[{"_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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6751899,"mediaKeyId","5569020-b0f05bab7334665ead5c35b54bf31100","parentId",5569020,"title","Williamson County delays across‑the‑board raise; approves targeted hires and sets aside $500,000 for regional water study","audioSeconds",3742,"startMs",797000,"endMs",4539000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5569020-b0f05bab7334665ead5c35b54bf31100&start=797&end=4539","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5569020-b0f05bab7334665ead5c35b54bf31100/thumbnail_797000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6751899/Williamson-County/Texas/Williamson-County-delays-acrosstheboard-raise-approves-targeted-hires-and-sets-aside-500000-for-regional-water-study","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6751899-11d7bb7b24f7862e60d883b7dffbbe15/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973604&Signature=Jhc4ed7VwmrSBg6FD916XEEFB0Ifa~k98C-glcLZxN1TKYcdnyMI4EMYP0huCqci2KfTkrdM-UmrIGiHabb0D4FhJ2DvVFaMmwjN0WIiUicDLfxow-Qhs2evxriqmDyizIPdsKJsrLmesIjdCNIFLXnll4HkhAW8zQpSxG11gHYtPOWRXu14ZtxFPrUjI9SxrgQ0CHhzzw207uj9cpdpFRS37iHJyOXZ0w42EZj5L~J2h1dTJW6WtfDJgxZYwAXkiK1AGzajUX7WuAU5DY2uvTJ5IH0JThU3udI-bk0Jdrrc6XRXutORJZ2OyKPEiagK37klhvT8PEVT1atNJiArXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Williamson","date","2025-08-12T00:00:00Z","article","Williamson County Commissioners on Monday paused consideration of a proposed 2% cost‑of‑living increase for civilian employees and asked staff to return next week with alternative options and more data.

“I'm perfectly happy with withdrawing my motion,” Commissioner Covey said during a long budget workshop discussion, after colleagues raised concerns that a flat 2% increase would disproportionately favor higher‑paid employees and might worsen pay compression. Commissioners asked Human Resources to provide targeted alternatives — including lump‑sum payments to lower‑paid workers — and to model budget impacts before a final vote.

While the court delayed a decision on a general COLA, members approved several personnel and budget changes tied to the FY2026 draft. The court voted 5–0 to add a Preparedness and Mitigation Specialist in the Office of Emergency Management, with commissioners instructing staff to reduce nonessential cubicle expenditures and identify space before hiring. Commissioners also approved an Information Technology criminal‑justice analyst post (funded by a $101,000 reduction in IT professional services) and added a ballot‑by‑mail coordinator to Elections for $67,150 (motion approved 4–1). A slot for Constable Precinct 1 was approved 4–1 to address an increased writs workload; commissioners noted the precinct’s eviction and writ volume justified additional staff.

“People need increases to their salaries,” Commissioner Cook said, arguing the county has given sizable cumulative raises over recent years and risks losing staff without action. Other commissioners stressed boots‑on‑the‑ground data and asked for additional modeling to show how a proposal would affect retirement and long‑term costs.

On capital planning, commissioners approved placing $500,000 into fund 409 to support a county‑led water supply study to develop a regional, long‑term (50‑year) water strategy in coordination with area cities and regional authorities. The court described the allocation as a reserve to be used after further scoping and partner commitments, not immediate construction funding; the motion to set the funds aside carried 5–0. Commissioners said the study would focus on whether and how Williamson County could coordinate city efforts, conservation and state resources, and explained that detailed scopes and partner agreements would return to the court for approval.

The court also approved several Road & Bridge planning items, including an additional $4 million for State Highway 95 corridor planning tied specifically to right‑of‑way and alignment work, and a $5 million increase in long‑range transportation planning (LRTP) funds. Commissioners and staff said the money is intended to finance engineering and corridor studies to protect future rights‑of‑way as development proceeds.

The court repeatedly emphasized that personnel changes approved at the workshop were tied to the draft budget and that final appropriations and pay policy updates would be considered in subsequent meetings after HR and budget staff deliver requested analyses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Williamson - Commissioners Court - Regular Session","oneSentenceSummary","Williamson County Commissioners on Monday paused consideration of a proposed 2% cost‑of‑living increase for civilian employees and asked staff to return next week with alternative options and more data.","taxTitle","Williamson County, Texas","taxId",2724,"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},6751884,"Commissioners authorize eminent‑domain actions for four roadway projects to secure right‑of‑way",181,3644000,3825000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5569020-b0f05bab7334665ead5c35b54bf31100&start=3644&end=3825","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5569020-b0f05bab7334665ead5c35b54bf31100/thumbnail_3644000.jpg","/articles/6751884/Williamson-County/Texas/Commissioners-authorize-eminentdomain-actions-for-four-roadway-projects-to-secure-rightofway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6751884-08c01164b84ee8f475d276d95d25e664/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973604&Signature=Nf~AWsalCXTR5TyulqaL6ezWslj~ooU3NsOPS29-pSrQRfNO2ARXCXzlPOr2b1YINBq-r9SV0NfJwiKM-8NX~nrKzpSgXOO95OLGgCB20rls6rtZLdrmD-qX5YdRQVpEl8071QvrZnEYSLLQN-6nyr1m9cndnPmE46Fk6ZxmeVnfx42C-YKylvqIeBh~C33c9JfNgRNzXsojd2RlCbQqU9cXHyAqmgER1suAr2oQRFOMP-skrb4xdxbfBiMzHUI5Tt2QRSOnMJqxnlcS~33MSGX4bYFyimt2aANcqNC4cSpk45piSBYVAf2yo3KjJ6oqkvzajRsNufAqnUTvs~pqoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williamson County Commissioners on Monday authorized the use of eminent domain to acquire property needed for multiple roadway projects.

