[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-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",[32,75,85,97],{"_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",6570692,"mediaKeyId","3286692-9943a2ac8538445c66bdeafc5443a1b7","parentId",3286692,"title","Resident says return to precinct‑level voting would be costly and difficult to staff","audioSeconds",119,"startMs",520000,"endMs",639000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3286692-9943a2ac8538445c66bdeafc5443a1b7&start=520&end=639","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3286692-9943a2ac8538445c66bdeafc5443a1b7/thumbnail_520000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6570692/Williamson-County/Texas/Resident-says-return-to-precinctlevel-voting-would-be-costly-and-difficult-to-staff","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570692-e52b6409f6223a519e92d951bf6f029f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920348&Signature=PFom0gd-TRlZIgs00oPcGXlX76D-6aMst4Zx45deLH9s3lz-pBRcq9gbtXswvV~ee-T4jPGe--JzdV0KiF7lQVk6~ZnDgh0tcyrE993cYlb6wAkMlrt0wEySkroa~KvYkoPQYCrjzlN-5kabxd4b2bqlvrp5riFUkUqxZMvlUs~W1DM~G3R8Cvg-6KQJKaaX81EX8PlSTVzywAV01oVZAkYfEF2aja~dszxQ40fr3-jX-rnHb3LhKTieBu97rufeBaqw1-ovWQMGuRCJWRpMmetjJP3JPgQNSvQAK6IdYaWBBipfg1sCTJS5NrlkDY1PpInxmMjJk58AToYpa~fkbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Williamson","date","2025-05-13T00:00:00Z","article","Jan Pelosi of the Austin portion of Williamson County addressed the commissioners during public comment to oppose a proposal, reportedly adopted by the Williamson County Republican Party, urging the county to return to precinct‑level voting.

Pelosi said vote centers implemented in 2013 worked well for the county. She told the court that the county operated about 80 vote centers in the 2024 general election to serve 164 precincts and said rapid county growth is expected to add about 20 precincts for the next cycle. Pelosi said recruiting and training enough poll workers to staff “180 sites is almost impossible” and would create “outrageous costs” for equipment and staffing if the county reverted from vote centers.

“Williamson County just really can't afford to take 10 steps backwards,” Pelosi said, adding that one precinct near her has only 27 houses and that reopening precinct‑level voting could require holding elections in inappropriate or impractical locations.

The comment was recorded under public comments; no court action was taken on the issue during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Williamson - Commissioners Court - Regular Session - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A local resident urged the court to reject a Williamson County Republican Party proposal to return to precinct‑level voting, citing equipment costs and severe poll‑worker recruitment challenges as reasons the county should keep vote centers adopted in 2013.","taxTitle","Williamson County, Texas","taxId",2724,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":44,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":50,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570695,"Votes at a glance: Williamson County Commissioners Court approves consent items, proclamations and multiple contracts",198,718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3286692-9943a2ac8538445c66bdeafc5443a1b7&start=520&end=718","/articles/6570695/Williamson-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Williamson-County-Commissioners-Court-approves-consent-items-proclamations-and-multiple-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570695-2f48a1dfce0a32ffaaf32e2193980000/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920348&Signature=TFJ~Dd1FM804S8O6pTIoHOK~vPwwvRrfHlOdgQAToBGiqvhK3OaOltbCjMvA5kO37tJfjJ24sECtglsEXHS0TmADhkSViYKtpXiFxiMpQ1cuQGKvkROpcvc~PM2~ynKXVdP2YM-ZptO1mNdmj8gkTOSPFeqPqXrcFal6T8HW4zFHaEV5gdz0KYDF3Xl5lxeWzQIEmX6Do2ohWdd-KT1Q9ZhLZw3AdcJE6T6PX615sTPvMZgYXPooysy401mnsVg0X2llB9urr29OnPN4f-iUG4vLj8kOKsIvnZDMh~QymgN2~u5aEA1Auu0RrcXjmdTQYLXEavfEDsjTtKNn4K8DQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Williamson County Commissioners Court recorded the following formal outcomes during its May session. Where available, motions and seconds are noted.

- Funding report: The court approved the county funding report submitted electronically for $13,170,316.71 plus addenda totaling $1,604,992.73. Motion: Nathan Zinsmeyer (presenter), motion to approve made and carried; recorded motion by Commissioner Bolz, second by Commissioner Long. Outcome: passed (voice vote).

- Items 47–50 (debt actions): The court authorized sale of road bond tranches, sale of $30,000,000 of park bonds, issuance of a seven‑year tax‑anticipation note for right‑of‑way, and delegated authority to pursue a refunding if market savings met parameters. Motion: Commissioner Covey; second: Commissioner Cook. Outcome: passed 5–0.

