[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6487306,"mediaKeyId","5675603-c3e57b4fef454446b158febc38172b91","parentId",5675603,"title","Votes at a glance: actions taken by Kaufman County Commissioner's Court on Aug. 26, 2025","audioSeconds",3774,"startMs",1078000,"endMs",4852000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5675603-c3e57b4fef454446b158febc38172b91&start=1078&end=4852","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5675603-c3e57b4fef454446b158febc38172b91/thumbnail_1078000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6487306/Kaufman-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-actions-taken-by-Kaufman-County-Commissioners-Court-on-Aug-26-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487306-bec54911e1e0a7998e5e7ac000c55592/orig.mp4?Expires=1770492924&Signature=VT4XAzSyCsKAPQulkwbxczAQmkqlZw1~rjO3s~0PmbToIaM~8Z5iBdVlI1AbYM7eouS6Tc1GqF~7pUDiKj61mcJ6I4yKQEu6LOjI7OY4fX757PXOdWds7UzMlVA0Woryavqma5YToWuWJz5DTUVoG7xnFAmw~NeO9LEI-0OKi40oxTW6M4uKbpqVB1nQszNnq2mRiEdnwULtaPLbY4ddldXpsHpFk3PrryHPcCFwKHf1J3zMNeU7L0EMfrKPdc9N1RdFxqxdHLWBWXiJL8JHVy~-vvoa-yg7hY2tAAFFUNarY6ANMJ8TuafX51dW4HhfFck4gL9yWEPFAZO~-rNMGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kaufman","date","2025-08-26T00:00:00Z","article","At its Aug. 26 meeting the Kaufman County Commissioner's Court recorded the following formal actions and votes.

• Adopted FY2025-26 budget of record and took a record vote (all members voted aye).

• Set a total county tax rate of 0.415113 (debt service 0.056752; operations 0.277726; road & bridge 0.080635); motion carried.

• Adopted a debt-service rate of 0.056752, operations rate of 0.277726 and road-and-bridge rate of 0.080635 (motion carried).

• Approved consent agenda items: minutes for Aug. 19 and the Archer's month report for July 2025 (motion carried).

• Approved motions to enter and exit the public hearing on the proposed budget (motions carried).

• Approved setting salaries, expenses and allowances for elected county and precinct officers (published; motion carried).

• Approved treasurer's monthly report for July 2025 (motion carried).

• Approved final plat for Quarry Lake (County Road 334, Precinct 3) and a replat in Kaufman Estates (Reesch Road, Precinct 1) (motions carried).

• Adopted a proclamation designating September 2025 as National Preparedness Month in Kaufman County (motion carried).

• Approved contract with consultant Scott Matthews for juvenile probation/juvenile board ($15,000, to be paid from juvenile board budget) (motion carried).

• Awarded IFB 2025-004 for two inmate transport vans to High Level Enterprises Inc. (lowest bidder; funding from commissary fund) (motion carried).

• Approved Task Order No. 2 under Kitchell CEM agreement for juvenile facility construction management ($1,270,730) (motion carried).

• Awarded RFP 2025-006 bank depository to American National Bank of Texas (motion carried).

• Adopted Senate Bill 1173 implementation to raise competitive bidding threshold from $50,000 to $100,000 effective Sept. 1 (motion carried).

• Approved routine line-item transfers, budget amendments recording grant revenue, and claims for payment totaling $5,506,963.71 (motions carried).

• Court recessed into executive session under Texas Government Code Sec. 551.071 to consult with counsel on pending and contemplated litigation (motion carried).

Each item above was approved by voice vote or roll call as recorded in the meeting minutes; individuals seeking details or specific vote tallies can request the agenda packet and certified minutes from the county clerk. Items not described in detail were shown on the court's public agenda as published.

