[{"_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",6506445,"mediaKeyId","5682377-c283224c8ccc4f03fa6f427fa9b8e737","parentId",5682377,"title","Commissioners approve funding report, consent items and policy corrections; real‑property item approved after executive session","audioSeconds",3685,"startMs",44000,"endMs",3729000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5682377-c283224c8ccc4f03fa6f427fa9b8e737&start=44&end=3729","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5682377-c283224c8ccc4f03fa6f427fa9b8e737/thumbnail_44000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6506445/Williamson-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-funding-report-consent-items-and-policy-corrections-realproperty-item-approved-after-executive-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506445-ef6263c3537ab9802155e04bdc6a726c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770573809&Signature=PLSKfHiS-Z8MIlSq8v-kvVWbjCONGqVp55cZsLZWwPSzQVPKYFv~QrGwLT4zuBLD9tNe6vMdVYIrP~LO64XMQZDfKv1GaosgcufyGqdSb8CgSpjRjaUgrb-a3Fmegzp6ATRsUM7UORrRBmut-rt5-FPQ4TJcUlrkfNz-mS02oWbqO3uG8xZY4QqIvSAQFB4Mf5XofonJoRx-7PBy1ej6E8u-a1quURg1vKtOkQuKDzYmQMpfvffSi4IMY~3Qolm3IJufn~AdkLvtEsWxqAO~U3OStKxHh~6IuYZWSn~ZTJflzMZzqBwPIuMMh086ojrGxKJQ-vWJPd7hMCPvglybfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Williamson","date","2025-08-26T00:00:00Z","article","Williamson County commissioners on Aug. 26 approved a series of routine and specific items, including the county auditor’s funding report, consolidated consent items, two policy manual revisions and a real‑property matter that was pulled for executive session and later approved 4–1.

The court approved the minutes at the start of the meeting on a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Bowles; the court recorded the motion as carried 5–0. The county auditor requested approval of an electronically submitted funding report totaling $19,098,501.27 and presented additional addenda that totaled $1,246,899.49; the court approved that request 5–0 after a motion by Commissioner Bull and a second by Commissioner Cook.

The court approved the consent agenda (items 4 through 29) on a motion by Commissioner Covey and second by Commissioner Bowles; the clerk recorded the consent as carried 5–0. Item 30, an order of interment by cremation to authorize Beck Funeral Home to proceed under the Texas health code cited in the meeting, passed 5–0 on motion. The court approved the retirement recognition for K‑9 Officer Kato (item 41) by motion and second; the court recorded the vote as five‑zero.

On personnel and policy items, the court approved revisions to the FY2025 employee policy manual to correct salary listings for L and C chart pay minima and to remove an inadvertently added “plus 2%” language; County Manager Rebecca Clemens said the county will review those salaries every three years and adjust the median based on market findings. That motion passed 5–0. Commissioners also approved revisions to the county’s purchasing policy manual and multiple Expo Center rates and related items (items 35–39) on the consent or motions noted in the record.

Item 40 (a real property matter) had been pulled for executive session under Texas Government Code §551.072 and discussed in closed session. After returning to open session the court voted to approve item 40; a motion by Commissioner Covey, seconded by Commissioner Bowles, passed with a 4–1 tally (the presiding Judge said, “I’m voting no”).

The court later moved to approve items 42 through 61 with item 47 removed from the bundle; a motion by Commissioner Long and second by Commissioner Covey carried (vote not specified in the transcript). The court scheduled a special meeting to finalize the budget and tax rate for Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 1:00 p.m.

No ordinances or new statutory changes were passed during the session; several administrative and operational items advanced by majority votes as summarized above.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Williamson - Commissioners Court - Regular Session","oneSentenceSummary","Williamson County Commissioners voted to approve the auditor's funding report, multiple consent agenda items, revisions to the employee policy manual and purchasing manual, and approved a previously pulled real‑property item 4–1 after executive session.","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},6506450,"Williamson County provides progress update on Expo Center; Friendship Pavilion and AV upgrades underway",926,2529000,3455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5682377-c283224c8ccc4f03fa6f427fa9b8e737&start=2529&end=3455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5682377-c283224c8ccc4f03fa6f427fa9b8e737/thumbnail_2529000.jpg","/articles/6506450/Williamson-County/Texas/Williamson-County-provides-progress-update-on-Expo-Center-Friendship-Pavilion-and-AV-upgrades-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506450-91704326578fa8bbbd4d091d93a5050e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770573809&Signature=LHuXWrBwUiXh4pXQXxe4CU1Kje0Wna6LzUzHERBwv8MzxWhVRANwD3KAkoOaIcjLav8hD66eBRsNbhQTrza3vZIwpay3RXaaoqk9x11c~1i2ISZvezvK0eXXFl0u~beAkxnJreJ46WTOHoWT67cQM1Qzjo-WQn3p5OtoxmUSU~V--gimJKz~JLA~vf2DcuOIjg99YdDc9lzmhI2tLHUcQpNOsbhVILCBGMHgnDpO81r33irA1dn423QMHvaK-EqF8u1rogxAivk5QVEsOJil1YuGnCcE55bAriuwhzWcI3krVmZJgeiTJyb6UK3iEMJhJmIfVVsflQLgtAaDoCF5rQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williamson County parks staff on Aug. 26 gave the commissioners a progress report on upgrades and ongoing construction at the Williamson County Exposition Center, including the under-construction West Arena (named the Friendship Pavilion), recent paving and water-station installations, and planned audio-visual upgrades.

Russell Fishback, parks director, said the Friendship Pavilion is part of the projects funded through the 2023 park bond and a $12,000,000 allocation for Expo Center improvements. “We broke ground last fall…you can see they’ve made great progress on the pavilion,” Fishback said, showing photos of site work and structural framing.

