[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",5975066,"mediaKeyId","5829593-f4dd21bad9fef0114c128b235ca5ed22","parentId",5829593,"title","Council introduces ordinance to match police staffing ordinance to adopted budget","audioSeconds",110,"startMs",1720000,"endMs",1830000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829593-f4dd21bad9fef0114c128b235ca5ed22&start=1720&end=1830","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829593-f4dd21bad9fef0114c128b235ca5ed22/thumbnail_1720000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5975066/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Council-introduces-ordinance-to-match-police-staffing-ordinance-to-adopted-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975066-a53502ec03cb0621bf162115266ce998/orig.mp4?Expires=1770958020&Signature=ns6noYtTWMJ4-~CwQkjcpGS7ibgwEW5RCNn0H3EewLv2yd4~nptmmNK7NZUDzQ1DfSxxpaAvrm~KqTZ-gaX3LXQZO0y2cd7YUVE9wzFu5tbTWLoYmDlxixJNU8e3WdL78uzUnsYH4aCz-InrgP5ujfvzUBa-svehaYM1~bUCm8sBPl4nqFZlzB3HhIPvDmGiTwvATw-uwsRKovb8CqO3Mo-R6UsxdcaZso3yLRlAIIZ-8qOwqM87CXF7bGl-6sWMVBTTWTixas~ioLn75u42jv5iNGke2kTMUZVbPpZldY8J6LNyc8adZzUMKo2j~teHyGEDDKrUDBEvT3PZHL5NHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Taylor","date","2025-09-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Taylor City Council introduced ordinance 2025-32 on Sept. 25 to update the city’s classifications and maximum number of police officer and firefighter positions to align with the recently adopted budget. Staff said the budget added one police officer and the ordinance would formally ratify that change under Texas Local Government Code requirements.

Presenter Sean Gross told council that the ordinance implements Local Government Code Chapter 143 provisions requiring municipalities to set job classifications and maximum positions. Staff indicated this introduction was administrative and did not require a public hearing at this stage. Council did not hold a vote to adopt the ordinance on Sept. 25; the item was introduced for future consideration.

No changes to firefighter positions were detailed in discussion. Council members posed no questions at the time of the introduction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Taylor - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Council introduced an ordinance to adjust police and firefighter classification counts to match the recently adopted budget that added one police officer; no public hearing was required and no vote was taken on final adoption.","taxTitle","Taylor, Williamson County, Texas","taxId",56865,"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},5975071,"Taylor authorizes manager to contract for fiscal-impact model to evaluate development proposals",327,2971000,3298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829593-f4dd21bad9fef0114c128b235ca5ed22&start=2971&end=3298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829593-f4dd21bad9fef0114c128b235ca5ed22/thumbnail_2971000.jpg","/articles/5975071/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Taylor-authorizes-manager-to-contract-for-fiscal-impact-model-to-evaluate-development-proposals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975071-58691b50a58d0ea480b5d052ff424d9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770958020&Signature=PPYI~IX6bJ-vmong0okW5vgdYBLW9aDWxS3w1kHTricbaohpHHN8QfE2QvlnGQkuNQyUHVpgPeuoM2HZNmX76LHB8hrSVWserDtLxgLhPX8M1qVQPjXnNkjNPmgZH35pnsOEkIbGpCmPneZkFs0PGh0UTAMJ3Z46ws2g7RZkWuEG3Ceyp-oeTSeQEbgcVuyDeL-gUYRlA6-xxosiKZPVRBdSw1GSE7liYTnp~oxHVUqeNaSHWKgwv14bvTd5rYlHK~y2mFpOGiJMgwqZUuytXSagEUKCldAGkV7rAx7YgUuvw0Vw81je8DBXdLqWNWfL1tweIXHsr4HwkVmrjmegGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Taylor City Council on Sept. 25 authorized the city manager to execute an agreement with Tishler, Baez & Associates to develop an independent fiscal-impact model for the city. Staff said the model will be city-owned and used to evaluate proposed developments and to support the ongoing comprehensive-plan and code updates.

