[{"_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",6168378,"mediaKeyId","5407825-8b4b7af14b479b0795acc92bdb29b704","parentId",5407825,"title","Council authorizes joining Encore steering committee to support utility rate challenges","audioSeconds",128,"startMs",6992000,"endMs",7120000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5407825-8b4b7af14b479b0795acc92bdb29b704&start=6992&end=7120","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5407825-8b4b7af14b479b0795acc92bdb29b704/thumbnail_6992000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6168378/McGregor/McLennan-County/Texas/Council-authorizes-joining-Encore-steering-committee-to-support-utility-rate-challenges","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168378-6ba3265f97a0b48a2efb7f8098d5c3fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442792&Signature=dhwcqh0985oXj5jSW5YrsY3eTNUlO2jWA6Jh0wRpO4yCiWTmWREOU2nFq1KmjUm3kWDmF83kyOVyIXzYvHrfNCZa7G~2eFRCcga9Lg6u8cg4qGaNrKVVPfaRUZRf~VotVEdpPNv5t8ItaZR1ByDJZjBRwTRPf3DLo~1IFcXUeQOHuB8erYGJGKchM3G94otD22i0vrQSFVsE6qhtkTP6PjJBggg74uN3pYwvD6sA7igLSg705ouFpRxwhmcAMj5UPMEi~h-~IjgzMS95H1xlYo2P3dGJWwh4akhz-yzdHB9APcr17jTXw5EDBsdlAkoJVjvvZv7NCtjfYrTrU1DCXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of McGregor TX","date","2025-07-17T00:36:59.367Z","article","The council on July 14 approved Resolution R-12-2025 authorizing continued participation with the steering committee of cities served by Encore Electric Delivery Company, LLC and agreed to a per-capita payment to the steering committee to fund regulatory and legal activities related to a rate proceeding.
City staff explained the steering committee pools resources for expert and legal representation in complex utility rate cases and recommended joining the group after previously electing to participate with a similar Atlas Energy group. Staff described the incumbent Encore filing as a significant rate request and noted the committee provides a cost-effective way for small cities to participate in regulatory proceedings rather than litigating individually.
Council approved the resolution by motion with no recorded opposition. Staff will process the per-capita payment and continue coordination with the steering committee on the Encore rate case.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","McGregor, TX City Regular Called Meeting 07/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved Resolution R-12-2025 authorizing continued participation with the Encore steering committee and a per-capita payment to support regulatory and legal work related to Encore Electric Delivery Company rate proceedings.","taxTitle","McGregor, McLennan County, Texas","taxId",69566,"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},6168384,"Council amends cemetery rules to allow contained lava rock on plots",299,6660000,6959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5407825-8b4b7af14b479b0795acc92bdb29b704&start=6660&end=6959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5407825-8b4b7af14b479b0795acc92bdb29b704/thumbnail_6660000.jpg","/articles/6168384/McGregor/McLennan-County/Texas/Council-amends-cemetery-rules-to-allow-contained-lava-rock-on-plots","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168384-047b05fab4d9792ff82b3d5608c0f4c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442792&Signature=lRhxB7TcFty6ojmrIGMcK9WxoMDqIAjp~mfTsYculJb1sMfQUhBp8~ZpemlMRTGtyZWuA3ZQdXLRJXeHSZaCSBcHHiNg4YK45UrsxmiOPu4cmDHoavsBD16uDBbI7gB6levOcw8V-uFepyJzZFR-LIUoQpj~ti~rU4MxkrwR-QqhXMS1w8T3YYo9~WVbUlcuJXz~iJZdbcTjSAphxfgZGtlWMUA7StQORE3kczT3ONPY43uuMd~PBNAM4Hfr9aCJoaE-VaJS66O1jQMQPPROlQAC~iN~qPvyXbghv8lh~FNElwzwJfZmcFnye3coMh65k0qPVlFZNHslv3pHSDBruQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council adopted Ordinance O-12-2025 on July 14 amending the city’s cemetery code (section 15-11b) to permit lava rock on graves so long as it is contained within the cemetery’s existing concrete-border specification and maintained level with the ground.