Staff read the required language for each resolution and commissioners moved and approved authority to begin acquisition for parcels needed for construction and right‑of‑way. The court approved:

- A resolution authorizing acquisition of 0.515 acres from Centex Materials LLC for Ronald Reagan Boulevard Segment C (motion carried 5–0).
- A resolution to acquire 1.36 acres from Brandon and Sharon Bailey needed for County Road 110 North/Marvin Lewis Lane (motion carried 5–0).
- A resolution authorizing acquisition of 7.926 acres of right‑of‑way and several small easements needed for Seward Junction NE Loop (motion carried 5–0).
- A resolution authorizing acquisition of 2.681 acres from Joshua Lee Richards for County Road 110 North improvements on Olivia Court (motion carried 5–0).

Each motion was seconded and approved on a unanimous voice vote; staff described the parcels and project needs and confirmed staff would follow standard condemnation processes and provide required notifications to property owners.","The court approved four resolutions authorizing the use of eminent domain to acquire parcels needed for roadway projects on Ronald Reagan Boulevard, County Road 110 North (Marvin Lewis Lane and Olivia Court) and Seward Junction NE Loop. Each motion passed on voice votes (recorded as motions carried 5–0).",{"_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},6751889,"County approves Red Cross data‑use agreement and state mutual‑aid MOU to secure reimbursement for deployed responders",112,3500000,3612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5569020-b0f05bab7334665ead5c35b54bf31100&start=3500&end=3612","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5569020-b0f05bab7334665ead5c35b54bf31100/thumbnail_3500000.jpg","/articles/6751889/Williamson-County/Texas/County-approves-Red-Cross-datause-agreement-and-state-mutualaid-MOU-to-secure-reimbursement-for-deployed-responders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6751889-97bf653f68a52c28d17f24ef9df8fd4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973604&Signature=WxlnGbLoMvEF4rAQAaDcnlqjmd6fGRskk5jejwkDKgPAmF9-K1zSd-9qTLtrduEM98GN6XVZ-KsptisDlGYT6JapJBmFPhc5LTGFKdADhh8WVwIgbNKOwH9KgJuEUtmyeCAcKNFdh8JqBmo1vjns7QoJmeU8rMz3zAcKEjc-qa7JOdLwzVc36oWuRAGjcGzpgELfjwzRo1HVzpKSSBPhn9Zdlg~KrRNnGzMD5qiuRNH4letIPt1J4WIc71u3qZ43iA5Wf45aA1Y7Y1i9TxhcKTgFkTR7ihCfBsUmHi500SCPxPcOgOY0JucT5XAG9TMSq1T5QKwG7sBNFqiek6GZMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commissioners approved two items intended to strengthen post‑disaster coordination and reduce county costs when staff deploy to assist neighboring jurisdictions.

Bruce Clements, director of the Office of Emergency Management, described a data‑use agreement with the American Red Cross that allows the Red Cross to share registration information for disaster‑impacted residents with vetted county case managers so casework and long‑term recovery can be coordinated. \"No funding is involved. It's just a matter of us assuring them that we're gonna protect their data,\" Clements told the court. The motion to approve the data‑use agreement carried 5–0.

The court also unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Texas Division of Emergency Management to formalize participation in the Texas Emergency Management Assistance Teams (TMAT) program. The MOU allows Williamson County employees to serve alongside state teams (including Texas Task Force 1 and state incident management teams), places county personnel under the incident commander while deployed, and assures the county will be reimbursed for expenses and salaries for deployed staff. Bill Zito and other staff explained that current mutual‑aid practices often lack reimbursement; the MOU creates a path to state reimbursement and clarifies the command and reimbursement process.