Planner/Staff member Carly Pearson told council the model would be calibrated to Taylor’s budget and tax-base characteristics, and would provide an objective, repeatable method for estimating revenues and service costs associated with new development. “This will be used by the city and staff and presented to council for new developments and initiatives,” Pearson said.

Councilmembers praised the recommendation as a tool to reduce subjective or promotional claims made by developers in one-off presentations. One councilmember said the model would require applicants to fill a standard form, removing the “email game” and inconsistent representations made to different local stakeholders.

The contract price is under $50,000 and staff asked for authorization for the city manager to execute the agreement. Council asked staff to ensure the model is demonstrable to council before final acceptance and to include city-specific inputs and several demonstrations during development. The motion to authorize the city manager to execute the agreement passed unanimously.

Staff said the model will be used going forward to ensure the city evaluates development proposals against a standard fiscal-impact framework; final adoption of any model outputs will accompany staff recommendations to council on specific development approvals.","Council authorized the city manager to execute a contract with Tishler, Baez & Associates for an independent fiscal impact model to inform development reviews and update the comprehensive plan. Council requested demonstrations and city-specific calibration.",{"_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},5975075,"Council directs staff to craft employee homebuyer incentive policy for Taylor workers",316,2244000,2560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829593-f4dd21bad9fef0114c128b235ca5ed22&start=2244&end=2560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829593-f4dd21bad9fef0114c128b235ca5ed22/thumbnail_2244000.jpg","/articles/5975075/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Council-directs-staff-to-craft-employee-homebuyer-incentive-policy-for-Taylor-workers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975075-ddb84146ecf023a88d2dcb1a8967f1da/orig.mp4?Expires=1770958020&Signature=Sp0RBaTABMawpbglKmO6euVAxZJKsCy7Jb1ICx9g7ieuD2m7NO7yxwUyNaJXAg-mr78QR7ycwgOlMsRXqgjI3zy0Hiu57ybzH8GqmUhrzEvvXp9hBkHmbuRPM16A~ycU8KufYc9dee4dWn8zykGul5PmpO98GkocgVM4kUU6S79FX6V-rJ2L9YOup~Bj1lmy1wwILHyql5vy4XrGDxmQYHNeMMhWTORuwY~4lrcxYGnPG2UvUtLxIODPoVcYQb1SCGbRAN6COiy1uarkNN9AOI1hvYEzudjnO0-3BoyOJg6xW6bIpVJWutYwhp7~UM2Hu7KfSXxGQPcl-oivd50D1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Taylor City Council on Sept. 25 directed staff to continue developing an employee homebuyer incentive program intended to help city employees buy homes within the city. Staff described the proposal as a one-time deferred loan to assist eligible expenses such as closing costs and said the program may use promissory notes that are forgiven after a fixed service period.

The presentation described potential benefits including improved recruitment and retention for hard-to-staff positions, greater neighborhood stability, and faster emergency response when essential workers live locally. Staff noted the program could cover current employees who have completed probation as well as new recruits, and that local examples use a promissory note structure with forgiveness after a five-year service commitment.

During discussion councilmembers raised funding concerns and questions about tax implications and program caps. Staff cited San Marcos as an example that set a $5,000 cap per participant and noted the city allocates a predetermined number of slots (for example, ten slots in the pilot year) rather than funding the entire workforce. The presenter said the $5,000 figure goes directly to the mortgage lender toward closing costs, not to employees as cash.

Councilmembers also noted equity concerns: one said some residents might object to using tax dollars to help employees buy homes while household needs for tax relief persist. Others argued that the program could be a cost-effective tool to retain skilled employees; several councilmembers asked staff to explore funding options and to return with a formal policy and budget impact analysis.

