[{"_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",6656968,"mediaKeyId","5107994-4fc377c33a5fcc63e0608100daaf52fb","parentId",5107994,"title","Josephine council delays budget and tax-rate schedule; staff says publishing requirements force September adoption","audioSeconds",89,"startMs",276000,"endMs",365000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107994-4fc377c33a5fcc63e0608100daaf52fb&start=276&end=365","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107994-4fc377c33a5fcc63e0608100daaf52fb/thumbnail_276000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6656968/Josephine/Collin-County/Texas/Josephine-council-delays-budget-and-tax-rate-schedule-staff-says-publishing-requirements-force-September-adoption","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656968-409a1942883d28e94c9fad1d5ee6c1d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234653&Signature=OcYJxflNsT~zqNJMWfxF2gRsaqqZ0humaxBUCSIPapCsNEY44MYxcLx8zcMnZ3FtaO-MVwtCzFYMDrfQuGyna6~q9YhOkZtJOc8fWUGaQNp6t11L5y6rFGplbJ1KaEYYkl1vdwjJUqFRDtlbxGim-Qc1u5LGKLlZ~nln1hBmht7mgZztQupPrmDcbSv08OOCW6rHX~FRp5qMaJlxYFKE4Ate5-WSWwDbKN-asU3pDVdLmJrDZrobisiOlld4cBv6WNf~tsgSWW6YooVXzjYL7zfjOwtmZqE9DaeOKMUadSuoD1sKHl-Knvw5IYCqRkDr~fMx3jTXpZN6pw~bb3Bzjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Josephine","date","2025-07-01T01:27:24.513Z","article","City staff told the Josephine City Council at a June 30 work session that state publication and property-tax certification deadlines likely make an August budget and tax-rate adoption infeasible and that the council should plan to adopt the budget in September.

The staff presentation laid out the planned sequence that had been discussed for August: a council meeting to discuss tax rates on Aug. 7, a regular council meeting and budget hearing on Aug. 11, budget adoption on Aug. 18 and the tax-rate public hearing on Aug. 20 (with an adoption option at that meeting), and a final deadline of Aug. 25 if the rate could not be adopted earlier. City staff noted they do not receive final property-tax certification numbers until July 25 and said that, because required public notices must be published in two county newspapers with weekly print schedules, the calendar is constrained.

\"I have August 7 as the meeting to discuss the tax rates. August 11 will be the regular council meeting and we will do a budget hearing on that date. August 18 is the date we need to adopt the budget. August 20 will be the public hearing over the tax rate and it will be possible to adopt the tax rate at that meeting,\" a city staff member told the council. The same staff member later explained that the city must work backward from the statutory deadline for certifying tax actions and from the newspapers' publishing schedules.

Why it matters: moving the adoption timeline from August to September can restrict the council's ability to adjust the tax rate without voter approval, city staff warned, which would limit revenue options for staffing and operations in the coming fiscal year.

Council members flagged scheduling conflicts that would make the August dates difficult to staff a quorum. One council member asked staff to check a specific legal reference the member had found online—\"statute 5 51.001, item 4\"—and to consult the Texas Municipal League or the city attorney to confirm whether the tax-rate hearing can proceed with a quorum as the member’s memo indicated. The staff agreed to verify the legal requirements and report back at the July meeting.

City staff reiterated the operational constraints that drive the calendar: final property-tax certifications arrive from the county in late July, the city must publish multiple legal notices in two county newspapers that publish weekly, and statutory notice windows require working several weeks ahead of a hearing. Staff suggested drafting a budget for council review at the July meeting and returning with a confirmed timeline after checking publication dates and statutory details.

