[{"_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",6605727,"mediaKeyId","2985013-d21c10483aaf02a88354bb34e9ff3dc8","parentId",2985013,"title","Residents urge Collin County to delay election equipment contract renewal amid security and cost concerns","audioSeconds",527,"startMs",1411000,"endMs",1938000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985013-d21c10483aaf02a88354bb34e9ff3dc8&start=1411&end=1938","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985013-d21c10483aaf02a88354bb34e9ff3dc8/thumbnail_1411000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605727/Collin-County/Texas/Residents-urge-Collin-County-to-delay-election-equipment-contract-renewal-amid-security-and-cost-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605727-6d56a25ae543c11cd81a6aa0960a6c07/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450891&Signature=gfF4tyguzfM4PU4q1wBvI90A47y6K5tT5pEt37dE1P4tN~XnvgDPM-wjDX7DtFAgIP0zb2Y9XEQlAAxJj9-8NqXwVmSxtrFftPuEd5yZd65httddTRzsAuUu3bUWkYOoBBW4U3hci2NycGxyHHmkF5GadYI4VuqBbr1xrDHrseIkPIuQ-yScwChg41t5IUFJd6CKiPjdOWA6YVLgrdrEajiaWUVqcDPnpwTZMzYKR6EGd8ZOuf2zQyyqOGeaN0hrkwsWM3PzHRNzUTTTPIpAvYYL-MK-~qIcZALHc0NAjwTzm5IloyrcvJ4adM4ZH7Xoi6RSri8naXt2G09GpM4Ucw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Collin","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","Several residents addressed the Collin County Commissioners Court during public comment to urge a delay or amendment to an election voting equipment and maintenance contract renewal that commenters said covered July through June for more than half a million dollars.

One speaker identifying the contract as \"AI 57755, election voting systems and services,\" said the renewal date range was listed as July through June for over half a million dollars and argued the renewal \"seems to go directly against the president's recent executive order\" and raised security concerns regarding barcodes and touch‑screen systems. The speaker said hand‑marked paper ballots are the \"gold standard\" and urged the county to implement them for the 2026 primary and general elections.

Debbie Linster of Citizens Defending Freedom asked the court to delay a $566,000 maintenance renewal by 30 days or include a refund provision in the contract if forthcoming state legislation reduces equipment needs. Linster said pending Texas legislation could change early and election‑day voting rules and allow combined precincts up to 10,000 voters per location, which would reduce the number of machines required.

Aida Snowback told the court she opposed \"contract amendment number 10\" as a 3.5% increase over the prior renewal and said maintenance fees for ballot‑marking devices and firmware total $370,215. Snowback said the county has spent more than $13,500,000 to date on these machines and their maintenance and argued for ballot‑on‑demand printers as a more viable long‑term option.

Lee Moore reiterated calls to delay the renewal pending legislative outcomes and referenced recent federal executive actions discussed publicly; Moore said waiting could save taxpayer dollars and allow consideration of ballot‑on‑demand printers.

Ending: Commissioners received public comment; no formal action on the contract renewal was taken at this meeting. Staff and the court did not indicate an immediate vote on the contract during the session covered by the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Collin - Health Care Foundation - Apr 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents urged the court to delay or amend a contract renewal for election voting systems and services (identified in public comment as AI 57755), arguing for hand‑marked ballots or ballot‑on‑demand printers and raising security and fiscal concerns; commissioners heard the comments but did not take action on the contract at the meeting.","taxTitle","Collin County, Texas","taxId",2696,"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},6605732,"Collin County staff brief court on election and annexation bills, flagging potential costs and local impacts",295,1154000,1449000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985013-d21c10483aaf02a88354bb34e9ff3dc8&start=1154&end=1449","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985013-d21c10483aaf02a88354bb34e9ff3dc8/thumbnail_1154000.jpg","/articles/6605732/Collin-County/Texas/Collin-County-staff-brief-court-on-election-and-annexation-bills-flagging-potential-costs-and-local-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605732-1ea38e9ec71d990a82aa3d41d2add231/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450891&Signature=BQfvl~upzv5~q9a9Sfu6AutxH7-AIIQ8asTie~KevrpGVx17JPrRzfGQ6yGpKOsmFNMZQe90-D63TYzKQJ6~imrqKIfEzrv2~TEoBsoolueMCmwoSA-7BKo1zfhGEo4K0YyVnT4ML1exQ78NnVTV1LcxqdDRtTuHmVE1QTJR~geFR71woaNoYfbmFlySzLRmCAMThl9TBg1mDQYp0~0LJZNYCHiwxXfm3Tp~gw6pxELyLBpWsZ-8rxxp75n7x3M8F4xM~s2e-Hg2nWNlEDdoaQBxy6qK6HG5ZpKsmP5Ql2UgJi4hRdE20vjAYKPTz89dC3c~RGrxQjlwoGdkQknIEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff briefed the Collin County Commissioners Court on pending legislation the administration is monitoring, including HB 4275 (countywide polling-place requirements) and HB 2494 (with companion SB 1844) concerning de‑annexation when municipalities fail to provide full municipal services.

