[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6549773,"mediaKeyId","5423154-10f59f324755e9c7b403e9679a71507a","parentId",5423154,"title","Council signals preference for modest fee increases to reduce proposed tax‑rate impact; asks staff to model options","audioSeconds",1629,"startMs",8872000,"endMs",10501000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5423154-10f59f324755e9c7b403e9679a71507a&start=8872&end=10501","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5423154-10f59f324755e9c7b403e9679a71507a/thumbnail_8872000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6549773/Temple/Bell-County/Texas/Council-signals-preference-for-modest-fee-increases-to-reduce-proposed-taxrate-impact-asks-staff-to-model-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549773-03db7c2da17ba106dcc5b31a30d1cb1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113612&Signature=TsJIhhFKyMMH4-sfcwJq6k5EJFN4tQTKUhfMxwXgPvfwYLVpASmCoKpzD3-upjIYfzkM3Iqhwsb6A5CvNKUlsm7-Lk-k7CsPmM3JDGW-FPeClP80Clo246bpo6s4k56fYpuwDnhNYeZvtDXLX0lnOhd0IawgHenHXk5S~PQybD0R87Ea2e9CjmbJB8k0XEaOrK-llK5XrCWgm2HbqtHqYfZHAZ~Z3DGJNdyb-ZhGKt-XQFkRhz7qZyXWCp0bpcTFYV9p4GKIVkz66CBM-gDi7eVQtlkNfHiYO~zVoW9yXBrTSlpy8Slq2~I2hN7XqoXDFHfg0ZTK0M6HZy6Dm9yX6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Temple","date","2025-07-17T21:51:24.607Z","article","City staff presented multiple revenue models at the July 17 workshop that paired a proposed tax‑rate plan with two new recurring fees intended to diversify revenue for parks and public safety.

Staff said the business plan filed for council review assumed a 0.75 (75‑cent) tax rate and two new monthly fees: a \"community enhancement\" fee (presented as $3 per month for a residential unit and $12 for a commercial unit equivalent) and a \"public safety assessment\" fee (also shown as $3/$12 in the plan). Staff said those two fees combined were modeled to generate roughly $3.6 million in recurring revenue in the FY2026 plan.

Council direction: several council members said they prefer to keep the adopted tax rate in the \"sixties\" rather than the 0.75 level presented in the business plan. During the workshop council asked staff to model a modest increase to the proposed fees in lieu of raising the tax rate further. Specifically, council directed staff to return with a vetted structure to scale commercial charges and to model a one‑dollar monthly increase to residential charges paired with a four‑dollar increase to commercial equivalents for each fee (i.e., an additional $1 residential / $4 commercial for each of the two proposed fees). Staff said that incremental change produces roughly the same revenue as a small fraction of a penny on the tax rate (staff estimated the fee move would equate to about 1.36 cents of tax‑rate revenue for modeling purposes) and asked for further guidance on how to scale commercial units by size or employment.

Staff also proposed a near‑term, lower‑effort step: an across‑the‑board 10% increase to many existing user fees as an interim measure while the city builds a more complete cost‑of‑service study. Staff emphasized the need for a detailed, service‑level review (permit reviews, recreation fees, etc.) before adopting a full cost‑recovery fee schedule and said that work could occur in the coming year.

Why it matters: staff and council framed fees as a way to diversify revenue away from property tax and to provide targeted funding for park replacement cycles and public‑safety operating costs. Staff noted some statutory and administrative limits on which fees can be increased and said commercial scaling will require legal review and careful design to avoid unintended burdens on small businesses.

