Cedar Park Type B board gets legal refresher on open-government rules, elects 2025–26 officers

The Cedar Park Community Development Type B Sales Tax Corporation board received its annual legal refresher on Aug. 12 from the City Attorney’s Office and elected officers for the 2025–26 term.

Fran Erwin, the city’s liaison and director of communications engagement, opened the officer-election portion and told the board, “This is the time of year where you are going to be electing your officers.” After nominations and a motion, the board approved a slate by voice vote that the transcript records as Steven Johnson for president, Ryan (Wood) for vice president, Fran Erwin as secretary (city staff liaison) and Erica (finance department) as treasurer.

The City Attorney’s Office presenter reviewed the Type B corporation’s authority and limits, reminding members that the Type B corporation is funded by “one half of 1¢ of the local sales tax collected for the City Of Cedar Park dedicated to the promotion of economic and community development projects within the city.” The presenter outlined types of projects Type B may fund — including land, buildings, equipment and targeted infrastructure for job-creating business enterprises, streets and utilities, public safety facilities and certain community-development projects such as parks and tourist venues — and explained that many such projects require performance agreements that set capital-investment and job-creation commitments and remedies if a project does not move forward.

The presenter also covered open-government obligations. Board members were told that information related to official city business is presumptively public under the Texas Public Information Act and that the board must provide requested records to the city within 10 days to allow the city to evaluate exemptions and, if necessary, seek an attorney general opinion. On open meetings, the presenter reminded members that any discussion of official Type B business among a quorum is a meeting and that the board must post notice at least 72 hours in advance; the presenter noted the upcoming change to the Open Meetings Act that will require three business days’ notice beginning in September.

The presenter summarized ethics and gift rules, saying the Texas penal code prohibits accepting a benefit in exchange for an official decision and that board members generally may not accept gifts exceeding $50, with some narrow exemptions for hosted travel and hospitality. Attendance rules from the board’s rules of procedure were also recapped: missing three consecutive meetings or more than 50% of meetings in a 12-month period can result in removal from the seat.

Fran Erwin said she will send details about the Texas Economic Development Council conference (a statewide conference with a December in-person event in South Austin and a virtual option) and that the city will cover costs for members who choose to attend.

The slate of officers was approved by motion and second and adopted by voice vote; the transcript shows the vote as “Aye” with the motion carrying but does not provide a roll-call tally. Multiple speakers expressed congratulations during closing comments, and the chair adjourned the meeting.