Closing: Council members asked staff to prepare alternate date options and to circulate confirmed dates by email. No formal action or vote was taken at the work session; the meeting was a workshop to seek direction and information for a July draft budget.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Work Session Meeting - June 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told the Josephine City Council at a June 30 work session that state publication and property-tax certification deadlines likely make an August budget and tax-rate adoption infeasible and that the council should plan to adopt the budget in September.","taxTitle","Josephine, Collin County, Texas","taxId",79733,"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},6656949,"Council supports forming events committee, seeks earlier planning for fireworks and celebrations",421,1152000,1573000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107994-4fc377c33a5fcc63e0608100daaf52fb&start=1152&end=1573","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107994-4fc377c33a5fcc63e0608100daaf52fb/thumbnail_1152000.jpg","/articles/6656949/Josephine/Collin-County/Texas/Council-supports-forming-events-committee-seeks-earlier-planning-for-fireworks-and-celebrations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656949-2629a8ccbbe933f0a1cb2884812974ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234653&Signature=dUEq1FerkFoQS2dug4Fgx6ic-Lqxyuv5p4~H9VfRvGgDct~Ex-08VUEOPWY51~Ljbjf-wWqMDdroGNca39-JthyVhB1P0~OBdrPTy2e7~p7yLqAKJlcg9~06WwrKPByTA7BGdpNemCHGGkneIxoOehO2n4mM8RSags4OpWjlvvZmgmua2UrLl9zAZojz9mt0pLDkAjsE3vH~eDILZbfPMCKbijK34DxxBHf218RGxDS62sXz6TG40o1xC7WCLn8I8lt9B8hs~07~SsrFwW3UB6cJFX1c-P1apPf2WXC8pRcGlj1tBDo9kPGJUD-qN5Mejbm2FNze5fnZz48ER788wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff asked the council for earlier direction on next year’s community events and proposed quarterly committee meetings to help plan larger events, secure talent and coordinate vendors.

A staff member said advance planning would be essential for securing musical acts and fireworks and asked the council to indicate any desired changes to next year’s calendar as the budget is finalized. Council members generally supported forming a small committee of staff, council members and volunteers to advise on events and on procurement of acts and fireworks. One council member said fireworks of about 15 minutes struck a good balance between adult preference and children’s attention spans.

The local chamber of commerce told the council it would be willing to help recruit vendors and participate in parades. Staff said they would take committee formation and event feedback into account when preparing the draft budget.

No formal action was taken; staff will return with suggestions for committee membership and options for next year’s events.","Staff asked for clearer, earlier guidance on next year’s events lineup and proposed quarterly committee meetings to improve communications and planning; the chamber offered support for vendor outreach and parade participation",{"_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},6656953,"Council reviews large staffing increase tied to fire department transition, police needs and other new positions",104,1593000,1697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107994-4fc377c33a5fcc63e0608100daaf52fb&start=1593&end=1697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107994-4fc377c33a5fcc63e0608100daaf52fb/thumbnail_1593000.jpg","/articles/6656953/Josephine/Collin-County/Texas/Council-reviews-large-staffing-increase-tied-to-fire-department-transition-police-needs-and-other-new-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656953-cefc00e3a2adc293a228767aea83b39a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234653&Signature=JVWbxcflrGHPX8Bi2oxXqJVmKqvaRD9HPK016TSYvtk0PYGZzYjibDAfdbHEkj14zSalTxuhbOZdscLkPkFQQSKl7kj6VtnLwMWbFybTMJD6Hxa03hseQl87EsyDYPzTHFhsrlPXBb54KNZNcZ7SGfwa4Mkc6trZeVZWGHxMPwHOJB66VX5r7ssjKSEwa42Jpf0soD58YGN52iPVCkXxSYna7o0p6ItjArPgowW7OJMpxmDrcdXiJmUjt7DZeWCXtJcA~cjIitaQ5IjiKO3BL7q-PLhjN-0A1QhNicXFn~Z9r-bmYpcoXKOR52KzH0S0Mqh2lENQY7GvcQFkk4IBSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the council at the June 30 workshop that their current headcount is about 34, with two vacancies, and that a proposed transition of the fire department would add substantial positions and associated costs.

\"When we transition the fire department, we will be adding 28 positions,\" a staff presenter said, explaining the preference for a mix of volunteers, part‑time and staggered hires to provide 24/7 coverage while minimizing initial benefit costs. Staff described a scenario in which the total workforce could reach between 70 and 74 employees next year depending on how many part-time versus full-time positions are hired.