Ending: Council asked staff to return with modeling that (1) applies an initial $1/$4 bump to the proposed fees for FY2026 modeling, (2) proposes options to scale commercial equivalents by size/employment, and (3) shows the effect of a 10% across‑the‑board fee increase as an interim step; staff will present more detailed fee‑policy options and a market‑study style cost‑of‑service analysis in a subsequent meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Temple - City Council Workshop Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At a July 17 workshop staff presented a FY2026 revenue model that combined a proposed tax rate and two new monthly fees; council members directed staff to model a modest fee bump (roughly $1 residential / $4 commercial per fee) and to return with detailed proposals for commercial scaling and a longer fee‑study process.","taxTitle","Temple, Bell County, Texas","taxId",2770,"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},6549776,"Temple proposes 10‑hour patrol shifts, extra districts and phased police hires in FY2026 plan",3119,3241000,6360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5423154-10f59f324755e9c7b403e9679a71507a&start=3241&end=6360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5423154-10f59f324755e9c7b403e9679a71507a/thumbnail_3241000.jpg","/articles/6549776/Temple/Bell-County/Texas/Temple-proposes-10hour-patrol-shifts-extra-districts-and-phased-police-hires-in-FY2026-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549776-7663a47dd34330d3aa8bfa33c8ee1e59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113612&Signature=lrZC2c55aroZ92MDWUMC6i16yHc1WLOccC3TafIZNVTvE5O-XVbcgRKG6rNfQgSLqQT9yEXoUymEY-ck5yLnEusaeCtT9vtM0len9nu~XhYQRLj8jqr7wECmoNri1CXCFsxJV7VUQ61Tx6fYOXtAe~ccrbuWiV-ANl7StaNRTMHPWNOW5gkfzRYy8Mkl1s0fGFLf65xnwJ5fR8FZ5AtOK-JKMnp~bBfrfJOCpaI4KgoOJ-t9l3dmQ5DjQsuW4DkMlcpu7ZXY6wnNqi6Os8WOE-9tBU1eZHWMGjiqiyGLnz2APuPoMyxwb9fyxt1M3ax2mi8VT00QusymvBRQ7HHd6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a July 17 workshop, city staff presented a multi‑year plan to expand police patrol districts, change shift structure and add sworn and civilian positions to match recent growth.

Staff said the department currently operates eight patrol districts and is planning a transition toward ten districts to improve coverage in rapidly developing areas, especially West Temple. To support that change staff proposed moving to 10‑hour patrol shifts that overlap during peak times; presenters said 10‑hour shifts create supervisory overlap during peak call periods and increase available officers during shoulder hours.

Hiring and structure: staff proposed a phased hiring plan adding roughly 12 sworn officer positions (presented as three hires per year across four years) to reach the target patrol staffing for ten districts. The plan also included three additional lieutenants — one assigned per watch — to provide watch‑level supervision, additional detectives to support property‑crimes and violent‑crime squads, two training officers to operate new training facilities, and added capacity for animal services (a manager and two shelter technicians).

Compensation and market study: staff presented the results of a recent market study for police and fire pay and said a fuller presentation on implementation would return at the next workshop. Staff outlined a proposed approach to set pay targets at the market median plus 4% and to guarantee a minimum 4% adjustment for all affected employees; staff said implementation costs will be incorporated into the FY2026 business plan and will be discussed at a deeper level at an upcoming meeting.

Why it matters: staff said the shift‑length change and district reorganization are designed to reduce fatigue, improve supervision and add overlapping capacity during peak demand. Staff said the transition requires phased hiring and that recruitment and training timelines affect when new districts and shifts can be fully implemented.

Ending: Staff requested council direction on the priorities presented and said the staffing and compensation proposals will be refined and returned with cost details at the next workshop. The transcript records no final vote on these elements during the workshop.

","City staff proposed moving from eight to ten patrol districts, adopting 10‑hour shifts with overlapping coverage and hiring additional officers and supervisors over four years; a police and fire market study will be presented in detail at a future meeting with implementation costs modeled in the budget.",{"_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},6549781,"Temple’s FY2026 business plan prioritizes three new fire stations, staffing increases and expanded fire‑marshal team",1768,987000,2755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5423154-10f59f324755e9c7b403e9679a71507a&start=987&end=2755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5423154-10f59f324755e9c7b403e9679a71507a/thumbnail_987000.jpg","/articles/6549781/Temple/Bell-County/Texas/Temples-FY2026-business-plan-prioritizes-three-new-fire-stations-staffing-increases-and-expanded-firemarshal-team","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549781-cf4c387d63ed88abee6cb6f9f5e2aa07/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113612&Signature=dTym-R0DYN5YKJzkr0g-xyasIIM2HRqE-k~w-gUodr508WfGxds~GErWWSgyIxyBbWA81IGzLzF2gz9~laXkDh4Ozb-EWXQjO~GOAhT-UumGKMsIDyyDvXWNfvgXU3JUsi2bFxQy2BcbBO0yOobBKDt3ncmHmLjUw~Wuc6IUmLCxySXbTR7ZL8Eu4iWoeegmIJ5wQg0yTH9Z4ZaknGdX4ZHZ0SNPEYB-LLbFZM9v155FuJS6aVktycmUPqKaER~GkQIHe93lom3qbP4MjDf4nagxYt0FbQcotBC~NiaZ7g9ButQE3C-D81-a5dMf7JbC-j5h9mmEOFw7ZSHNVq7PIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the City Council at a July 17 workshop that the proposed FY2026 business plan prioritizes new fire infrastructure and staffing to keep pace with recent growth in West, south and north Temple.

