[{"_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",6159748,"mediaKeyId","5452708-b7c91c6c6c3c8b5ec1a4f51147307470","parentId",5452708,"title","Council hears proposed supplementals: drones, ballistic glass, crime analyst reclassification and new fire support captain","audioSeconds",594,"startMs",5400000,"endMs",5994000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452708-b7c91c6c6c3c8b5ec1a4f51147307470&start=5400&end=5994","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452708-b7c91c6c6c3c8b5ec1a4f51147307470/thumbnail_5400000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6159748/Tomball/Harris-County/Texas/Council-hears-proposed-supplementals-drones-ballistic-glass-crime-analyst-reclassification-and-new-fire-support-captain","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159748-67a964b9cb5b555577bc98b406825326/orig.mp4?Expires=1775597437&Signature=GSz3um5dbZaqjC7FQgWrGQEuKC-pODhw3nEyfZ3FD53irKREVnqkZ4qDJafiwbEDTZqaYC-XqyG2DPAzl4r7eTU4ex6zTwPOn1wA9oVkWEcNAwhQGC2rlhJxOmc2~ZHKkYcG33jCOc4vmzAYmdLG~i3bIcc0Hm~IkBilKVraJV0OfPKm--mHwb89IZ72yZAXHk4PbFuxpwM1WeXL5obRyZwx-ne~UEQhxAxqdJW-BGRJ8BLO1DyOqk5NEQDe7auszvqIUqV4VtOSgqg9utUrPrue1DNegCc6j5f3ckwtXkh8atQSKpA~hdfKS9FkHTotu5rVrvBdPxEMMUlG0y0eUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Tomball, TX","date","2025-07-22T13:12:13Z","article","Lede: Tomball staff described a set of proposed supplementals for FY26 that include new operational equipment and personnel changes intended to support public safety, records and parks operations.

Nut graf: Staff grouped supplementals into one-time and recurring costs and emphasized prioritization of needs over \"nice-to-have\" items. Several public-safety items were highlighted as high priority by staff and council members during discussion.

Body: The police chief described the city's drone program and requested new mapping software that would automate drone-derived mapping and improve scene-reconstruction accuracy; the chief said the software would make investigations faster and more precise: \"This new software ... would instead of officers having to fly a drone and then plot points, by hand, this this drone does it, automatically down to the millimeter.\" Staff said the recurring maintenance cost for drone software would move into the base budget if the supplemental is approved.

Another public-safety supplemental seeks ballistic windshield and driver-door armor panels for patrol vehicles. Staff described the panels as a one-time equipment request to improve officer safety when exiting vehicles. The police chief discussed prior, local incidents and defended the measure as a \"force multiplier\" for officer safety.

The police department also asked to reclassify a jailer position to a crime analyst; staff said the reclassification would better support real-time crime mapping, social-media and intelligence analysis, and detective support. The salary difference between a jailer and a crime analyst was shown as approximately $20,100 in the presentation.

Fire staff proposed a new full-time \"captain of support services\" position to manage training, logistics and apparatus maintenance scheduling. Fire presenters said training hours and equipment logistics have increased substantially and that dedicated supervision would improve certification tracking, equipment maintenance scheduling and preventative maintenance decisions for heavy apparatus.

The parks department requested two park-servicemen positions and a zero-turn mower to help maintain restrooms, landscape beds and turf at parks and event sites; staff said higher event turnout and more facilities increased the maintenance workload.

