[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6657716,"mediaKeyId","5065239-add2a18cfdd1a6592d20aa7263bfc016","parentId",5065239,"title","Commissioners authorize use of eminent domain to acquire electric easements for Hero Way road improvements","audioSeconds",23,"startMs",4420000,"endMs",4443000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065239-add2a18cfdd1a6592d20aa7263bfc016&start=4420&end=4443","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065239-add2a18cfdd1a6592d20aa7263bfc016/thumbnail_4420000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657716/Williamson-County/Texas/Commissioners-authorize-use-of-eminent-domain-to-acquire-electric-easements-for-Hero-Way-road-improvements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657716-808a093116e35de017e8565455f821e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636384&Signature=E9MxPTsBnSTeWheIxkikCLSQPdOHjl06~iR84uRGW~riapf5bEKCL-MCEZAywv6YaGx3kGabDlLFiUkLmnxukkYM5ex6ZqthN7N4t2-ZdNxQPCHG43nS3Ua3ARr9I3pW1FUloXbdNgKQdygTHYqzSbT8WnkeVOG-czih5GffChDK3TbgHvbSrOafDcnUzM4ZShQUoqDnHpsDSqv0kGVOd1ARsT5hJEJ34T0W~-TsQ4KLPECgMrOaWJQ0qnZJsIJxZpkI~BfIGr9jIiQ2ZUY7pjdEWvRs2gZ~8wMnKaOiN9qS~KP-oMHtSFl8ZDXd-Qbtw~xwrGTc9O7toH~ASJ3VYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Williamson","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Williamson County Commissioners Court voted 5‑0 June 24 to authorize use of eminent domain to acquire electric easements totaling 1.534 acres across nine tracts needed for proposed roadway improvements to Hero Way in Leander.

Commissioner Long moved the action and Commissioner Covey seconded. The motion directed county staff to proceed with acquisition of the easements required for the project identified in the agenda material as roadway improvements to Hero Way (project reference 2243). The court's motion described the easements as electric easements on nine parcels totaling about 1.534 acres.

The court did not detail individual property owners in the public proceeding recorded in the transcript; commissioners discussed the motion as a standard authorization to allow staff to acquire needed rights of way and easements for a county road project. Commissioner Long noted the motion authorizes the use of the power of eminent domain for the easement acquisitions when necessary. The court approved the motion 5‑0.

The action will enable county transportation or right‑of‑way staff to move forward with negotiations and, if needed, condemnation processes to secure the easements required for construction. The transcript did not include a timeline for acquisition or construction nor individual parcel descriptions; staff typically return with appraisal and negotiation details when eminent domain actions proceed to condemnation or settlement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Williamson - Commissioners Court - Regular Session - Jun 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The court approved the use of eminent domain to acquire 1.534 acres of electric easements across nine tracts for proposed roadway improvements on Hero Way in Leander, authorizing staff to proceed with acquisition actions.","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},6657722,"Williamson County keeps Gold Bell Seal for workplace mental health and approves 2026 benefits package, noting $844 monthly county contribution",1383,1737000,3120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065239-add2a18cfdd1a6592d20aa7263bfc016&start=1737&end=3120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065239-add2a18cfdd1a6592d20aa7263bfc016/thumbnail_1737000.jpg","/articles/6657722/Williamson-County/Texas/Williamson-County-keeps-Gold-Bell-Seal-for-workplace-mental-health-and-approves-2026-benefits-package-noting-844-monthly-county-contribution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657722-eba1f520105ed4b8404ae80eda229921/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636384&Signature=nWKEs-6i7-ur~b-plFKxtwhXX-6U7ijkHmr7Wo9DvUxj2nP5pT08Sj2nRXeSFkHIpco4cdijKfsT1vO7B3VAk10XJfnrNM~btNqEUJD~q3jPZAwMK~Qap2J6mU6-1g-lZa4gINVXev7NTayl9Rvq9E4jcfq4guBHwv1p~8A6qa0jLRmfgzvH0d4ljubeld~sHLrrKvIRb7IwSk0N1HTdzQDqoS5ciEF~Uu8lekjB1J3XDQLi-TgP9CiTh4QlkcM3IPUChMLhhOoN2t-vLSqHwfbymYIumLNrlkZkR8WgDRUhGi-pYeTX1-qpGXpLVaGHnvFL9neI9jhrgBVNVOAzXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williamson County announced June 24 that it has again earned the 2025 Gold Bell Seal for workplace mental health from Mental Health America, and the commissioners court voted 5‑0 to approve 2026 benefit committee recommendations that include modest plan changes and an $844 monthly county contribution per covered employee.

