[{"_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",6484427,"mediaKeyId","5739697-47d4820389218019c9f5f3ded73d9bcb","parentId",5739697,"title","Williamson County approves $25 million in CIP allocations; funds technology upgrades, 911 training center, and interim justice‑center work","audioSeconds",4285,"startMs",1252000,"endMs",5537000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739697-47d4820389218019c9f5f3ded73d9bcb&start=1252&end=5537","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739697-47d4820389218019c9f5f3ded73d9bcb/thumbnail_1252000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6484427/Williamson-County/Texas/Williamson-County-approves-25-million-in-CIP-allocations-funds-technology-upgrades-911-training-center-and-interim-justicecenter-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484427-4e77b731afddd8d86b19b87c4279fb9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770562104&Signature=YPOkKkSIXqrabTauxKYTUGXHP1jbCwsmPA7rie2~20i8W6qmXBihbpSKo4-g6PHibQF-nXnXXv5XDS3Qx6tMjePOBSvTkQTH1ZxK9sg6jb-RPLx32TJbE74Qq76j5-yzHyLwKfoPOfj6CFIBUrMpIQbIZMJ1dfwzzeYuyIdNBtR7agq7itN26lggerEQ4cdTU7eFmJuSDxcrLVIB3jC~FDTZzVCmUTs8qyxhfJ7VyH~-t5V3ccz6L7Agz7zMBZ7e3MatsHK~PVWxXjKNgFzFujggzhX~Ca1ExmNcmvSREhfmEIH1YBT6BJPIrpiJZstZ3P35vfWhzkD9~YmutE5lCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Williamson","date","2025-09-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Williamson County Commissioners Court voted Sept. 9 to approve multiple capital and technology funding actions that county leaders said are intended to address urgent operational needs and to preserve competitive construction pricing on a large juvenile justice expansion.

Among the approvals, the court authorized: $5,000,000 in additional funding for the county’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) financial system; $2,600,000 for public‑safety computer‑aided dispatch (CAD) software; $4,600,000 for build‑out of a 9‑1‑1 training and backup center at the Lake Creek annex; $2,500,000 for a new enterprise asset‑management solution; $950,000 for broader Lake Creek annex work; $750,000 for design and permitting of a personnel muster facility; $2,400,000 for backup power at Jail North; $1,500,000 to replenish contingency for phases 1–2 of the juvenile justice complex project; and a $1,000,000 allocation to address closing and near‑term needs related to a recently purchased downtown building sometimes referred to in the meeting as the “lipstick” property.

Commissioners discussed procurement practices for master‑service agreements (MSAs), with one commissioner asking for “guardrails” so the court reviews and approves significant purchases before funds are spent. The court asked facilities, purchasing and audit staff to propose a process and return to the court for review. County staff said an MSA would allow faster emergency repairs while separate court approval would retain spending oversight.

County technology staff told the court both the ERP upgrade and CAD replacement are underway, that vendors have been selected and that funding must be available in fiscal 2026 to meet project timelines. Richard Semple of Technology Services said the public‑safety and ERP projects were “well underway” and that the county has completed vendor selection and is ready to proceed.

On the Lake Creek annex, county staff described plans to use the building for training and as a functional backup for 9‑1‑1 operations. The county estimated $4.6 million for the training/backup build‑out in FY 2026 and said additional infrastructure (radios, consoles, tower connectivity) would be funded separately by the Emergency Communications District. The commissioners approved the Lake Creek allotments 5–0.

The court voted 4–1 to allocate $1,000,000 toward the downtown building purchase and near‑term work; one commissioner opposed the allocation and said the county should wait for planned moves to free up space before investing more in the building. Staff said a $1 million allocation is intended to cover closing costs and immediate stabilization, and the final accounting of closing costs would be brought back to the court.

For the juvenile justice complex, county officials said contractor subcontracts and supplier pricing make it advantageous to lock in prices for later phases in the near term. The court asked staff to prepare a change‑order or commitment for phases 3–5 and said funding sources can be finalized in October when project accounting (P‑numbers) and arbitrage calculations are complete.

The court approved the allocations and directed staff to return with more detailed processes or project plans for items that commissioners said require additional governance, including MSAs and the precinct‑4/Taylor annex facility planning discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Williamson - Commissioners Court - Regular Session","oneSentenceSummary","Williamson County commissioners approved multiple capital and technology funding items Sept. 9, including major IT upgrades, a 9‑1‑1 training/backup center and interim funding related to a purchased downtown building.","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},6484432,"Williamson County proclaims September 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month",735,430000,1165000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739697-47d4820389218019c9f5f3ded73d9bcb&start=430&end=1165","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739697-47d4820389218019c9f5f3ded73d9bcb/thumbnail_430000.jpg","/articles/6484432/Williamson-County/Texas/Williamson-County-proclaims-September-2025-Suicide-Prevention-Awareness-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484432-ccd6e4a69f9449a08389b49d9e49a097/orig.mp4?Expires=1770562104&Signature=evJN35-Yig2~cbvT3-tPWL0VZR4-Y0vrgF7cNdkVoOlHEHoCrEpasHjvCn15VsccvQ7tGtA6qnl2iLlpombzEd-ymi~9NqrP80ljVY6GHZ94YkR7QCkGeNSoGRpQgK0fsdPA9NRzfsTBMYPqQR3wqOJtAOgysgbSagz~Ez8us2nvrK6rbKEr4P5b6rqLoQEkopRpMPl81R0IlOX0rwTOOn81RXsoQY1DHbWGm4XOBocF7qneru3FrJZ-f8tlmWLuQBBcgoWW1SMHwNczUWpbIbVDSka2NuTpREJhzBVy~DCfVUWL8KU5Jn0BOAvrTlrwRNTggiJd8ta5Q-PEcGL55w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Williamson County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and urged residents to use local mental‑health resources.