The city currently operates eight fire stations. Staff presented a master‑plan‑based proposal that would relocate Station 7 (to Adams and Finite Grove), build a new Station 9 in West Temple (proposed as a ladder/truck company and West Battalion administration hub), build Station 10 near the 30 First Street/FM 93 area as an engine company to serve new southern growth, and add Station 11 in the North Industrial Park area as an engine company to cover expanding industrial and residential development. Stations 12–14 remain future priorities tied to development timing.

Why it matters: staff said those four near‑term moves (relocation of 7 plus construction of 9–11) are intended to improve response coverage and create a second battalion command structure for the West side. Station 9 was presented as a larger facility to house a ladder (truck) company with four personnel per shift (captain, driver and two firefighters), plus coverage firefighters. Staff emphasized that ladder truck operations typically require four personnel on scene to meet safety and \"two‑in/two‑out\" standards and to speed apparatus setup.

Costs and staffing: staff estimated the capital improvement program (CIP) for stations 9–11 and related work at just under $60 million, with recurring annual operating costs a little over $6 million (staff characterized both figures as preliminary, subject to design and market changes). The plan assumes capital would be financed and the tax‑rate impacts modeled on annual debt service over a 20‑year term. Staff described a staffing model that targets three firefighters on most engines and four on trucks, plus one additional coverage firefighter for every three frontline positions (a 3:1 coverage ratio). Staff said the city added six firefighters in the current fiscal year to move existing companies toward a 3:1 coverage ratio. If the plan is built out as presented, staff said the city would need an additional set of coverage firefighters phased in with company openings (staff estimated a total need of roughly 15 additional coverage firefighters to maintain the 3:1 ratio as new companies come online).

Grant support: staff said the city has applied for a federal SAFER (SAFER) grant to help fund initial staffing for Station 9. Staff described the typical SAFER funding pattern presented at the workshop: 75% federal/25% local in years 1–2, 35% federal/65% local in the third year, and no federal share in later years; the grant is intended to defray early‑year staffing costs so the city can phase in permanent positions.

Fire prevention and administration: staff proposed building out the fire marshal’s office. Presenters said the fire marshal team currently includes an assistant fire chief (Landy) and two staff; staff proposed adding a battalion chief to act as operational lead for fire prevention and a team of captains/drivers for inspections, plan review, investigations and background checks. Staff told the council that fire marshal staff carry mandatory inspection workloads (day‑care and other required inspections), conduct investigations (including arson cases that may proceed to court), perform plan review for development permits, and run background checks for new firefighters — functions staff said will grow with additional hires and development.

Staff framed the fire‑department package as the most capital‑intensive and staff‑heavy element of the FY2026 business plan and stated that building and staffing the new stations will take multiple years; design, construction and hiring timelines were presented in phases (Station 9 design/construction targeted before Station 10, with station openings proposed in 2028–2031 depending on the facility). Staff said staffing availability — not capital construction pace — is the primary bottleneck to opening new stations quickly.

Ending: Staff asked the council for direction on the business plan priorities and said detailed CIP and tax‑impact analyses will be part of the final budget process. Council members asked questions about grant prospects, staging hires, and whether facilities would be built to allow later expansion as neighborhood and industrial growth continues.