- Items 51–53 (regional animal shelter agreements): The court approved agreements to add Georgetown to the regional animal‑shelter partnership and related interlocal terms and construction/payment arrangements; motions by Commissioner Covey; second by Commissioner Cook. Outcome: passed 5–0.

- Items 21 and 23 (design team and CMAR for animal shelter project): The court approved moving forward with the design team and construction manager at‑risk (CMAR) procurement for the shelter project. Motion: Commissioner Covey; second: Commissioner Cook. Outcome: passed 5–0.

- Proclamations and recognitions: The court adopted multiple proclamations by voice vote: National Police Week (agenda item 31), Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (item 32), and Mental Health Awareness Month (item 33). Motions generally moved by Commissioner Covey and seconded by other commissioners; outcomes recorded as passed unanimously.

- Additional consent and regular items: The court approved consent agenda items 4–30 (with exceptions moved to regular agenda), items 37–46 (excluding item 45 which was pulled), and items 54–67. Outcome: passed 5–0 where recorded.

Procedural notes: Several items were pulled or moved earlier in the meeting; item 45 was pulled from consideration. Where the transcript did not provide a published ordinance or resolution number, the item is recorded by agenda item number and short description as presented in court.","At the May session the court approved the county funding report, bond sales and other consent and regular‑agenda items. Key votes included funding report approval, bond and tax‑note authorizations, Georgetown shelter agreements and several proclamations; motions were unanimous where recorded.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570699,"Bluebonnet Trails presents countywide mental‑health network; diversion center, youth respite and mobile crisis highlighted",390,2416000,2806000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3286692-9943a2ac8538445c66bdeafc5443a1b7&start=2416&end=2806","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3286692-9943a2ac8538445c66bdeafc5443a1b7/thumbnail_2416000.jpg","/articles/6570699/Williamson-County/Texas/Bluebonnet-Trails-presents-countywide-mentalhealth-network-diversion-center-youth-respite-and-mobile-crisis-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570699-e978d6ca6f54298ea74ddec67a7adddc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920348&Signature=f~6NZnxFlGGTUrdMab6AEO7xmqZR45dJi764cfJlZiDJolXUTq7AZyvyc-umFR1odFcA77ZZZPJPhrbB~EN~CPU8otPx1B7gUVL-7OtOqyeMXhkQgri0K2fVQvoHMmdFYK2XiuRaqfjeOEYhqRp4nJ3Ozj11p~2ZVMXeMlKcFluBnZh6DUj5-Z114DTTNi0hIUYwK8adxKcMwukT-ONutP8mZurgRx6woULcy1Z8WYsUBAFbSMuDjWJjYh5fLy8qDHwnqzP10OxVKXsu0j093r8DuUXARebxZ1spxFQKhAEuLj-fBNtrqVef-FKRiFGaOlTtk3WDVIf16GdRmMBE6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bluebonnet Trails, the region’s public community‑behavioral health provider, presented an overview of local mental‑health programs and gaps to the Williamson County Commissioners Court and thanked the court for prior ARPA and other support.

Mike Maples, chief executive officer of Bluebonnet Trails, described a “continuum of care” developed with the county behavioral health task force: crisis‑trained clinicians embedded in 911 dispatch, mobile crisis outreach teams (MCOT), a diversion center for law enforcement drop‑offs, adult and youth therapeutic respite facilities, jail‑based competency restoration and withdrawal/withdrawal‑management links into residential services. Maples said MCOT handles roughly 4,000 calls annually, about half of which receive face‑to‑face response.

Maples and commissioners noted specific programs and results: the diversion center provides rapid evaluation, 24‑hour access to psychiatry and nursing, and a reported average drop‑off time for law enforcement of about 11 minutes; the youth therapeutic respite in Round Rock was created from ARPA‑funded renovations and operates a 16‑bed facility for ages 5–17 with clinical supports and state funding now supporting operations. Bluebonnet also reported a planned $4.5 million renovation of the Round Rock campus to add a 16‑bed residential unit for youth.

Commissioner Covey and Judge Snell emphasized the programs’ role in reducing jail and emergency‑room load: a county jail‑based competency restoration initiative now restores competency in under 40 days on average rather than waiting many months for state hospital placement, a change that county staff and judges said produces material workflow and cost savings.

The court earlier proclaimed May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month; the proclamation (agenda item 33) passed 5–0. Bluebonnet and partners including NAMI Central Texas said they will expand peer‑support groups and continue regional task‑force collaboration.