Ending: The court concluded agenda business, moved into executive session on legal matters, and reiterated that budget documents and supporting schedules are available to the public.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kaufman - Commissioners Court","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions and outcomes from the Kaufman County Commissioner's Court meeting, including budget and tax-rate adoption, contracts, plats, procurement awards and routine approvals.","taxTitle","Kaufman County, Texas","taxId",20433,"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},6487311,"Kaufman County approves juvenile detention consulting and construction management contracts",172,4251000,4423000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5675603-c3e57b4fef454446b158febc38172b91&start=4251&end=4423","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5675603-c3e57b4fef454446b158febc38172b91/thumbnail_4251000.jpg","/articles/6487311/Kaufman-County/Texas/Kaufman-County-approves-juvenile-detention-consulting-and-construction-management-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487311-80512687c0a27d442ad87c56eecbe6bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770492924&Signature=DzL8ZDz6FVY6oYxjY-ZOtV2Zxg2WSF2Mx6HqPXkMptXB72jPYOAHIUt56W5o0Lr4YmB~4hD-W-N5ypMK0YueF3k9ENKaXV56dJN6Afz7jxzPVUWkcvJx-u9IkX~U1HYuL9JdQcJPlXuaKnPjjwDYXJl3k3OrIpbG2U9dv8m3i8Wi9t~TW1oSYNHhI9zqTXp7JB5mKd8gXA8dsk9LU5Y6lIpL0lL-T91RO6E1uu5V9CzxSSSrgXpIr965kdhwTkJZOVhzATR0y7NaL2Ym5uo9Ef4J8iUrdsbeTIN2FN79gF20Poo3lfp5h0uhY6QCaC0~5GwN2wr7~r~3S9l-Zbs2Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kaufman County Commissioner's Court voted Aug. 26 to approve two agreements tied to the planned juvenile detention center: a consulting contract with Scott Matthews and a construction-management task order with Kitchell CEM.

The court authorized a $15,000 flat-fee consultant contract with Scott Matthews, a former Williamson County juvenile probation executive and member of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department board, to advise the county and juvenile board during planning and construction. Trennis Ramsey, who presented the item, said the juvenile board had approved the engagement and that the $15,000 fee will be paid from the juvenile board budget, not the county general fund. \"I think that's a bargain,\" one commissioner said before the court approved the contract by motion.

Separately the court approved Task Order No. 2 under the county's existing contract with Kitchell CEM to serve as the county's owner's representative and construction management agent for the detention project. County staff recommended awarding Task Order No. 2 to Kitchell at $1,270,730. Kitchell representative Cameron Glass told the court the firm has extensive experience managing juvenile-justice facilities and that the firm's role would include preconstruction, procurement, daily construction oversight and closeout services. The court approved the task order by motion.

Why it matters: The consultant and construction-management contracts are intended to reduce the county's implementation risk by bringing specialist experience to ensure the facility meets state requirements and project timelines. County staff emphasized the agreements are designed to prevent costly mistakes during the build.

Procurement and funding notes: Presenters said the $15,000 consultant fee will be covered from the juvenile board budget; the Kitchell task-order cost was presented as part of the project budget. During discussion, county legal and finance staff confirmed the contracts were reviewed by counsel and that the county remains responsible for task-order payments under its procurement rules.

Next steps: Approval gives the county judge authority to finalize and sign the agreements and allows Kitchell and the consultant to begin the preconstruction and planning work. The juvenile board and project team will provide updates to the court as procurement and design proceed.