Russell Shofford, deputy county administrator, told the court HB 4275 would change countywide polling rules and estimated the county would face an equipment cost of about $13,000,000 to comply with countywide polling functions, along with additional staffing and related expenses. Shofford said the bill would amend countywide polling statutes and could reduce precinct‑based voting while still requiring a location in every precinct.

Shofford also briefed the court on HB 2494 (senate companion SB 1844), which would allow areas annexed by a municipality to be disannexed if the municipality does not supply full municipal services—Shofford cited police, fire, water, sewer and fire hydrants as examples of services that could be part of the standard. He warned that de‑annexation would shift responsibilities for those areas back to the county and that the county has a stake in the outcome.

Commissioners asked questions about operational and legislative details; staff said they would gather the full list of services and continue to monitor the bills.

Ending: Staff said they would watch the bills closely and provide updates; no formal action was taken on the two bills during the meeting.","County staff updated commissioners about two bills under consideration in the Texas Legislature: HB 4275 (countywide polling logistics) and HB 2494/SB 1844 (de‑annexation for lack of municipal services); staff estimated a $13 million equipment cost if HB 4275 passes and warned de‑annexation could shift responsibilities to the county.",{"_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},6605736,"Collin County Commissioners adopt resolution opposing HB 23, citing concerns about third‑party plan review and inspections",96,1095000,1191000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985013-d21c10483aaf02a88354bb34e9ff3dc8&start=1095&end=1191","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985013-d21c10483aaf02a88354bb34e9ff3dc8/thumbnail_1095000.jpg","/articles/6605736/Collin-County/Texas/Collin-County-Commissioners-adopt-resolution-opposing-HB-23-citing-concerns-about-thirdparty-plan-review-and-inspections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605736-f8d3c435d1e7f85252f494394e03025b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450891&Signature=JTW7O6I39W9r141clQbQjD1IuEvD4ZrC-wU2FhMtWMIBIvOOq8LMHS5EusgCfYwFNUSW8BT~C35BZOtZ5W7avw8VXuc9ZruehSVXKyDPb0nepWQvmSr0B5ittiHwliTLCBqi58diyILmiyMp7J7gqeRt9WtfqR3zwJ0OaKwNu7H4O3AIZcrNlUEbwkABtUcdk296oMe9~jJ-ypuEi6hbeJt6qxBD~Mul6Bg7~G4OmZh2JmlfBQHu01mgbLvnuDx9u7ss~m1u8NJIFML4J~-vjOu1BHiXaiqj2~5DSaD82mL2e7F0KIPjg~sdOIm6VDol9MvHV1kUlnu42MpM4E-qBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Collin County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution opposing House Bill 23 after staff described potential concerns about the bill's effect on local review and inspection processes.

Russell Shofford, deputy county administrator, introduced the resolution and told the court HB 23 \"would allow developers to use a third party, firm for, planning compliance as well as inspections, instead of going through county staff.\" Shofford said that could be \"potentially quite problematic\" because the county is not assured a private firm's level of review or priorities would match the county's.

After a brief staff presentation, a commissioner moved approval of the resolution and the court voted by voice to adopt it without recorded dissent.

Ending: The court instructed staff to finalize the county's resolution of opposition; no additional amendments were requested during the meeting.","Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution opposing House Bill 23 after staff warned the measure would allow developers to use private third‑party firms for planning compliance and inspections.",{"_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},6605741,"Collin County approves application for FY2026 UASI election security grant to support fusion center positions",134,538000,672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985013-d21c10483aaf02a88354bb34e9ff3dc8&start=538&end=672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985013-d21c10483aaf02a88354bb34e9ff3dc8/thumbnail_538000.jpg","/articles/6605741/Collin-County/Texas/Collin-County-approves-application-for-FY2026-UASI-election-security-grant-to-support-fusion-center-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605741-dbbecfe77250fbe5e6c4375fea2e39b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450891&Signature=jcEAz~HU5WSr58Cg1dHNmnw8nmtfWM1ILFH0hHA8-GdNXl~XDVb63nweVWvlx-vXZSMwhr9qrbXJ~eVmsN3ftLoy48UcW9m5~tk35OkjyK7g5Y4brdeL-GTzeDs7Nacp1PmG8orzKVX~9x1KZGOFiyZST1y9Y8mSioM97hBN0p-JQUTRWQVT3UHjN0jGVtK7hjsHlxQcA0gk~v3otRPW4YccptABgKRyZ~2mebGDS9dsyJyQNmnJuob3IBfeMp7rucvShKyCQ3CHHU5i4yTlJP0T5fibqzVU11rVYdCjDVRvd3FK7WoStChwVBSwb6vYlybCh~q4IysC9fVYkE91Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Collin County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to allow the sheriff's office to apply for the FY2026 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) election security grant through the governor's office.