What the county will watch for: project timelines and state funding that moves pilot programs into long‑term operations, the results of the Round Rock renovation and continued data on diversion outcomes, jail impacts and hospital‑diversion rates.","Bluebonnet Trails updated Commissioners Court on a continuum of mental‑health services in Williamson County including a 24‑hour diversion center, mobile crisis outreach teams, youth therapeutic respite, adult respite, jail‑based competency restoration and residential expansions supported by ARPA and state funding.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570703,"Williamson County approves sale of road and park bonds, a tax‑anticipation note and delegates possible refunding",85,694000,779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3286692-9943a2ac8538445c66bdeafc5443a1b7&start=694&end=779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3286692-9943a2ac8538445c66bdeafc5443a1b7/thumbnail_694000.jpg","/articles/6570703/Williamson-County/Texas/Williamson-County-approves-sale-of-road-and-park-bonds-a-taxanticipation-note-and-delegates-possible-refunding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570703-42b8baa1c64ebf33cd216fb2a4a3b807/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920348&Signature=fsq3xENBoKeMFLoiazWJYGycL0oqQP1CnOF810i-Yls18O~TacacBkmaE~JUj7GGpVXfKk9-PaymS~7SRBGR4Op-Z7CItkSm4lXbjbYOXDcihWqQqKgs1UJO-POCZEBikkRysejTPniHIvwALslrAYlWNjaaX4wQjscYrK7~94fgCxvoU07dKhxKEDaKDFZ8DVi8sIYbEuDkynkz2XIg5EuUZ8O1FGqE3M~YnKeaWLsaOZrLu4watiSVQtwJ-FKAkVNnvyxTOe30pWcpPc~IupLai5z0nf52jxOqYMKCLrik9L56czkt46qMBr08vRkTJrC3Gd0-MF3itBAUozNGhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williamson County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to authorize the sale of several debt instruments to fund roads, parks and right‑of‑way purchases and to permit staff to seek a refunding if market conditions meet a minimum savings threshold.

County Auditor Julie Kiley told the court the board plans to sell $150 million of the voter‑approved 2023 road bond authorization and $30 million of $59 million in park bond authorization approved in November 2023. Kiley described an additional tax‑anticipation note for right‑of‑way acquisition described in discussion as “around $70–80 million” and a potential refunding “in the neighborhood of $35 million,” with final sizes to be set when the county goes to market.

“I have with me Bart Fowler of McCall Park Hurston Horton,” Kiley said, and she walked commissioners through the different debt types: long‑term bond sales tied to voter authorizations, a seven‑year tax‑anticipation note for right‑of‑way, and a potential refunding delegation to act if a market opportunity produces sufficient savings.

Commissioners and staff clarified totals during discussion. Kiley said the county has previously sold roughly $141 million of the 2023 road bond authorization and is selling additional tranches as needed for cash‑flow. She said the county recently received a draft reaffirmation of its AAA rating from S&P and expected comments from Fitch the following day.

Judge Snell and commissioners stressed the county is trying to manage cash flow so it does not issue all authorized debt at once and flagged the need to reduce right‑of‑way acquisition costs, including pursuing agreements to limit utility easement purchases in corridor projects.

The court approved the four related agenda items (items 47–50) by voice vote. Motion: Commissioner Covey; second: Commissioner Cook. Outcome: passed 5–0.

How this matters: The sales will provide financing for road and park projects approved by voters in 2023 and short‑term cash for right‑of‑way. The tax‑anticipation note is a seven‑year instrument intended to bridge payments for land acquisition; any refunding will proceed only if it yields a minimum of 2% net present‑value savings, per staff comments.

Procedural details and follow‑up: County staff will finalize transaction sizes and proceed to market next Wednesday; the court delegated authority to accept final terms that meet staff’s parameters. Commissioners asked staff to continue pursuing legal and intergovernmental steps to limit future right‑of‑way costs, including agreements with utilities and neighboring jurisdictions.","Commissioners unanimously authorized multiple debt actions including the sale of road and park bond tranches, a tax‑anticipation note for right‑of‑way purchases, and delegated authority to pursue a refunding if market conditions provide at least 2% savings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident says return to precinct‑level voting would be costly and difficult to staff

Votes at a glance: Williamson County Commissioners Court approves consent items, proclamations and multiple contracts

Bluebonnet Trails presents countywide mental‑health network; diversion center, youth respite and mobile crisis highlighted

Williamson County approves sale of road and park bonds, a tax‑anticipation note and delegates possible refunding