Commissioner Long moved to adopt the proclamation; the motion was seconded and passed 5–0. The court’s action included language encouraging individuals to seek help and noting local crisis response connections for Williamson County callers to 911.

The proclamation and accompanying remarks emphasized the county’s recent behavioral‑health initiatives. Kathy Pierce, identified in the meeting as Commissioner Long’s executive assistant and chair of the county behavioral health task force, told the court: “It can affect anybody. It doesn’t matter of your race or age or economics. It impacts all families.” Pierce described a planned “loss team” to support people impacted by suicide and said the county is working to collect data to guide prevention and early intervention efforts.

Mike Maples, chief executive officer of Bluebonnet Trails Community Services, and Ruben Liao, described in the meeting as a Williamson County death investigator who has led the loss team effort, were introduced during the presentation. Pierce and other speakers credited partnerships among the county, Bluebonnet Trails and the local health district for faster crisis response through 911 dispatch and for linking people to longer‑term services.

Commissioner Long read statistics from the proclamation noting that suicide is the 12th leading cause of death nationally and among the leading causes of death for young people, and reminded residents that help is available 24/7. The proclamation text as read at the meeting directed that the county “recognizes September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and encourages all individuals to stay connected and to not hesitate to seek mental health treatment.” Commissioners encouraged the court clerk to include the local crisis contact number in county outreach materials.

The court held a short recognition and asked for a group photograph following the vote.","The Williamson County Commissioners Court on Sept. 9 unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and highlighted local crisis resources and efforts to build a loss response team and expand early interventions for youth.",{"_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},6484421,"Speaker at Commissioners Court raises transparency concerns on economic development, certificates of obligation and Robinson Ranch Road",148,106000,254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739697-47d4820389218019c9f5f3ded73d9bcb&start=106&end=254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739697-47d4820389218019c9f5f3ded73d9bcb/thumbnail_106000.jpg","/articles/6484421/Williamson-County/Texas/Speaker-at-Commissioners-Court-raises-transparency-concerns-on-economic-development-certificates-of-obligation-and-Robinson-Ranch-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484421-897ae1807e0d1a0fb1bff2b29f5f2790/orig.mp4?Expires=1770562104&Signature=PCfLzeQoaBtuHjMPCKnxs2DogbLcKB05n24mdAYIoXjV7dvxkKTYQHHGiKhD5nq9pEvLmPNyUIrNG-EURo5UIMv998O4Q0GrALPPQsJVkgqj3~lOGCyjMoJZaEjoXbrZ8tofm5pwKr7P2tBCQt7M2wLlm~gqVHK7XzE7AefnsEFIQmWxWnZYrT1L9ASpZnBgU~6Mads0JEBmLHjFhUxTeoIAgJWwIP0BbUOHgL1SSj4v6S05In7JJktPCfmhmEyZFWYUCl0iVl6QNqSC1Y-UuOmmf~791VTHQhaZYWKlarcpqFR2bSAmOdQwvTW5tkTrVOVcxVl8DpqOW-sy7~KjRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A public comment on Sept. 9 at the Williamson County Commissioners Court raised concerns about transparency in economic development deals, county purchasing, and a planned road project connected to a private landholding.

Bill Kerberlaw, who identified himself as a sixth‑generation Williamson County resident, used his allotted public comment time to single out several agenda items and county practices. Kerberlaw urged county leaders to “be doing America First” instead of purchasing from foreign suppliers when possible and criticized what he described as a lack of transparency in economic development items tied to agenda lines 37 through 42.

Kerberlaw also raised questions about certificates of obligation, saying they are used to spend large sums without voter approval: “For those who don't know what these things are… the certificates of obligations is where they can spend the, small billions on capital because it's hard to get voters to approve a whole lot of those categories. So this is a loophole that allowed to spend more millions without the voter approval.”

On a county road project, Kerberlaw said Robinson Ranch Road appeared to be routed to serve a large private trust and noted a recent county condemnation dispute that he said worked out to about $128,653 per acre. He also referenced an upcoming agenda item about tobacco settlement funds and a lawsuit concerning bidding exemptions. Kerberlaw’s remarks were part of the public‑comment period; commissioners did not take action in response during that portion of the meeting.

Kerberlaw offered to continue his remarks into non‑agenda items; the presiding judge allowed him to proceed with the remainder of his comments without taking immediate action.","A public commenter urged Williamson County leaders to prioritize U.S. suppliers, questioned transparency on economic development items and certificates of obligation, and warned about a road project tied to a large private landowner. No action followed; comments were heard during public comment period.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Williamson County approves $25 million in CIP allocations; funds technology upgrades, 911 training center, and interim justice‑center work

Williamson County proclaims September 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Speaker at Commissioners Court raises transparency concerns on economic development, certificates of obligation and Robinson Ranch Road