Ending: Staff emphasized that most supplemental requests are targeted to essential functions rather than discretionary programs; council will consider the supplementals in the next meeting and at the formal budget hearings. No votes were taken at the workshop.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special City Council Workshop July 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Tomball staff described a set of proposed supplementals for FY26 that include new operational equipment and personnel changes intended to support public safety, records and parks operations.","taxTitle","Tomball, Harris County, Texas","taxId",64481,"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},6159743,"Library staff brief council on growing historical-archives digitization need and estimated costs",422,4785000,5207000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452708-b7c91c6c6c3c8b5ec1a4f51147307470&start=4785&end=5207","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452708-b7c91c6c6c3c8b5ec1a4f51147307470/thumbnail_4785000.jpg","/articles/6159743/Tomball/Harris-County/Texas/Library-staff-brief-council-on-growing-historical-archives-digitization-need-and-estimated-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159743-d0f47ee5f7be99dd47fd1993a1115c78/orig.mp4?Expires=1775597437&Signature=CtPC36CXPRc2Pnrl04twuA9QrC5C0AVHgvH2G3d5fG2HE1G5eRySrif2l2utC7zZ01qq8DzijtrwBsGUcAV5bYxIzp118BF37RNqfxcsHxGxGdHSAMNitTZLXWP20sD~SsOMy6FoYTbpDUnz7jKbElhGijbgIOO1IFQJoMPU4~m5w1cay5FmgplsO53LDl1vDb4roVs9nvg7Rf5RRyOF8N1Y7KbR4YasnMe3C6xarNifFwnvrsd78fYR8fQ3JBaEVjDmGnuPinubsbhDkk90f8ceV484C-jJKpDcT9fJ3C3N6C1nC4c5Yn43o-QzAlBk7fZMnxMAv4y0oWtEq9Yo6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lede: Staff told council there is strong public interest in the city's historical collections and that current storage and handling practices limit public access; staff proposed a larger digitization project than originally budgeted, including a higher-cost overhead scanner and ongoing staffing.

Nut graf: The city's initial plan to start scanning with a $40,000 appropriation for part-time labor and equipment has evolved after public demand and technical review. Staff said the newspapers and other fragile records require an overhead scanner and associated software to capture materials without damage, and that the scope has grown toward a full-time position plus equipment and software.

Body: Thomas and library staff described that the historical room has newspapers, city records and fragile items that residents want to access; there is currently one part-time staffer and materials are shelved but not digitized. Staff said the originally budgeted $40,000 would pay for a part-time position and basic equipment but that realized needs point toward an overhead scanner costing roughly $70,000 plus software and a potential full-time archivist with benefits, which would create ongoing costs.

Council members and staff discussed whether hotel-occupancy-tax (HOT) funds could be used. Staff clarified HOT expenditures must meet a two-part test (encourage hotel stays and be for an approved tourism-related purpose) and that archival digitization of documents would not meet the \"encourage hotel stays\" test, even if the site drew researchers. Staff said HOT funds typically support historic-site preservation that directly promotes tourism, not general document digitization.

Staff said there is leftover appropriation from the prior archival line (about $2,024,000 remaining in that appropriation line per staff comment) that could be rolled into program start-up, and that the item was not yet included among the FY26 supplementals. Staff proposed further discussion and a detailed cost estimate before requesting a full-time position in a future budget.

Ending: Council asked staff to prepare a clear scope and cost estimate for the digitization program, including equipment specifications and a timeline, and to return with recommendations for funding sources and whether a part-time or full-time position is appropriate.","Staff told council there is strong public interest in the city's historical collections and that current storage and handling practices limit public access; staff proposed a larger digitization project than originally budgeted, including a higher-cost overhead scanner and ongoing staffing.",{"_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},6159738,"Tomball EDC launches feasibility study for First Baptist redevelopment; parking and land buys highlighted",410,6853000,7263000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452708-b7c91c6c6c3c8b5ec1a4f51147307470&start=6853&end=7263","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452708-b7c91c6c6c3c8b5ec1a4f51147307470/thumbnail_6853000.jpg","/articles/6159738/Tomball/Harris-County/Texas/Tomball-EDC-launches-feasibility-study-for-First-Baptist-redevelopment-parking-and-land-buys-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159738-e088d9879c953d1e833a67412bcd66f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775597437&Signature=eKtfNd4C21ydO11ZuriNbnMmh7VLMkaMhD9uM2gX0sTDcmuQs12HXzcwm2KTr02xf6iJVaYw2VJVDZX97OvJgFYbk5C03q3X-ZfUeCP8vre5dLmi9UoK1lN3Wkz5P7Sm4MM9kooSDzY8NGDZg5GbxWKqOVrFlyMJKQosAQzKZIOqjh9sMGAOvM09vswaRZzRfROzTMljVMQcoHNIc5JORKekS~4tBbNMmwHYKzB2WLj0oq0f7pFv0zm04p6JhYJdsPyzWO0rLyFxzKRl2QYFEcmha671BiY757cAfnqXjTF7xTMEKbiJ8pFDK7LAKzowj75ar8lM4dq6Wo4CpoUKow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lede: Tomball's Economic Development Corporation staff reported that the initial public meeting on the First Baptist Church redevelopment drew substantial interest, that the EDC board approved a feasibility study, and that the EDC is under contract to buy two nearby parcels intended to support downtown redevelopment and stormwater detention needs.