Shelley Lowry, director of benefits, said the Bell Seal recognizes employers that meet standards across workplace culture, benefits, compliance and wellness programs. \"Gaining status as a Bell Seal certified organization demonstrates Williamson County's ongoing commitment to employee mental health and well‑being,\" Lowry said.

Lowry and Angela Collins, wellness coordinator, described ongoing wellness initiatives: on‑site Harbor Health biometric screenings (walk‑ups accepted), a proposed county parks pass program tied to employee engagement, increased massage reimbursement (proposed $40 to $60), the new UnitedHealthcare OnePass Select gym/virtual fitness benefit (base level at no cost to enrolled employees) and continued maternity support through Maven. Benefits staff said participation rates are a priority and warned that new optional benefits could be rescinded if not used.

David Gibson of Holmes Murphy presented actuarial background on the 2026 plan assumptions. He said medical claims trended approximately 16.3 percent on a rolling‑12 basis; pharmacy gross trends were about 17 percent before rebates. Gibson noted the county receives about $2,000,000 in pharmacy rebates annually that offset net pharmacy costs. The only specific plan design change cited was a $100 increase in the required HSA plan deductible to keep the plan HSA‑qualified under IRS rules.

Commissioners moved to approve the benefit committee's recommendations and one commissioner amended the motion to note the county contribution level. Commissioner Long moved approval of the recommendations; the amended motion calling out an $844 county contribution per employee per month was seconded and the court approved the recommendations 5‑0.

Lowry said staff will return with communications and that many wellness resources are available year‑round in the employee benefits portal; she urged employees to complete wellness actions early and noted the plan is self‑funded. The court also thanked benefits staff and committee members for their work.

Votes at a glance: item 39 — motion to approve 2026 benefit committee recommendations, amended to note $844 county contribution per covered employee per month; outcome: approved 5‑0.","County HR and benefits staff announced a second consecutive Gold Bell Seal from Mental Health America for workplace mental health, and commissioners approved the 2026 benefit committee recommendations including minimal plan changes and a county contribution of $844 per employee per month.",{"_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},6657727,"Williamson County OKs HAVA resolution and purchase of ballot‑on‑demand printers after public debate on secrecy and operations",3262,143000,3405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065239-add2a18cfdd1a6592d20aa7263bfc016&start=143&end=3405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065239-add2a18cfdd1a6592d20aa7263bfc016/thumbnail_143000.jpg","/articles/6657727/Williamson-County/Texas/Williamson-County-OKs-HAVA-resolution-and-purchase-of-ballotondemand-printers-after-public-debate-on-secrecy-and-operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657727-95b95ab452a516c30822ff12cf714cc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636384&Signature=fXQYtYNK4~rPBln0KvA-0ba2PNE~gAh1q5L-ZoEoodTYXA1tTYuTu7Dz-VAFuPYg8bC5N4QyxtyxXCJ2G~bb6FUMktherEbRl7XRIQ9Pb~0P36V4vN0RcI4rIh2uoAiK787Axva-ufOwMm6bI7Gzcs5TdXi4H5PhOrnjDpORlSUWDs4-CqT0Fb~k7UjaYWQ1uGPHn0mimZu0VYoUjMjk69U3TsIYAP8LR0pmXPjCpbShmQtcMYlnHUh46Ad1zKjbnLl2zaNzdvSFuO0jw0bFx2rcwVSjefNLUdMw3~Ar39cNl6jxhd6p-Qb3oo1IpVfWbjEtHlvhAJ84RymEW1ArQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williamson County Commissioners Court voted unanimously June 24 to approve a resolution to apply for 2025 Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds and to purchase ballot‑on‑demand (BOD) equipment from ES&S, a purchase elections staff said would cost about $1,100,000.

