[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6485314,"mediaKeyId","5440265-1ca7f4b09d8b80df4e0eecf68b515d8a","parentId",5440265,"title","Crockett council outlines FY2026 budget priorities, directs split of new debt onto property tax and water utility bills","audioSeconds",840,"startMs",2757000,"endMs",3597000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440265-1ca7f4b09d8b80df4e0eecf68b515d8a&start=2757&end=3597","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440265-1ca7f4b09d8b80df4e0eecf68b515d8a/thumbnail_2757000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485314/Crockett/Houston-County/Texas/Crockett-council-outlines-FY2026-budget-priorities-directs-split-of-new-debt-onto-property-tax-and-water-utility-bills","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485314-75153bc1ab133524b72d0a4c8a08c91c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153281&Signature=kgmTlrLpPb3yaANfLhutKNLxRrZ3PNtXdi27ift8tMTGeXmPGY-vWoyQ3NuWGg9LHgApZ7V8nvwGElY~0mbFsDPbSMWGmVkVx6t6eTidmyuWa203y-WsCkJj1FOxR9eoe3rN9~E4tp-LoVNdFFY5xQDMQTgrcCZztxby3osvThHL9IG99JqsT2i-IsOZoaSrh9XRtsO4YV506Dp69w4wlzDj8stroc2sdNjs1Yo8ja8ExNUfKeM6RzhwIg1AgsloB-VT3jnx3rs5alZVlsrIfAYqfQbcFb3RQLtrZoGV0LaXx3t8iXISufaIzY~7Tb1u--F6sr8jbu4Fl8uYjwrbFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-22T19:36:05.26Z","article","City staff presented draft figures and a budget update at the Crockett City Council meeting on July 21, outlining increases in insurance, cyber liability and capital needs and seeking council direction on how to allocate repayment of recently issued debt.

Staff said the appraisal‑district preliminary values showed increased property values driven by new construction, and presented draft estimated taxable values for 2024 and 2025. The presenter warned that some insurance categories rose sharply because of existing lawsuits, and that cyber security risks and ransom attacks have created new insurance and training demands. “We have an increase of about $23,000 for our insurance,” staff said, citing a larger rise in general liability and errors & omissions driven by ongoing litigation.

On capital and one‑time requests, the city has remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds of roughly $252,000 and listed planned uses including gateway signs (approximately $61,050), a fire station bay floor replacement (estimate discussed) and Civic Center repairs. Staff also flagged a larger police‑station addition estimate of roughly $637,000 and the need to consider multi‑year financing for major items such as police radios, additional public safety personnel, and water/wastewater infrastructure.

A central budget question was how to allocate repayment of a 2024 tax and revenue certificate (debt) that funded police vehicles, a fire engine and a wastewater/water project. Council wrestled with whether to put repayment entirely on property taxes, entirely on utility bills, or split the cost. Staff presented rough estimates for homeowner impact: if all debt were placed on property tax, the average home would see about $79 per year (roughly $6.50 per month); if placed on water and sewer customers it would be roughly $13 per month per customer, with options to allocate by consumption or a flat base rate.

After discussion, a councilmember moved — and the council approved — a directive to split debt repayment: debt tied to police and fire (the property‑focused items) will be paid from property tax debt service; the other debt items tied to water and wastewater infrastructure will be repaid through water utility charges and loaded on a consumption basis. The council instructed staff to present two or three repayment options and the detailed numbers for the next meeting.

Council members also debated water supply strategy. Staff described work to drill additional wells and noted the city has leveraged grants and low‑interest loans from the Texas Water Development Board; council asked staff to return with options for lake water, well investments and potential costs to assume or rehabilitate regional supply infrastructure if that becomes a strategic priority.

Staff indicated there will be an August 4 meeting to review a draft budget after the appraisal district issues certified values. Council members asked that staff pursue options that preserve a healthy reserve while laying out repayment scenarios and costs for capital requests.

