[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",6472016,"mediaKeyId","5777143-cc931b677c2ebd44ac4471d7837c7ab2","parentId",5777143,"title","Council approves annual Service and Assessment Plan updates for PID assessments, staff explains calculation process","audioSeconds",1783,"startMs",4408000,"endMs",6191000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777143-cc931b677c2ebd44ac4471d7837c7ab2&start=4408&end=6191","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777143-cc931b677c2ebd44ac4471d7837c7ab2/thumbnail_4408000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6472016/Argyle/Denton-County/Texas/Council-approves-annual-Service-and-Assessment-Plan-updates-for-PID-assessments-staff-explains-calculation-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472016-c22308a1aca75304edb8e6c71c94b5bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775425937&Signature=Ilu~ozp3ZVDJAofKUmQ-XXh-VImnXKbrf6aT5OR1bdycfq-yu1zjW0GSZLxxJYW5qLNbbDbX8zJ1ly3P2H1vTSZQ65zl78~GwJABcdgHNBHimWL6xlbpyuDD2fUoHzGqrdfUWGEUkbH2N17x9O1-iGbCc8HV2WZCdfbq3EiWNO-GFF4Hs-WpfzyJe-G00VNjvC2kdxmWepKaqME-Z2P3p7kyLhWZEC21exU6S2opIn7EckZjNllQS~UlNjnw5TL17agF-wzjDBaMJYJI7CLIEPx5XL06RYdtZXjt009zLGA~pZe5VjN8clOVCrXOZS2QMEnymWNJoEMM7XI6oH7sRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Argyle","date","2025-09-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Argyle Town Council approved annual updates to Service and Assessment Plans (SAPs) for the town's public improvement districts, including the Highlands and Waterbrook developments, and staff explained how the assessments are calculated to cover bond payments and collection costs.

Why it matters: SAP updates are required by statute to identify indebtedness and set annual assessment rates so Denton County can place them on property tax bills. Council asked staff and outside consultant for clearer cover documentation after receiving lengthy exhibits showing property-level assessment details.

What staff said
A consultant identified as Mitch (from the town's contract consultant) explained that the SAP process identifies annual principal and interest due on bonds, collection/administrative costs and takes into account fund balances when computing each parcel's assessment. Mitch said the Highlands assessment for one lot category was $2,831 for the coming year (down slightly from $2,848 last year) and that collections are strong with a reported 99.3% collection rate.

Mitch also summarized historical indebtedness for the Highlands: bonds issued in 2017 originally about $5,675,000 with current outstanding principal around $4,000,990 and annual collections of roughly $390,000 to $395,000 depending on the year. He said the SAP requires filing a notice to purchasers and that the town will file required notices after council approval.

Council questions and context
Council members asked whether a cover letter or executive summary could be provided to make the large packet more accessible; staff agreed such a summary would be helpful. A council member asked whether an audit-style attestation is provided; staff replied the SAP is a contractual obligation of the consulting firm to prepare annually rather than an audit letter.

Action
Council approved items 6 and 7 (the SAP updates) by motion and second. Staff said the action must be taken to put the assessments on the county tax roll and avoid default by the PID.

