[{"_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",6488702,"mediaKeyId","5654017-78f1789b6c604f695cc2dfbe6735118e","parentId",5654017,"title","Keene council adds paid holidays, updates promotion policy; holiday leave decision tabled for attorney review","audioSeconds",797,"startMs",6551000,"endMs",7348000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5654017-78f1789b6c604f695cc2dfbe6735118e&start=6551&end=7348","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5654017-78f1789b6c604f695cc2dfbe6735118e/thumbnail_6551000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6488702/Keene/Johnson-County/Texas/Keene-council-adds-paid-holidays-updates-promotion-policy-holiday-leave-decision-tabled-for-attorney-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488702-c08196a8fef5ac8f0bd579eecb0152dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187356&Signature=SZvG7GeNHYHhrHqcSOcAtq4tvEu77Q0NvuJz7j32E1O4PRowaxkvBqNEVCEzbp5bkRWy4fsW4RzKaiwmUBYJisT-BZ1aD1ZcJAKyhWu7DVrGdErBNeZqBmRW5cCdtA9ykLokSzj0RFDEZ94PYgXI7R64BPpBLZG~kTH7K2t2whG4eeSKtbsS8V7ZQrcHHUkvSPf-1JSX6Y4OhAyljNK-pJdnuaFeWtO716C7KNNWq6Z1LjSh0-5DYqCbqrk1zAEhVJDgH6BEQv7kfKh~2goohEBY3cnX~0sPD73z4tQUEmPjpqQ1uzmdH-WCccsPI4SB9DGzKjh5vzet3cJaLdFq0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Keene","date","2025-08-22T01:38:28.833Z","article","Keene — The City Council approved changes to the city personnel policies that add paid holidays and adjust promotion and transfer probation language, but it tabled final action on the holiday‑leave resolution pending legal review of state code implications for first responders.

What council approved: After discussion and an amendment that removed Columbus Day from the proposed additions, council voted to add Presidents Day, Juneteenth, Veterans Day and New Year’s Eve to the city’s paid holiday schedule (the amended motion preserved a total of 14 recognized holidays). Council also approved an update to Section 3.5 of the city personnel policy to change fixed probation language to a minimum three‑month probation period, allowing department heads discretion to extend probation for positions that require longer training.

Why it matters: Council framed the changes as both a morale and recruitment measure and as a modernization of the city’s personnel policy. Several council members noted many neighboring cities offer a similar number of paid holidays. At the same time, members flagged operational impacts: emergency services, public works and other on‑call departments will continue to provide coverage and the city will manage scheduling accordingly.

What was tabled: The council tabled a vote on Section 5.1 (holiday leave) to seek clarification from the city attorney about statutory holiday provisions for firefighters (Texas Government Code provisions referenced during discussion) and to ensure the holiday leave resolution appropriately accounts for those mandates and for equitable treatment of other employees (floater days or equivalent compensating time were discussed).

Council actions: The amended holiday additions motion passed unanimously. The personnel‑policy revision to change promotion/transfer probation to “minimum of three months” passed unanimously. The separate item on holiday leave (Section 5.1) was tabled for a future meeting to allow staff to consult the city attorney and prepare final language.

Next steps: Staff will bring a revised holiday‑leave resolution and a clean version of the personnel policy updates to a future meeting after legal review. The council asked staff to confirm operational coverage plans for emergency services and to document any floating day provisions for employees affected by statutory holidays for fire personnel.