Councilmember direction took the form of a unanimous motion to receive the presentation and authorize staff to continue investigating program design, funding sources, and administrative terms. No funding or program design was approved at the Sept. 25 meeting; staff will report back with a proposed policy and funding recommendation.","Council instructed staff to continue developing an employee homebuyer incentive program policy that could offer deferred loans to help employees with closing costs; staff will return with funding options and policy details.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975079,"Taylor council unanimously confirms Joseph Branson as interim police chief",323,1813000,2136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829593-f4dd21bad9fef0114c128b235ca5ed22&start=1813&end=2136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829593-f4dd21bad9fef0114c128b235ca5ed22/thumbnail_1813000.jpg","/articles/5975079/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Taylor-council-unanimously-confirms-Joseph-Branson-as-interim-police-chief","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975079-b2bf54fcaf6c39be82816a6dd791c785/orig.mp4?Expires=1770958020&Signature=KBDrB~TN3Qkzbwn7YvRzk0pHXvdcNK2Mmp~ujFJu1neBTxHb46kqnUtnI4-AUAJ69zVoWMZOpVPHeuKVVj~dkTnrATHqrfnzbwLeaR2uPlYJps13QFDZoxWUlaSSOcP1IapFsiBDJI15IzGmcCqTWkVb-IxNviGmqszg7EiDt2eyXeZUHxeH75C~41a5ln2gbZ3NI~Iw4J29~NHGiGWYoUn6vFvnyw2DrSS1j9VgDF3L~1I2Sb9LFcrvlnJy0uC9mY8zOBXFf2EaxS3rp7vKIK~qiaVX49k71bEjVnmBek5ApyYPVEIoKEphKrI4P~SMe8JOmwZt3GDMpI0g2XOHiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Taylor City Council on Sept. 25 unanimously confirmed Commander Joseph Branson as interim police chief after Chief Lucas’s retirement on Sept. 22. The council also directed staff to hire a firm to assist with a national search, produce a department gap assessment and help craft a job description and interview questions tailored to Taylor’s size and needs.

Mayor Dwayne Areola opened the discussion by thanking former Chief Lucas for his service and by stressing the need for a candidate accustomed to small- to medium-sized city policing. “We need somebody that’s going to be nimble and has a lot of great ideas on how to…work with community organizations and non-profits,” the mayor said.

The council described the next steps as a structured search. The mayor asked that the firm performing the search first complete a gap assessment of the Taylor Police Department to identify strengths and weaknesses, consult current command staff and the police association, and help form interview questions that probe day-to-day operational experience as well as community engagement plans. The council emphasized that applicants from very large departments should be asked how they would adapt to a smaller agency’s flatter command structure.

Commander Joseph Branson, who the city manager appointed pending council confirmation, addressed the council after the vote: “I consider it a great honor. This is my town, so I’m happy to serve here in any capacity. My only goal is to provide some stability for our department as we look for that next chief.”

The formal motion to confirm Branson was made by Councilmember Ben Redden and seconded by Councilwoman Long; the vote was unanimous. No additional personnel action was taken at the meeting. The council directed staff to return with a recommended process and vendor scope for the recruitment firm and to involve the command team in developing candidate criteria.