The action directs the county to submit a HAVA resolution to the Texas Secretary of State and authorizes the election administrator to purchase the ES&S BOD system and related supplies. Elections Administrator Bridget Escobedo told the court the state set aside roughly $10 million in HAVA funds for Texas; Williamson County is guaranteed about $52,000 but she said the county will request reimbursement for the full equipment purchase.

The nut of the debate focused on ballot secrecy, certification and operations. Multiple members of the public, including Marsha Strickler Watson, Laurie Gallagher and Dr. Laura Presley, urged the court either to reject the federal funds or to delay buying the BOD printers until more testing and cybersecurity review. \"A million dollars...for a ballot on demand printer that 1) has not been tested, 2) we don't know the output of, 3) is proprietary to ES&S,\" Marsha Strickler Watson said during public comment. Watson argued the county should return to precinct‑level, preprinted ballots and manual processes rather than invest in the new equipment.

Laurie Gallagher, who said she has acted as a poll watcher in Williamson County, described incidents logged by election judges she said show ballot‑on‑demand systems sometimes produce incorrect ballot styles. \"Voters are being prevented from voting for races that they're constitutionally eligible to vote for,\" she said. Dr. Laura Presley, of True Texas Elections, said the Secretary of State classifies BOD printers as \"peripheral devices\" rather than voting systems and urged the court to obtain cybersecurity review and legal advice before spending.

Escobedo responded with operational details the office is testing. She described a process in which voters check in on the existing electronic poll book, staff use an air‑gapped laptop to print a full‑face ballot at the polling place, the voter hand‑marks the ballot with a pen, and the county continues to scan and tabulate ballots electronically. Escobedo said the county has created a mock polling location to refine procedures and plans to borrow a BOD system from ES&S for local testing before November. She also said the county has budgeted roughly $300,000 more for consumables, printers, voting booths and other supplies and intends to fund the purchase from the elections fund rather than the general fund.

Escobedo said the county consulted the Secretary of State and legal counsel on compliance with Texas Election Code §62.009, which governs how paper ballots are presented and selected at polling places. She described a proposed randomization process—\"disarrang[ing] or shuffl[ing]\" ballot stock—so voters select among shuffled, sequentially numbered ballot stock rather than choosing an ordered stack. Escobedo said several other Texas counties, including Denton, McLennan and Collin, already use BOD systems.

Court members acknowledged the rapid timetable and supply‑chain considerations Escobedo described. After discussion, Commissioner Bowles moved to approve items 43 and 44; Commissioner Cook seconded. The court voted 5‑0 to approve both the HAVA resolution and the equipment purchase.

The county and public speakers also discussed related state law changes: Escobedo told the court she is working with the Secretary of State on implementation of Senate Bill 2753 (which adjusts the early‑voting/election period) but said some portions do not have to be implemented until 2027. Escobedo told commissioners she will bring more detailed procedures and training plans back to the court and to local stakeholders as the office refines operations.

Escobedo recommended using HAVA funds where possible to offset the purchase; she said the county will seek reimbursement but is prepared to fund the equipment and additional consumables from the elections fund if reimbursements fall short.

Votes at a glance: items 43 and 44 — motion by Commissioner Bowles, second by Commissioner Cook; outcome: approved 5‑0.","The commissioners court voted 5‑0 to approve a resolution to apply for federal HAVA funds and to buy ES&S ballot‑on‑demand printers for November; public speakers and election integrity advocates urged caution about ballot secrecy, certification and operational readiness.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners authorize use of eminent domain to acquire electric easements for Hero Way road improvements

Williamson County keeps Gold Bell Seal for workplace mental health and approves 2026 benefits package, noting $844 monthly county contribution

Williamson County OKs HAVA resolution and purchase of ballot‑on‑demand printers after public debate on secrecy and operations