Ending
Staff said they will file required purchaser notices within the statutory timeframe and will provide a brief cover summary for council next year to make review easier.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Argyle - Town Council","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved required annual Service and Assessment Plan updates for local Public Improvement Districts including Highlands and Waterbrook; consultant explained how assessments are calculated to meet bonded debt obligations and required notices.","taxTitle","Argyle, Denton County, Texas","taxId",52239,"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},6472020,"Council approves amendment with SafeBuilt, accepts modest permit fee increases",1102,3503000,4605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777143-cc931b677c2ebd44ac4471d7837c7ab2&start=3503&end=4605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777143-cc931b677c2ebd44ac4471d7837c7ab2/thumbnail_3503000.jpg","/articles/6472020/Argyle/Denton-County/Texas/Council-approves-amendment-with-SafeBuilt-accepts-modest-permit-fee-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472020-92586077d988c42999af125e963dcc2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775425937&Signature=BJ3g0uWha71XP6LehD08XlqFzsF3d0HkhKNc0Ag6iKBkOL~rx1obd6V4FxOHTu6q7S5AFNTZVubH3PiGYt2dDNQqNmd6V3n3bnqou~uKt2~t6bGi5-DVpfJaIAmU64UIZ0fIs7NH6k05VRYIbvsxyS6isGgv-PNMDEf-yfYKFtFJyzqVdywn~V94MST8Wx8xjCqpUsRiJrsY8mOWr1pl9j~CpYs1JfIDFbouzecpNtb4294wLF0TO3DzIny-4o2PSZBj2yYRJKVRZxVEjluJTIeysDxBOseaZUbnKCy8-sXWPk3xT8vpuESfnPMTao-qmUjO6t~kueKFP8~5sJmE4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Argyle Town Council approved Resolution 2025-41 to amend the town's agreement with third-party plan reviewer and inspection firm SafeBuilt to reflect a modest fee increase and to add health-services and on-site sewer facility plan review to the firm's scope.

Why it matters: SafeBuilt performs building plan review and inspections on behalf of the town. Council members said keeping third-party review capacity is important to meet inspection timelines, avoid bottlenecks on large projects and to avoid hiring a large, permanent in-house staff for peaks and valleys in development activity.

Scope and fee changes
Staff said SafeBuilt requested a market-based rate adjustment not made since 2021; the proposed increase is modest (examples given included a change from $7.50 to $7.71 for the first 1,500 sq. ft. of residential review and similar per-square-foot adjustments). SafeBuilt will now offer health-code plan reviews (useful for restaurants and commercial kitchens) and on-site sewer (septic) plan reviews; staff noted the residential septic review fee would rise from $400 to $411 and the commercial septic review from $500 to $514 under the amendment.

Council questions
Council members asked whether the town still nets revenue on permits after contractor costs and whether a portion of a $546,095 \"development inspections\" expense line represents SafeBuilt. Staff said that a portion of that line item covers external contractors, engineering costs and some in-house staff time; staff also noted the town previously ran a deficit in permit-related accounts and that accurate fee setting is necessary to cover treatment and inspection costs.

SafeBuilt's representative said Argyle sits on one of the firm's older pricing schedules and that the firm does not require a minimum fee if the town chooses to use them sporadically; SafeBuilt also described typical plan-review turnaround times: 3'5 business days for standard residential reviews and about 10 business days for most commercial permits, with timing extended by applicant resubmittals.

Action and next steps
Council approved the amendment by motion and second. Staff said they will continue to monitor permit revenue and expense lines, pursue an updated engineering procurement to refine development fee structures, and return with reports as needed.

Ending
Council members supported the amendment and asked staff to provide periodic accounting showing the relationship between permit revenues and inspection-related expenses.
","Argyle approved a contract amendment with SafeBuilt to add services (health reviews and on-site sewer plan review) and accepted small fee increases; council discussed permit revenue and expense structures and third-party review workload.",{"_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},6472024,"Council approves $200,000 grant application for Argonne Nature Trail improvements",689,4626000,5315000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777143-cc931b677c2ebd44ac4471d7837c7ab2&start=4626&end=5315","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777143-cc931b677c2ebd44ac4471d7837c7ab2/thumbnail_4626000.jpg","/articles/6472024/Argyle/Denton-County/Texas/Council-approves-200000-grant-application-for-Argonne-Nature-Trail-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472024-4fcee89ae893e4e40ce86630693dc64a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775425937&Signature=WmB9qyXBD6gnEgcgug5mBC6HdbSVzntskHCX~tqo7W1lwPk5fsSSq-8TtstFyTlYhfRDtMODqODoCQ91B6YkSgCt7-oU80ZBovYf96di3~vQkzSDToN32l0FeU7YqnVteKMEFehizIwFXNnSyTOEis~Gh4nlOWCvONLPTgnFznxzZKMMGkGdjo3hSPEoIUssFXsnQm8jmCUfShtoa2zUpQ6-5B7gYqLlsDXKnG5meHPC3fYJzA9oTE3wnN6JmImVRBSOGCeGZM1FzjYLSDbd7q~ymp1otto6B3pA1husrzIV1QcLBBW1uJMUt4mu2UhgsEnpEPsLFCKNlIBBBfDg5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Argyle Town Council on Sept. 15 approved a resolution authorizing application for up to $200,000 in reimbursement funding from Denton County Development District No. 4 to support construction of the Argonne Nature Trail.

