[{"_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",6790050,"mediaKeyId","5587820-1320f85264f6672787afa909bde2217f","parentId",5587820,"title","Council introduces SUP ordinance to allow lodging without on‑site operator at 2112 Westlake Drive","audioSeconds",554,"startMs",852429,"endMs",1407030,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587820-1320f85264f6672787afa909bde2217f&start=852&end=1407","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587820-1320f85264f6672787afa909bde2217f/thumbnail_852429.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6790050/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Council-introduces-SUP-ordinance-to-allow-lodging-without-onsite-operator-at-2112-Westlake-Drive","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6790050-b08d7a2bcc270f9056400f1512a2e54c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440110&Signature=mf7NZiJM7tvxW8egTJGIg~4sK5vOnbbzM6sI~6HazrR8HE7h3Tq5TGCLmXkvtFVVPBVBi98eAfhuI006UPvMd1FplbItCPEYF1IoWkIFHBbS58ilOejE8GwHcEgElK8n7-CHZ5Gzd3-SmDdRff57ZlGEml8eq3wpL4MFLjzC3awRkRYALmg-zY0efRUhjGXNLZ4eikTdCMvaUkCCUav1CWXNzjz-eJF0trw0-nW3yEN7t0CzDYwuKEYeWrWCkXx6TJm1HPu1PhgZANgAgXx7d72y9bigKtXGngmd8d-XhAOlrhkup4MF2wJz5ZHhbSI258Fh1BbgNgqfgh2SfjMWvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Taylor","date","2025-08-14T00:00:00Z","article","The council opened a public hearing and the city attorney read Ordinance 2025‑22 on Aug. 14, an ordinance to authorize a special use permit (SUP) allowing lodging without a full‑time on‑site operator at property generally described as 2112 Westlake Drive (William J. Baker survey; Williamson CAD Parcel R018819).

Planning staff told council they mailed 28 notices and received one letter of concern earlier in the day asking for additional review time. Staff explained that the current zoning allows lodging when an on‑site operator is present; the SUP would allow lodging to continue without a full‑time operator but would be owner‑specific and limited to a three‑year term. Staff said the ordinance text will be placed on the next meeting’s consent agenda for adoption, allowing the interested party time to review the package.

Owner Jared West spoke during the hearing, describing the property as primarily used sporadically by his family and said short‑term rentals help subsidize upkeep on a large property. Council closed the public hearing and the city attorney read the ordinance into record. No final adoption occurred at this meeting; staff said the ordinance will be on the next meeting’s consent agenda for adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Taylor - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","The council opened a public hearing and staff read Ordinance 2025‑22, proposing a special use permit to allow lodging without a full‑time on‑site operator at 2112 Westlake Drive.","taxTitle","Taylor, Williamson County, Texas","taxId",56865,"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},6790055,"Taylor council approves downtown surveillance cameras amid debate over privacy, cost and scope",1974,6741354,8715825,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587820-1320f85264f6672787afa909bde2217f&start=6741&end=8715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587820-1320f85264f6672787afa909bde2217f/thumbnail_6741354.jpg","/articles/6790055/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Taylor-council-approves-downtown-surveillance-cameras-amid-debate-over-privacy-cost-and-scope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6790055-25b4220de840ef8ae374b653e0c7b63a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440110&Signature=nBhvl1HLXURkbrydPV7neiBg1YNxW5CwD6~jjpYrmGDYpEyDrcFVuy47olDwybsVGdikEJy1zcniSgo0mVrMgUg9umGpB9XcJ6JzNLxhOrbuYkh8M0AsdJzAWJ9VPBeKOdFrZ1p6ByXSXaWcDGDDxPVKptAdLpa9UWBiJL9f9RJUbwzekCJSgkS92zwcFWmmA3EbHfcZC41ru7e5l9OXP6xlVxpAw8gFIB8WgijZiFF-0Nf7q-W~qVe~CYEfcwwgs03aAWcS6lSft8Y-YggpLZVoA3kMA6BU9BxR-r~1iTQNyo9CqdE-CTSIjKLrvBZQ6tdgamVe13b18fvfPPRVag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Taylor City Council voted 3–2 on Aug. 14 to approve procurement of downtown surveillance cameras not to exceed $250,000 following extended public comment and council discussion.

Chief Luke and staff described a package from Sharco that would place cameras along North Main (Second through Fifth), MLK/South Main, heritage downtown parks and temporary monitoring for construction sites (new city hall and police station builds). Staff said the proposed downtown package costs about $188,000 and that upgrading cameras inside the police department would use a separate $14,000 funding source.

Chief Luke said the cameras would be accessible in real time to dispatch on a private police department server, with 30‑day retention for recorded footage and a five‑year warranty on the server. Chief Luke and the vendor representative said the system would not include facial recognition, license‑plate recognition or analytics; its purpose is video surveillance to deter crime and to provide evidence for prosecution.

Public comment was mixed. Several downtown property owners and business operators, including a downtown property owners group represented by Rick Von File, urged the council to fund cameras to deter vandalism and help prosecute thieves. Business owners described broken windows, repeated burglaries and harassment that they said reduced investment in downtown. Other residents and business owners raised concerns about privacy, long‑term maintenance costs, accountability for footage and system scope; an emailed comment asked for lifecycle cost and data‑use policies.