Fishback reviewed earlier improvements: the main expo hall renovation in 2016, an RV park added in 2019, a pavilion and restroom/concession work completed in 2020, and a tarmac/parking expansion started in 2022. He said the county recently paved the east-side parking area and areas around the Judge Dan A. Gaddis Pavilion to improve access for event users and vendors, and added a water-well refill station to reduce costs of drawing water from municipal hydrants.

Fishback described planned and near-term projects: an AV and IT upgrade for the main expo hall is in design and will go out for bid soon; the county is also considering fans and wind/sun screens for spectator areas pending capital funding. “The AV IT project…the design is complete. We’re fixing to go out for bid,” Fishback said.

Staff provided operational figures: a three-year average of about 80 events per year, roughly 160 event days annually, and approximately 70,000 annual visitors. Fishback reported year-to-date revenue of about $3.57 million and projected approaching $3.75 million for the fiscal year.

Commissioners and staff also noted the Expo Center’s role in emergency response; Fishback said the complex has served as a shelter for large animals during statewide evacuations.

Fishback asked the court to consider an updated master plan to guide future capital needs. Commissioners discussed next steps for AV procurement, potential CIP requests for shaded spectator areas and the need to evaluate long-term operating models and maintenance costs as the site expands.","Parks director Russell Fishback updated commissioners on recent and ongoing improvements at the Williamson County Exposition Center, including a new covered Friendship Pavilion, paving projects, water refill station and upcoming audio-visual upgrades; staff reported roughly $3.57 million in year-to-date revenue.",{"_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},6506454,"Williamson County shelter marks 14 years of 90%+ save rate, cites flood response and seeks expansion",138,815000,953000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5682377-c283224c8ccc4f03fa6f427fa9b8e737&start=815&end=953","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5682377-c283224c8ccc4f03fa6f427fa9b8e737/thumbnail_815000.jpg","/articles/6506454/Williamson-County/Texas/Williamson-County-shelter-marks-14-years-of-90-save-rate-cites-flood-response-and-seeks-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506454-d813f960c55ba2f516c5c79b640ecba9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770573809&Signature=f46XG9t~58~DbpzE2U~dptX2Dromld-i5SXoNhdxx-krGSAbj3iMj2VaXAmWsXiEijrp6FieUajnmqZ5Ky-nkrnhARCNBPssGA6UZoD-5d-YN9gHQtXKI4jBPrTbQDiMoCft0IDuruvUB0yoeCrAYg8EtcxE1Yc6bYOF4iVOd1vvqpIVZq5mftvhJyfFSX8cmHJpCbe6eoBha1LC1oeOias9zQ8515Bi5IaH0GTawUw8VmU2~h~YZwbaRRYSmJFx3RFf-gO8JvwluYWLxrX~Oe5njQSD~trHf4nRZdmejzuHOf~0ReyF6Ey7BUUjlebXvv3FpfYlMIZVo5tgHr-ptg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter on Aug. 26 presented the court with a national ‘‘no kill’’ recognition and described a week in which the shelter helped evacuate and rehome hundreds of animals after regional flooding.

Misty Valenta, director of the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, told the commissioners the shelter temporarily received animals from the Georgetown and Lampasas shelters during July flooding, fostered about 300 animals within days, and later transferred roughly 250 animals through national rescue networks. “Within 3 hours, that shelter was empty and all of their pets came to our shelter,” Valenta said.

The award cited the shelter’s save rate of 90 percent or higher — a common benchmark for ‘‘no kill’’ status — and Valenta said Williamson County has met that standard since December 2010. “Decisions aren’t made at the shelter because of numbers,” she said. “Decisions are made at the shelter because of each individual pet and their needs, medical condition, and safety of the community.”

Laura Donahue, senior director with Best Friends Animal Society, presented the plaque and praised the shelter’s programs and leadership. “This shelter community has…achieved this life saving standard now for 14 years in a row,” Donahue said, and she singled out Williamson County staff for national leadership roles and conference presentations.

Valenta outlined programs the shelter credits for its outcomes: a transfer program that ships animals north to areas with higher demand, a finder-to-foster pathway that lets people keep found animals at home while the shelter handles intake paperwork and medical workups, and post-adoption support including a 30-day Pet Academy training and text-based trainer access. She also described community support programs such as a pet pantry and targeted rehoming work to avoid shelter surrenders.

The shelter said it added Georgetown to its regional agreement (the presentation noted an earlier urgent evacuation date of July 5 during the floods) and is planning a kennel expansion to accommodate the larger service area. Valenta and commissioners encouraged public support for the shelter’s November fundraiser, the 16th annual “Fur Ball,” scheduled for Nov. 8 at the Sheraton, and for adoption and foster volunteerism.

The presentation included operational context: the shelter uses data reported to Shelter Pet Data Alliance and Best Friends to benchmark performance and emphasized that high intake of stray animals demonstrates the shelter remains open to community needs. Valenta said the shelter also reduced returns by providing adoption follow-up and that its national partnerships have helped place animals in regions with greater adoption capacity.

The court paused afterward for a photo with the award and the shelter’s life‑saving manager and board representatives.

Looking ahead, Valenta said the shelter will pursue additional kennel space to support Georgetown and continue using transport grants and donor funding to expand transfer capacity.","Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter celebrated a national “no kill” recognition, described a surge in transfers and fosters after regional flooding, and said it is planning expansion after Georgetown joined its regional sheltering agreement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve funding report, consent items and policy corrections; real‑property item approved after executive session

Williamson County provides progress update on Expo Center; Friendship Pavilion and AV upgrades underway

Williamson County shelter marks 14 years of 90%+ save rate, cites flood response and seeks expansion