[{"_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",6499768,"mediaKeyId","5576910-197e0927d252d4f3602d1310d562e04d","parentId",5576910,"title","Lubbock council amends impact-fee ordinance, sets roadway-impact fee and collection rate to zero after public debate","audioSeconds",1918,"startMs",9306000,"endMs",11224000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576910-197e0927d252d4f3602d1310d562e04d&start=9306&end=11224","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576910-197e0927d252d4f3602d1310d562e04d/thumbnail_9306000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6499768/Lubbock/Lubbock-County/Texas/Lubbock-council-amends-impact-fee-ordinance-sets-roadway-impact-fee-and-collection-rate-to-zero-after-public-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499768-98df58d77fda6f3fa6daa7e864e61372/orig.mp4?Expires=1775883935&Signature=dwvkC-WM0evSDTsU67PiQuNtW11Ap2Tooj0BqAq-IAEJeEMDRAPAX1FlQRQDjJuPJToJgfkuzVHF3h6QT0JJzBsscy~gBz6C8EsAtupTkWFwIMzofauTtT8eAB~35tQXxYXfmhoHtOq8RfQ64bsRZfwpcgVtJxOUm~zMsacUqXT5Wc2txjA804oBDwgnOGFHU2sJ2z1k48G~J~A342pb3TR7Fq2OyFRC8z84lPXPLxBj2gPh697eHXV3ppZ~UueKnC42YWYce1ZUllJxX2z64k4F0mKlW8OLiaPYd5pDmr1DTRtHuKP372IQUni7w2SYVtnQ7SH~oTISO-j1y14voA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lubbock","date","2025-08-13T16:54:34Z","article","LUBBOCK, Texas — After extended public comment from developers, small-business owners, builders and residents, the City Council voted Aug. 12 to amend the proposed roadway impact-fee ordinance and set the maximum roadway fee and the collection rate to $0.

What the council decided: Councilmember Tim Glasheen proposed the amendment to cap the maximum roadway impact fee for each service area at zero and to set the collection percentage at zero. After discussion and a roll-call, the motion passed 4'to'3. The council then approved the ordinance as amended.

Why it mattered: The impact-fee study the city completed earlier in the year recommended higher maximum fees to reflect updated cost models. Proponents of raising the fees argued the study reflected real construction costs and that impact fees are a predictable source of funding for certain roadway projects. Opponents said the fees act as an up-front, regressive cost on new homebuyers, small businesses and developers that can deter local development and make housing less affordable.

Public testimony: Dozens of speakers took the podium during the citizen-comment portion and at the public hearing for the item. Representatives of home builders and the Lubbock Chamber urged lowering or eliminating fees; developers and restaurants said impact fees can equal a large share of first-year rent or start-up costs. Speaking in favor of removing the fees, Matt McClendon said, \"Set impact fees at 0.\" Other speakers urged the council to rely on road bonds and other funding mechanisms rather than the impact-fee tool.

Council debate: Councilmembers split. Supporters of the amendment said Lubbock historically relied on bonds and developer agreements to fund major roads and that impact fees have produced modest revenue so far and can impose a heavy upfront cost that discourages growth. Opponents warned that eliminating the fee removes a dedicated funding mechanism the council can use in service areas and asked staff to ensure alternatives exist to finance planned projects.

Implementation note: Council and staff discussed that impact-fee proceeds already collected would remain committed to identified projects; staff also reviewed projects where fee revenues have been earmarked. Councilmembers asked for further staff follow-up on the practical implications for bond projects, budget timing and current project commitments.

Quote: \"Impact fees are not sustainable or a fair solution for Lubbock,\" said one commenter at the podium. \"Set impact fees at 0,\" said Matt McClendon during his remarks.

Outcome and next steps: The ordinance as amended passed on Aug. 12; staff will update project funding tables and report any technical changes required to implement the council's direction. Because the item was handled during the council meeting and amended on first consideration, staff said they would return with conforming ordinance language and implementation steps for council review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 081225","oneSentenceSummary","Following extensive public comment and council debate, the City Council on Aug. 12 amended the proposed roadway impact-fee ordinance to set the maximum roadway impact fee and the collection rate to $0 and approved the ordinance as amended.","taxTitle","Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas","taxId",2806,"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},6499773,"Lubbock council reviews FY2025-26 budget, tax-rate scenarios ahead of September votes",596,141000,737000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576910-197e0927d252d4f3602d1310d562e04d&start=141&end=737","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576910-197e0927d252d4f3602d1310d562e04d/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6499773/Lubbock/Lubbock-County/Texas/Lubbock-council-reviews-FY2025-26-budget-tax-rate-scenarios-ahead-of-September-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499773-9eaa69e5e9ee3b23b12a7ffaa3bc4390/orig.mp4?Expires=1775883935&Signature=huIFzNrXCo0gZiR5vebYn4TBeJh3l~BxkujdMWKLyRL8uGJZXgYNJLYxXH5KKXJ-lurYZYyiGE7jEvWIhNlw8BOmKUiKGn9kC~Cqu4tRXWQu3mE1tX52S6vzjWvg4eG3LpNhbcV0yaRlxu2heq5ELlFyZzZyF~-K811O5WNlal2zyUfV1GYQmhSMOolMy5wD6Sz3UpD-S2GC5Hhv6IyTkprj-0T0~5nKl0CjS7FZ6RcUcMxzHh6uFSWToJtOp2LrEiIpnwOeBXRPUf72j04TxRfxALKj--erhPEtUCIMLfxLeF~jofdPhKiUlVf7Sfp6jHT~2LkxU4D118wz6YNrSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LUBBOCK, Texas — City Manager Jarrett Atkinson briefed the City Council Aug. 12 on property-tax calculations underlying the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 operating budget, showing how different rate choices would change the maintenance-and-operations levy and the dollar variance available to the General Fund.