Ending: Council members framed the actions as steps to improve employee morale and recruitment while preserving necessary service coverage; legal review will determine final holiday‑leave language.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Keene, Texas | Regular Council Meeting | 08/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved adding three paid holidays (Presidents Day, Juneteenth, Veterans Day) and New Year’s Eve to the city’s holiday schedule and revised the promotions/transfers probation language to a minimum three‑month probation; the proposed holiday‑leave policy language was tabled for legal clarification.","taxTitle","Keene, Johnson County, Texas","taxId",69538,"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},6488707,"Keene reports stronger development revenues, $3.1M in reserves in quarterly finance review",689,909000,1598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5654017-78f1789b6c604f695cc2dfbe6735118e&start=909&end=1598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5654017-78f1789b6c604f695cc2dfbe6735118e/thumbnail_909000.jpg","/articles/6488707/Keene/Johnson-County/Texas/Keene-reports-stronger-development-revenues-31M-in-reserves-in-quarterly-finance-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488707-26637e4f49e09bbccd5922abdbe8f3f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187356&Signature=eVQLjfQqhZL3krlLJK9eTgMLULwYa-Xzu48xKGVXUMphH6Gip83mzM1Mb0jwihZ3hmU7zanoNPcuhCFo6QBBDpqQVVntp1ZMHgSFfIWa3jBpBvs4DaCI83SnpiyMFmOGrdq-oNhyxrrqQJ1D-EPJRPw9Frqk7~6zoVebfx52fJv1TifijMkDokfi00~kr5JRKckbkFo9BJQTxYw4EeD2ZDlQ3KFSRNIEcWiQVCq5vtg-iusxr9CzOsPtwQb-CJQ-rl5YpVKtbqratp5yUtyFlNbyMe03NXoWFlQ-yMib-R4oHS0SSxQthNvY9xyDBuUat5m-cyafA6hvkpJjSDdojQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Keene — City staff delivered the quarterly revenue and expense report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, saying development‑related revenues and property tax collections are tracking above budget and the city’s pooled cash balance stood at just over $3.1 million as of June 30.

Why it matters: The numbers signal near‑term fiscal strength driven by new development and sales tax growth; council members asked detailed questions about department allocations, community‑center expense anomalies and whether street‑department budgets cover anticipated work tied to new development.

Highlights from the presentation: Finance staff said the general fund revenue year‑to‑date was close to the budgeted target (the presenter referenced a “066%” column and said the remaining variance was roughly $40,000). Development services revenue was reported at about $321,000 year‑to‑date against a budget of roughly $180,000; staff projected development services receipts could reach $400,000 by year end. The city reported 286 permit applications in the pipeline, 94 of which were new home permits; staff noted 192 of the pipeline items will require inspection work.

On expenses, the presenter said a “non‑departmental” line item appeared over budget because property insurance was higher than originally budgeted (presenter cited current property insurance of about $144,000 versus the budgeted figure). Staff told council the discrepancy would be corrected in the coming year’s budget documents and said third‑party inspection expenses will rise with permit activity. Council members pressed for clarification about whether projected street‑department spending covered new development work such as additional right‑of‑way extensions.

Pooled cash and reserves: As of June 30 the city reported pooled cash of $3,104,499.19 earning about a 3.87% interest rate; staff said banking negotiations expected to increase the effective yield to about 4% in July and to flow through to reserves.

Council response and follow up: Council asked for more detail on the street department budget and whether prior‑year balances and projections covered planned work related to new development. Staff committed to follow up with a line‑item clarification. Council also discussed how property‑tax exemptions and pending ballot propositions could affect projections; staff said the city uses certified tax roll values (including frozen exemptions and protest allowances) to model revenue and that current projections incorporate known freezes and exemptions for seniors, disabled and veterans.

