[{"_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",6485080,"mediaKeyId","5489728-46b8769fbea4d242db65b4dfb7659ec4","parentId",5489728,"title","Collin County updates grant policy, approves health department staffing reallocation and contingency to limit layoffs","audioSeconds",843,"startMs",9370000,"endMs",10213000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489728-46b8769fbea4d242db65b4dfb7659ec4&start=9370&end=10213","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489728-46b8769fbea4d242db65b4dfb7659ec4/thumbnail_9370000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485080/Collin-County/Texas/Collin-County-updates-grant-policy-approves-health-department-staffing-reallocation-and-contingency-to-limit-layoffs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485080-c610b549463b18c7684bbc96e25c8368/orig.mp4?Expires=1770583901&Signature=Qsg3Zsjz3NMaRoxw5sHYw1Ju2x7SiKkdqfX77J7IYTpGFVuG0o5dEsaq26O2xgsIx6nx5JIOI4FYPsfAPpJ7T4BK7p-xTEWYcR9hHDdDp0Sybow5Y46DszUe1N7-23~ZAPbi3R-~Jq6bFpJEvYzMOiXNXpJLR14~IySdQZIu0jqIs4IsEnia4wSAZJlvaDqvoVB4LVm3-Nefwrkh7RIVbQx8PS~BBoivW~ARu6YE3k8ZaOEvwGmg0Hv-wPnXZFxmyr0mSTn3A6528JJXi1uKogbsjG2P3QXMnIm3gnXvQ2j6aIDJjGLJQr9Y7tDm-FjraAsqphMyFxLTaNBr7xBx8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Collin","date","2025-07-28T00:00:00Z","article","Collin County Commissioners Court approved an update to the county’s grants policy and a staff-proposed, net‑neutral reallocation of several public‑health positions designed to stabilize the county health department amid uncertain grant funding.

Budget Director Monica Arris and public‑health staff presented a redline update of the county’s grants policy — staff said the policy had not been refreshed in more than a decade. Major policy changes the court adopted included clearer timing for departmental requests to commit to grant applications (staff asked for 28 days of lead time before court meetings), standardization on how county matches and county supplements are identified, and a new clause clarifying treatment of paid-time-off (PTO) for grant‑funded employees: PTO accrued before the effective date of the new policy will be grandfathered, while PTO accruals after the effective date will follow the new rules and any grantor restrictions.

Separately, the health department asked the court to reallocate several partially grant‑funded positions so that a small core of clinicians would be full-time county employees while other grant positions would be fully grant funded. Arris told the court the county has seen several recent federal and state grant changes that left many health positions divided across multiple funding sources (e.g., 10–15 percent on many grants). Budget proposed consolidating duties so the department has a stable core of clinicians on county payroll and clear grant-funded positions that could be removed if grants lapse. The health department has experienced recent staff losses and told commissioners the reallocation is intended to keep the department’s essential immunization, STD, TB and clinical services available.

Commissioner discussion focused on financial transparency and long‑term risk: commissioners asked for details on which departmental savings were identified to offset the shifts and for a short-term “contingency” to cover increased county obligations if a grant is capped. After discussion the court approved staff’s request for the core reallocations as a net‑neutral budget change and directed that $36,619 be retained in a health‑department contingency to help bridge grant shortfalls while staff complete larger FY 2026 budget planning.

The court also adopted the refreshed Grants Policy (staff noted PTO grandfathering language added for employees with PTO accrued before the policy effective date). Commissioners said the policy changes should give the county better oversight of grants and clearer instructions to departments about when to bring grant applications, contracts and amendments to the court.

Why this matters
Counties increasingly rely on state and federal grants to run health services. When grant funding is level‑funded or cut, partial‑funding models can leave county payroll absorbing inflationary or personnel cost growth. The county’s updated grants policy aims to make grants more auditable and to give commissioners an earlier, standardized view of potential long‑term county obligations before they appear in a budget shortfall.