Nut graf: The EDC update linked the downtown redevelopment effort to a concurrent parking and mobility study. Staff said purchases of about 16.25 and 29.5 acres near the South Live Oak Business Park are intended to provide land for parking and detention basins to support planned capital projects such as Persimmon.

Body: Kelly, representing the EDC, said the First Baptist public meeting had strong turnout and that staff had received roughly 100 written comments; the submissions are being transcribed and summarized. The EDC board voted to approve a feasibility study to be led by a consulting firm (Web Management), with a proposed kickoff in August and an anticipated joint EDC-council meeting to present findings and collect council questions.

Kelly told council the EDC is under contract for two parcels: a 16.25-acre tract priced at $1,915,000 (about $2.70/sf) and a 29.5-acre tract priced at $2,420,000 (about $1.88/sf). Staff said the larger tract near the south project could provide detention-basin area that would reduce the city's need for additional land acquisition to support Persimmon and other drainage projects.

Kelly also reported early-stage work on a downtown parking and mobility study and stakeholder meetings to evaluate parking counts, shared parking opportunities and activity generators in old-town Tomball.

Ending: The EDC intends to present the feasibility study publicly and to coordinate with council and other boards on downtown parking and mobility planning; staff flagged the potential for grant funding to support broader transportation or circulator studies.","At the council workshop the Economic Development Corporation reported public turnout for an initial First Baptist Church redevelopment meeting and said the EDC has authorized a feasibility study and is pursuing nearby land purchases to support downtown redevelopment and detention needs tied to capital projects.",{"_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},6159754,"Tomball proposes utility rate changes: 3% water base increases, 20% wastewater hike, gas held flat",2105,1902000,4007000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452708-b7c91c6c6c3c8b5ec1a4f51147307470&start=1902&end=4007","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452708-b7c91c6c6c3c8b5ec1a4f51147307470/thumbnail_1902000.jpg","/articles/6159754/Tomball/Harris-County/Texas/Tomball-proposes-utility-rate-changes-3-water-base-increases-20-wastewater-hike-gas-held-flat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159754-17078a71bbed7798058ca75241f053a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775597437&Signature=FMtzEnEZt6AxqpHFUQQmW5wUVOLKfLi3Wn533~drcPW5m9T~wbPmuxUCGmuIT55IlsMgMd~M7NNtrQNiqWAaezIWYn-ffu6MVOBVZESTckZwE10dRo2tknH4V0~TjUGHkl~hIMT0HTSleu0XzJl5fxWYE~1r7Wz71gUdfFOFM07QzOuLW1T~0x7AhVbrZ9yNVeQhPsF~XfZcl3sCQf8knJ6YdwywQkNI0eRw8ujUZX1d~5xOzEMJEK8bTOXBkoI2kSRbCbnJHTKbMcyTq3cJm65OfqEBIwidyAdiqUt1sQWUnm4q9WhAMKE~DUfB893ccfCQBYqSH40-Nbcxd4bNPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lede: Tomball staff said the enterprise fund remains healthy but wetter weather cut water sales this year, and presented a utility rate plan that includes 3% increases for water base charges and a 20% increase for wastewater rates.

Nut graf: Staff described enterprise revenue volatility tied to weather-driven water demand, explained that the city's utility-rate study programs wastewater and solid-waste adjustments, and said utility contributions to debt service are part of the longer-term financing plan for capital projects.

Body: Presenting enterprise fund assumptions, David said staff budget conservatively for a wet year and noted current-year water sales were down: \"About $900,000 less than anticipated revenues this year,\" which staff said was partially offset because regional pumpage fees are paid on volume pumped.

Staff asked the council to consider a utility-rate plan that would raise water base charges by about 3% across consumption tiers and increase wastewater by about 20%. The solid-waste contract includes a 5% contracted increase, staff said. Natural gas retail rates are proposed to remain flat; staff explained the city's purchase cost (around $4.75 to $5 per MCF in the presentation) still leaves room to hold customer prices steady.

Council members asked how North Harris County Regional Water Authority costs and surface-water tie-ins will affect the city; staff said the authority has signaled future increases and that any surface-water purchase would materially raise regional costs. Staff also said the utility fund is expected to begin participating in debt service in FY26, which is one reason utility-rate increases are in the plan.

