[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",6541719,"mediaKeyId","5897045-e5dede425629c594c75052dbfe31934e","parentId",5897045,"title","Residents criticize MD Health Pathways opt‑in model, raise concerns about homelessness and fire department funding","audioSeconds",413,"startMs",2177000,"endMs",2590000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897045-e5dede425629c594c75052dbfe31934e&start=2177&end=2590","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897045-e5dede425629c594c75052dbfe31934e/thumbnail_2177000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6541719/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Residents-criticize-MD-Health-Pathways-optin-model-raise-concerns-about-homelessness-and-fire-department-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541719-286dd81492b0c02db12ebace6a827eba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504119&Signature=j1TDNinKGGIzYp11SvNriA1MUdtv1vZG1dHagqiFcjENfb4T~36bJ6dKsa9FRO6J7rvpHPUNG1VSYTLyaBwi2cj1wEf8fb6yfxBqarPi9AXQMPmvfCv1Gs-ZvKQE9KeCFZVGMzrN~1rpcLc-RVEVvDHWOceNeIyMhM5vmNOkf8uGVz2YHG0K46wR7dITeRwlpXllYRazKiV6TWW31sOo0XcQ02jo8NgPCH7kV6HakXQiHrclCI6bj3bDEcydqxn-v2Wrro4PdlWbtuf94rFqIF6oZ4vFB-UQyn8JxQle2YXW0NJUw0Z1FreSjbcSSoqpaHAVvfwKk9t~9LpXHnZ19Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Garland","date","2025-10-06T00:00:00Z","article","Three residents used the citizen-comment period at the Oct. 6 Garland City Council meeting to raise concerns about the recently approved MD Health Pathways telehealth program, homelessness services and the fire department budget.

Danny Starnes, who gave his address on the record, said the MD Health Pathways program automatically enrolled residents without consent and is \"predatory,\" particularly for older residents on fixed incomes. \"This program will present an undue burden on our elderly population,\" Starnes said, and he told council that, according to the city secretary’s office, 1,697 residents had opted out as of Oct. 1, 2025. He urged council to stop the program.

Michael Cooley, who identified himself as a homeless Garland resident, said local components of regionally awarded HUD grants and other homelessness resources have not produced the services he expected. Cooley referenced a Feb. 2023 HUD award to a Neighborhood Coalition initiative and said Garland received local funding for Emergency Solutions Grant programs and Housing Choice Voucher partnerships that he said \"do not exist today.\" He urged the council to ensure that hiring commitments and local program resources — including agreements tied to economic incentives for large employers — are delivering employment and housing outcomes for Garland residents.

Carl Smith said he was hearing that the fire department was under budget pressure and raised the possibility of privatizing ambulance care. He connected the MD Health Pathways rollout, which he described as \"poorly rolled out,\" to the council’s budget priorities and urged redirecting funds to fire services. Smith also said he had received no responses to emails to council members on the subject and alleged personal connections between MD and council staff; he did not provide evidence of financial conflicts during his remarks.

No council action or formal response to these citizen comments occurred in the meeting record; the session adjourned shortly after the public-comment period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council","oneSentenceSummary","During citizen comments at the Oct. 6 Garland City Council meeting, three residents criticized an automatic opt-in telehealth program (MD Health Pathways), reported opt‑out numbers, and urged the city to address gaps in homelessness services and fire/ambulance funding.","taxTitle","Garland, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2783,"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},6541724,"Garland adopts PACE program to finance commercial energy, water upgrades",662,1442000,2104000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897045-e5dede425629c594c75052dbfe31934e&start=1442&end=2104","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897045-e5dede425629c594c75052dbfe31934e/thumbnail_1442000.jpg","/articles/6541724/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Garland-adopts-PACE-program-to-finance-commercial-energy-water-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541724-1710f6d116ba0969b3ee4cad1d25ff6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504119&Signature=GB4U9sKI2RjCSR7rMT-NqSHLjGdq2EnREZXYIIXeMEwEuliUqaKf25KBTLA5YpecJcDV6No2jk4ElT3qWNoipSb1q7E8ZA2quLC5pO6UrFG4RkxelecR5-pOfeguSvR9bmoXa6~I7MlbbKAUubfaIzJtpclcqsuPbiVMBxKgUAynepLm7tSnjued9p23uZ7fqwA3933sDfmQnNwPbhZgW56ngNSaKh3q~zvT3BxkzFJIqwqTHNzORaRE4QFq7LTw3wmlURkTuaQ~jiHHv9hwtM1FcGjmsqenNxoZ7GgfNUj9waIqUdQ3AI0axs0jtFkuctV~49JGVRyJCvvqJ-FurA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garland City Council voted unanimously Oct. 6 to adopt a resolution establishing a City of Garland PACE program, a property-assessed clean energy financing tool that connects private lenders with property owners to pay for permanent energy and water-efficiency improvements.

