[{"_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",6472530,"mediaKeyId","5776368-bc6add775415dbe2124ca2503e3a548f","parentId",5776368,"title","Advocates press council for a library advisory board to advance public library plans","audioSeconds",178,"startMs",386000,"endMs",564000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776368-bc6add775415dbe2124ca2503e3a548f&start=386&end=564","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776368-bc6add775415dbe2124ca2503e3a548f/thumbnail_386000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6472530/Forney/Kaufman-County/Texas/Advocates-press-council-for-a-library-advisory-board-to-advance-public-library-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472530-2297b6e78362cdafe0f2fc830c4c5fb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140090&Signature=mx~Ue81rKIsb~orT~k6S8DH0ZDC0~~Si0jcqxKeZ9gsbAPiLwKguNEjXG3pEHGjSuLrSDy6hmnBSN2~gJxjW0LTsXmsAEYS2owiqf2yhi192Q-JgzBI~mHKb2WhxLgWh26ssUsUouOQpomOfOJmeYt33N~h8TDhMSvtrgHOcKRxv1SIaPDTCIlDaOt4GPdn2pzEZ7tKaQ-myV1nq1MZVJNfRNzB~4HtO3s6xLzgYASyIQu6s-ibw1JIisvdFVGFYaL-aL5TwZCWtZgQoxXWc95~woqfauqT9c3LV3GmdMTqJ1qodVxR9VxXHHSQn6U4KTFBV5qzfq8qKOeec2TGAcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Forney","date","2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","article","During the open forum at the Sept. 16 Forney City Council meeting, a resident representing Citizens for Forney Area Library urged the council to appoint an advisory board by Dec. 1 to ensure the creation of a public library remains a city priority.

Flowers Escamilla (presented as \"Flowers Camilla\" in the meeting) told the council that Forney will mark six years without a public library in January and asked the council to create a community-led advisory board to consolidate input on potential locations, help coordinate stakeholders such as the Chamber of Commerce, and keep the library project moving after immediate public-safety priorities are addressed. The speaker said multiple location options had been discussed and asked for a concrete plan to keep the project on track.

Council response and context: Council members and staff acknowledged the speaker\u001fs comments and indicated awareness of the library issue; no council action or appointment was taken at the meeting. City staff noted public commenters on consent item 11 (a separate land-use item) would be called when that item was heard.

Why it matters: Advocates described a library as a civic resource that hosts story times, community workshops, and information services — functions they argued are important to community cohesion, literacy and access to unbiased information. The speaker framed an advisory board as a way to provide focused public input while city staff and council prioritize public-safety capital projects.

Ending: The request for an advisory board was recorded in public comment but not acted on; the council did not schedule appointments or create an advisory board during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Forney - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","A Forney resident urged council to form an advisory board by Dec. 1 to keep a public library project prioritized and guide location selection; council members expressed support during public comment but took no formal action at the meeting.","taxTitle","Forney, Kaufman County, Texas","taxId",69540,"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},6472535,"Neighbors raise easement and drainage concerns; council tables Buffalo Reserve preliminary plat",533,765000,1298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776368-bc6add775415dbe2124ca2503e3a548f&start=765&end=1298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776368-bc6add775415dbe2124ca2503e3a548f/thumbnail_765000.jpg","/articles/6472535/Forney/Kaufman-County/Texas/Neighbors-raise-easement-and-drainage-concerns-council-tables-Buffalo-Reserve-preliminary-plat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472535-c762563511c2f7881e24ee55cd78dbea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140090&Signature=CCP0iWvMAevd52VjpEJOl5W-7CZwZLV6C~HaKBtpPNqcbZqgUqtOpwvdfojNSwW0PaO6Zr41etDkPeGqxTxo85xBRfKypBmoLX8M7xysnKBeY3UYLbrNJtK3AxE7q0HpQrZKZHXnF3oDnUEL91BlATPFQJhb3-MZiUc8Tkwm~NN~H0S7Pvd6RV5uTpg~qSl-czzRTG7bkjptWks~ywet3u7sjHessfEOOHyXv0ZMSBsEuLEplOpZnhOjgS6Bti4QuCd4M6HRVd3glUtQk-iMsIYpPyCL8Nh9YcHFIA6IBksayCXwzmTFiOO6NDWOj43A9DjiNSWtTHj5gTb2n3SqoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Forney City Council on Sept. 16 tabled consideration of the preliminary plat for the Buffalo Reserve subdivision after multiple nearby property owners presented documents and objections related to recorded easements and drainage.