Community Services Board members had reviewed complaints and requests following spring cleanup work and recommended allowing existing lava-rock installations to remain and permitting future use if they meet containment and maintenance rules. Staff said the concrete ribbon requirement already appears in the ordinance and clarified the amendment would simply permit lava rock inside that concrete border under the same dimensional rules set by the code.
Councilmember discussion referenced maintenance concerns (rocks becoming missile hazards when mowed or weed-eaten) and the parks department’s capacity to maintain cemetery grounds. The ordinance passed with no recorded opposition in the meeting minutes.
Staff will apply existing cemetery-border standards to any new lava-rock installations and continue routine maintenance and enforcement.","Council approved Ordinance O-12-2025 to allow lava rock in cemetery plots when contained by a concrete border that meets existing cemetery standards; proposal follows Community Services Board review and resident requests.",{"_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},6168388,"Residents raise flood and traffic concerns as council reopens public hearing for 112-acre planned development",489,3657000,4146000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5407825-8b4b7af14b479b0795acc92bdb29b704&start=3657&end=4146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5407825-8b4b7af14b479b0795acc92bdb29b704/thumbnail_3657000.jpg","/articles/6168388/McGregor/McLennan-County/Texas/Residents-raise-flood-and-traffic-concerns-as-council-reopens-public-hearing-for-112-acre-planned-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168388-2ddd34f5921c88dd4ef2a255dd413f72/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442792&Signature=EgtZwU5y7CkPngq90gzKuSuepyktFesrQLGBmNNC5iTH0EffsTni9bt3wrQ769AynqiXc~PoBEgjodKKhd78sMDnseJUTvrN5AYA3XjJQNT~OYyo~QuYvP2OZV99f~2YKS1KVp9oqonC9TmwbMznVznAHDXFkx7s4~hfUaWbUEYZ6HuwrfT~nf-BQmwqxoj0FhZ5WpZYc2hntb6OawvH~JWBzkSC7T5vutNYrc8KgjWIj1-O~LDrnmM4F3Ltm4vX0xjBtyiJckL3mMIpJelzHTOdH6fxc5PHbRQBrTJZcBBlp70GUblX6FtT0CHFo5ssu6XS2iJRrQgBgv~LF8IYqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council reopened a public hearing on July 14 about a conceptual plan for a proposed 112.88-acre planned development (property ID 135022), formerly called Country Trails. Developers and their consultants presented a revised plan that added a mix of larger lots (approximately 10,000 square feet) and smaller 7,200-square-foot lots, and reduced the commercial set-aside in response to prior feedback.
Planning staff said water and wastewater infrastructure were the principal constraints for development. Officials explained that wastewater lines in the area would need upsizing and that the Spring Valley lift station would require rebuilding; staff and the developer said those off-site and upsize costs were significant and the developer was not offering to fully absorb that cost. Walker Partners and the developer reported they had explored package-treatment-plant alternatives and that GrantWorks was pursuing potential wastewater grants and Texas Water Development Board financing options.
Three residents who live in or near the affected watershed spoke during the public hearing and raised substantive concerns about flood risk, detention-pond siting and downstream effects. One resident, Connie Smallready, said past site surveys had damaged crops and stressed that surface-water flow paths and existing waterways must be respected; she urged a slower pace of development until infrastructure capacity is confirmed. Another resident, Sheila Hain, expressed worry that engineered detention solutions have not proven effective locally (she cited standing water in other engineered sites) and asked that any traffic study be conducted while school is in session so counts reflect peak use. A third resident, who identified himself as Mr. Herritt and who farmed the land in earlier years, described historical drainage and terracing practices, noted prior flooding events and asked council to consider changed conditions since earlier studies.