Councilmembers debated scope and cost. One councilmember preferred to keep the project at the $188,000 presented; the mayor proposed a $250,000 not‑to‑exceed amount to allow limited wiggle room to add cameras if justified, with any additional locations to return to council for approval. The motion to approve procurement not to exceed $250,000 passed 3–2.

What happens next: staff will begin procurement under the approved ceiling and return to council if additional cameras beyond the approved scope are proposed. Staff said existing Flock license‑plate‑recognition cameras (8 cameras on four corridors) are separate and would remain in operation.","After public testimony both supporting and opposing expanded surveillance, Taylor’s City Council voted 3–2 to approve procurement of downtown surveillance cameras not to exceed $250,000.",{"_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},6790065,"Taylor staff outline FY2026 budget; council sets proposed maximum tax rate at 58.5¢",2208,4007260,6216160,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587820-1320f85264f6672787afa909bde2217f&start=4007&end=6216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587820-1320f85264f6672787afa909bde2217f/thumbnail_4007260.jpg","/articles/6790065/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Taylor-staff-outline-FY2026-budget-council-sets-proposed-maximum-tax-rate-at-585","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6790065-1723f9d351b3c15b8e85eeabffddce40/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440110&Signature=DEXuTLlzdXDnrMw3J06n~STpJ7lO~qA9lbyF-lykaKR8s7F3QaArURsewFBSHR~D2-lgLmaAmWLQ2z1vniwi48GtTCwom3iltlcruhJ-HnUcjiNGcFPTJkNmC~zhSDl-z5VOHvjeQW1AjMYdkZDqgH7sPU3-UtMZvIal8q~hXNO5DHc8hW63HDcbRwb7DnWA4tSBPPz-I6J7Vxj4JcrZA4LxlJRu9OZIxc0PirqL6pxvsKwDYNd47kzU3EskLIknAgwlBj6-Ih1Pt4r9uMlFUXvID36ikZOQCJzm87BiV2xcthdXG30oG68Y5fMbKDEzl16ZGHfUJqFCsakLlXpxFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Robert Powers, Taylor’s finance director, described the city manager’s proposed FY2026 budget and the calculations behind a proposed tax‑rate ceiling during the Aug. 14 council meeting.

Powers said the city’s certified appraisal valuation exceeds $4.5 billion as of January 2025, a dramatic increase driven largely by nearby industrial development. He noted the “no‑new‑revenue” rate (the rate that produces the same revenue on properties taxed last year and this year) is 0.51238 per $100 valuation; the voter‑approval rate — the highest rate that can be adopted without an election — is 0.585.

The proposed budget is based on that voter‑approval rate of 58.5¢ per $100; staff presented conservative revenue assumptions for sales tax (projected near $9–10 million), and development‑fee revenue. Powers said the city is budgeting some one‑time capital uses (including purchase of a building and fleet replacements) and noted FEMA reimbursements (up to approximately $3.9 million) remain under review.

Council voted to propose a maximum tax rate of $0.585 per $100 valuation and set a public hearing for Sept. 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Taylor City Hall. The council also discussed reserves (charter minimum 25 percent) and the prudence of cash‑funding some capital projects rather than borrowing.

What happens next: the council will hold public hearings in September and then consider first‑reading ordinances to adopt the budget and tax rate. Staff said no utility rate increases are being proposed in this operating budget.","Finance staff presented the proposed FY2026 budget and recommended adopting a ceiling at the voter‑approval tax rate of $0.585 per $100 valuation; council set Sept. 10 for public hearings. Staff warned a large part of recent valuation growth is one‑time use tax from major 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},6790069,"Consultants find staffing, software and process gaps in Taylor permitting; council urges quick fixes",1656,1471390,3128180,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587820-1320f85264f6672787afa909bde2217f&start=1471&end=3128","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587820-1320f85264f6672787afa909bde2217f/thumbnail_1471390.jpg","/articles/6790069/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Consultants-find-staffing-software-and-process-gaps-in-Taylor-permitting-council-urges-quick-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6790069-55a6b9f057c2a8b1e7f24c20161e0292/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440110&Signature=IKsIRq2eKAqjp~QVlC84E0B6wd6f1O8LlZQscxlmg01pxZ~R1-t~OpJOwQkYqr8qtkz1vZhHwtofaO59586Gx5XkDf6IXqdITM2f84JP-w0GR2RlKn0eAh6eUVZQwFfsbK8v4ABmXnK4MqLPUsCpZH0LwPo~JswmQfb6srWRx9bhftG~Nf~Hb3N8app2ZqHiSCY2hgVvOPHsWtfcxLYs5OeZisMe7pqyFa8FPQem1UuMl7N4YvcSBi3aU0DKNdZ4VpLQ4y4l7dNPljVR7pQAIF8827b2jKU2iYVW9xP-s91JtvXoH6gvJVXNHms5lzcms74gSEkgPiLdRGx4okE-xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kevin Price, principal with consulting firm Barry Dunn, told the Taylor City Council on Aug. 14 that the firm’s audit of the city’s permitting and development services found significant operational gaps and opportunities to streamline the process.