Atkinson told the council the new-no-revenue tax rate would produce an M&O rate of about 0.345378 (34.5378 cents per $100 of valuation) and said the resulting levy was in the neighborhood of \"81.1 million dollars,\" repeating that the council had previously levied and collected roughly $83 million but that returning to that total would be treated as a tax increase on paper. He also laid out the council's \"voter-approval\" rate (the statutory measure tied to the 3.5% net new money threshold) and the \"proposed\" tax-rate scenario tied to the budget presented last week.

Why it matters: the council must set a proposed maximum tax rate in public notice before later public hearings and final adoption. Atkinson warned the council the numbers presented are subject to change as staff refines tax-levy and value assumptions and reminded members the difference between a nominal rate change on paper and the actual dollars paid by taxpayers.

Most important details: Atkinson walked the council through three rate scenarios and the mechanics of Lubbock's unused increment — funds accumulated when past councils did not use their full 3.5% voter-approval allowance. He said the budget proposal discussed last week would rely on a modest portion of that increment (\"0.08 of a penny\" in Atkinson's example) rather than calling an election, and that using the increment does not directly raise a property owner's bill beyond the voter-approval trigger.

Council follow-up: Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about how the levy figures were calculated and how the $1.9 million shortfall mentioned in Atkinson's presentation affected variance numbers. Atkinson emphasized the council would take no final action on rates at the Aug. 12 meeting and that the next step is the statutorily required public hearing and final votes in September.

Context and next steps: By law the council must publish a proposed maximum tax rate and hold public hearings before adopting a final rate. The council set a proposed maximum tax rate later in the meeting (Item 7.15), which will be subject to public hearing Sept. 2 and final adoption at subsequent meetings.

Quotes: \"So the new no new revenue tax rate is going to produce an M and O rate of 0.345378,\" City Manager Jarrett Atkinson said. \"That is where we start today.\" Atkinson later cautioned: \"No, we're not adopting anything today other than the maximum. But I'm just raising questions or trying to get answers to questions people will have.\"

Ending: The council's budget team said members will have more detailed levy and revenue figures ahead of the September public hearings. Councilmembers and staff urged residents to follow posted materials and attend the September sessions to comment on the proposed rates.","City Manager Jarrett Atkinson briefed the City Council Aug. 12 on property-tax options underlying the proposed fiscal year 2025'026 operating budget, including the no-new-revenue rate and the statutory voter-approval rate, but the council took no final action on a tax rate.",{"_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},6499758,"Council approves extension of community health worker program funded by state grant",350,3189000,3539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576910-197e0927d252d4f3602d1310d562e04d&start=3189&end=3539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576910-197e0927d252d4f3602d1310d562e04d/thumbnail_3189000.jpg","/articles/6499758/Lubbock/Lubbock-County/Texas/Council-approves-extension-of-community-health-worker-program-funded-by-state-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499758-c00bb737be2841012b1692ca67211e4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775883935&Signature=CV2rt44rE1CFXF0ZXZwGYYw1qlRuaPG34tRep2gx~YDhUvLpRFI6YZ1XjXLjJQHByWY8gz1BnNvWTSLUSW5ZiF85bCK6zZ2RNi2ESkoTiAyunVK--3wISB7GX1yBmNd7X9S9OezZsFlf0a28AXJVYZ-DpQI8Zp1rcsUtAMGsi8JxSuvY~dfIV8fFpAGPwztpd032bYOPaTW6-PlGzzNDrsKj5QfCI82bJnUPWQC7n8ck1IW2E6xc~FD~JXzT~SF5y32T~6KovNdv8qjPlroWmuOhMurT0mig3v9Vux22qbFVGdTnUUlVuHD~OSoW9yatrTz8JKCUddrDJvWCmNVs-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LUBBOCK, Texas — The City Council on Aug. 12 approved a renewal of a community health worker program run by the Lubbock Health Department, continuing federal- and state-funded outreach to individuals with substance-use disorder and related needs.

