[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6149941,"mediaKeyId","5509193-cc4099fe4af623b7ee95b0eb3d0dbf31","parentId",5509193,"title","Commissioners order Nov. 4, 2025 constitutional amendment election; early-voting site moved to Holy Spirit Episcopal","audioSeconds",112,"startMs",1025000,"endMs",1137000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5509193-cc4099fe4af623b7ee95b0eb3d0dbf31&start=1025&end=1137","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5509193-cc4099fe4af623b7ee95b0eb3d0dbf31/thumbnail_1025000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6149941/McLennan-County/Texas/Commissioners-order-Nov-4-2025-constitutional-amendment-election-early-voting-site-moved-to-Holy-Spirit-Episcopal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149941-8bc16d56b1409e2261545bbf1da67d71/orig.mp4?Expires=1775166190&Signature=MhXEEGsy7W-7ZsUu1U6ZXKa0mxQl2m83jyt6lQLliuDsc4kXvQVVcPruT7OY28UH1ojk4BRm08h3rNwWPw0kIeOt7m8VHp9yeOhtIcQdQI8DG9Aeg1xzBv6Vrau8kofzrbjPIm9Iw1NWs~NhV7JQ0RFcqYrC84pBisvs99ZfaA1KEyGwHyXz6ojUgrpVojJ5OSU6qupute0Jpnwympt5jNlqHTmLY2owLfuFMCgW~RxiFZYq9Z695ygp~x45dKJ97-AGshX1ogW6A4CnDkByQsdbgji7oaxcaB4JNQe~SjEwpcJslJdbEvfv3ROnVsdt4r3HDutqld6eEhKkIMiPHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","McLennan County, Texas","date","2025-07-30T20:03:55Z","article","The Commissioners Court on July 29 authorized the order for the Nov. 4, 2025 Texas constitutional amendment special election and set early-voting dates, times and locations. Jared, the county elections official, told the court that the Secretary of State-directed early-voting changes in a new state law technically take effect Sept. 1 but the Secretary of State will issue implementation guidance to counties, so early voting for the November election will be held under the existing calendar for now.

The elections office reported that First Assembly of God, a regular early-voting location, was not available for this election; staff had contacted West Waco Library (often a backup) but the library has a genealogy meeting during early voting. Jared said Holy Spirit Episcopal Church (located behind the Target) agreed to host early voting for this election.

Why it matters: The court’s order starts the administrative process to hold the constitutional amendment election and clarifies early-voting logistics for voters. Jared said that other cities and school districts may call their elections and that the county will coordinate ballots accordingly.

Action: The court approved the election order by motion and set the associated early-voting plans in the record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners' Court 7 29 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The court authorized the Nov. 4, 2025 Texas constitutional amendment special election and confirmed early-voting locations after the usual early site (First Assembly of God) declined for this cycle; early voting will use Holy Spirit Episcopal Church behind Target as a replacement site.","taxTitle","taxId",2712,"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":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6149947,"County outlines courthouse relief plan tied to purchase of 20 Fifth Street building",292,614000,906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5509193-cc4099fe4af623b7ee95b0eb3d0dbf31&start=614&end=906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5509193-cc4099fe4af623b7ee95b0eb3d0dbf31/thumbnail_614000.jpg","/articles/6149947/McLennan-County/Texas/County-outlines-courthouse-relief-plan-tied-to-purchase-of-20-Fifth-Street-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149947-8b4899425435e1107448d21ada975f4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775166190&Signature=fdi2Xipi8yDSWWcCxYxU5Ru9puf6xW0Nw5c7ldQ9Kl-1BnxKNQ~oApWSB5vTmDAXZXzNYals4lisrFokIu~vtsu7CAHKKuZ~TJc158j1mXsNSKTWDzutHR143edwN-s-DhNzGMehu~OIEJdxlvK6vkL~6pTNV3xcTSHnbWvJ1TbCDrACnLz7Ji1zDU-bkO2tpBKPR~CAZ8y9cVoYTMekE01KMVpocViRgfgrF1F5ss6JLKsHoHst6FnUHwFFVxBB92M8MBREsojAlJ5lUMzCkp-ucVJVnbvCeANCNc7ry1Bjok3hB2u-P8I8Y-u2xFiRc8wsTca6eWQmZumT6LyeZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff told the Commissioners Court on July 29 that the planned purchase of 20 Fifth Street would relieve severe space constraints in the historic Records Building and the courthouse. Staff said the auditor’s office and health services would move to 20 Fifth Street immediately after acquisition; that would free space in the Records Building for engineering, allow expansion of the tax office on the first floor and provide swing space for a later annex/justice center renovation.