Ending: Finance staff said the numbers overall show growth tied to development and an improving sales‑tax picture; staff will return with clarifications about the street‑department and community‑center expense allocations in a subsequent staff memo.","City finance staff reported higher‑than‑budgeted development services revenues, a robust permit pipeline and $3.1 million in pooled cash and reserves during a quarterly review to the City Council.",{"_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},6488711,"Keene council establishes employee benefits trust fund to capture premium tax savings",171,6375000,6546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5654017-78f1789b6c604f695cc2dfbe6735118e&start=6375&end=6546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5654017-78f1789b6c604f695cc2dfbe6735118e/thumbnail_6375000.jpg","/articles/6488711/Keene/Johnson-County/Texas/Keene-council-establishes-employee-benefits-trust-fund-to-capture-premium-tax-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488711-fb0a13e5e2dabb2a3cea4c32060bbc36/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187356&Signature=WIhfAlzYFpf9D6WmG67d03N9Br-g1FWitzKkM~SXk7gDowV~Snswy~Kfpnpl57KyKFiLTgzeoPSLxFyz867qp9iG8rbva6SzFyxMRFJsZA0OgGiodfxfYQhO443OqLT9edmgalRExPTTL1fLy7IhX37dLpoFk5cjuMZNEqmxq3gtnDrHC5xVBFYpvNQsjEgJooxIyNB4UkvElGzUzHQjFIOuW-zDYDiptJPDt9PpISKBgwJNq11K3nUX4XdWkAVqLyeMsU8VB-i1kkFJM9TiIo7nl59z3ft10hGKQegXJnAzRgMhxQSDGpnvpUQQd0mbiEePKzKnJRFNn4atV7WJCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Keene — The City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the creation of the City of Keene Employee Benefits Trust (EBT), a single‑employer trust established under the Texas Insurance Code to allow the city to retain premium taxes that otherwise would be remitted to the state.

Why it matters: Council and the city’s broker explained that Chapter 222 of the Texas Insurance Code permits a qualifying single nonprofit trust to receive plan premiums without remittance of the state premium tax, which effectively reduces the city’s annual insurance cost base. The broker said the trust mechanism can yield savings on medical, dental and vision premiums; life and disability lines generate little premium‑tax savings.

Key points from the meeting: The broker said, “since 2005 you’ve been paying an extra 1.75% in cost every year that you didn’t have to pay,” and estimated annual premium‑tax savings using a general rule of $17,500 saved per $1 million of premium. The council’s motion authorized the trust agreement, the trust name and trustees and directed staff to finalize the trust documents for the state controller’s office.

Council action: Councilman Rob Forza moved to authorize the trust agreement and name trustees; Councilman Johnny Shaw seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

Next steps: Staff will finalize and file the trust documentation with the state controller and implement the trust for eligible insurance lines. The broker and staff said no separate trust bank account is required under the proposed structure; the trust name and document will be provided to carriers and the state controller.

Ending: Council members framed the trust as a mechanism to lower recurring costs for municipal insurance programs; staff will report back as the trust is implemented.","Council created a single‑employer employee benefits trust to retain premium‑tax components otherwise remitted to the state and to reduce insurance program costs.",{"_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},6488716,"Keene Council approves new employee health plan; broker highlights Curative, TML pool and tradeoffs",3987,2291000,6278000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5654017-78f1789b6c604f695cc2dfbe6735118e&start=2291&end=6278","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5654017-78f1789b6c604f695cc2dfbe6735118e/thumbnail_2291000.jpg","/articles/6488716/Keene/Johnson-County/Texas/Keene-Council-approves-new-employee-health-plan-broker-highlights-Curative-TML-pool-and-tradeoffs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488716-dc9dafce396054f568d8cc236d80cf3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187356&Signature=ImJp8D13XowA6M8Hhv~N4lh-a~zUj8fdpKCTIMuTIQdbT~laM8XXlI7GCIEMnslNl1fU3~qnD5KiHWnKFN-CHiXKpEgPfpvDuIqVLk4eQEmE29CPgAjd2FPC07R7IiDuDcjEtETeFReykic4HcoEfpo5jn5ppYFfbyPq0IxY6VxAv7nb-OeCQx83s7BoS074cjycCg2guO63sit4LosHN7OxskX8jmv3peuQGDDW9y~OjpHFwFhKY6byqoaJJEoQWDtoWblXW6gQMl6hTsWmsmXbRD1NL0rq~8~8y8e8yaRgbdNSIzZIhwkEXDOWvrTbkbe2XEviRatuYufE9SobaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Keene — The City Council voted unanimously to adopt a package of employee benefits that replaces the city’s current UnitedHealthcare program with a Curative triple-option plan using an EPO as the city’s base contribution, and to move dental, vision and disability plans to Mutual of Omaha. The council also approved ancillary benefits including a short- and long-term disability structure, a Teladoc-style “new benefits” virtual care line, and optional MASA ambulance gap coverage.

