[{"_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",6664024,"mediaKeyId","2388833-d1300715b1a3c49f156f60ee74f69cfe","parentId",2388833,"title","Residents, commissioners warn out-of-county housing finance corporation activity is removing Williamson County properties from tax rolls","audioSeconds",478,"startMs",556000,"endMs",1034000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388833-d1300715b1a3c49f156f60ee74f69cfe&start=556&end=1034","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388833-d1300715b1a3c49f156f60ee74f69cfe/thumbnail_556000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6664024/Williamson-County/Texas/Residents-commissioners-warn-out-of-county-housing-finance-corporation-activity-is-removing-Williamson-County-properties-from-tax-rolls","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664024-76f5c29fda2ac3aac78e09c9b834aead/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158263&Signature=VSi1p2VvutDMQpBa6Lo-FG7iHr3o9IjoshbcNW-8KsVTT740L4MfouCyZXOHozB56Mbuh8~Hz98LibjvEy6fOCBsTqrS~Abrun5lz5wK-ZF5WiAkB~9GDQhlvd4MoI7DRN2JJoQ1LH5vRzoNGTh8iTn2XV9pfbuLIlCMS6XYsKU4KUPq9REfAnoEUbmSsmnnuoqUkvQjSH7XOxUh4CJBw2hLhNVQ8u6rdn6Az336pueAgKnvuVZHyscTipGZh49P7t9vfELaU1FW8AI0M77UJ2WNKZ0dgZmxBQV7QGRJzvJNQd9g4uk1srheviF0OXcb6uKtrslSVPiqhz7YquzNyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Williamson","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","Bill Coverlaw, a Williamson County resident and retired Navy captain, told the Williamson County Commissioner’s Court on Feb. 25 that a Cameron County Housing Finance Corporation (HFC) has been acquiring and attempting to shelter Williamson County properties from local tax rolls.

Coverlaw said two new apartment complexes in Hutto are the immediate examples. “That’s about $1,200,000 of property tax revenue lost to the Hutto ISD each year,” he said, later calling the operation “a scam” and urging the court to press state-level remedies.

The court and multiple speakers described frustration that the Cameron County HFC did not consult Williamson County taxing entities or local school districts before pursuing the transactions. Coverlaw said the out‑of‑county board members had not contacted county officials, and that he had not received replies to his requests for information from the Cameron County judge or the HFC’s board president.

Commissioners and members of the public said they are exploring legal and legislative options. One speaker urged the court to seek a temporary restraining order (TRO) or other remedy to stop further transfers in Williamson County while the issue is investigated. The court signaled it would engage state elected officials and the county attorney’s office about possible remedies.

Speakers also raised potential conflicts of interest involving a local firm used by the county. Coverlaw said one HFC board member appears to be an attorney for a firm that also represents Williamson County in collections, and he has asked the county judge to investigate that relationship.

Why it matters: speakers said removing high‑value parcels from local tax rolls reduces revenue for schools and other taxing entities and could affect bond and budget projections. Court members agreed the issue merits further follow-up with the county attorney and state legislators.

The court did not take immediate formal action on the issue during the Feb. 25 regular session; members encouraged public commenters and county staff to pursue additional information and potential legislative remedies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Williamson - Commissioners Court - Regular Session - Feb 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Bill Coverlaw, a Williamson County resident and retired Navy captain, told the Williamson County Commissioner's Court on Feb. 25 that a Cameron County Housing Finance Corporation has been acquiring Williamson County properties and seeking to remove them from local tax rolls.","taxTitle","Williamson County, Texas","taxId",2724,"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},6664011,"Commissioners approve consent agenda and multiple funding actions; one hiring item deferred to executive session",352,2710000,3062000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388833-d1300715b1a3c49f156f60ee74f69cfe&start=2710&end=3062","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388833-d1300715b1a3c49f156f60ee74f69cfe/thumbnail_2710000.jpg","/articles/6664011/Williamson-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-consent-agenda-and-multiple-funding-actions-one-hiring-item-deferred-to-executive-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664011-5dd0e6933d12b1ad63f73776e978104d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158263&Signature=ZFtFc45HdFKQNn2VhfUXrrZt6lexTSfebuUTlz~dzmwlTi46HiINKgl36Tvq4WsUANaroVHSHO3as~EuDzpJF-x3UMv7HVK6bpur9U8ptrt6I3ROUuF3EejYpLe3Pf4S7HbEtu5bYqRDzV5usT12nnsZgUnCKPfABY4SdZrU6p5Q0UCfLAS~Rogdk-9YNDxI4EPnRAoQc7ySeLT687ZyFtRhn-lM1vP8ErfGGi8X5nroi7JqtAHfRvrQnQipkXJiogzgm5A9qgOhW5WC5w3JOcdcRkf-8AAbTauO9PjOWfHWbScqblxEp6xUwNEDtTlVXi5qDxsoRCYf1rh9Q1YdUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Williamson County Commissioner’s Court on Feb. 25 approved a broad consent agenda and several discrete funding and administrative actions. Most motions passed unanimously during the regular session.

