[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_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":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",5972854,"mediaKeyId","5855605-932fa7cb2b310c99ac1bbc77bb0246da","parentId",5855605,"title","McLennan County court approves 10-year Heart of Texas Fairgrounds lease, boosts annual capital fund to $250,000","audioSeconds",671,"startMs",585000,"endMs",1256000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855605-932fa7cb2b310c99ac1bbc77bb0246da&start=585&end=1256","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855605-932fa7cb2b310c99ac1bbc77bb0246da/thumbnail_585000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5972854/McLennan-County/Texas/McLennan-County-court-approves-10-year-Heart-of-Texas-Fairgrounds-lease-boosts-annual-capital-fund-to-250000","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972854-cb95884aaac2c63e5ba90418d1a37a7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770492410&Signature=XbPNxhNLOoW6GQy5iyKGzl8GmRYkEHmle0YLQCd9-zpCk0iPODkX3-I-kQUKDQ~CuIc8~Jb1amuCMjFJ8fJFWqQM6Al7Q1UgQm~DsflSW~IUxO2xWoMmrjZsyInrUvKkDFKBugaUtNXrLe75Z5cyggnfKzMMtlQS4BXAzAxzABTyAp0jNoH2PEpJPg4fpzpjyczZ-Wgo1h0tHX7wzOT7oSsGo4amqFfQ~oB-1nPRv4Ojfr6QxsItcaQUtsVaPekySGbIlEjPEWJlxH1fg3gvtjgq-wtJpTbuY54hk8wmKiAa81YlxYbHqGkk1eNdqErlz7l2zNJ19loEXjKYZGfG7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","McLennan County, Texas","date","2025-09-29T20:58:35Z","article","The McLennan County Commissioners Court on Sept. 30 approved a 10-year lease with McLennan County Fair Incorporated for the Heart of Texas Fairgrounds Complex and authorized a $250,000 annual capital-improvement contribution to the fair.

The lease, as presented to the court, will begin Oct. 1, 2025, and run through Sept. 30, 2035, with renewals available by mutual agreement for up to five years in two‑year terms. The court voted by voice to approve the contract with the added $250,000 capital contribution.

County leaders and fair representatives told the court the agreement formalizes existing operations and financial responsibilities. “We are certainly happy with them,” a representative of McLennan County Fair Incorporated said, thanking the court for prior support. County staff said the lease clarifies that venue-related revenues are restricted to venue use and that the county will assume maintenance for major mechanical systems on the grounds. In staff comments, Dustin said the county is \"taking over the chiller maintenance\" and noted Lone Star Chillers has worked on chiller upkeep.

Why it matters: The fairgrounds host large public events that generate venue revenue and economic activity for McLennan County. The approved capital cap raises the annual reinvestment amount above prior practice—the court and staff said the contribution had been $100,000 in prior agreements and, before that, $7,500—so the fair can pursue more timely projects without returning to the court for each minor capital expenditure.

Key details and discussion:
- Lease term and renewal: 10 years starting Oct. 1, 2025, ending Sept. 30, 2035, with mutual renewals up to five additional years in two-year increments. The lease will remain in effect until the court takes separate action to bifurcate the base venue financing.
- Capital contribution: The court approved an annual capital-improvement contribution of $250,000; the amount replaces an older $100,000 cap used in prior agreements and was proposed so the fair “can get what they need when they need it without having to come back here every time,” a commissioner said.
- Venue vs. base financing: Staff explained that revenue from venue activities is legally separate from ad valorem funding for the county base, requiring distinct accounting and, eventually, a separate contract for the base venue project. The court directed staff to continue discussions with the fair’s executive committee on longer-term structuring.
- Maintenance and operations: The county will take responsibility for chiller maintenance as part of ongoing facility oversight; Lone Star Chillers has worked on the equipment, staff said.

Positions and concerns: Commissioners and the fair said they want the lease drafted to support long-term venue growth and to enable the fair to expand events such as university home games and competitions that drive venue revenue. No commissioner voiced opposition during the vote; the motion passed by voice vote.

What happens next: The court approved the lease and the $250,000 capital contribution; staff will continue work with the fair’s executive committee on final contract language and will return to the court if and when the county separates the base venue financing into a distinct agreement.

For residents: The decision commits county revenue from the fair’s venue operations to continued maintenance and improvements at the Heart of Texas Fairgrounds Complex and formalizes county oversight of major mechanical maintenance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners' Court 9-30-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The McLennan County Commissioners Court on Sept. 30 approved a 10-year lease with McLennan County Fair Incorporated for the Heart of Texas Fairgrounds Complex and authorized a $250,000 annual capital-improvement contribution to the fair.","taxTitle","taxId",2712,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},5972844,"Elections office hires temporary support from former VOTEC staff company to shore up voter-registration systems before November",120,2889000,3009000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855605-932fa7cb2b310c99ac1bbc77bb0246da&start=2889&end=3009","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855605-932fa7cb2b310c99ac1bbc77bb0246da/thumbnail_2889000.jpg","/articles/5972844/McLennan-County/Texas/Elections-office-hires-temporary-support-from-former-VOTEC-staff-company-to-shore-up-voter-registration-systems-before-November","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972844-42d4faf17300136afdd0bda20cf32fb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770492410&Signature=eGzakl24Pv3PP6L8dWdQWQeaGl~KEYvC0TggsgYDytI-MkwgjA9XpwHJGsc2XGSYtzsLbkCU~TtGHXP3nYwlCSg22L4eHisYqvMRcHKa~p81kqG702THCVt9KEMYRFM2-aoYB6fXg6C7bnkHnVMO5u-UkfNgT9BSZ8S7un~Mf6enYZTKesRTK7blcP2cXsF~RAzkGTnaE9ULK4ntwbNEh~ziy2S443z0ZhOBTcFDr9anWP-badpf3ZiMYwYORF3Vsyzyl~dEXWjjFw7VubuLwfLXZc8C-3XBdtVL4MoGhneEJ8Ou0va0r88MouYZL1dT9UNw0mBIBMrkKb3JLsmJOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McLennan County approved a master services agreement and statement of work with Next Election Services on Sept. 30 to provide support for the county’s voter-registration system ahead of the Nov. 4 constitutional special election.