No formal adoption of the FY2026 budget occurred; the vote at the meeting approved the council direction on debt allocation and requested further analysis and options to be returned at the next budget meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Crockett City Council Meeting - 07/21/2025 - Part 1","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented draft FY2026 budget estimates and capital requests; council directed that debt service for police and fire be paid from property tax debt service while debt tied to water/wastewater projects be repaid via water utility consumption charges and asked staff to return with options.","taxTitle","Crockett, Houston County, Texas","taxId",69526,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6485318,"Crockett council reappoints members to advisory boards; names new library appointee",334,869000,1203000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440265-1ca7f4b09d8b80df4e0eecf68b515d8a&start=869&end=1203","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440265-1ca7f4b09d8b80df4e0eecf68b515d8a/thumbnail_869000.jpg","/articles/6485318/Crockett/Houston-County/Texas/Crockett-council-reappoints-members-to-advisory-boards-names-new-library-appointee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485318-8ae81746332bafddc8e939de184a99e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153281&Signature=Od6xWWdD3a3hOVF3j9krysvBWMY3LnWYgem~P9OmUIN6K3tWo9Kx8Hzq1XeKGPX5kvrW0SF1FuWO3faZtszaNulUfGQNcDAqY1sExNOx7cbTQqqTd9GNMORVWlw-GWpARinhEsaDkxclTgSMgpSbq-DGfTcyhRlkDBhzzzsy5DOswOIpt3IV3TSQZZmU2-6p1ZJXkEIqmq~8-1RsZjUVFAY9a-jsQnvHMRu36FiBa01-vdmTDuVrOAD3UJS1OnefQZclWwD0Onil7dX7i6v5cBv2Qt3K13387KyTU6qo9VbpwaUnsZ9qNmGLsxxnXNby9TEdcp74cbvj0i9nRyh~kA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Crockett City Council on July 21 approved a set of board reappointments and one new appointment across several advisory boards.

Council moved and carried the reappointment of current members to the Parks & Recreation Board; no dissent was recorded. During discussion council noted the parks remain active with increased usage including birthday parties and family gatherings and encouraged board members to remain engaged even when meetings are infrequent.

The council also approved the reappointment of members to the Board of Adjustments. Those reappointed were named in the packet as Michael Brenner, Joe Denman, David Tyre, Samantha Wiley and Lois Wall. The Board of Adjustments was described by staff as the first forum for residents to appeal code enforcement matters or request special exceptions under local ordinances prior to council review.

For the Crockett Public Library Advisory Board the council reappointed Jessica James and Paula Hackett and appointed Alicia Bailey as a new member after the library advisory board submitted her name following a resignation by Jose Cruz. The presenter confirmed these are three‑year terms effective this month; the council approved the motion and it carried.

Earlier in the meeting the council also approved routine minutes from the July 7 regular session by motion and voice vote.

All appointments and reappointments were carried by motion and second; the record shows no roll‑call tallies in the transcript.","The Crockett City Council approved multiple reappointments to the Parks & Recreation Board, Board of Adjustments and the Crockett Public Library Advisory Board and appointed Alicia Bailey as a new library advisory member.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6485319,"Crockett council approves lease with Watch Broadband for water‑tower internet equipment",473,2282000,2755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440265-1ca7f4b09d8b80df4e0eecf68b515d8a&start=2282&end=2755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440265-1ca7f4b09d8b80df4e0eecf68b515d8a/thumbnail_2282000.jpg","/articles/6485319/Crockett/Houston-County/Texas/Crockett-council-approves-lease-with-Watch-Broadband-for-watertower-internet-equipment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485319-4b5b0955a4087ec5894f95f67981dcce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153281&Signature=VCHgPRBBiHu8ovYPWUwS7gUn7qiN7BUucAf--kjSbNeUaDNvfgz3tEKDBdKyHXKXa2S04cT9-UTLWZE6a6dD7Rk1W8eFnsbtdfpkkWxw5kb3hGUeBJlev2XamUYsdBJxUrE7fZFliUaGrQCzgE7wO3VBicmV~ADXy8SvRwZuWPvum6BpOETrIBNA1g-ZKzykqTMp3r64DwXdjXYMFhsv-Nc8o8c4WXkjnuSmfIURwV7qXaZ~3Xmgn0m8Rz5fMcGHCxZXpYKLc4iuXRZQcDyGeG7GuwOMQ9Bf7XT8R4AY7CErJqD1d2xNXpbqWa1l94P8hNrjiXdFEMRw1i7RqnII5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Crockett City Council on July 21 approved a lease agreement with Watch Broadband Texas LLC to mount a small repeater and related hardware on the city’s 130‑foot water tower near the school to improve internet service in an underserved area.

City staff said the company proposed installing equipment in exchange for free internet service for certain city needs rather than a standard cash rent. The presenter noted the water tower site is “prime real estate” for extending service toward the school district and two parks that currently lack reliable internet.

Council discussion centered on whether the arrangement would be open for public use, what speed the company would offer and how the equipment could support public events. A staff member said the firm had proposed roughly 300 Mbps service for the served area and that council could decide whether the access should be open to all park users or limited to event rentals.

Council members and staff also described an operational benefit: cameras mounted with the system could help deter repeated vandalism at park facilities. “If we can put a couple cameras up, it would be helpful,” a staff presenter said, noting the city has been replacing damaged playground equipment and fixtures at splash pads at taxpayer expense.

The presenter said Watch Broadband would bear equipment costs and installation, and the city would not incur a direct rent expense under the in‑lieu‑of‑services proposal. Council asked whether comparable leases at other city sites exist; staff said the city has a small existing site lease at the animal shelter but nothing on the water tower to use as a direct price comparison.