The item covers 114.6 acres west of Lovers Lane and north of the Skyline Estates planned development, zoned SF-20 for single-family residential uses. The preliminary plat as filed includes 166 single-family lots. Planning staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval prior to the council meeting.

Public speakers: Several residents registered in advance urged council not to approve the plat without confirming the location and legal status of easements that, they said, were recorded with Kaufman County and intended to remain \"forever\" for drainage/access purposes. Peter Rosenberg and Larry O'Rear handed the council packets of documents and pointed to maps and stamped plats they said demonstrate a 25-foot easement and related restrictions; they asked for the item to be tabled to allow time to confirm recorded easements and provide proper notice of hearings. Another resident provided a survey showing a 25-foot area behind homes that respondents said must be preserved for water flow.

Council discussion and action: Councilmember Jay Weatherford moved to table consent item 11 (the Buffalo Reserve preliminary plat); the motion was seconded and ultimately approved by a show-of-hands vote. During discussion, city staff cautioned council that state law imposes a statutory deadline after which a plat is considered approved if the city does not act; staff and the city attorney explained options including denial (which would require stating reasons) or instructing the applicant to revise the plat to expressly show any easements.

Outcome and next steps: The motion to table was passed with the clear intent by at least one councilmember to seek a motion to reconsider the item at the next council meeting so that the statutory \"approval by default\" clock would be stopped while the council and staff confirm the legal status of the easements. Staff told council they had not been provided proof in earlier years of a recorded easement affecting the Buffalo Reserve property, and that the Skyline Estates plat does not automatically impose easements on the adjacent Buffalo Reserve property. Council directed staff to review the documents presented and coordinate with the applicant; the council did not approve or deny the plat.

Why it matters: If easements exist and are enforceable, the design and lot layout for Buffalo Reserve could require revision to protect access and drainage. If a statutory approval clock runs, the city could be unable to impose conditions retrospectively. The council's tabling action was intended to buy time for staff review and for the parties to provide documentary proof.

Ending: The item remains unresolved on the council docket pending additional staff review and an anticipated motion to reconsider at the next meeting. If new evidence is not submitted, state timelines could carry legal consequences for the plat approval process.","Council temporarily tabled action on the Buffalo Reserve preliminary plat after residents raised questions about recorded easements and potential impacts to drainage and property lines; staff noted statutory deadlines that could trigger automatic approval unless council acts or reconsiders.",{"_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},6472540,"Forney adopts FY2026 budget, keeps employee pay changes and raises no-new-revenue tax rate",1200,4506000,5706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776368-bc6add775415dbe2124ca2503e3a548f&start=4506&end=5706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776368-bc6add775415dbe2124ca2503e3a548f/thumbnail_4506000.jpg","/articles/6472540/Forney/Kaufman-County/Texas/Forney-adopts-FY2026-budget-keeps-employee-pay-changes-and-raises-no-new-revenue-tax-rate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472540-ca3b2f28da13272ac6144a1cc4cddef5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140090&Signature=XA2UKQK38CNtOGSbZNobH7GR7C~GjRvqj3bam3FDkTuF6BOEmmlKfRt0sR0yAED0Ddm-GVk91eAsBv-1i-fYfyfpwz~Jm83b07jpEWk5FWDJvtdTk4KHdKm7z~lmitVQDzr56eYBZZ50~no0MoIMz0v0mZhtB5MVTLLfeqVSLFC5g3dX9HH4WHgeC07Prsu1-~bDPgrpUNBWLX6sXZ9OkPPYoVBFUZukR6F3vFOnrz5ho9NsCsoo3lTVNoYBQCuSc3Z6Ur-byZmuF~JRz6lqPWBT49-78TpLq33XcWq5cBbfJeOYO7jhveJgB9TZZxvnKtpiEJXipkeOtJz4y8DQSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Forney City Council on Sept. 16 adopted the city\u000f\u000f\u001fyear 2026 budget and set a property tax rate while approving changes to water and sewer fees and personnel agreements.