Provenance
Court discussion and vote on the grants policy and health department reallocation and contingency appeared during the July 8 meeting; the court approved the policy revisions and the net‑neutral personnel reallocation with an instruction to budget staff to use the contingency if necessary.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Collin - Commissioners Court Jul 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff revised the grants policy to improve oversight and approved shifting several health‑department grant-funded positions to clearer county- vs. grant-funded roles; the court approved staff’s net‑neutral reallocation and set aside $36,619 as contingency for health services.","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},6485085,"Commissioners approve $825,000 amendment to cover sheriff's jail overtime; court orders fuller review of staffing drivers",7032,10920000,17952000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489728-46b8769fbea4d242db65b4dfb7659ec4&start=10920&end=17952","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489728-46b8769fbea4d242db65b4dfb7659ec4/thumbnail_10920000.jpg","/articles/6485085/Collin-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-825000-amendment-to-cover-sheriffs-jail-overtime-court-orders-fuller-review-of-staffing-drivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485085-b4d288620fd6b2df1c21e6dcd141e7d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770583901&Signature=N-V1PmdLmdcK~6Hv1~Pi8nl3VMcgVjcunWtJk6Na9aU8swr4HBmjz0FNYIBf1ONPHgRB795WjY2JxLloQc0FjTMSp~Ov5ObpEbRAa8J8eOyJ2ScFs6hRsZCSihN3kpusmcRCjCJHAC8Yv8sPz4Vdh3Yu7sdnZfcYy3Q7-xk~uKSDh7OUbqBRpJnLWVozHTGJSTg~CRXppcjdu3dNDS4ckOqZo8s8ahLJCgf14gjKIZQ-KtoJqfvyE4Pjyei04yipW3G-Mb5LRWdhxY633vDBApTlBM9P3bA3MyMMyvgcQQucrYPoCoHusMbgWzki1-mVhXTgOSXfEzlCL-yV-VM1fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Collin County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved a budget amendment of $825,000 to cover overtime in jail operations through the end of the current fiscal year. The vote followed detailed discussion about staffing levels, training timelines, and the county’s ongoing effort to match personnel to rising jail workload.

Deputy Matt Langan, appearing for the sheriff (who was called away), told the court the sheriff’s office had scrubbed its budget and found no other available funds to cover expected overtime through the fourth quarter. Langan said county practice had been to cover shortfalls through salary savings or other line items earlier in the fiscal year but that those reserves were exhausted. County staff and the sheriff’s office had identified a shortfall of approximately $825,000 for projected overtime through Sept. 30, the sheriff’s memo said.

Budget Director Monica Arris joined the discussion and confirmed that some prior year year-end cleanup transfers had shifted unspent salary dollars across departments — but those were not dedicated overtime funds. Arris recommended using unallocated contingency in non‑departmental salary lines and other county contingency funds to pay the requested overtime this fiscal year.

Court discussion focused on underlying causes. Commissioners and staff reviewed a detailed jail staffing spreadsheet presented by jail command that tracks day-by-day factors driving overtime: constant-watch inmates (medical or suicide-watch), hospital admissions and transports, construction or permanent-improvement (PIP) staffing, unscheduled leave (FMLA, worker’s comp), training and field training (FTO), and vacancies awaiting start dates. Commanders told the court that training and the time it takes new hires to complete basic correctional officer training and field training (typically many weeks/months) is a major factor; the court and sheriff’s staff agreed churn and post‑specific relief factors also contribute.

Commissioners repeatedly asked why overtime and comp-time balances have risen even after new hires. Staff acknowledged the county added dozens of positions in recent budget cycles (the sheriff’s office received a substantial hiring allocation last year), but said the department has not achieved the relief factor the staffing analysis recommended and that training throughput and ongoing turnover mean officers remain tied up in training, hospital watches and other time-consuming duties. The court ordered a follow-up — county administrators, budget staff and sheriff’s command will continue the countywide staffing work group to model: whether additional full-time positions would reduce overtime more cost-effectively than continuing to rely on overtime; how relief-factor assumptions change by type of post; and how construction and program needs (for example, kitchen supervision, intelligence positions) affect hard posts and relief demands.