Assistant City Manager Andy Hesser explained the PACE framework and next steps to the council, noting the state enabling law and program history. \"This allows local governments to establish a program that provides low cost financing ... for renewable energy, energy efficiency, water efficiency upgrades to commercial buildings, industrial buildings and multifamily over the size of 5 dwelling units,\" Hesser said, adding the statute is implemented under the Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 399.

Under the PACE structure described in the presentation, financing comes from private lenders, is tied to a property through a contractual assessment lien and is intended to be aligned with expected utility savings (an investment-to-savings ratio of at least 1:1). Hesser said property owners must obtain written consent from existing lien holders because the PACE assessment lien can be superior to other encumbrances; if a property owner fails to pay, the authorized representative will pursue collection and the city could use statutory tax-delinquency tools if necessary.

Councilmembers asked several clarifying questions. Councilmember Thomas asked what incentive an existing mortgage holder would have to consent to the senior position of a PACE lien; Hesser said lien holders will be notified and must assess their own risk, and suggested improvements that raise rents or occupancy could make properties more attractive to mortgage holders. Councilmember Williams asked what local industries or property types might use PACE; Hesser replied it can suit aging shopping centers, older multifamily stock and water-intensive industries seeking to modernize equipment.

Hesser described next steps if the council approved the resolution: finalize a professional services agreement with an authorized representative such as Lone Star PACE or Texas PACE Authority, contract for baseline energy measurements and third-party verification, and then allow property owners to pursue financing with private lenders. A public hearing was held earlier on the item; no members of the public spoke during the hearing.

Councilmember Moore moved to approve the resolution; Mayor Pro Tem Tim Luck seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The PACE program does not use public funds directly; according to Hesser, it is intended as an economic development tool to reduce upfront costs for property owners and improve building stock through private financing mechanisms.","City Council approved a resolution establishing a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 399 to enable low-cost private financing for permanent energy and water-efficiency upgrades to commercial, industrial and multifamily buildings.",{"_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},6541729,"Garland council approves $160,000 in hotel-occupancy grants for local arts groups",501,953000,1454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897045-e5dede425629c594c75052dbfe31934e&start=953&end=1454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897045-e5dede425629c594c75052dbfe31934e/thumbnail_953000.jpg","/articles/6541729/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Garland-council-approves-160000-in-hotel-occupancy-grants-for-local-arts-groups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541729-e0a8341f590305117b8fd9d2538ebdde/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504119&Signature=DtI0Vv33zyAv4Gq~6kvFbdwndVru4j4ztJaywDlDu8EB0DEDhtm-lOSCRyAcrJG0kBQWnUXUtlBg7gF-Qs~SgERC9geQAVe~Pd8AS13NlXBlPe2b8IvFEGrItbhUX5IspLkRJpbZLI7umPcNRXFGCyjIzEXrEz6PY2POH7cAslgPACFfIRLwH8Jm-oG-4iiQYsxNzCeRv3MiE~~mvJds~boCpD23sRl05Bxdl5qE71cBH7ZK7uPdZ1yFywFNyH-vDKErY19h4~NNqNxSRf~HFGOdXg3Mfd16Q9algjpc3DYNMAOs8yPF5-22iSvYi0B-y47QnNmD1DBblEnBs~8gbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garland City Council on Oct. 6 unanimously approved the Garland Cultural Arts Commission Incorporated budget, a $160,000 hotel-occupancy tax grant award pool for local arts organizations and authorized the city manager to execute the hotel-occupancy tax program management agreement.

The funding pool will be distributed to 19 applicant organizations, including two new grantees this year: Garland Creates, a new 501(c)(3) serving creatives, and Bright Lights Theater, a youth-oriented theater company. The commission received roughly $261,000 in requests and recommended $160,000 in awards. Affiliates receiving legacy status and preferential booking or discounted rental rates were listed as Garland Symphony Orchestra, Garland Summer Musicals and Garland Civic Theater.