Parks staff presented feasibility plans from Westwood showing a preferred quarter-mile loop alignment and alternatives. Staff asked for a reimbursement grant through the district to supplement the town's planned $250,000 allocation; the draft application requests $200,000 and, if awarded, would allow higher-end features such as brick-paver entrances and lighting.

Why it matters: The project aims to create a destination trail with improved access, preserved mature trees and optional amenities (lighting, monument elements, veterans memorial). Staff said the grant is reimbursement-only: the town would pay construction costs up front and receive reimbursement if the application is successful.

Presentation and design choices
Harrison, the staff presenter on parks and trails, summarized Westwood's tree survey and concept plans and noted the committee's preference for a quarter-mile loop with brick paver entry points and a concrete loop. Staff reviewed material options and a cost estimate showing a base price for the quarter-mile loop plus alternates for lighting and other amenities.

Staff said the full grant request assumes a $457,000 project total (plan includes $147,000 for lighting) and that without the grant the town would remove the lighting alternate and pursue a less-costly alignment (for example, decomposed granite or concrete) to match available funding. Harrison noted Westwood will do a more-focused topographic survey of the trail alignment rather than a full-property survey to save money and allow alternative alignments around trees to preserve specimen oaks.

Council questions and next steps
A councilmember asked whether the town would know whether it was \"entitled\" to the $200,000 before committing to a construction method; staff replied the development district meets Oct. 6 and that award decisions would be known before the town went to bid. Staff said the town would still need to pay costs up front; the district reimburses awarded amounts after work is complete.

Council approved the grant application by motion and second. Staff said the parks committee will continue to refine alignment and fundraising plans; staff proposed exploring a Friends of Argyle Parks or Argyle Parks Foundation to accept donations and support park amenities.

Ending
Staff said they hope to complete topographic survey work this fall and, pending a grant award and fundraising, aim to start construction in winter (when tree clearing is preferable in some circumstances). Councilmember support was unanimous.
","Council approved a resolution authorizing a grant application seeking up to $200,000 from Denton County Development District No. 4 to help fund the Argonne Nature Trail; staff presented alignment options and cost estimates and said final scope will depend on award and additional fundraising.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6472029,"Argyle council adopts FY2026 budget, keeps tax rate stable but ratifies revenue increase",0,7071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777143-cc931b677c2ebd44ac4471d7837c7ab2&start=7071&end=7071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777143-cc931b677c2ebd44ac4471d7837c7ab2/thumbnail_7071000.jpg","/articles/6472029/Argyle/Denton-County/Texas/Argyle-council-adopts-FY2026-budget-keeps-tax-rate-stable-but-ratifies-revenue-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472029-1513066618b037a6ee6e7fd258234aec/orig.mp4?Expires=1775425937&Signature=N4HZadpgfun~fjpx81Hf0OuCZw08GWwnP8QiJoeXqQ4q-GCXJ5X4lNza0EACbKYOKsTApkKdEaBotdEsCJE8~SGzP3iLYzcqrVdWbgw5-riVRbFd1Fj9PPrl5Rhsb9qqw3Swv390k~NLs7d-avgGTjhZXZXIv5WnCW~L3TS2MhhC9BeLm9LD4pjMJ~YNGQeMb5U13sKbgyobAaE9Lt913kw5jBv-HAHhcRqttRRmFUkRxXOO7gB2GapFY2JAG2LYW1M8YnhAqHQ97t9JTCwznFo4I3WC4jL2B45U9lAVJEua40HhDeAmQRUsUqmMb84-hdaH4~CFOX4MykYt81ga7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Argyle Town Council on Sept. 15 adopted the town's fiscal year 2026 budget and approved a property tax rate of $0.3431 per $100 of taxable valuation, a measure council members said keeps the rate effectively the same while acknowledging increased tax revenue resulting from local growth.