Staff emphasized that part-time hires can reduce benefit costs but warned that regulation and internal scheduling can create situations in which part-time work might be construed as full-time, which would trigger benefit obligations. Staff said they planned to advertise for positions and aim for a mix of part-time coverage and some full-time hires as the budget allows. The presentation also included proposed new positions elsewhere in city government: a public-engagement coordinator (a civilian position to support communications and events), an administrative assistant for police, a police field lieutenant, additional officers and potential civilian evidence-room support; staff additionally proposed evaluating a city engineer and infrastructure inspector.

Council questions focused on cost, service levels and operational needs. Staff agreed to provide detailed cost estimates, benefit calculations and a staffing phasing plan at the July meeting. No hiring decisions were made during the workshop.

Closing: staff will return with a detailed personnel cost worksheet, benefit impacts and proposed phasing for council review.","Staff presented a plan that would expand city employment from about 34 to roughly 70–74 positions next year by transitioning the volunteer fire department to a staffed model and adding other roles; council sought details on part-time vs. full-time status, benefits implications and phasing",{"_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},6656958,"Council debates $350,000 food-truck park estimate; concerns raised about cost, noise and management",379,1892000,2271000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107994-4fc377c33a5fcc63e0608100daaf52fb&start=1892&end=2271","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107994-4fc377c33a5fcc63e0608100daaf52fb/thumbnail_1892000.jpg","/articles/6656958/Josephine/Collin-County/Texas/Council-debates-350000-food-truck-park-estimate-concerns-raised-about-cost-noise-and-management","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656958-1f857f7fa6c5fb60653795bd02abb308/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234653&Signature=M6jTZJfyuPTW2DPpoisiwM-BSe0npaRLuK6OY9yc442EPJoXxwqEV3yOFv94GF-RBQhvBz8VVEqppK8eNItylQqv617OTNKehqEcXFR8XLl-Osebjn3QTjlAtm2oiUF9Xbx4~adFmJFZBrEyhFpYesPpgHxKFDViZFVeC33C-KTi7e~Y7NE5bl0xA5jDGp9XHzPbk2N-77IB4KJnXZvMMS5zhLO9k2ywnQpP~~-ciTIHzPQ5lM~laV-XbLxgMV87rrm4Xq2uyqU8m~XEtOXP~AQQEldQ~a6Ay4R88JeLG22SfIKPRrK3C7UZSMXTOH8iNe9pzvu-71GNGFDxDc1-Mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a conceptual \"bare-bones\" food-truck park option at the June 30 work session with a rough planning-level cost of about $350,000 and asked the council whether to include an initial allocation in the capital plan.

Staff said the $350,000 figure is a preliminary, rough estimate intended to cover basic site prep, surface material and limited electrical work but not the more elaborate $2 million plan shown previously. \"This would just kind of be bare bones to see if it flies,\" a staff member said, adding that the number assumes much of the prep work would be done by city staff and that the city would still need to contract for electrical service installations.

Council members raised several concerns: the noise impact on nearby residents; whether generators or quiet inverter-style generators would suffice; the difficulty of enforcing long-term placement for mobile vendors; parking and access; and whether the city should be in the business of operating a food-park enterprise. One council member said the operation should be managed by a private business rather than by the city and noted administrative costs and required staff time. Another council member noted citizen demand and argued the park could help retain food vendors locally and collect taxes instead of sending sales away from town.

Staff outlined regulatory options: the city could create an ordinance to permit longer-term stationary spaces with leases or create day/weekend permit categories for mobile vendors. Staff also noted they could design a small initial site (three to four truck pads) with potential screening, sound mitigation and electricity; the exact layout and number of stalls would affect the cost materially.

The council did not direct a final decision but asked staff and the city engineer to refine cost estimates, consider a smaller initial pilot layout and return with a more detailed proposal at the next meeting.