Amy Rosenthal, Cultural Arts, told the council the commission opened applications in August, interviewed applicants in September and deliberated on recommended awards at its Sept. 14 meeting. \"Most of [Garland Cultural Arts Commission Inc.] revenues come from the hotel occupancy taxes,\" Rosenthal said, and the commission directs most of its budget toward community grants and program support. Councilmember Thomas noted the program draws nonresident attendees and economic activity into Garland; he said ticket buyers come from \"coast to coast\" and that out-of-city visitors who stay in hotels help fund the program.

Councilmember Dunton made the motion to approve the grant recommendations, and Councilmember Bass seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Council members asked staff to post the affiliate/associate status information on the city website; Rosenthal confirmed that detail will appear on the commission’s site. The packet presented to council showed the recommended allocations, the list of 19 applicants, and the commission's scoring and deliberations from September.

The vote authorizes the city manager or designee to execute the program management agreement and distribute the recommended awards; it does not change the hotel-occupancy tax rate.

The council moved on to other items after the vote; no speakers registered on this item during the meeting.","The City Council unanimously approved the Garland Cultural Arts Commission Incorporated budget, $160,000 in recommended hotel-occupancy tax grant awards to 19 organizations and authorization for the city manager to execute the program management agreement.",{"_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},6541715,"Votes at a glance: Garland City Council unanimous approvals on consent agenda, arts grants, PACE program and one appointment",734,1382000,2116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897045-e5dede425629c594c75052dbfe31934e&start=1382&end=2116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897045-e5dede425629c594c75052dbfe31934e/thumbnail_1382000.jpg","/articles/6541715/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Garland-City-Council-unanimous-approvals-on-consent-agenda-arts-grants-PACE-program-and-one-appointment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541715-36e0132c0a39d388688077c43fd87859/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504119&Signature=JFQbyAfw8a6oQ33HeUfFkiM9d~KGgaqrWmI~zsdnXyjbZ285ug5WA7uB0KvL1R8XL4siSkp9CrbuUNCVRx93ugiN3TpLKgcXPCoxg4csLGfX74jwJrBs~efzOfFoFuVSAwQY1QoVXfEq3YlIBNX8Eu5EL60hm1cOK0s0IRu-AjtRAigIKlfbxYBXKF~n37KuspbzgoKoaXoHj1xyNAf33eyM9NCWZJj-2iNlDtOW5IvWYVUe-nC6H7EWJYRZqqcpvqsQbrcMF1KoRDjga9GBpcWDgQW9GuizvIG4JSNk7ADGYjNCY40aNLuFCIk4SxQahvn8P8hiRJZ5iljpnppUdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garland City Council took several unanimous votes at its Oct. 6 meeting. Key results:

• Consent agenda: Council approved the consent agenda, which included approval of the Sept. 16, 2025 regular meeting minutes; bid awards for GP&L utility network implementation, a replacement hydro-excavator truck for water utilities, and change order No. 3 to the Holford Road Segment A construction project; and TxDOT agreements for State Highway 66 Corridor and Gateway Improvements and the TxDOT STEP 2026 Comprehensive Grant. Motion by Council Member Williams; second by Council Member Dunton. Item passed unanimously.

• Garland Cultural Arts Commission hotel-occupancy tax grants: Council approved the Cultural Arts Commission budget and recommended grant awards totaling $160,000 and authorized the city manager to execute the hotel-occupancy tax program management agreement. Motion by Council Member Dunton; second by Council Member Bass. Item passed unanimously.

• PACE program resolution: Council adopted a resolution establishing a City of Garland PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) program under Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 399. Motion by Council Member Moore; second by Mayor Pro Tem Tim Luck. Item passed unanimously.

• Appointments: Elizabeth Mitchell was nominated by Council Member Beard and seconded by Council Member Bass to the Tax Increment Finance No. 2 South Board; the nomination was approved unanimously.

Motions were announced and called for electronic votes; each recorded item passed with unanimous council support in the meeting minutes.","At the Oct. 6 Garland City Council meeting the council voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda (minutes and several bids/TxDOT agreements), adopt the hotel-occupancy tax grant recommendations, establish a PACE program, and confirm an appointment to the TIF board.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents criticize MD Health Pathways opt‑in model, raise concerns about homelessness and fire department funding

Garland adopts PACE program to finance commercial energy, water upgrades

Garland council approves $160,000 in hotel-occupancy grants for local arts groups

Votes at a glance: Garland City Council unanimous approvals on consent agenda, arts grants, PACE program and one appointment