Why it matters: The benefit changes are projected to reduce the city’s near-term employer health-care costs while also altering employee out-of-pocket exposure and member experience. Brokers and staff told the council the options would either keep costs flat with UnitedHealthcare or produce notable savings: about $103,000 annually if the city moved to the Texas Health Benefits Pool (TML) and about an 11% blended reduction versus current costs; Curative produced a smaller but still meaningful reduction and offered different member-facing features.

Hub International broker Rodney Dryden reviewed three vendor pathways for the council: renew with UnitedHealthcare at a negotiated 0% increase; move to TML (Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO network) with an estimated 11.9% reduction (roughly $103,000 on current enrollments); or adopt Curative, a three‑year‑old nationwide product that pairs network access with a member “intake” model that can waive deductibles once members complete a baseline call. Dryden said the firm negotiated the renewal down from a near‑10% proposed increase to flat with UnitedHealthcare and summarized each option’s tradeoffs.

Dryden described Curative to the council as a member‑experience centric plan that “waives the deductible and the out of pocket” for members who complete an intake call and that offers a point‑of‑service cash card for nominated out‑of‑network providers. He said Curative quoted a $25,000 transition credit and that, for the EPO baseline, the city’s net cost would fall roughly 7% compared with current costs after factoring the credit. Dryden also cautioned about known pain points for TML, particularly changes in prescription administration under its Navitus drug program and approvals for imaging and other procedures.

Council and staff questions focused on continuity of primary care, pharmacy co‑pays, member disruption during a carrier transition and how Curative’s nomination/cash‑card process works for longstanding out‑of‑network providers. A city employee who spoke during the meeting said deductibles sometimes cause financial hardship and welcomed options that reduce employee out‑of‑pocket risk.

Council actions: Councilman Ralph Forsa (mover) and Councilman Chuck Easley (second) put forward a single motion to implement the Curative triple‑option plan using the EPO as the city’s baseline (city contribution), to select Mutual of Omaha for dental, vision and life/disability lines as quoted, to add the MASA air/ground ambulance gap coverage at the recommended city cost, and to approve the Teladoc/new‑benefits telemedicine service. The motion passed unanimously. (The meeting record reports the motion and unanimous approval; a numerical roll‑call was not recorded in the transcript.)

What the change means for employees: Curative’s model requires an annual intake call for adults and older dependents; employees who complete it can have deductibles and out‑of‑pocket costs waived for covered services, the broker said. If employees skip the call they face higher deductibles (Dryden described a $5,000 deductible for non‑completers in some plan designs). Curative also offers a mechanism to nominate a doctor for approval and to issue a cash card to cover approved services at point of care.

Next steps: Staff and the broker told the council the new plan would take effect Oct. 1 and that the city’s HR team would manage the administrative transition, employee communications and enrollment. Dryden and staff said they would provide a claims‑level transition file and work to minimize disruption for employees with recent medical activity.

Ending: Council members praised the comparison review and emphasized the city’s desire to keep costs manageable while protecting employees from large out‑of‑pocket charges. The council’s action now directs staff to implement the adopted benefit package and complete the transition work with the broker and carriers.","The Keene City Council voted to move the city’s employee health benefits to a Curative triple-option plan (EPO baseline) and to shift dental, vision and disability contracts to Mutual of Omaha after comparing renewals from UnitedHealthcare, Texas Health Benefits Pool (TML) and Curative.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Keene council adds paid holidays, updates promotion policy; holiday leave decision tabled for attorney review

Keene reports stronger development revenues, $3.1M in reserves in quarterly finance review

Keene council establishes employee benefits trust fund to capture premium tax savings

Keene Council approves new employee health plan; broker highlights Curative, TML pool and tradeoffs