\"We identified 10 recommendations supported by 46 specific implementation actions,\" Price said, citing needs for clearer sequencing of permit steps, improved pre‑application support, stronger plan coordination and in‑house building official capacity.

Project manager Cara Dodds said permitting staff are young and the current version of the MGO permitting software in use is an older release that limits automation. \"There are many manual processes leading to redundant steps and a high risk of human error,\" Dodds said, recommending optimization or an upgrade of MGO and clearer standard operating procedures.

Local business owners who spoke during citizen communications described long, repetitive back‑and‑forths on routine permits. Warren Smith, owner of Texan Cafe, said his sign permitting process took more than three months and involved repeated 10‑day cycles of questions from staff.

Development services staff told council they have already changed response targets and customer access: standardized response times now target 24 hours for many inquiries; weekly permit clinics have been established; ATS is providing a contractor hotline; and an MGO upgrade (offered free by the vendor) has been ordered.

Mayor Dwayne Areola praised the third‑party review as a practical, detailed road map. \"There’s no excuse now — we have a real assessment,\" he said after the presentation. Councilmember Redd moved to receive the presentation; the motion passed by voice vote.

What happens next: consultants offered optional as‑needed implementation support and staff indicated that short‑term items (0–6 months) are already in motion. Councilmembers pressed staff to ensure inspections are completed thoroughly when inspectors visit sites to avoid repeat trips.

The city’s packet and the Barry Dunn final report contain the full list of 46 action items and a timeline broken into short, medium and long term steps.","Consultants hired by the City of Taylor identified insufficient staffing, manual workflows and an outdated permitting platform; council received a 46‑step implementation plan and staff said several short‑term fixes (24‑hour responses, permit clinics, a free software upgrade) are already under way.",{"_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},6790060,"Taylor accepts $4.475M HMGP award for Kimbrough/Shaw drainage improvements",510,6217680,6728540,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587820-1320f85264f6672787afa909bde2217f&start=6217&end=6728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587820-1320f85264f6672787afa909bde2217f/thumbnail_6217680.jpg","/articles/6790060/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Taylor-accepts-4475M-HMGP-award-for-KimbroughShaw-drainage-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6790060-e2b2dac64664ef4d01d2cf4978760f10/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440110&Signature=MtvX8hcHczzi3a~VVot-gN8VhuoTib~M5KJrLoCf~xebgfUohXO8Gq9HU8BKgmC0obsigLNathghJrslHKhvV7jaerVjhDhor7xEfXxIExRAobzUbZ0UppFVNoCtPpYRD7HDm4uoG2wgsSi8r5raeFkjfq3mtkI7VamlaX2cU0nx6pzGRbnHu-iZP~OGbFo2CO-Pe4JmtM6FiYMdYkrIKM5rfgrbRkQzUtzdFzTTetbcgGANu5h-rPdRmYR--7EGLGpNL7JjjyKNYckRtZQYEuk8OMe211nusNG9A3kdRZ0NcXdoRjX1nphuT8sEZrLod-91d5L3O6JwfQe6UWXp2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Taylor City Council unanimously approved acceptance of a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) award for the Kimbrough/Shaw to Second Street drainage improvements on Aug. 14.

Grant staff said the project — ranked second in the city’s drainage master plan completed in 2022 — will pay for engineering and environmental work in Phase 1. The Phase 1 award is $4,475,000, of which FEMA covers 90 percent; the city’s 10 percent match is planned from the utility fund.

City staff and the consultant (HDR/Langford) described the scope as roughly 300 to 3,700 linear feet of storm drains and channels along Kimbrough and Shaw streets, affecting an area from Eighth Street down past Second Street and up to the railyard. Staff estimated the work will reduce flood risk for roughly 55 homes, benefit 73 properties, remove 49 structures from flood risk and reduce yard or street flooding on additional parcels.

Staff explained the HMGP Phase 1 work funds engineering and necessary documentation; the city must complete design, environmental review and a FEMA benefit‑cost analysis (BCA) to qualify for Phase 2 construction funding. Council approved the acceptance and asked staff to track and budget for the local match in future budgets.

What happens next: staff will move into detailed design and environmental review, complete the BCA and submit materials to FEMA for Phase 2 approval; the construction timeline (if approved) was described as potentially 36 months to project closeout under optimal conditions.","Council approved acceptance of a Phase 1 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program award ($4,475,000, 90% federal share) to design drainage improvements on Kimbrough and Shaw streets; city to supply a 10% local match from the utility fund and will pursue Phase 2 construction funding after engineering, environmental review and FEMA benefit‑cost analysis.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council introduces SUP ordinance to allow lodging without on‑site operator at 2112 Westlake Drive

Taylor council approves downtown surveillance cameras amid debate over privacy, cost and scope

Taylor staff outline FY2026 budget; council sets proposed maximum tax rate at 58.5¢

Consultants find staffing, software and process gaps in Taylor permitting; council urges quick fixes

Taylor accepts $4.475M HMGP award for Kimbrough/Shaw drainage improvements