Ending: Staff recommended the council adopt the utility-rate changes as part of the FY26 proposal and return for the formal rate-adoption and budget hearings in August. No formal action was taken at the workshop.","City staff told council the enterprise (utility) fund has healthy reserves but noted a wet year reduced water sales. To maintain infrastructure programs and to begin contributing to debt service, staff proposed a 3% residential water increase and a 20% wastewater increase; natural gas rates were proposed to remain unchanged.",{"_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},6159756,"Tomball staff present FY2026 budget showing effectively flat tax rate after EDC aid",1224,1403000,2627000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452708-b7c91c6c6c3c8b5ec1a4f51147307470&start=1403&end=2627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452708-b7c91c6c6c3c8b5ec1a4f51147307470/thumbnail_1403000.jpg","/articles/6159756/Tomball/Harris-County/Texas/Tomball-staff-present-FY2026-budget-showing-effectively-flat-tax-rate-after-EDC-aid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159756-04b750076b86bcf513dbc0ff8a5e0967/orig.mp4?Expires=1775597437&Signature=eVScYJMHsMDiAd~ab6365fjuNSLQ7KnjFqfbKYkLAxNiuWdWmcX42VYdK8RT7S1vxxfzCVOyQa8apcswvYcjPDGUH6VgGam6nkEUU~HPSNquk8EAXzKJ7SVyOAQJtL6B8axia9nij5jKNfBcYxBSqLoGrpMrpb3OM~ROUu6ZbvQma62W0fgltslyNrlR9kqTmOjxsZXf4IKh46vZ5RMiVzTLZVHuszjfF-Qob5yLTvrSrwZWyGOmdDbdW0bvR2MJ6O-VtiXJGmrXqagFVpJ4NU~X59VMdfMo58LzOfw4auC5-sasMrbYr6FNJA-B4FRtoJbfzlCgGutRR6XwMdpp4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lede: At a Tomball City Council budget workshop, city staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget and said the adopted tax rate would be essentially unchanged from the current year when the EDC contribution and debt plan are included.

Nut graf: The presentation showed fiscal 2025 revenues running ahead of estimates and projected reserves well above policy levels. Staff said the combination of a conservative revenue forecast, an additional $1.5 million EDC contribution in the current cycle plus a proposed $500,000 follow-up contribution, and staggered debt issuances will allow the city to fund major capital projects while mitigating upward pressure on the tax rate.

Body: David, a staff member presenting the budget, said the city's fiscal 2025 revenues \"are coming in about almost $2,000,000\" above budget and that the general fund is projected to end the year near 78% of reserves, well above the council's 25% policy. He told councilors the staff issued $30,000,000 in debt this year and is planning additional issuances of $30,000,000 in fiscal 2026 and another $30,000,000 in 2027 to fund the capital improvement program.

On slide summary figures, the FY2025 actual tax rate was shown as 0.336365 and the proposed FY2026 rate as 0.334356; David summarized that as: \"so, basically, I would look at it as we're maintaining the tax rate flat.\" He added that those calculations assumed a 6% growth in the tax base in the coming year and an assumed interest rate of 4.5%. The presentation also included a planned EDC contribution to debt service, described as a $1.5 million first-year amount and an additional $500,000 contribution that staff has discussed with EDC staff and expects the EDC board to consider.

Council members asked how the EDC contribution was reflected in the calculation; David confirmed the TDC/TEDC requests on the slide were included in the proposed budget and tax-rate calculation. Staff also pointed out that because bond payments often begin part way through a fiscal year, new issuances can produce only partial-year debt service in the first year.

Ending: Staff said certified values on July 25 will prompt a recalculation, and council scheduled a follow-up workshop on Wednesday to complete questions. No council vote was taken at the workshop; staff presented the proposal for council direction and later formal hearings and adoption in August.

","City staff told the Tomball City Council in a July budget workshop that general fund revenues are stronger than projected and that the proposed fiscal 2026 budget holds the city's tax rate essentially flat, helped by an Economic Development Corporation (EDC) contribution and planned debt issuance to fund capital projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears proposed supplementals: drones, ballistic glass, crime analyst reclassification and new fire support captain

Library staff brief council on growing historical-archives digitization need and estimated costs

Tomball EDC launches feasibility study for First Baptist redevelopment; parking and land buys highlighted

Tomball proposes utility rate changes: 3% water base increases, 20% wastewater hike, gas held flat

Tomball staff present FY2026 budget showing effectively flat tax rate after EDC aid