Commissioners asked how deployments are currently authorized and how reimbursement is triggered; staff explained the county judge must consent to send assets and that the TMAT arrangement allows for reimbursement when a deployment exceeds typical mutual‑aid durations. The motion to approve the TMAT MOU passed 5–0.","Williamson County signed a data‑use agreement with the American Red Cross to enable case managers to follow up with registered residents after disasters, and approved a Texas Emergency Management Assistance Teams (TMAT) MOU that allows county personnel to deploy under TDEM incident command and be reimbursed. Both passed 5–0.",{"_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},6751894,"Commissioners reallocate $80,019 in 2025 HUD funds to Bluebonnet Trails for homeless prevention",82,3112000,3194000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5569020-b0f05bab7334665ead5c35b54bf31100&start=3112&end=3194","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5569020-b0f05bab7334665ead5c35b54bf31100/thumbnail_3112000.jpg","/articles/6751894/Williamson-County/Texas/Commissioners-reallocate-80019-in-2025-HUD-funds-to-Bluebonnet-Trails-for-homeless-prevention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6751894-0bb72c2c41b63f75b2c1c7ac53074f1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973604&Signature=Nmq9tbHyorcm74niBIsmhQMMYYUWdDihXg8EN5oeZD8OxRLDV-xRaLOYHUCPD9Uj3CTPUuc~2MJSArda4shKiXmPS316y0U2xK3c-dZk3beosZNtA1eVA8p~Xkqlgst7Nr1yOVtnSj6ATBZYwazy1FRUUkCW1OHwLkniFDXpphO-qaJTwNFq8SVRV7T2JafvcjdEGjhQ96lnsJMBAfDk~Vw8-GC-MrZ9MiaEiU5x1jUbEJr3l5TtAh5vQWply6z71x~08gMe8bCd8nVCUFcg~QxMFo1yGH3seToDhDqC2EuoVzitTTdsYOpMM5lY7bbzqVVEC80XDpzXBLtrdfMvkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williamson County Commissioners voted unanimously to move $80,019 within the county’s 2025 HUD annual action plan to support homeless prevention services provided by Bluebonnet Trails.

Sally Bardwell, who manages the county’s CDBG and ESG programs, told the court the exact amount — $80,019 — keeps the county within federal limits by capping administrative spending under 20% and using the social‑services allocation cap of 15%.

“That gives us the cap on the 15% of our annual allocation for social services,” Bardwell said, describing the accounting adjustment that reduces administration to $360,007 (about 16% of the allocation) and moves the identified amount to Bluebonnet Trails for homeless prevention work.

Commissioner Covey moved to reallocate the funds; Commissioner Bowles seconded. There was no additional debate and the motion carried 5–0.","The court approved a reallocation within the 2025 HUD Annual Action Plan, moving $80,019 from administrative lines to social services to fund homeless‑prevention work at Bluebonnet Trails. The change keeps administration below HUD caps and passed 5–0.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6751879,"Williamson County Fair & Rodeo schedules October events, highlights scholarships and youth entrepreneurship",0,1084000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5569020-b0f05bab7334665ead5c35b54bf31100&start=1084&end=1084","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5569020-b0f05bab7334665ead5c35b54bf31100/thumbnail_1084000.jpg","/articles/6751879/Williamson-County/Texas/Williamson-County-Fair-Rodeo-schedules-October-events-highlights-scholarships-and-youth-entrepreneurship","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6751879-c71ccf2d11d8be0e13029653cef0cf8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973604&Signature=F33B5fsxBLllAu6PfdSSBZTJ4Q5rvqOVf5TxO3-HwVojpspjn3FEgAsxmLnKV-H59ov9T7cSaRNtFdDjarlDx9di-5Ru2XUEqZ2iAwswHvsQbBApKNQwWjqMiV8VIlwgkUW5GeW9AVA4cGLJyBAgpRXqMEVGMLuImo0vs5vHnQbSrFPAtZ1Fja677r8Z2JB49EUP3uoJN8ZKyPh646LiJSyW~qLTeXndvgwqBiS-W1I5bxDGVu5rAvP2TfomKo~tWV2BY6y9gCq-v4U0gdLaVLaQ~fRBBznt4OksLdQ1JK5-ZYCHC1H0jOX8PvVPBEAlBS5bi1ayPh7njr8d-ya-Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County officials and ambassadors of the Williamson County Fair & Rodeo updated commissioners on the fifth season of the fair, which runs Oct. 22–25. Kelly Hernandez Host, chief of staff for Commissioner Bowles and the fair’s executive director, said the program has awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships across agricultural, non‑agricultural and technical categories since its inception.

Morgan Notgrass, the 2024 Wilco Fair Queen, and runners up Courtney Hall and Alexis Lazwell described outreach and ambassador activities; organizers said the fair will again feature staples such as rodeo performances, pig racing, a petting zoo, a vendor market and carnival rides. New elements this year include a children’s business fair (ages 4–17) and Saturday’s inaugural Bill Pickett Barbecue Cook‑Off featuring community public‑safety teams and service organizations.

Hernandez credited private sponsors, including the Neil Maxwell family of dealerships, and thanked the commissioners for ongoing support. Admission and event specifics will be posted at wilcowilcofair.com.","County staff and the inaugural Wilco Fair Queen presented the 2025 Williamson County Fair & Rodeo schedule, announced scholarship totals exceeding $50,000 over five years, and previewed new events including a children's business fair and a Bill Pickett Barbecue Cook‑Off.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Williamson County delays across‑the‑board raise; approves targeted hires and sets aside $500,000 for regional water study

Commissioners authorize eminent‑domain actions for four roadway projects to secure right‑of‑way

County approves Red Cross data‑use agreement and state mutual‑aid MOU to secure reimbursement for deployed responders

Commissioners reallocate $80,019 in 2025 HUD funds to Bluebonnet Trails for homeless prevention

Williamson County Fair & Rodeo schedules October events, highlights scholarships and youth entrepreneurship