After brief discussion, a councilmember moved to approve the lease agreement between the City of Crockett and Watch Broadband Texas LLC; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Staff said follow‑up would include locating the repeater near the pavilion and at IC Williams Park where staff is working to secure or lock bathrooms at night; installations would aim to minimize access to hardware and to provide secure mounting and electrical access for cameras and the repeater.","Council approved a lease allowing Watch Broadband Texas LLC to mount broadband equipment on the city water tower in exchange for service aimed at improving internet access near the school and at two parks; council members cited potential deterrence of vandalism and cost‑free internet for occasional events.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6485320,"Crockett council approves rezoning strip between MLK Jr. Blvd. and Goliad for residential use",985,1275000,2260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440265-1ca7f4b09d8b80df4e0eecf68b515d8a&start=1275&end=2260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440265-1ca7f4b09d8b80df4e0eecf68b515d8a/thumbnail_1275000.jpg","/articles/6485320/Crockett/Houston-County/Texas/Crockett-council-approves-rezoning-strip-between-MLK-Jr-Blvd-and-Goliad-for-residential-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485320-b952bbbd5c6f14a7408b157a945a5e52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153281&Signature=oZdAcxsvLLHsoUmDTum9xv8WgRM9pAOodtcqBVlCRhLaCXz-Tv448N4VzZKy4K~led5j2os1eg~hY0rbSJmxDPjVNrO5Tb-LnokHz2ySWR-JscwCbrPMT07cPhTcq4Nmr3LAdgJZoTRMEfn14IC0ygpk4yfKObEMst4F8DLq~yaRJQ~sbp35Hj6XrUtM5SHK7cManxHX6SM6epmJcoQVDR7Dt7-qAdgeoUuAajN1b~SNEGuDX22eTRV43WgyiHS597nKtiKtYieF5D5Td4UryyPPU1KNnzWctVg3SWgQV2U5LLtiZDbKBHAVDIYV1Rxel-IHyXOplW35NI7uC1~TRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Crockett City Council on July 21 approved a Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation to amend the zoning map for a strip of properties generally bounded by Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Sycamore Street, West Goliad Avenue and Burleson Avenue, changing many parcels from M (Manufacturing, Warehousing and Wholesale) to R‑2 (two‑family) or R‑3 (multifamily) residential designations.

City staff said the change was prompted by requests from local property owners and by the reality that much of the strip already contains houses and vacant lots rather than active manufacturing. “Residential seems to be the prominent use,” a city staff presenter said during the council meeting, noting infrastructure such as streets, water and sewer in the area is not built to support heavy manufacturing uses.

The rezoning was presented as a way to protect existing homeowners from the prospect of new industrial businesses moving next to residences without a specific-use review process. The staff presentation said allowing manufacturing uses to remain could permit a business like a tire shop or other heavy commercial use to move next to long-standing homes and create noise or nighttime activity that residents did not expect.

Gloria Baker, a property owner at 808 Sycamore Street who could not attend in person, submitted a letter read into the record urging the council to make the area residential. “My goal is to ensure the area listed being residential only. I recommend planning and zoning for residential,” Baker wrote and the presenter read aloud.

Councilmembers asked questions about how the map change would affect the first block nearest West Bell Avenue, and staff explained two small blocks would remain designated for commercial/manufacturing uses because existing structures there appeared to require demolition or further planning before any change. Staff also said property owners received certified notices and signage in the area before the public hearing and that those who responded were in favor of rezoning.

The council closed the public hearing and, after a motion to consider and approve the Planning & Zoning Commission’s final report, voted in favor. Council recorded the motion as carried; no roll‑call vote count was provided in the minutes.

Officials said the amendment is intended to prevent spot zoning that would allow industrial uses to establish beside established homes and to allow homeowners and prospective residential developers to proceed under residential standards.

The council did not adopt a map text amendment that would change infrastructure standards; staff said future development in the newly rezoned blocks will still require site planning, and that properties that seek commercial uses would need to request specific approvals from the Planning & Zoning Commission and council.

The zoning item followed staff presentation, public comment (including the submitted letter from Gloria Baker) and council discussion. The measure passed by motion and second with the mayor and council in favor.

Looking ahead, staff said property owners who want a commercial or specific use on a residential block may still apply for a special permit through the Planning & Zoning Commission and that enforcement or cleanup will be handled by code enforcement when needed.","After a public hearing, the Crockett City Council voted to adopt Planning & Zoning Commission recommendations to change a band of land currently zoned manufacturing to residential zoning (R‑2 or R‑3) to reflect existing homes and limit future industrial uses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Crockett council outlines FY2026 budget priorities, directs split of new debt onto property tax and water utility bills

Crockett council reappoints members to advisory boards; names new library appointee

Crockett council approves lease with Watch Broadband for water‑tower internet equipment

Crockett council approves rezoning strip between MLK Jr. Blvd. and Goliad for residential use