Why it matters: County officials described the courthouse as “busting at the seams,” with departments working in cramped configurations. Staff said the 20 Fifth Street acquisition would create immediate relief and swing space needed for phase-two construction at the justice center, currently projected to finish in February 2027. The plan contemplates additional future moves (HR relocation possibilities and expanded elections space) tied to the justice-center schedule.

Discussion and action: Commissioners praised the space-committee plan and, by motion, approved the recommended moves — including relocating engineering into the former auditor space in the basement and allowing the tax office first-floor expansion — so staff could begin planning and budgeting. Staff said specific phasing would be coordinated with the justice-center timeline and that final moves would follow physical-completion milestones.

Speakers: TJ Jackson and Dustin (space committee/county facilities) presented the plan; Judge Hensley and other commissioners asked questions about timing and implementation details. Staff noted estimated justice-center completion in February 2027 as a key milestone for the broader courthouse transition.","County staff described a space plan that would relocate the auditor’s office and health services to a purchased building at 20 Fifth Street, freeing space in the Records Building and enabling departmental shifts tied to the new justice center project.",{"_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":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6149951,"Court tentatively funds law-enforcement step-pay increase and FTO pay; constable adjustments included",2266,10603000,12869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5509193-cc4099fe4af623b7ee95b0eb3d0dbf31&start=10603&end=12869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5509193-cc4099fe4af623b7ee95b0eb3d0dbf31/thumbnail_10603000.jpg","/articles/6149951/McLennan-County/Texas/Court-tentatively-funds-law-enforcement-step-pay-increase-and-FTO-pay-constable-adjustments-included","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149951-35e4d0565532f857cf6bedd6964afecb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775166190&Signature=E1XfMvtmw6d8PS-w~Q-URrTPxDJ2ZP1EBsWvaJg4F58tvt-tPGKlF4rGWU8d0XOmXZpWbsjJ0lK7~t4mFrpoYyqKrHLJdnY8sdyBVP86osAlAVon7fiLaHCfdm-rgaZT4B1LyS1kCOfod803703dwGcSCwQYBn33y6u8~9LnIKjR1q2s~eZ2rtI2Fv0C8GqwN8BjnPAZ1JsggY8zf1~4XZ1pcquMxVodoxOz7LnM3wKjKsbG~gKE-fMBihNwEY3iEeUiEAtDVkdGGBRiqV83Bo67LKTLGeJjfYhlh4-8jwbh6EqbOLG~ECJ7tCbEocdx88CJ51XqbHc2A2BPx9x~Eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McLennan County’s human-resources office returned July 29 with options to adjust the sheriff’s step-pay structure and related law-enforcement pay scales. HR said the court had earlier set aside roughly $1.7 million to address step-pay needs; HR presented scenarios that applied a flat percentage increase across step levels and explained how any change would also affect constable pay and elected constable salaries.

After discussion, commissioners directed staff to include a 4.72% adjustment to the sheriff’s step-pay structure and to include funding for an FTO/JTO pay supplement (HUB/HR presentations and the sheriff’s office discussed a $34k–$50k range; the court allocated $50,000 in the proposed budget scenario) . HR also presented the cost of making proportional adjustments to constable deputy and elected-constable pay; staff incorporated approximately $92,000 (rounded figures discussed in the meeting) in constable-related adjustments into the proposed budget scenario.

Why it matters: County HR and sheriff’s office witnesses said the step increase would narrow a gap between existing pay and market averages identified in the county’s compensation study, and the FTO pay aims to compensate officers who provide on-the-job training for recruits and newly promoted staff. HR cautioned that changing the law-enforcement structure could prompt requests from other offices with similar positions and that any policy to raise pay for incumbents based on experience would need systemwide review.

What the court decided: Commissioners agreed to the middle-ground package at the July 29 meeting and asked HR and the auditor’s office to reflect the changes in the proposed FY2026 budget. Court members also asked for a review of the compensation survey and the method for applying experience-based increases to avoid unintended, countywide reclassification costs.