No salary change, contract terms or timeline for the permanent search were adopted at the Sept. 25 meeting; the council required further information from staff and the selected consultant before any final hiring decision.","Council voted unanimously to confirm Commander Joseph Branson as interim police chief and directed staff to perform a gap assessment and launch a national search assisted by an outside firm to produce a tailored job description and candidate vetting process.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975083,"Taylor council pulls ceremonial documents policy after public concern over 'ideological' language",805,881000,1686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829593-f4dd21bad9fef0114c128b235ca5ed22&start=881&end=1686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829593-f4dd21bad9fef0114c128b235ca5ed22/thumbnail_881000.jpg","/articles/5975083/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Taylor-council-pulls-ceremonial-documents-policy-after-public-concern-over-ideological-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975083-8413f8553c1e42f990b7e131f7e0398c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770958020&Signature=Cgp0R1Zw~2nVcqcHu-wCBsdjY4tE-Z02W9IID~tnh7xlrKl6mhi0wqTT15ls14CJVeldmq1LnswJ4X~~GSSV30QPaJP41h6uM7DE3avuAi5KUBh2Ns83pTHIw971-mtbcx0K1pnn9oqb-hqlhxHkJC7RyuTymxuKHAaJDdJorN-qiJGuqBFIF4vcCvt6zXyq7e0LeeHAjmSK35xzaZ14c2nk~39jP6UPHNz4LQVj59Agg8uyr8uvdO7E~5HZW9rantsvFyHDPHA1ayrBDWE0Z47mPwXri8Qmf6zCZERgOfWT4hfU5exkx5Ohvvn2969OUVNJOoXzas0zmkkhMbWilw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Taylor City Council on Sept. 25 withdrew a scheduled vote on an updated ceremonial documents policy and directed staff to return with a revised draft after public comment and council discussion raised concerns about language that could allow denial of proclamations on ideological grounds. The council did not vote to adopt the policy and instead asked staff to further refine three areas: grant- or certification-related proclamations, a clearer definition for lifetime-achievement recognitions, and streamlined procedures for nonessential documents.

The issue mattered to speakers and council members because the policy would formalize which proclamations, certificates and letters the mayor may approve and set a three-week submission timeline. Resident Sarah Winters told the council she feared the policy’s phrasing would allow officials to exclude events and groups from public recognition. “You’re laying groundwork for when y’all decide that Taylor Bridal can’t be in the Christmas parade or when you deny permits next summer for Taylor Pride,” Winters said during the public-comment period.

Staff member Sean Gross, who presented the proposed policy, said the draft divides ceremonial documents into three types — proclamations (which may be presented at council meetings when tied to city operations or a city-sponsored event), certificates (mailed recognition of service or milestones) and letters (welcomes, congratulations and similar notes). Gross said submissions would be sent to the city clerk and reviewed by the mayor, and staff may edit documents for clarity. The draft also bars requests that “promote political, commercial, or ideological causes” or benefit for-profit ventures without community relevance.

Several council members said portions of the draft mirror policies from nearby cities and noted that some proclamations are functionally required by external programs. Council discussion cited Tree City USA as an example that requires a proclamation to maintain the city’s designation. One councilmember suggested eliminating proclamations entirely, but others said certain proclamations tied to grants, certifications or national programs must remain.

Rather than approve the draft, councilmembers agreed to pull the item from the consent agenda, receive public comment, and direct staff to return with a narrower, clearer policy. Staff was asked specifically to (1) identify categories that must remain for legal or programmatic reasons (for example, grant or certification requirements), (2) craft a clearer definition and criteria for “lifetime achievement” recognitions, and (3) streamline the process and timeline to reduce subjectivity.

The council did not adopt final language or take a binding vote to suspend proclamations; the mayor said the current practice remains in effect until staff brings a revised policy back for council direction. The council also heard that requests are rare and that staff receives few denials under the current practice; the presenter said requests must be submitted at least three weeks before an event for consideration.

Council members and the city attorney indicated no formal motion was required to direct staff to revise the policy. Staff will return with a new draft and guidance for council consideration.","Council pulled proposed ceremonial documents policy from the consent agenda and directed staff to rewrite portions after a resident warned the policy could be used to exclude groups. Staff and council discussed timelines, required proclamations, and possible categories to retain.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council introduces ordinance to match police staffing ordinance to adopted budget

Taylor authorizes manager to contract for fiscal-impact model to evaluate development proposals

Council directs staff to craft employee homebuyer incentive policy for Taylor workers

Taylor council unanimously confirms Joseph Branson as interim police chief

Taylor council pulls ceremonial documents policy after public concern over 'ideological' language