Key outcomes

- Consent agenda: The court adopted items 3 through 34, except that item 31 was pulled to the regular agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

- Item 31 (public‑engagement budget cap): The court approved a motion lowering the previously estimated public‑engagement cap from $10,150,150 to $4,000,000; the motion passed unanimously. A commissioner who moved the change characterized it as setting a cap for anticipated public‑involvement work tied to the 2023 bond program.

- Item 35: Adopted unanimously (no further detail on the record).

- Donation acceptance and proclamation: The court unanimously accepted a $7,000 VFW donation for the county’s homeless veterans program and adopted a proclamation declaring March 2025 as Amplify Wilco Day (see separate article).

- Item 38 (hiring for district court administrator): A motion to hire or take the item failed to advance when a commissioner requested the matter be considered in executive session because of legal and HR implications; the maker withdrew the motion and the item was deferred to executive session.

- Item 39 (military leave funding): The court approved setting aside funding to cover military leave and associated pay/PTO under federal law (USERRA), to preserve the incumbent’s job slot while they are on active duty; the motion passed unanimously.

- Auditor salary and midyear salary review public hearing: The court convened a public hearing on midyear salary adjustments for the auditor’s office; public comment was heard and the court later approved related items to address vacancies and retention needs.

- Records preservation and county clerk items (items 42 and 43): The court approved archival and records‑preservation funding and projects for the county clerk to preserve probate and other records; commissioners discussed storage and project timing; motions passed unanimously.

- Road, bridge and construction items: The court approved a range of road and bridge consent items and construction agreements (items 47–56, 58–61 and 63–86). Commissioners discussed specific projects including Ronald Reagan Boulevard improvements, East Wilco Highway/SH 79 interchange progress, Sand Bass Road, and partnerships with Round Rock; staff presented project photos and timelines.

- Miscellaneous consent votes: Multiple smaller procurement, permit and contract items were approved across the agenda (numerous items recorded on the consent calendar; votes were unanimous when recorded).

No contested final votes were recorded in the public record during the Feb. 25 regular session; the court recessed to executive session with planned discussion on several legal, personnel and security items and reconvened without additional public action.","At its Feb. 25 meeting the Williamson County Commissioner’s Court approved a multi‑item consent agenda, set aside funding for military leave under federal law, reduced a public‑engagement budget cap, accepted donations and passed archival and construction items. One hiring matter (item 38) was withdrawn for executive session.",{"_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},6664016,"County accepts $7,000 VFW donation for homeless veterans and proclaims March Amplify Wilco Day",726,1616000,2342000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388833-d1300715b1a3c49f156f60ee74f69cfe&start=1616&end=2342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388833-d1300715b1a3c49f156f60ee74f69cfe/thumbnail_1616000.jpg","/articles/6664016/Williamson-County/Texas/County-accepts-7000-VFW-donation-for-homeless-veterans-and-proclaims-March-Amplify-Wilco-Day","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664016-5a0fe520702631da43590e3d4cf089f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158263&Signature=KjOdyDyfOqYmeh8ndWh-aw2~WYVdthqUix4R485PgMV9zAMuHzP-sNO6K1aBJj4g1D8ay34x3u0Am0zT9fljRp0QMGcEmE7QXngtS~FaDLbJzRfAXGJW69~2kGi5qksBKAdINqvc1kRC53fZV~eVwTgYijwS2VfUKirfsAUYyfVWHAJqDuIIoWBTLuYMy45uXN5JHyHZHOb9KV4cud5k5q7wLIMREOetB-YoDWsw7mYkUZBUGct56dPkdiQStQAsmeO~qtv~Phg~XREXtmxqjObB~PSy-egbvW0~Of1P06I67JIkpU0VjWauDH8aMtRCBj~j7oMEcbfCUyCcsgTLew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Williamson County Commissioner’s Court on Feb. 25 accepted donations totaling $7,000 from VFW posts and district leadership to support the county’s homeless veterans program, and it adopted a proclamation promoting the county’s second annual Amplify Wilco Day.