Speakers and sourcing: HR presented numerical scenarios; sheriff’s office representatives described the operational value of FTO pay and training modernization. Commissioners discussed budget trade-offs and asked staff to return with implementation details in advance of final adoption.","After months of review, county HR presented step-pay options for the sheriff’s office. The court tentatively included a 4.72% adjustment to the sheriff’s step structure, approximately $50,000 for a field-training-officer (FTO) supplement, and additional adjustments for constable pay in the proposed FY2026 budget.",{"_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":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6149956,"HUB presents finalists; Commissioners approve award to Cigna (TPA/pharmacy) and Standard (life/disability)",2261,1879000,4140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5509193-cc4099fe4af623b7ee95b0eb3d0dbf31&start=1879&end=4140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5509193-cc4099fe4af623b7ee95b0eb3d0dbf31/thumbnail_1879000.jpg","/articles/6149956/McLennan-County/Texas/HUB-presents-finalists-Commissioners-approve-award-to-Cigna-TPApharmacy-and-Standard-lifedisability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149956-cc1aadfaa6753ec38493d53e34c25ea3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775166190&Signature=C4x2eOHrRb8uLvBjOXF3bGYNbhSfd9t9wLMucK4y7~2~5EzA4ttsZYZjqE6mYqtFORR-pW-6AeyRgyZI~JgJbCMH2d6W-~9VhCOt0f-3zw5YGQpjHLHsqnB-O3sDwbkDpFqvel~OUj0S42Tk~II1j8YQd~iDPE5HF7qOc4cyXC21-d86hgzmdFhvLexs9F1ctXnGQDbwcFmqR2rNKBTt~FmNF0n30oVivE7tyXxCAH9c7y8It7TenHt74pOeqt3MMyo3xCoX-1Tc5f1adH09W-27V0fK3yyfzQNTOE-LooZ9K3bW2EPiu6lW1pSjqk024uH~XwxO32HIwzpG57f24A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HUB International on July 29 presented final offers for McLennan County’s employee benefits procurement (RFP 25-008). After finalist presentations from UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, MetLife and Standard, the court accepted HUB’s recommendation to award third-party administrator/administrative services and pharmacy benefit management to Cigna and to award basic and voluntary life and disability insurance to Standard Insurance Company.

Why it matters: County staff and HUB said the Cigna offer included a $135,000 administrative fee holiday in year one, a $75,000 technology credit to offset the cost of benefits-administration software, additional wellness funds, a proposed on-site Cigna navigator and a “personal health team” for employees with complex chronic conditions. Cigna proposed paying pharmacy rebates twice a year (Jan. 1 and July 1) with an annual reconciliation; HUB said Cigna’s offer reduced the county’s projected 2026 shortfall compared with staying with the incumbent plan.

HUB and county HR contrasted the finalists. UnitedHealthcare, the incumbent, proposed network continuity and an administrative approach that includes a per-employee-per-month pharmacy credit against administrative fees; HUB said UnitedHealthcare’s proposal retained any rebates earned above the credit. HUB staff said the county’s financial projection showed a large 2026 deficit under UnitedHealthcare’s best-and-final offer and a substantially smaller projected shortfall under the Cigna proposal.

HUB summarized evaluators’ scoring, which weighed price, the county’s needs as described in the RFP, vendor reputation, reporting capabilities and the quality of the written response and finalist presentations. HUB and county purchasing recommended Cigna for TPA, pharmacy and related services and recommended Standard Insurance Company for basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, voluntary life and short- and long-term disability. Purchasing brought the recommendation to the court for approval. The court voted to accept the recommendation and award the contracts as presented.

What the county said about implementation: HR and HUB said implementation work would include a detailed transition plan, provider-network disruption analysis and an employee pre-enrollment help line. HUB said it would lead implementation steps to identify potential provider disruptions and work with the chosen vendor to request in-network status for locally used providers if needed.

