[{"_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",6198393,"mediaKeyId","3846953-00f0e508bdefc7a7a7905901f30a3da8","parentId",3846953,"title","Airport manager outlines reimbursable federal grants, anticipates higher insurance costs","audioSeconds",180,"startMs",19826000,"endMs",20006000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846953-00f0e508bdefc7a7a7905901f30a3da8&start=19826&end=20006","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846953-00f0e508bdefc7a7a7905901f30a3da8/thumbnail_19826000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6198393/Aransas-County/Texas/Airport-manager-outlines-reimbursable-federal-grants-anticipates-higher-insurance-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198393-18948608431f1926fa588757c2aa1a07/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441180&Signature=IkFKNSlGwb8mQ9wWep~bB~ZE5brrBJpQrXbt9glnWqg2HLIttY9B5zU5CZNlwb~iTAFYPKM8B1FIrTPv3~rEMwYvcpf8gbIGCU7NBakRgM4U2DiWZ~vSsNPMMuGTQujcXcBN17FAoYCaIipAV2SMbp4kmGTniNTCIyY3CxaJvwXYCLcCOaGuzjSYUkXKKt1QIjCoFg11FMFlulc1-8idtth~~buKrj7o29HdLzkiqnNPL2vLtsPubOHiVCn2m7ED9myOjPZfBopFANQTDo8rHhdMMjKoXoh51Y0qyFpcotActs-6XyPYtUb7rJrokajZcWW8dffCCvSpSIql3b6d1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aransas County Commissioners' Court","date","2025-06-16T00:00:00Z","article","Aransas County airport leadership told the Commissioners Court the airport will show larger grant-funded project spending in 2026 as federally reimbursable projects move forward and asked the court to recognize that reimbursable outlays will increase both revenue and expense lines.

The airport manager said the budgeted increase in grant outlays reflects reimbursements the county expects to receive under federal programs, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (BIL) and Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The manager noted the airport will incur upfront expenses that are later reimbursed and that some proposed projects include a potential $1 million construction project for which the county would plan a roughly $100,000 local match if a grant is awarded.

Why it matters: capital projects financed by federal grants will raise both the airport’s grant-outlay line and grant-revenue lines; the manager asked commissioners to view the expenditures in the grant fund together with expected reimbursements. The manager also reported that insurance premiums for airport facilities are expected to increase, and staff adjusted the insurance number in the draft budget accordingly.

Operational note: retail fuel margins and hangar operations were reported as stable; retail fuel price changes would typically raise both fuel cost and revenue. Machinery and equipment line items increased modestly to cover repairs on older mowers and tractors, the manager said.

Next steps: the manager will continue to coordinate grant applications and return with project timelines and confirmed match requirements; commissioners asked staff to monitor insurance rate notices and to provide final numbers for the county insurance allocation.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Budget Workshop Commissioners Court - 06/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Aransas County airport staff said several reimbursable grants, including a BIL project and AIP-related ramp funding, are in play for 2026; the airport's grant outlay is expected to rise while insurance premiums are forecast to increase.","taxTitle","Aransas County, Texas","taxId",28922,"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},6198398,"Road and Bridge requests $100,000 additional for materials; committee discusses boat ramp and irrigation costs",115,8483000,8598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846953-00f0e508bdefc7a7a7905901f30a3da8&start=8483&end=8598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846953-00f0e508bdefc7a7a7905901f30a3da8/thumbnail_8483000.jpg","/articles/6198398/Aransas-County/Texas/Road-and-Bridge-requests-100000-additional-for-materials-committee-discusses-boat-ramp-and-irrigation-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198398-304f632189db7240ef4450a58693d72c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441180&Signature=nuCJd2S1oH4drpviz1WoJedC7nrDamilS1RYRBPYdtVZOnEuEEbk1l~Doz4HjyQZ6gDCo1h36mQ75B~RcJJgOpIqgfTSefx0HMmm2ibXm6CJ~gGU-7BUlEymp2ury3Ptdk0pH1VuzaUvcswjmcL2g7~On7bI5zzyPpwzlITqUE0wY5KxQ6yy33gUe4nyRBlouoy5gGmrwH77BcQkgOPgE74oGqzU3V0XQ-KHix~qBlBB11U9uVc5~q5~UdW3rspXUy~19YUSUo6u-XuKFOrSMJHcuV39MSlIqs9zgRvKfhLnCbJQPladUKxMndFAL0Am9Oque498-AFtPJLVeyeMiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aransas County Road and Bridge officials told Commissioners Court they need an increased materials budget for 2026 and outlined maintenance and equipment priorities, including addressing a high-traffic intersection and potential boat-ramp repairs.