Council approved an ordinance adopting the FY2026 budget after agreeing to reclassify roughly $804,092 in revenue so the budget could be adopted \"as presented\" without reducing the proposed cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and merit pay elements for city employees. Council then set the city\u001fs combined tax rate at 0.421431 per $100 of assessed value.

The budget action: Councilmember James Traylor moved to adopt the budget with the revenue adjustment; Zann Schlenzker seconded. In a recorded roll call on the ordinance, Mayor Pro Tem Greg Helm, Traylor, Councilmember Cecil Chambers, Councilmember Sarah Salgado and Schlenzker voted yes; Councilmember Jay Weatherford voted no. The motion carried. The budget ordinance was assigned No. 2522, as read into the record.

Why it matters: City staff said the FY2026 spending plan incorporates a revised recommendation from the North Texas Municipal Water District to raise water rates 7.5% (down from an earlier 8.8% projection). Council and staff said the revenue reclassification would let the city keep the proposed COLA and merit structure intact while lowering the portion of revenue derived from property taxes.

What the council approved
- FY2026 operating budget and appropriations (ordinance No. 2522): adopted with the revenue-side amendment described above. Recorded vote: Helm, Traylor, Chambers, Salgado, Schlenzker — yes; Weatherford — no; mayor did not vote because there was no tie.
- Tax rate ordinances (ordinance No. 2523): Council separately adopted two motions that together set the tax rate. The maintenance and operations (M&O) rate motion (moved by Helm) and the interest-and-sinking (I&S) rate motion (moved by Weatherford) were approved by voice/roll call; the tax ordinance fixing the rate at 0.421431 per $100 was read and adopted by the council in the same meeting. Votes on both motions were recorded in favor by all council members present.
- Master Fee Schedule amendment: Council approved updates to the city\u001fs Master Fee Schedule to reflect the water and sewer rate changes (the staff presentation cited the NTM Water District\u001fs 7.5% recommendation). The ordinance number for the fee schedule amendment was read into the record during the meeting; council approved the change by show of hands.
- Meet-and-confer agreements: Council approved FY2026 meet-and-confer agreements with the Forney Police Association and the Forney Professional Fire Fighters Association; the staff summary said the primary changes concerned pay plans and promotional processes. Both were approved by show-of-hands votes.

Public comment and council debate: During the public hearing on the proposed budget, municipal employees and supporters urged the council to preserve annual raises and health benefits. Ashley Langford, introduced as a city employee of five years, urged council not to reduce yearly raises or HSA contributions, saying raises are \"not luxuries\" but necessary to keep up with living costs. Another resident urged a built-in COLA for public safety staff. Council discussion focused on the length and scope of historic COLA and merit decisions, local inflation data for the Dallas-Fort Worth area, turnover costs, and the balance between conservative revenue forecasting and the need to fund public-safety capital projects such as a new fire station or justice center.

Budget mechanics and risk: Staff said sales tax and development-related revenues are volatile and that several large retailers (references during the meeting included Costco and HEB) were expected to come online later in the year; those future receipts were not built into the fiscal-year projection. Councilmembers discussed using capital contingencies or delaying lower-priority capital items (for example a $700,000 CIP line item discussed during the meeting) if revenues underperform. Staff reported general-fund reserves and contingency funds that could be used if necessary.

Next steps and effective dates: The adopted budget is effective Oct. 1, 2025. The tax ordinance adopted at the meeting will be applied to the 2025 tax year, fiscal year 2026. Staff will publish required notices and implement the fee schedule changes to align with the adopted budget and the North Texas Municipal Water District\u001fs new rates.

Ending note: Council and staff repeatedly framed the evening as a balancing act between retaining and rewarding municipal employees, preserving benefits, maintaining conservative fiscal stewardship, and planning for multi-year capital needs such as public safety facilities.","City Council adopted a $45.6 million FY2026 budget with technical revenue adjustments to avoid cutting employee COLA and merit increases, approved updated water/sewer fees tied to a North Texas Municipal Water District increase, and set the tax rate at 0.421431 per $100 assessed value.","actionData","errors"]

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Advocates press council for a library advisory board to advance public library plans

Neighbors raise easement and drainage concerns; council tables Buffalo Reserve preliminary plat

Forney adopts FY2026 budget, keeps employee pay changes and raises no-new-revenue tax rate