Commissioners and staff also discussed out-of-county housing and transport costs and medical costs for inmates, and asked for a full accounting of total per-diem and ancillary costs before concluding next year’s staffing and budget requests.

The court approved the $825,000 amendment to non‑departmental contingency and other funds to cover jail operations overtime for the remainder of the fiscal year. Commissioners said the vote to use contingency was necessary to ensure staff are paid in the near term while a longer-term plan on staffing and budget allocation is developed for the FY 2026 budget process.

Votes and follow-ups
Motion: approve a $825,000 budget amendment to cover sheriff’s overtime for jail operations through the end of the fiscal year. Result: approved (court recorded as carrying the motion). Follow-up: county administrator and budget staff to schedule additional work group meetings with the sheriff’s office to identify how many, and which, full-time positions would reduce overtime most efficiently and to audit overtime drivers (medical watches, transports, training, construction posts). Commissioner instructions included requests for a clearer reconciliation of “open positions” vs. staffing the department reports use and a full accounting of out-of-county housing costs including transportation and medical.

Why this matters
Rising overtime and comp-time in a large county jail create recurring budget pressure and can affect detention staffing, training and morale. Commissioners framed the amendment as short-term financial relief while directing staff to pursue structural solutions in next year’s budget. The court emphasized it will consider rebalancing next year’s budget priorities to accommodate operational necessities.","Commissioners approved an $825,000 midyear budget amendment to cover jail operations overtime and directed staff and sheriff's office leaders to work with budget staff on structural fixes to persistent overtime, comp-time growth and staffing shortfalls.",{"_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},6485089,"Collin County commissioners call November election to create Emergency Services District No. 1",6589,428000,7017000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489728-46b8769fbea4d242db65b4dfb7659ec4&start=428&end=7017","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489728-46b8769fbea4d242db65b4dfb7659ec4/thumbnail_428000.jpg","/articles/6485089/Collin-County/Texas/Collin-County-commissioners-call-November-election-to-create-Emergency-Services-District-No-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485089-7a4871e205afd9c39149f7fda6c76662/orig.mp4?Expires=1770583901&Signature=Fmfu5~nt0PLkSC3XFg9rqyPVzh0USz~q-Ffy6nNeqIKbs5CkehkZns1YgFcg-PBZIS0gzS0qWRoaENKE7vJ0eE83sH7gFotyB6y252EtRhaPzVaXLUSptZU~OsRpK1qmPPeyh3f69WhPZ3KkjOAW3PMOfJ~BW9NiRNySNQRkIDuV0KPeufhfxAEl0PJl9EMzbPJr5H-Hl0LZTSLSqmbk63-jhnBclS98G6kWkn8kLFavndmqlQmylpf42FNaVgl0nDHxNNDW2-bgzbEfyEw8n0ZBWZhQPP4gmzCMnT835fMxEUEKR752GxQdfWHQYFvKIp15uxRp-oa48srlmZrSSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Collin County Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted 5–0 to set the boundaries and call a Nov. 4 election to ask voters to confirm creation of Collin County Emergency Services District No. 1.

County Administrator Yoon Kim opened the court’s public hearing by saying the county had received a petition on Feb. 6 and, after accepting it in open court on Feb. 24, gave notice to cities whose extraterritorial jurisdictions (ETJs) had been included. Kim said the petition proposed a district that would cover the county’s unincorporated area and city ETJs that consented to inclusion; several cities declined to consent. The commissioners’ immediate actions were to hold the public hearing, set the district boundaries based on ETJ consents, determine whether the proposed district would promote public safety, welfare and health as required by state law (Health and Safety Code §775.016), and call the election with ballot language.

The court heard more than two hours of public comment, including multiple statements from local fire leaders. Stuart Blassingame, identified as president of the Collin County Fire Chiefs Association, read a statement of principles that called for contracted fire and EMS services (not a county-run fire department), a five-member board appointed by commissioners, and steps to avoid “double taxation” for residents of municipal utility districts (MUDs).