No vote was held; the matter was left as an item for further study and a possible separate discussion at a subsequent meeting.","City staff presented a rough $350,000 estimate for a minimal food-truck park; council members and staff discussed electricity, parking, noise mitigation, regulatory approach (stationary vs. mobile), and whether government should operate or lease the facility",{"_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},6656963,"Hilltop Securities presents $15.4 million capital plan; says Josephine's finances are strong enough to support combined issue",2128,3037000,5165000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107994-4fc377c33a5fcc63e0608100daaf52fb&start=3037&end=5165","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107994-4fc377c33a5fcc63e0608100daaf52fb/thumbnail_3037000.jpg","/articles/6656963/Josephine/Collin-County/Texas/Hilltop-Securities-presents-154-million-capital-plan-says-Josephines-finances-are-strong-enough-to-support-combined-issue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656963-2f14c5c7c4ab7a8fded29d0a9b88a7bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234653&Signature=HdjFI1ZOiTbnWzOqdFb1irGDuGOR6fkEuS21iG~jq4shwzKc-Qva9gA9NY4UMq-LbZbMTq1f1Oatsuw1WHGGC3rMBtBAjPzk4ntL-dbELJf90rf-efb4EJ5ESShzdV3KVpoakjzsMnZ1S5yWAYt9maB5qD7kdUG8qVSY5dTo7b8oa48pHQBbXjuhbtuVQDuNJGe719lsi682pdHmE7lGpfUcbP3ZqBDnAksvJtvoh9rFRN2FZXacQcYt8FrOKIdeLLZLzNgC-bDSpfrRaixrs6Lgquc~o50zmy-aM6MeJcw-VOiEVeLLDFVk0Rmidg6395RPqJUAhgL3Iagn8DZwbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hilltop Securities advised the Josephine City Council on June 30 that the city's fiscal condition is strong for its size and that a combined issuance of ad valorem-backed and utility revenue debt could fund an approximately $15.4 million capital program while preserving the city's current tax rate in model scenarios.

Hilltop principal Jim Sabone summarized his firm's analysis at the work session and recommended a \"double-barrel\" pledge (a combination of ad valorem and utility revenues) to finance general government projects and utility improvements together. He said the city had been upgraded to an AA-minus rating and that preliminary taxable value for 2025 was about $327,000,000, up roughly 5.2% versus the prior year (both figures from Hilltop's presentation).

Hilltop's illustrative program split about $4.14 million of general (ad valorem) projects — including drainage work and city-hall renovation design — and roughly $11.3 million of utility projects, yielding a total capital need of about $15.4 million. Under Hilltop's assumptions (including a 5% growth projection and a modeled 25-year amortization), the firm projected the city's debt-service capacity would absorb the new issuance without increasing the modeled ad valorem tax rate.

\"The city's in a very strong financial condition...for a city your size,\" Sabone said, adding that the city's existing debt levels and cash-flow reserves placed it in a favorable position to consider financing multiple projects together. He outlined a proposed schedule: staff finalizes project selections by July 14; the city would publish a notice of intent and, if council proceeds, target a September 8 approval with competitive bidding and a close before the fiscal year end.

Council and staff discussed trade-offs, including the efficiency of bundling projects into a single issuance versus issuing in phases, the risk of higher construction costs if projects are delayed, and the possibility that forthcoming state legislation could limit municipalities' future use of certificate-of-obligation-type financing for some project categories. Hilltop noted the firm would monitor callable bonds and market conditions and pursue refunding opportunities when economically advisable.

City staff and council requested follow-up details: Hilltop agreed to provide revised cash-flow exhibits that reflect the city's utility-customer base (including accounts outside city limits) and to clarify outstanding debt schedules. Council did not take any formal action at the workshop; the presentation was advisory to inform a July draft budget and potential later ordinance to authorize a notice of intent.","Hilltop Securities presented an analysis recommending a combined ad valorem-and-utility pledge to fund a proposed $15.4 million capital program, citing a recent AA- rating and preliminary property valuations; staff and council discussed timing, debt structure, and potential legislative changes that could limit future financing options","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Josephine council delays budget and tax-rate schedule; staff says publishing requirements force September adoption

Council supports forming events committee, seeks earlier planning for fireworks and celebrations

Council reviews large staffing increase tied to fire department transition, police needs and other new positions

Council debates $350,000 food-truck park estimate; concerns raised about cost, noise and management

Hilltop Securities presents $15.4 million capital plan; says Josephine's finances are strong enough to support combined issue