c2dc500/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019575&Signature=Yt9Hqu9GQUJEOPHL6FE0ZkurzY1UBnQpTgK~oT1GCq2tG2DsTTVdmURnpoJlfmrJdVJ6oncrKaKEnJZ4Kaa9bzy7cB3Qm1z2k~iO7cPTp6nQ3cVTSdK~4gj3WU1yYsbbTOSIxWwAx6W20GvMWn0FjJ49gZgGc3Dg40RppwZcMM0L6jBPrs0wW5VOmHl869Geiwzzk3IXddC7JydY6M1YsVaGRmnqchvzSU5f0iORoDRAe0V~sg2KaIPXqF20uSZxaDZ-QT14ljQ0CWuNHMezdWyGgiur3EXpwzpJsWM7IZacLmqKHZmpRMm5R8RoGF-AGsOk9dA-nOfA~F9oKZihuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance staff told the Longview City Council on Thursday that raising the city’s minimum general‑fund reserve to 15% would align with recommended practice and help protect the city’s credit rating.

Angela Cohen, the city’s director of finance, said the Government Finance Officers Association recommends holding cash to protect against revenue declines and emergencies and that credit rating agencies consider reserves when assessing debt costs. \"Currently, with Standard and Poor's, the city maintains a AA stable credit rating,\" Cohen said, noting that Longview had maintained reserves above 10% historically.

Cohen provided a snapshot of the numbers the administration used: an estimated full‑year fund balance of approximately $23.6 million and a 15% reserve requirement equal to roughly $15,000,000, which would leave about $8.6 million above the proposed minimum under current estimates. Council members noted recent and incoming capital items — including a lower bid on a pool project and a $3 million Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant — that would affect near‑term cash flows and said they wanted to schedule a vote soon.

Councilmember comments reiterated that setting a 15% minimum is a conservative approach that could protect the city's credit standing and help smooth costs for expensive, intermittent capital needs such as fire engine replacements. Staff said they would bring the reserve‑minimum change back for formal consideration at a future meeting.

No formal action was taken Thursday; staff said they expect to return with an ordinance or resolution for council consideration.","Finance staff told council that a 15% reserve target aligns with GFOA guidance and supports the city's AA rating; staff said Longview’s current fund balance would meet the target and leave several million above the minimum.",{"_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},6184534,"Longview officials weigh 6.5% pay plan, possible property-tax increase to cover recurring costs",1610,84000,1694000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5089403-207b8dd0c043d6acefbc12a4baf36f9b&start=84&end=1694","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5089403-207b8dd0c043d6acefbc12a4baf36f9b/thumbnail_84000.jpg","/articles/6184534/Longview/Gregg-County/Texas/Longview-officials-weigh-65-pay-plan-possible-property-tax-increase-to-cover-recurring-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184534-30bfb947f5c50c641c38c94447d1c834/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019575&Signature=RWRV8aV4G1sCCu6JUQZj1YvnZV4XSMmvwoSTC-G63G4AvrSvED34490bmnRmmCjA174dU-I17boG0qN-5xYbVpBqqeJx0frO9bFXTgnK0UY8Ww67QrBm-1MtWbIalVuCWb1yXvwEN~sjDGpdmiHbk5Lwk1RO-jxlCOzB7p1bfOAnykA9F~fzJ~KaF5~fUBAMoSMUMVNL-6kC7EQPuY45FUVbJseRtdvst1h8Plc~PptzaD3Hn9hhFHTeXK1eLtx-YYNN6fsVU~AMPLu67HaKBVbMcqedbw8bNWcg6s8Jp~3s8hLRXJ~7yz8oEK2JSZ5xgj1gyqulLQ5-OhyQpKr4XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Roland McPhee told the Longview City Council on Thursday that the city is facing constrained revenues and rising costs and laid out a proposal to raise employee pay that would require new recurring revenue.

McPhee said the administration is proposing a 6.5% across‑the‑board pay increase plus a $500 one‑time amount per employee to address recruitment and retention and to move pay toward the council’s policy target of 95% of market. \"The money and the dollars represent many people doing and providing services to the citizens,\" McPhee said.

The proposal would cost an estimated $4,400,000 in recurring annual dollars, McPhee said. The budget team presented roughly $1,800,000 in savings found through cuts — including removing nine unfilled positions and eight fleet vehicles, delaying some technology replacement and cutting nearly all cable service at various facilities — but McPhee said those reductions only covered a fraction of the needed dollars.

McPhee said the council can use \"unused increment\" in the voter‑approval formula to generate more property tax revenue without requiring an election. He warned that last year the council declined to use available increment and that legislative changes have narrowed local taxing flexibility. \"If you raise the property tax rate about a penny, you get about $800,000,\" McPhee said, describing how much additional revenue small rate changes generate.

Using the administration’s preliminary figures, McPhee said the proposed raise plus $500 would leave the city needing about $4,200,000 in additional recurring revenue. McPhee and staff identified raising the property tax rate as the responsible option to preserve services, while council members repeatedly noted the political and financial tradeoffs for homeowners and renters. McPhee offered a monthly example for homeowners: with Longview’s current average home value cited as $223,311, the raise would equal about a $9.33 monthly increase for an average homeowner under the current projections.

Councilmembers pressed for more detail on the distributional effects and alternatives. Councilmember John Connolly thanked staff for the presentation and emphasized the political sensitivity of raising property taxes, saying that any increase is a \"direct hit to constituents.\" Councilmember Joe Allen asked staff to show how different raise levels would change the tax impact and how hourly workers would see the benefit; staff said the $500 stipend would be converted to an hourly equivalent for part‑time and hourly positions.

McPhee warned the council of longer‑term revenue risk tied to state changes: he said legislative changes to business personal property tax rules could reduce local revenue in FY27 by about $1,600,000. He also said the city is about 14% behind market on average pay, and police and fire pay ranges were about 8% behind a Tyler peer benchmark. Staff projected only modest sales‑tax growth (about 2.5%) in the coming year.

No final decision was made Thursday. The council approved its consent agenda and scheduled further budget work and a special called meeting for July, where staff will return with updated appraisal district values and more detailed options for rate and raise scenarios.

McPhee closed by reminding the council that staff reviewed cuts that would not reduce service and that deeper cuts would begin to affect core services. He said the administration will continue refining numbers for the council’s July review and possible action.","City Manager Roland McPhee told the Longview City Council the city can cover only part of proposed raises without boosting recurring revenue. McPhee proposed a 6.5% across‑the‑board raise plus $500 per employee, and said doing so would require roughly $4.2 million in additional recurring revenue.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State awards Longview $3 million toward Stamford Park pool; council accepts grant on consent

Residents tell Longview council Guthrie Creek work has caused repeated flooding at Town Lake Village homes

Longview housing office updates 5‑year plan, proposes occupancy, notification and fraud changes

Longview council weighs raising minimum general‑fund reserve to 15%

Longview officials weigh 6.5% pay plan, possible property-tax increase to cover recurring costs