Speakers and sourcing: The presentation was led by Ty Petty and Liz Bebo of HUB International; Ken Bash, the county purchasing director, summarized the recommendation to the court. The court approved the award and accepted HUB’s presentation for the record.","HUB International presented finalist bids for the county’s employee benefits RFP; the court accepted HUB’s recommendation to award TPA/ASO, pharmacy and stop-loss services to Cigna and life/disability contracts to Standard Insurance Company.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6149961,"McLennan County court sets proposed FY2026 tax rate at $0.339805, schedules public hearings",6926,5545000,12471000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5509193-cc4099fe4af623b7ee95b0eb3d0dbf31&start=5545&end=12471","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5509193-cc4099fe4af623b7ee95b0eb3d0dbf31/thumbnail_5545000.jpg","/articles/6149961/McLennan-County/Texas/McLennan-County-court-sets-proposed-FY2026-tax-rate-at-0339805-schedules-public-hearings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149961-b8c37ea0d5639646d0aad994b52b00d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775166190&Signature=kG9nKiiw60xLafI04itZ7xsVpWoSUrn1MfrXkAqYzoBv-~yOjFqq6zGOUH-cElOv-w3dz3Yx~RoZ0yKVLo9~zfW1-51-dS4iRNHQj4u9pYdv38rUYr23gyP8sH6meAO4ubTmVhXp0hdbmze-mYPnucxJNahstadEba~d3bF0OByx~2VynGOPLRqQe1YR4xB7MYvA3RlLARqyvie5XbhBB75p-2wxqwIL0vLOx7JOx5R7UbhLxT5a9sH4BsPeL3K67Kx7gUhjBsbUbzNbc8typRBXwTVsSENEN7ai42Sa8rJPjqWcK1~IjtjySfnMRA2kex9ObZFVoQulTm4y9k93Lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McLennan County Commissioners Court voted July 29 to propose a 2025 tax rate of $0.339805 — made up of $0.310956 for maintenance and operations and $0.028849 for interest and sinking — and scheduled public hearings on the tax rate and the proposed FY2026 budget. The court set the public hearing on the tax rate for Aug. 19 at 5:30 p.m. and the budget hearing and adoption for Aug. 26 at 9 a.m. in the county courtroom.

The proposed rate was approved in a recorded vote, 3–2: Commissioner Smith, Judge Fulton and Commissioner Perry voted aye; Commissioner Wilson and Commissioner Jones voted nay. The court’s action allows commissioners to lower the tax rate between the proposal and final adoption but not to raise it.

Why it matters: County officials said the rate and the proposed budget reflect updated revenue estimates, certified property values and a package of personnel and program choices commissioners weighed during a weeks-long budget process. County staff noted certified values came in lower than the team had earlier estimated, which reduced projected ad valorem revenue by roughly $2.4 million compared with the prior projection; staff also reported updated revenue and expenditure projections that tightened the fiscal picture.

Court staff and department heads walked commissioners through scenarios for maintaining the county’s fund-balance policy while covering planned operating costs and several high-priority personnel and program items. Commissioners discussed a range of options — including a 1.5-cent increase, a 2-cent increase and keeping the rate unchanged — before agreeing on the proposed $0.339805 rate as the working number to publish.

During the discussion, staff noted a planning assumption that the county could end FY2026 modestly under budget (a 3 percent underspend was shown in planning scenarios). Officials said that assumption would improve the county’s ending fund balance and make it easier to absorb some new items included in the proposed budget; they warned it is an assumption, not a guarantee.

The court also directed staff to continue working with department heads and elected officials to try to reduce the proposed rate before final adoption on Aug. 26. Pending items in the budget discussion included the county’s projected health-plan shortfall and several priority personnel additions that commissioners asked staff to hold or prioritize for final decisions.

What happened next: The court ordered that the proposed FY2026 budget be filed for public inspection and set the formal public comment dates required by state law; the public hearing on the tax rate will be Aug. 19 at 5:30 p.m., and adoption is scheduled for Aug. 26 at 9 a.m.

The court’s vote on the proposed rate was the only recorded roll-call vote taken specifically on the tax rate during the session.","McLennan County Commissioners Court on July 29 proposed a fiscal year 2026 tax rate of $0.339805 (0.310956 M&O; 0.028849 I&S), set public hearings and filed a proposed budget while leaving room to lower the rate before final adoption.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners order Nov. 4, 2025 constitutional amendment election; early-voting site moved to Holy Spirit Episcopal

County outlines courthouse relief plan tied to purchase of 20 Fifth Street building

Court tentatively funds law-enforcement step-pay increase and FTO pay; constable adjustments included

HUB presents finalists; Commissioners approve award to Cigna (TPA/pharmacy) and Standard (life/disability)

McLennan County court sets proposed FY2026 tax rate at $0.339805, schedules public hearings