The Road and Bridge director asked for an additional $100,000 to be added to the road-materials line, saying the increase would help complete roads scheduled in next year’s maintenance program and allow the department to tackle an intersection at Campbell and Moore that has repeatedly seen heavy trucks in ditches and damage to power poles. The director also noted the department is holding machinery and equipment funding at $250,000 for 2026 but cautioned that used-equipment markets remain tight.

Boat ramp and other capital needs: the director said stabilization of a boat ramp and parking area was under study; he reported a concrete estimate that came back near $370,000 for some boat-ramp repairs and said county crews may pursue alternatives such as surface stabilization where feasible. Separately, facilities staff and parks staff raised irrigation and well costs for new courthouse landscaping and the community plaza; commissioners suggested reviewing well integration with the city before finalizing the budget.

Why it matters: the extra materials money would allow the county to proceed on scheduled road projects and address localized safety concerns at a dangerous intersection. Officials said that buying and maintaining heavy equipment and vehicles remains a major operational expense and that part-replacement of older trucks is driving repair costs up.

Next steps: no formal appropriation was made. Road and Bridge will provide final project lists and funding options for commissioners to consider during the 2026 budget adoption process.

","Road and Bridge asked Commissioners Court for an additional $100,000 for road materials in 2026, plus continued machinery/equipment funding and possible boat-ramp stabilization work; staff noted high concrete costs and proposed prioritizing maintenance and an intersection widening project.",{"_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},6198403,"Sheriff warns jail budget may not balance after surge in inmate housing, transport costs",330,7063000,7393000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846953-00f0e508bdefc7a7a7905901f30a3da8&start=7063&end=7393","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846953-00f0e508bdefc7a7a7905901f30a3da8/thumbnail_7063000.jpg","/articles/6198403/Aransas-County/Texas/Sheriff-warns-jail-budget-may-not-balance-after-surge-in-inmate-housing-transport-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198403-28c8e46e4b3fc9d210eb3ec17d1e716c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441180&Signature=QjG7NVGUl6yIttaiCET3kI44yfileh0lIbsrNI4hiOdZRFrpd2~lTylL~BQrGQHvd7Kd50qLocAT1L9dd4Wp~aGzpcJto~mf2EgvZ~lE5lJqkTkib~fd-XpW18cP5eFXlVhjP~PMn2Zxv~3PoDpL2ABzBXT8-0fxdZtpHUwTNjP9V0tx8bFkd5hjXfTtioxyVGYNzfRBcQS6xJLJRKx--NuKAl3l3CjBxQ2258PXp2sgiQnvCiV-9yyOur0c5nSm5Y5~RvNLgNAon1nTVdbKPG8elKgZkWWbZ~Io43ATWg9H1SvFBOyddFmyPaXRK4XKR5ddaJG5gDlTrksKJXVNlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Aransas County Sheriff told Commissioners Court the jail is under growing financial stress after a year marked by higher inmate counts, increased transports and rising food and repair costs, and he asked the court to consider funding two additional deputies and increased vehicle capital outlay.

“For the first time in 17 years, we probably will not make budget in the jail,” the sheriff said, summarizing the department’s fiscal pressures. He told the court the jail was housing roughly 49 more inmates per day than at the same time last year, increasing food use and supply costs. He also said the department conducted roughly 300 transports from January to June — long trips that multiply vehicle mileage and staff time — and that a recent freezer failure caused the loss of several thousand dollars of food stock.