Yoon Kim, Collin County administrator, told the court the grant would pay part of salary and fringe costs—\"roughly $9,136\"—while the remainder of the salary and fringe for the positions would come from a 2025 regional grant. Kim said both grants are federal funds with no county match required.

Kim cautioned commissioners that the positions supported by the grants are not funded from the county general fund: \"if this grant were to go away or be rescinded or canceled, there are no funds budgeted for these positions out of the county's general fund, and so these positions would go away if the grants go away.\" The county approved the authorization for the sheriff's office to apply for the UASI grant.

Ending: Commissioners approved the application by motion and voice vote; staff indicated there was no county match and no current budgeted general-fund funding for the positions if grant support ceased.","Commissioners approved the sheriff's office's application for the FY2026 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) election security grant, which would cover a portion of salaries and fringe benefits for positions tied to the fusion center; county staff warned positions depend on continued grant funding.",{"_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},6605745,"Collin County Commissioners receive clean audit; county reports roughly $76.9 million surplus",386,192000,578000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985013-d21c10483aaf02a88354bb34e9ff3dc8&start=192&end=578","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985013-d21c10483aaf02a88354bb34e9ff3dc8/thumbnail_192000.jpg","/articles/6605745/Collin-County/Texas/Collin-County-Commissioners-receive-clean-audit-county-reports-roughly-769-million-surplus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605745-17855f42e9357537568ccda8d3caaecf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450891&Signature=ENUnbFous8cA-uTpQqLiftX88fFpZ7VZED-rjV9bJ8MCrQQO631-z8ptyDQW6WvaPh5zs~do9eN4EvBTKO0OOa8bC5lpAD2bE5kNXysUQ~t0WxzKKQcLj7nYt~CrZwI2FRpGb4S1QJaauAR~QK2eVxqabiM1I3~-DYqKdPrGL6m1znwqOrD7nVSzEcxFtzMkg8~7L4otp3eQq~7GEUedGg~F3vcLFpEETvJo5Ee1qr12bz0sbmUj6k24D8uxCC-LWhI9iU6KJxp-~jivcHg1zxhr53Iz3lGP2fLubX67oDH~s5TRhnvNdPuXxJu4Ru0cYQJBiP75REG7qw7Nw9R39Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Collin County Commissioners Court heard its FY2024 annual comprehensive financial report and the required single-audit and approved both reports unanimously.

Auditor Robert Cohen introduced Chris Pruitt, the external audit partner from PB&H, who said the auditors issued an unmodified (\"clean\") opinion on the county's financial statements. \"In our opinion, the financials are free [of] material misstatement, and that they can be relied upon,\" Pruitt told the court.

The auditors highlighted several measures of the county's fiscal position. Pruitt said the county's unassigned general fund balance rose by $236,000,000 and that, \"for the year you're $76,900,000 in black.\" He also said revenues exceeded budget by $24,100,000. Pruitt described the county's unassigned general fund balance as representing about 89% in relation to annual expenditures.

The single-audit portion examined federal and major state grants because the county received more than $750,000 in combined state and federal funding. Pruitt said auditors tested the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and the state Fund for Veterans Assistance and found no reportable findings for those programs; the reports for grant compliance and internal controls likewise received unmodified opinions.

Commissioners voted to approve the annual comprehensive financial report and the single-audit after the presentation. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Background: Pruitt drew attention to the report's award materials and told the court the county had filed to receive a Government Finance Officers Association award for excellence in financial reporting and expected to receive the award again. He also noted the statistical section contains multi-year trend information useful for comparison.

Ending: The auditors offered to answer further questions about the documents or the audit process; none were raised beyond the presentation, and the court moved on to the next agenda item.","External auditors issued an unmodified opinion on Collin County's FY2024 financial statements and single-audit; commissioners approved the annual comprehensive financial report and single-audit without objection.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge Collin County to delay election equipment contract renewal amid security and cost concerns

Collin County staff brief court on election and annexation bills, flagging potential costs and local impacts

Collin County Commissioners adopt resolution opposing HB 23, citing concerns about third‑party plan review and inspections

Collin County approves application for FY2026 UASI election security grant to support fusion center positions

Collin County Commissioners receive clean audit; county reports roughly $76.9 million surplus