Mitch Fuller, legislative director for the VFW Department of Texas, and Juan Amaya Jr., commander of Post 8587 in Georgetown, presented the funds on behalf of the VFW. Fuller thanked the court for the county’s support of veterans programs and said the donation was intended to assist veterans facing homelessness. The court voted to accept the funds unanimously.

Separately, the court approved a proclamation declaring March 2025 as Amplify Wilco Day and highlighted amplifywilco.org as the portal for the county’s online giving event. Piper Steggy Nelson, executive director of I Live Here, I Give Here, said the program will feature roughly 90 local charities this year and that matching funds are available for donations depending on the charity and timing. The proclamation noted last year’s Amplify Wilco campaign raised more than $1 million for 72 local nonprofit organizations.

Why it matters: The VFW donation supplements county efforts to assist veterans in need; the Amplify Wilco proclamation promotes a county‑focused fundraising effort that organizers say increases local giving and provides matching funds for participating nonprofit organizations.

The court accepted the donation and approved the proclamation by unanimous votes during the Feb. 25 regular session.","The court accepted $7,000 from local VFW donors for the county’s homeless veterans program and unanimously approved a proclamation promoting Amplify Wilco Day, an online giving campaign for local nonprofits.",{"_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},6664020,"Observers and residents urge Williamson County to address ballot‑secrecy risks, question vendor and countywide polling choices",1119,355000,1474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388833-d1300715b1a3c49f156f60ee74f69cfe&start=355&end=1474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388833-d1300715b1a3c49f156f60ee74f69cfe/thumbnail_355000.jpg","/articles/6664020/Williamson-County/Texas/Observers-and-residents-urge-Williamson-County-to-address-ballotsecrecy-risks-question-vendor-and-countywide-polling-choices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664020-61d264a28ced9cb36a85873b03763640/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158263&Signature=iC3xHIktxSMz5mfWrhyhBei-JOy~flfvN~WeKfZQXaFsnvHsNny5Jan85bSMObu3x-qa7zTt2OTGLwwrvPSmOnJHUn2OxpOo95DGcZdhTm0WCQENKbAQdavnyrasMZkt09v--r9YFBuKWbm14nKV8B3XTIX9gT9niVT41JNfNrwAnECLa1iDD~csviL2ULRqKRrXZFELmtqv7Hw5uEziqxf6Mqe8g6xnUDqoryFjzOjb9cM2AW5y9UcOE4DQ541hLEjAtaq4f61F9d3ta-3uLAzyl1amhdudzwnBCopK85-f4XYZdMQvAFn5lRGlIoC1x4GSsqe0FA4l1DXgPpfuug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two attendees at the Feb. 25 Williamson County Commissioner’s Court raised election‑integrity concerns and urged more public detail about vendor changes affecting polling sites.

Rocky Stone, who identified himself as an elections judge and poll watcher, cited Texas Election Code section 127.066 and said poll workers and watchers should be permitted to initial security tags on both sides of equipment before items are shipped back to the Elections Administration Building to strengthen chain of custody. “Every the judge, clerk, and or poll work watcher can initial the special, security tags on both sides before it gets shipped back to the Elections Administration Building,” Stone said.

Dr. Laura Presley of True Texas Elections spoke against agenda item 8, which she described as a vendor/technology change related to countywide polling Wi‑Fi arrangements. Presley said the item lacked an itemized description of sites, contracts and spending and that the court should inform voters that voting outside a voter’s precinct can make some ballots traceable. “Two to five percent of people's ballots are not secret,” Presley said, adding that voters should be publicly warned not to vote outside their precinct if they wish guaranteed ballot secrecy.

County officials did not adopt any procedure on the record during public comment. The court later approved a series of consent agenda items; Presley asked the court to reconsider countywide polling and to engage the county attorney on ballot‑secrecy legal issues.

Why it matters: Commenters said the issues affect ballot secrecy and public confidence in election administration. Stone requested adherence to existing chain‑of‑custody measures; Presley urged greater transparency about vendor contracts and a public information campaign about precinct voting.

No legal finding or change to countywide polling was recorded during the Feb. 25 meeting; Presley said bills addressing the issue exist at the state level.","Two public commenters told Commissioners Court that countywide polling and changes to vendor arrangements risk ballot secrecy and chain‑of‑custody, and they urged the court to provide more detail to the public about vendor changes and countywide polling policy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents, commissioners warn out-of-county housing finance corporation activity is removing Williamson County properties from tax rolls

Commissioners approve consent agenda and multiple funding actions; one hiring item deferred to executive session

County accepts $7,000 VFW donation for homeless veterans and proclaims March Amplify Wilco Day

Observers and residents urge Williamson County to address ballot‑secrecy risks, question vendor and countywide polling choices