Jared, the county’s elections official, told the court that VOTEC — the vendor for the county’s voter-registration software — was having difficulties and that Next Election Services is a new group formed by former VOTEC employees who have worked on the county’s system. \"This is a group of former VOTEC employees who've come together and they're contracting with counties across the state that are using the same system that we are to help us get through at least this election,\" Jared said.

Contract terms and funding: The agreement covers four months at $6,264 per month (total $25,057.72). Jared said he will pay Next Election Services from funds he had budgeted for VOTEC services that he does not intend to pay VOTEC this year. The elections office plans to use the support to implement new electronic poll books and to ensure continuity in voter-registration operations for the November election.

Court discussion and vote: Commissioners raised the limited track record of the new company but accepted Jared’s assessment that former VOTEC staff were experienced and recommended the county contract with the new provider for short-term operational continuity. The court approved the contract by voice vote.

Next steps: Elections staff will work with Next Election Services and county IT to implement the support immediately and resolve any system issues before early voting and election day.","McLennan County authorized a four-month support contract with Next Election Services, a new company of former VOTEC employees, to provide continuity and support for the county's voter-registration system ahead of the November election; the county will use existing budgeted funds for the contract.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},5972849,"Commissioners renew UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage retiree plan for 2026; court to study longer-term retiree options",459,1402000,1861000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855605-932fa7cb2b310c99ac1bbc77bb0246da&start=1402&end=1861","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855605-932fa7cb2b310c99ac1bbc77bb0246da/thumbnail_1402000.jpg","/articles/5972849/McLennan-County/Texas/Commissioners-renew-UnitedHealthcare-Medicare-Advantage-retiree-plan-for-2026-court-to-study-longer-term-retiree-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972849-ebe0515c05d5318447bf63aa2d8d8d2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770492410&Signature=El9RvmmgEUOPo3a7sNXOKefdglgXgoK2dNoXg1Hg8P9cLVXOWgyr9aGyo-oO030hce5Aa17JbqNuQRVy2TqVGqhzAccVS41XCe5Bxsl9QahsYgBLcpXbyn0cou2zaSvIkQMgAybOvkwUx~huW~YQOoFL3AbUBf~j~oJEUn3Nr5agoQwk0AwJOrIlIW3FzPqnb4IcarXyBMkO49Ys0HoQSj3IL0h3t-rYkclTbAWuBV59jdqo1PQOWVTHgs3hx8nxWk4zh4KnPAueDA0mw6x1crFsruJMUzOZrzB4trIxCpgjh-kRkhHBPyfrINOoXcWGdx1jtkgSY3O3rmK4niQJXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McLennan County Commissioners Court on Sept. 30 approved renewal of the county’s UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage group plan for eligible retirees for the 2026 benefit year under the plan option presented by human resources.

Stacy, representing human resources, told the court that rising costs across the industry produced significant premium increases and that the county’s options for 2026 were limited. \"Medicare Advantage Plans are just pricey across the board,\" Stacy said, and she described two rate scenarios the county had received; staff recommended renewing the current plan for 2026 while researching longer-term alternatives.

Context and what the court approved: County HR described eligibility rules for county-paid retiree coverage (employees hired before Jan. 1, 2009, with at least 20 consecutive years of service) and said last year’s plan change added modest copays and a small deductible to limit premium increases. For 2026, HR presented two options; the court voted to proceed with the renewal as presented for the 2026 plan year (referred to in the meeting as “option 1”).

Longer-term options: HR and commissioners discussed alternatives for future years, including establishing a retiree HRA (health reimbursement arrangement) that would provide retirees a fixed allowance to shop for their own Medicare Advantage plans. Stacy said the county is researching that approach and a concierge shopping service to help retirees select plans under a funded allowance. Commissioners asked HR to bring proposals for the court’s upcoming planning retreat so they could consider structural changes before the 2027 plan year.

Positions and concerns: Commissioners noted the fiscal pressure on taxpayers and retirees when benefits costs rise and emphasized the need to find a sustainable long-term approach. The court directed HR to return to the court with proposals for consideration at the retreat.

Next steps: HR will renew the UnitedHealthcare plan for the 2026 year per the court’s vote and continue work on alternative funding models for retirees to present for the 2027 plan year.","McLennan County approved renewing its UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage group plan for eligible retirees for the 2026 plan year under the plan option presented; HR recommended studying alternative approaches, including an HRA allowance for retirees, before the 2027 plan year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

McLennan County court approves 10-year Heart of Texas Fairgrounds lease, boosts annual capital fund to $250,000

Elections office hires temporary support from former VOTEC staff company to shore up voter-registration systems before November

Commissioners renew UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage retiree plan for 2026; court to study longer-term retiree options