Several residents and elected officials urged the court to avoid a coverage gap between when cities said they would stop providing contracted services and when an elected ESD board could begin operations. Commissioners repeatedly told the public that the court’s goal is “seamless coverage” countywide; Commissioner comments and staff responses indicated the court is working with municipal partners to extend contracts while the ESD process proceeds. Kim said McKinney had agreed to extend its contract, while Farmersville and Wiley were in conversation with the county. Princeton had provided notice of termination effective Oct. 1 and was still negotiating, Kim said.

Speakers at the hearing raised two recurring concerns: whether residents who live inside municipal ETJs but outside city limits (or inside MUDs) would be double-taxed, and how the county would pay for temporary gap coverage if cities withdraw before an ESD could begin collecting taxes. Kim and other county staff told the court they had taken the county’s resolution against double taxation into account when calculating preliminary taxable values. Kim said the court is not setting a tax rate; if voters approve the district the ESD board would set the initial rate. Using preliminary tax rolls and a conservative 90% capture of taxable value, staff estimated a 10-cent tax rate would raise about $9.5 million (staff emphasized the court is not setting a rate at this meeting). Kim also said the appraisal district could not provide fully certified estimates because its system is locked until it certifies tax rolls.

Public commenters offered a range of views. Some urged passage, warning of higher homeowners insurance rates, lower land values and reduced fire protection if the district is not approved. Others urged smaller, multiple districts instead of a single countywide ESD, citing variation in local needs and a risk of a “race to the highest tax rate.” Several people asked whether residents who live partly in two ETJs or in a MUD would be included and how contracts would be handled; staff said these are matters for the ESD board and for contract negotiations, but that MUD residents would vote and could be included subject to the court’s boundary decision.

After the hearing and short discussion among the commissioners, Commissioner Webb moved to adopt the court’s proposed order to set boundaries and call an election; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Judge and commissioners completed the formal vote, and the court directed staff to post the ballot language and take other steps necessary to place the measure on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The court’s action on Tuesday did not set a tax rate, appoint any board members, nor create the ESD until voters confirm it. Kim and other staff noted the earliest the district could begin operations (and levy a tax) would be its next budget year dependent on board appointments and statutory steps; they reiterated the court’s preference for minimizing any service gap and said county staff will continue to work with municipal partners to extend existing contracts where possible.

Votes at a glance
Commissioners Court — Motion to set boundaries for Emergency Services District No. 1, determine feasibility and call a ballot election for Nov. 4, 2025. Motion: approve as presented. Result: approved 5–0.

Why this matters
If approved by voters, ESD No. 1 would become a new special taxing district covering the unincorporated parts of Collin County and ETJs where cities consented. The ESD could levy a property tax to fund fire and emergency medical services in parts of the county where municipal contracts are ending or insufficient to meet demand; the decision shifts the financial decision to local voters and a future ESD board rather than to the county commissioners’ court to set a rate.

What the court did not do
The court did not set an ESD tax rate, appoint any members to an ESD board, or change any existing municipal or city contracts. Those issues were identified as matters for the future ESD board, the voters, and ongoing contract negotiations with cities.

Proper names mentioned
Collin County; County Administrator Yoon Kim; Collin County Fire Chiefs Association; municipal utility districts (MUDs); City of McKinney; City of Farmersville; City of Wiley; City of Princeton.

Sources and evidence
- County Administrator presentation on the petition, ETJ consents, and preliminary taxable-value estimates (public hearing)
- Public-comment record and on-the-record remarks by citizens and agency representatives
- Commissioners Court roll call vote (5–0 to call election)

Provenance
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topicfinish: {\"block_id\":\"block_7008.01\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":93,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Motion carries 5 to 0. So there will be an ESD election in November as you've heard about today...\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}
","After a public hearing and broad public comment, Collin County Commissioners Court set boundaries based on municipal ETJ consents and voted 5–0 to call a Nov. 4 election to confirm creation of Collin County Emergency Services District No. 1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Collin County updates grant policy, approves health department staffing reallocation and contingency to limit layoffs

Commissioners approve $825,000 amendment to cover sheriff's jail overtime; court orders fuller review of staffing drivers

Collin County commissioners call November election to create Emergency Services District No. 1