Mayor and council adopted Ordinance 2025-35 approving the FY2026 budget and Ordinance 2025-36 levying the tax rate. After adopting the tax rate the council passed Resolution 2025-45, a required state step to ratify any increase in property tax revenue from the previous year.

Why it matters: Council members said the budget preserves strong reserves while shifting money into capital projects the town has planned, including a planned police facility and street improvements. Councilmember Martin Bridal and other members emphasized a continued review and the possibility of budget amendments later in the year.

Council discussion and context
Mayor and staff summarized the budget package and how it charts resources for town priorities. Town staff said the FY2026 plan transfers funds from the general fund to capital accounts, including $500,000 toward a town center/police department building and $1,750,000 in street improvements. Town staff reported a projected combined fund balance of about $21.7 million at the end of FY2026 and said a projected $719,000 will be added to reserves in the coming year.

During discussion, councilmember Martin Bridal — who the mayor earlier named as \"council member of the month\" — said he would adopt the budget now with the expectation of returning in December with recommended amendments after more review. \"I'm going to challenge Mike to work with me going forward,\" Bridal said, referencing staff, adding he intended to propose targeted changes after additional study.

Town staff (referred to in the meeting as Mike) said the budget keeps the town on course and that the slightly lower rate (from 0.34311 to 0.3431) produces modest savings per taxpayer while planned borrowing raises the interest-and-sinking component. On the required language that accompanies the tax ordinance, staff explained that state rules sometimes require wording that the \"property tax rate be increased\" even when the intent is to hold the rate steady; that wording reflects technical calculations tied to growth and new value under Texas Tax Code procedures.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 2025-35 (Adopt FY2026 budget): Motion made and seconded; roll call vote recorded as Places 1'5 all \"Aye.\" Outcome: approved. (budget_adoption)
- Ordinance 2025-36 (Adopt tax rate 0.3431 per $100): Motion and second; roll call recorded as Places 1'5 all \"Aye.\" Outcome: approved. (ordinance_adoption)
- Resolution 2025-45 (Ratify property tax revenue increase): Motion and second; voice vote recorded as \"ayes have it.\" Outcome: approved. (resolution)

What council members said
Councilmember Stewart urged caution about the public perception of higher taxes and asked for continued efforts to find savings; Mayor and others noted the town's plan emphasizes capital projects funded from reserves and transfers described in the budget. A council member asked that staff return in December with specific recommended amendments to line items where additional efficiencies might be possible.

What happens next
Councilmembers authorized the budget and directed staff to continue reviewing line items and come back with proposed amendments in December. The tax-rate adoption and the ratification resolution complete the two-step state-required process for approving the tax rate and any revenue increase from prior year growth.

Ending
Council members said the town remains well-funded to deliver planned projects while staff and council will continue to examine the budget for additional savings or re-prioritization.
","The Argyle Town Council approved a $FY2026 budget and adopted a tax rate of $0.3431 per $100 valuation; council also passed a resolution ratifying an increase in property tax revenue driven by local growth. Councilmembers said they'll review targeted budget amendments in December.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves annual Service and Assessment Plan updates for PID assessments, staff explains calculation process

Council approves amendment with SafeBuilt, accepts modest permit fee increases

Council approves $200,000 grant application for Argonne Nature Trail improvements

Argyle council adopts FY2026 budget, keeps tax rate stable but ratifies revenue increase