Why it matters: the sheriff explained that extra transports and courtroom coverage are staffing- and vehicle-intensive. He said frequent multi-location court activity has required deputies to be reassigned from street duties to courtroom duties on many days, creating operational strain and increasing overtime and mileage costs.

Requested budget adjustments: the sheriff asked for two additional patrol deputies (to better cover courtroom and city backup duties) and said he seeks a modest increase in vehicle capital for vans; the department has had trouble locating suitable used vans in recent years and is seeking an increased replacement budget to avoid repeated downtime and high repair costs. The sheriff also noted that food and supply prices for jail meals have risen and that maintenance emergencies (freezer alarms now installed) add to operating costs.

Next steps: commissioners did not take a formal vote on staffing or capital requests during the workshop; the sheriff said he will provide the court with detailed personnel cost estimates and vehicle capital figures so the court can decide during final budget adoption.

","Aransas County Sheriff told the court the jail is housing more inmates and incurring higher transport, food and vehicle costs; he asked for two deputy positions and additional vehicle capital funds while noting recent one-off expenses such as a freezer failure.",{"_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},6198408,"Elections official warns pending state law would require early voting sites to serve as vote centers; requests central-count scanner and grant support",547,4721000,5268000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846953-00f0e508bdefc7a7a7905901f30a3da8&start=4721&end=5268","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846953-00f0e508bdefc7a7a7905901f30a3da8/thumbnail_4721000.jpg","/articles/6198408/Aransas-County/Texas/Elections-official-warns-pending-state-law-would-require-early-voting-sites-to-serve-as-vote-centers-requests-central-count-scanner-and-grant-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198408-de348a5d188616df9256389aac1023d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441180&Signature=LrBrbiiUxEW0n8c9M8us-YQ249FI2EsUR-whk2ITKDFN2fF7eS7ZTQYtyrNP0j7v19zvLyqFEEny2g3gCC1x8UMzgOUo3oF1wiCX1LdF2Ld82XQZ6RioiiKaVndGdbDzEa9z3XWeJ-ewiDXTHWR8PjpPwS9XVnhuKBdeSLdvK-o~mPLFNEPImbbYW~hmRMpDx~6EroOjQYTCZrFDxvVg3Ouj~yjycMLW174jyx2XEO40qXY7Lo8bZBSHMu~tti52zbaP4Sj46Ql~dKzUySfkRqOG5Kzy6aVkOfX41RvCS34-tppMv6AigGo9wAadFPOtB2w6J7pOHODlhpoLSoHTbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The county elections administrator told the Commissioners Court pending state legislation would change early voting rules and asked the court to budget for both operational impacts and equipment the office wants to buy ahead of the 2026 cycle.

The administrator summarized the bill: it would narrow the three-day gap between early voting and election day, require any early-voting site to serve as an election-day vote center, and change how results are reported by combining early-voting and election-day reporting. The administrator said the Secretary of State will write rules for implementation and that the effective deadline could be as soon as September 1 of the enactment year but that the office does not expect immediate statewide implementation for all counties.

Why it matters: the change would increase space and logistics needs for early voting and ballot handling. The elections official said the office is already at or near capacity for in-house early voting in busy years and that additional space or alternate sites may be required. The proposal could also change how and when results are posted.

Equipment request and grant opportunity: the elections administrator asked the court to budget $7,000 a year for ongoing costs tied to a central high-speed ballot scanner and told the court the county may pursue a Secretary of State grant to acquire the scanner sooner than 2026. He said purchasing the equipment this year could be advantageous so it is in place before the next significant election workload. The administrator also requested a modest increase in office supplies and explained the annual maintenance and scanning contract would add recurring costs to the elections budget.

Next steps and direction: the court did not take a final vote but allowed the administrator to seek grant opportunities and asked staff to plan for potential alternate early-voting sites if state rules require them. The administrator said he will verify rule guidance from the Secretary of State and return with final cost and site plans if the law advances.