Developers said the plan on the table is a conceptual, pre-engineered layout and emphasized it will be subject to updated drainage and traffic-impact analyses. They presented market analysis from the homebuilder StyleCraft showing demand for both median-priced homes on smaller lots and a secondary ‘move-up’ segment for larger lots; the developers proposed a mix of lot sizes (approximately 70% smaller lots, 30% larger) to meet market demand while providing frontage of larger homes along major roadways.
Planning staff closed the hearing after public comment and brought the conceptual application back to council for discussion. Council did not take a final zoning or plan approval vote at the meeting; developers requested continued collaboration and indicated build-out would depend on wastewater solutions, engineering approvals and market absorption.","Developers presented a revised conceptual plan for a 112.88-acre planned development (formerly Country Trails). Residents and council discussed drainage, detention ponds, traffic impacts and wastewater capacity; developers said the plan will be engineered and traffic/wastewater solutions explored.",{"_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},6168392,"Council awards CDBG wastewater electrical contract, authorizes $127,449 in local funds; staff outlines Section 3 requirements",535,2456000,2991000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5407825-8b4b7af14b479b0795acc92bdb29b704&start=2456&end=2991","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5407825-8b4b7af14b479b0795acc92bdb29b704/thumbnail_2456000.jpg","/articles/6168392/McGregor/McLennan-County/Texas/Council-awards-CDBG-wastewater-electrical-contract-authorizes-127449-in-local-funds-staff-outlines-Section-3-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168392-8be084b12afbd41ab64a66eb897b3821/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442792&Signature=LaztxYc0VpZfum7lbjNaS1PJ3j6As01hS32ZL3JY7SCnu7cmsZKPfVB3MMAZpYeH2Vpcm4iwjm2EPN3n90qUxFIJ5blCgozgduv9AJRHC8sLTpQYa5ytGYVzdX6Iisn9pHUKIsr0s2sZbW26YgvwzmvIFRl3Jom0Br17zbmh3tiqU3fDrOvWpUgl6Oz5uXVDRRmJ4H~dhUEcmIOl8A4efPlpu8w5~Dh-jkSaAu9703UGmGyEhaGGrFseLOHiqCRbVB8~doA6VkU3eka2uYoJQgwdX8~~FBp6r08jS8WwbfGbbj5sSvHqmi4CsLddpenp1Tc~1tp2FRdiSmSYaunbIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on July 14 approved a low bid from Alliance Electrical Group LLC for the McGregor wastewater electrical improvements project funded by a Texas CDBG grant (CDBG23-0172) and authorized the city manager to allocate $127,449.60 in additional local funds to cover bid increases.
Walker Partners staff reported two bids were received; the low base bid from Alliance was $421,360 with an additive alternate of $156,189.60, producing a total contract amount of $577,549.60. Staff told council the engineer’s estimate was approximately $525,000. Walker Partners and procurement staff said Alliance had performed subcontract electrical work for the city previously and that staff had checked references.
Before voting, Walker Partners reminded council that the grant originally covered $400,100 with a city match commitment of $50,000 and that the additional $127,449.60 would come from the utility fund. Staff said awarding both the base bid and the alternate would accomplish a new chemical storage building and electrical upgrades to separate chemical storage from electrical equipment.
Council motioned and carried to award the contract to Alliance and then separately motioned and carried to authorize the city manager to allocate the additional $127,449.60 of local funds so the project could be completed. Meeting minutes show the motions carried with no recorded dissents.