Ending: The court approved both items by motion and will move forward with consultant and construction-management oversight for the juvenile detention project.","The Commissioner's Court approved a $15,000 consultant contract with Scott Matthews and a $1,270,730 task order for construction management with Kitchell CEM to support the county's new juvenile detention facility; commissioners said the consultant fees will be covered by the juvenile board budget.",{"_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},6487316,"Kaufman County keeps 2025-26 tax rate unchanged at 0.415113 after public hearing",2485,1107000,3592000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5675603-c3e57b4fef454446b158febc38172b91&start=1107&end=3592","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5675603-c3e57b4fef454446b158febc38172b91/thumbnail_1107000.jpg","/articles/6487316/Kaufman-County/Texas/Kaufman-County-keeps-2025-26-tax-rate-unchanged-at-0415113-after-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487316-4761b100bd5da1b329e849ed4bdcf210/orig.mp4?Expires=1770492924&Signature=J-cNhEezoKQToMshLRWdBdHgmo9V~7KMw5H~RFe7LMLI0c8IEaTa6KzuPnPBqMigk5SXdr-9LDtngk8wnyyeDMlgE8HW3BcQiwl4k84FeJoOFsPba8G0qrapNw-MYRZ20R6Ti70lQryyb8J85V9R61PmPXXS1I1mx1MJ5Pf~uvKSVn7NB~1x1ER-4pUzpOwRlSjZIMHrRwkCi5pTOnoIDIeb8W3D4RppBSy45jGYz9Wk4m91MMYATYDux3UQRrApP5pOAqEYl~vhYjmSxcOhmW6kg1KiRcV0mMyFocDBmZsaR0-K-qj7wvbyZkwWsLuBszkNewRTIFP~Qdrl9ievYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kaufman County Commissioner's Court voted Aug. 26 to adopt the fiscal year 2025-26 budget and set a total county tax rate of 0.415113, unchanged from the previous year, following a public hearing in which several residents urged lower taxes and greater transparency on property values.

The action came after a public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate. \"We are setting just the county tax rate today. We have nothing to do with the value of your properties,\" Judge Allen said during the hearing. The court recorded a roll-call-style vote on the budget and then approved the tax rate by voice vote; commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried.

Why it matters: The county's decision determines the amount of property tax revenue the county will collect; because appraisal values have risen in recent years, residents said keeping the same rate still increases many homeowners' bills.

Residents and officials: Dozens of speakers addressed the court during the public hearing portion. Among them, Tommy L. James of Terrell urged commissioners \"to consider this, not increasing taxes\" as his community faces rising appraisals. Bridal Edwards of Abner Acres said annual increases in appraised values have strained households; Christopher Cox, acting as a city official in Post Oak Bend, asked the county to convene a town hall with school districts and the appraisal office to prevent a \"blame game\" about which entity controls values. Several speakers asked for clearer plans showing how tax revenue is spent locally, citing road and drainage needs in outlying areas.

County response and context: County officials and commissioners repeatedly told commenters that the county controls the tax rate while the Kaufman Central Appraisal District and the state comptroller's office set property values. The court described steps it has taken to limit rate increases: \"We've kept the tax rate the same the last three years,\" one commissioner said, defending the vote. County staff and officials explained that budget increases frequently reflect added personnel and services tied to population growth, and that reserve and bond-rating requirements constrain available surplus funds.

Legal and policy notes: Speakers and county staff referred to state-level processes that affect appraisals and exemptions. The court noted an upcoming ballot proposal (referred to in the hearing as \"Proposition 4\") that would increase the homestead exemption if voters approve it; county staff explained that such a change would affect school taxes more directly than the county portion.

What the court adopted (key numbers): The county adopted the FY2025-26 budget of record, set the debt-service rate at 0.056752, the operations rate at 0.277726 and the roads-and-bridge rate at 0.080635, totaling a 0.415113 tax rate. The court completed a record vote on the budget and then approved the tax rates by motion and voice votes.

Looking ahead: Several residents asked the court to hold a larger joint meeting with the appraisal district and local school districts to explain how values and rates interact. County officials encouraged residents to consult the county website for detailed budget documents and to attend future meetings if they want line-item explanations.

Ending: The court completed the public hearing, adopted its budget and tax rates, and invited residents to request copies of the budget from county offices or to download documents from the county website.","After a public hearing with multiple residents urging tax relief, the Kaufman County Commissioner's Court adopted the FY2025-26 budget and set the total county tax rate at 0.415113, the same as the prior year.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: actions taken by Kaufman County Commissioner's Court on Aug. 26, 2025

Kaufman County approves juvenile detention consulting and construction management contracts

Kaufman County keeps 2025-26 tax rate unchanged at 0.415113 after public hearing