","The county elections administrator briefed the court on pending state legislation that would require early voting sites to operate as election-day vote centers and on a request to buy a central high-speed ballot scanner, seeking grant support to offset costs.",{"_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},6198411,"County Treasurer Seeks Kronos Timekeeping System; Commissioners ask for firm numbers",485,861000,1346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846953-00f0e508bdefc7a7a7905901f30a3da8&start=861&end=1346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846953-00f0e508bdefc7a7a7905901f30a3da8/thumbnail_861000.jpg","/articles/6198411/Aransas-County/Texas/County-Treasurer-Seeks-Kronos-Timekeeping-System-Commissioners-ask-for-firm-numbers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198411-70ee44574d5c626073f34a609b5a7686/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441180&Signature=BhLGnyEsQRQ7WrfQbRoMDjZMcqDWvo6VPxETHvA6zBifSitAV5ZGysWoJBUljOxx1wpLQaD~JrHndQV2NtCa9nORFBldnnGHo9xpKWGJ~4hYQD5DT6dLgzqZH5KLzn-OQe7aF4idcDmn0-qXj2j6gbyeEys9LX1ZAD~NXlOPi-4oX8~-dm-Xw2A~g599AiYnV~TZ~gVGimTxYAHF7jBdGNlLvuj1AGVS9NRYju3JXci7H8VOMJrIMKD~6Z8anI6pkthMZZg2SuPNSEzshKFkHPKXhOxozxpwsmOYuoEEhQjbHdhkCMbh1ZruCtoxPQ0LUtNEcqUZsvtQnq6ZedXAHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Aransas County treasurer told Commissioners Court the county is considering a Kronos timekeeping system that would centralize staff timekeeping and reduce recurring payroll errors, but officials asked staff to return with detailed, firm numbers before approving the purchase.

The treasurer said the vendor quote the court reviewed lists a $49,580 one-time implementation cost and a $17,280 annual maintenance fee. She added that an optional Kronos HR module “Desiree really did like” would cost about $15,000 more and that an employee entry device would be “about $2,000 per machine.” The treasurer also said the vendor indicated there may be room to negotiate the one-time price downward.

Why it matters: county officials said a modern timekeeping system would let employees submit leave and managers approve requests online, improve auditability and cut staff time spent fixing timesheets. Commissioners pressed staff during the workshop to clarify whether the purchase would require a public bid and how much additional cost the Tyler integration would add.

Details of the discussion: the treasurer said integration with the county’s financial software (Tyler) is possible but will involve a fee from Tyler. County IT Director Colin and Human Resources Director Desiree were asked to provide final quotes showing: (1) the negotiated purchase price; (2) the first-year and recurring maintenance costs; (3) cost of any required entry machines; and (4) the Tyler-integration fee and timeline. Commissioners also noted a county procurement threshold that can trigger formal bidding if a purchase exceeds $50,000 and asked staff to confirm whether the final purchase price would cross that threshold.

Next steps and direction: no formal vote was taken. The court directed staff to negotiate for a lower Kronos price if possible, confirm whether the total outlay would require a competitive procurement, and return with a definitive recommendation and detailed cost breakdown for the court to consider for the 2026 budget.

Ending note: Treasurer and IT staff said they will try to time any purchase so it aligns with Colin’s IT planning (possible placement in the countywide IT budget) and asked commissioners whether the county should proceed this year or defer to next year if funding is not available.

","The Aransas County treasurer proposed buying Kronos timekeeping software — roughly $49,580 up front plus maintenance and optional HR modules — and asked IT and HR to return with firm pricing and integration costs before the commissioners decide whether to include it in the 2026 budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Airport manager outlines reimbursable federal grants, anticipates higher insurance costs

Road and Bridge requests $100,000 additional for materials; committee discusses boat ramp and irrigation costs

Sheriff warns jail budget may not balance after surge in inmate housing, transport costs

Elections official warns pending state law would require early voting sites to serve as vote centers; requests central-count scanner and grant support

County Treasurer Seeks Kronos Timekeeping System; Commissioners ask for firm numbers