In a linked presentation, Shawna Kinolli of GrantWorks briefed the council on Section 3 obligations attached to federal CDBG funds. She explained Section 3 aims to direct economic opportunities created by CDBG funding to low- and very-low-income persons and businesses and described registration and documentation requirements for Section 3 businesses and workers. Kinolli emphasized the city must track hours worked on the project by worker category and stated that, while bid contractors supply much of the workforce, the city must still solicit historically underutilized, minority- and women-owned firms and collect required income documentation for reporting under federal regulations.","Council awarded a construction contract to Alliance Electrical Group LLC for a CDBG-funded McGregor wastewater electrical improvements project (CDBG23-0172), approved local fund allocation of $127,449.60 to cover bid increases, and received a Section 3 compliance presentation on federal hiring and contracting goals.",{"_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},6168397,"City Manager urges cautious, prioritized capital spending as appraisal numbers lag",2277,63000,2340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5407825-8b4b7af14b479b0795acc92bdb29b704&start=63&end=2340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5407825-8b4b7af14b479b0795acc92bdb29b704/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6168397/McGregor/McLennan-County/Texas/City-Manager-urges-cautious-prioritized-capital-spending-as-appraisal-numbers-lag","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168397-4e1add560bbee05206ae7f859e5e4028/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442792&Signature=VahGC2ftH6puLJ6VprAbQTZBWFToxl~3kUWS3O-bMb94KU8ZmbYzKGD4kOa8VIJrAsJYk3MqQd~OMj2eE7v0ADy0dHVTwJDOUNbEQHmZRmRT0JBvVb-3nQ3qqsmHcpLa1eGibXzYupC1gm7SD5LZW3UAnf2qzLilnUCxekWQzJPUf8OcVJa-OqRDCdDVe9WHz1iJBXe47c2Scr7P3rTGeatv7jtVn7~ZkLRH-HEX0~BTwO5vXL15dDCmGaos6QrixXgNF-fO3prA4k5K3-yz3LWI7vq2fg4LUZXDKJJjxGMm9o0Q9s0KN4uDrR-e9Uag-6VxyLMixs8FiNnj40pe7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager (name not specified) told the City Council on July 14 that final appraisal-district valuations needed to set the tax base were not yet available and urged the council to prioritize capital requests rather than adopt new programs.
The manager said staff had prepared a pared-down capital request list after most items were removed from the draft budget and asked council members to rank remaining items. “This budget year is different than any budget year I have experienced in my entire career,” the manager said during the input session, noting the appraisal district and third-party appraiser schedule meant final revenue figures likely would not arrive until late July.
The session focused on the general fund; staff reported the utility fund was “just fine” and likely to remain solvent for the coming year but that general-fund revenue remained uncertain. Department requests reviewed included fire apparatus and equipment (self-contained breathing apparatus, extrication tools), public works machines (skid steer and excavator), parks equipment (50-foot bucket truck and utility/pickup trucks) and fleet-maintenance support vehicles.
Council members and staff discussed tradeoffs between capital outlay and operating budgets, the timing of purchases, and how to prioritize when revenue is confirmed. The city manager said his working priority list would be (1) SCBAs for the fire department, (2) at least two patrol cars for police, and (3) a parks bucket truck — with extrication tools, a fleet-maintenance truck and an excavator lower on the list if revenue limits persist. He told the council he believed staff could identify ways to buy at least two patrol cars if preliminary numbers supported it.
Council asked for comparative materials to help prioritize — department-level capital totals, replacement cost or life-cycle context, and operating-cost impacts — and staff agreed to provide those figures. The manager and finance staff stressed the need to manage cash flow throughout the year, not only to set a budget at adoption, because property-tax receipts, franchise fees and seasonal utility revenues arrive unevenly.
The council did not adopt a formal budget at the session; the meeting was an input and prioritization workshop to guide staff as final appraisal values and grant/third-party figures are received.
Looking ahead, the manager also flagged potential programmatic opportunities tied to a gymnasium the city will inherit as part of a school trade and asked council to consider future recreational programming and facility-operating models when revenue becomes clearer.","City officials held a council budget input session July 14 where the city manager described uncertain appraisal district numbers and asked council to prioritize capital requests — flagging SCBAs, patrol cars and a parks bucket truck as top items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council authorizes joining Encore steering committee to support utility rate challenges

Council amends cemetery rules to allow contained lava rock on plots

Residents raise flood and traffic concerns as council reopens public hearing for 112-acre planned development

Council awards CDBG wastewater electrical contract, authorizes $127,449 in local funds; staff outlines Section 3 requirements

City Manager urges cautious, prioritized capital spending as appraisal numbers lag