Grant details: Director of Public Health Doctor Wells told the council the grant from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is for approximately $464,000, supports five community-health-worker positions and covers program supplies such as naloxone. The program provides trained lay workers to perform outreach, help connect residents with treatment and social services, and provide limited assistance for immediate needs (for example, co-pays, work-related footwear or first-week sober-living costs). Wells said the program has been operating since 2020 and that the state typically funds these grants in multi-year cycles.

Match and administration: Councilmembers asked about the city match. Wells said the 5% match is largely in-kind: the department uses existing personnel time (for example, portions of an assistant director's salary), IT and other administrative support that the city already budgets. Wells said the state has indicated multi-year funding is likely when renewals are awarded.

Vote: The council approved the grant renewal by recorded vote; later in the meeting a separate motion to adopt the minutes and consent items passed unanimously where applicable.

Quote: \"This grant is for $464,000 from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. It employs 5 staff and it is primarily around working with individuals that have substance use disorder,\" Dr. Wells said.

Next steps: The program will continue operations under the Health Department; staff will track grant expenditures and return to council as required by local procurement and grant rules.","The council approved a renewal of the Health Department's community health worker program funded by a Texas Health and Human Services Commission grant worth about $464,000. The grant funds five positions and supplies such as naloxone and provides limited client-support assistance; the city's match is primarily in-kind.",{"_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},6499763,"Council commits park land for proposed Game Changers sports complex; requires private fundraising targets",281,3753000,4034000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576910-197e0927d252d4f3602d1310d562e04d&start=3753&end=4034","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576910-197e0927d252d4f3602d1310d562e04d/thumbnail_3753000.jpg","/articles/6499763/Lubbock/Lubbock-County/Texas/Council-commits-park-land-for-proposed-Game-Changers-sports-complex-requires-private-fundraising-targets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499763-8dcad39e7ad370a018b2863c6adb069a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775883935&Signature=YEFwRNqOZh9yIyhKJ7fPO38yvM5rPw8ucmpaF-QthF9O4n2Tl21quseP2SA-AAL-Fsv8HDLLtbiGQS3BwP--xNt6IZ2c6xp66x5lieTOYWmjXHFJQw~oQaHQVuBzuH6lQhk7g-WCkGa0qVpdGpKVS4GyzQEBYO8WwvJqSzNwSlY9-WCpT5RFrmtUv4pvzX8uXVdiN66u8saJvUBsfafHzXRWI~CSjwD-cbc~K3VBHrOSWm1Ra3mAqOhyqPELO7IrrhzXur7ElF3UMWWMKR~EN73agrJA8HDN8l~-IZ9sMRAZGzd8VFeMtLOyFsNeUFFd64GLXFstWzq3dasl4eU8Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LUBBOCK, Texas — The City Council on Aug. 12 approved a commitment agreement to reserve city-owned land in Macalester Park for a proposed indoor sports facility advocated by Lubbock Game Changers, provided the nonprofit meets privately raised funding milestones.

What council approved: The agreement commits park property so that it will not be used for other purposes while Game Changers raises private funds. Council amended the agreement to clarify that city or city-related entities' financial contributions will not be counted toward the group's 85% fundraising milestone; that amendment passed, and the final motion to approve the commitment passed 6'to\u00011.

What the proposal would be: Presenters described a roughly 137,000'to'140,000-square-foot facility on about 20 acres at Macalester Park. Developer and presenter Rhett Butler said the indoor complex would include multiple regulation courts for basketball and volleyball and a stadium seating about 2,000, and would be organized as a nonprofit intended to reinvest revenue into programming and scholarships. Butler said the facility is intended to support sports tourism and local youth athletics and compared the concept to similar facilities in Abilene and Midland.

Council conditions and timeline: The presenters said they would not seek city operating subsidies unless they reached 85% of their private fundraising target; council members added that counts toward the 85% shall not include city or city-related entities. Councilmembers discussed a two-year timeframe for the group to demonstrate fundraising progress; some members suggested check-ins at one year. Presenters said they would not ask for city contributions until they reached the 85% threshold.

Public and council reaction: Councilmembers praised the concept's potential tourism and youth-sports benefits but noted fundraising would be challenging. Councilmember Eric Rose said the city's role in the agreement is limited to reserving the land and that staff would return for any subsequent contracts or financial requests.

Quote: \"Our vision is to bring a world class facility right here at home,\" presenter Rhett Butler told the council.

Next steps: Staff will record the formal agreement terms and return with follow-up steps, including any additional legal documents needed to document the reservation and fundraising milestones.","The council approved a commitment agreement reserving land in Macalester Park for a proposed nonprofit indoor sports complex. Presenters described a 140,000-square-foot facility with multiple courts and a 2,000-seat stadium; council required fundraising milestones and limited credit for city-related contributions toward the 85% target.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lubbock council amends impact-fee ordinance, sets roadway-impact fee and collection rate to zero after public debate

Lubbock council reviews FY2025-26 budget, tax-rate scenarios ahead of September votes

Council approves extension of community health worker program funded by state grant

Council commits park land for proposed Game Changers sports complex; requires private fundraising targets