","City staff presented a six‑year fire master plan at the July 17 workshop that would relocate Station 7, build Stations 9–11 in the near term and add staff and administration for a West Battalion; staff estimated roughly $60 million in CIP costs for the stations in this phase and more than $6 million in annual operating costs.",{"_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},6549785,"Temple staff recommend suspending Encore rate request; city faces potential $483,000 annual increase",338,152000,490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5423154-10f59f324755e9c7b403e9679a71507a&start=152&end=490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5423154-10f59f324755e9c7b403e9679a71507a/thumbnail_152000.jpg","/articles/6549785/Temple/Bell-County/Texas/Temple-staff-recommend-suspending-Encore-rate-request-city-faces-potential-483000-annual-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549785-c4423c3b9ccaa2e453f1bb9500565e2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113612&Signature=MWR-6QvmqZmFmauD5jbCZu9pUImKg-re0OxmBoS-OlW6vaQVJWZfcatbqn3ryGp4tmgfWv1rl8fNNgjYQo1N4fTAhqon~AIuwxpUlYAtK1fY-kYMe18uc6apMrOLSAxUbFUgtW3PnqYVdAiV6AJ9IAi7I9rdd98Y0oBFcFbO2Bc8dVOXJa2JOrDdgO1LLPCKwHcKHaB4VeyPnCuQiQ4SoNAtT5tBJ8VoY5lTbFIiNfw5o~y7WJDQIiKsCYVZpEJgkyUZ7KXc78hydxYYZRlT4r72Zmt7MHwOYwHN3iu7tKol0Ef7~bnoWh5tFgGi-SfcIz97pF1vWD9o5cSq9rsl6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff recommended the City Council suspend an Encore Energy rate request and let a multi‑city steering committee review the filing, city staff said during a July 17 budget workshop.

The recommendation follows Encore’s June 26 filing. City staff presented the company’s request as a systemwide transmission and distribution increase (13%) and a 51% increase in the item described to the council as the \"streetlighting\" or related pass‑through charge. Staff said the combined request would raise the city’s annual electric expense for municipal accounts from about $947,000 to roughly $1.43 million — an additional $483,000 per year if Encore’s filing were implemented as requested. Staff said an average residential bill would rise about $7.90 per month from the proposed residential rate change.

Why it matters: staff told the council that, under state utility law, the city holds original jurisdiction over electric rates within city limits and must act within 35 days after a filing. \"The law says that we have 35 days to act on the proposed rate change,\" a staff presenter told the council, describing four options: deny, approve, suspend for up to 90 days while the city investigates, or do nothing (in which case the change would take effect administratively on the 35th day).

The staff recommendation is to suspend and participate in the regional review process conducted by the steering committee of cities served by Encore. Staff said the committee represents roughly 170 member cities, is funded by per‑capita assessments (Temple paid about $8,000–$10,000 last year), and hires experts to analyze utility filings before the state regulator. Staff told the council the steering committee typically negotiates with utilities and spreads expert review costs across member cities.

Staff stressed the suspension is intended to buy time for technical review, not to preclude any negotiated settlement. The presenter told the council the steering committee has historically questioned and removed some items in past filings that members judged unrelated to the delivery system.

The council’s consent agenda included a resolution to suspend Encore’s rate request and proceed with the steering committee review. The transcript did not record a formal vote in the workshop; the suspension resolution was noted as placed on the upcoming regular meeting’s consent calendar for council action.

Ending: City staff said the effective date for Encore’s requested changes would be July 31 if the city took no action. Staff asked council to confirm whether to move the suspension resolution forward on the consent agenda and to rely on the steering committee to coordinate technical review.

","City staff told the council at a July 17 workshop that Encore Energy filed a rate request that would raise transmission and distribution charges and a separate charge tied to streetlighting; staff recommended suspending the request and asking the cities’ steering committee to review it.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council signals preference for modest fee increases to reduce proposed tax‑rate impact; asks staff to model options

Temple proposes 10‑hour patrol shifts, extra districts and phased police hires in FY2026 plan

Temple’s FY2026 business plan prioritizes three new fire stations, staffing increases and expanded fire‑marshal team

Temple staff recommend suspending Encore rate request; city faces potential $483,000 annual increase