[{"_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",6499021,"mediaKeyId","5558893-d5503ded234df2cf29f36116ce52dd6e","parentId",5558893,"title","Council adopts Charter Review recommendations, calls Nov. 4 election; authorizes severance agreements for city manager and city attorney","audioSeconds",287,"startMs",4720000,"endMs",5007000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558893-d5503ded234df2cf29f36116ce52dd6e&start=4720&end=5007","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558893-d5503ded234df2cf29f36116ce52dd6e/thumbnail_4720000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6499021/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/Council-adopts-Charter-Review-recommendations-calls-Nov-4-election-authorizes-severance-agreements-for-city-manager-and-city-attorney","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499021-c90c3c945f6c2356e2df8b532cd912b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457011&Signature=EWOUNnNU1dwTsOdvPxBPjXW0HAYNMtYcr5wiAcRTseyuEGtGvP~0Y7JsymWdLKiS5qPjZol5BaXwBFgOxcXhNn~KfO2v382Iky~EmXd41SeydWezVqB76A9~SfUvPqQoIBs2PZq-n3nhUeLSkJDWwtvMCMBtxBF0tIKfScupHfzJOD3B7Dg06H~7fOtHO-kKjhR1qGN1AcTFsoHJTDPXj9jXodZvBfZ8-Pxb7ZnpA1o-BNWkE4T4ZupMyHRKVEcnt3VdIlA0qVbRRjJCMXFkPE-w8LM9Htq2poWmsxTrwoHZKE8o5fnxYD47nw1zboOisfzNSISJeoSwYKzXgUN6xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Decatur","date","2025-08-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Decatur City Council on July 20 approved an ordinance adopting recommendations from the Charter Review Commission and authorized placing the proposed charter amendments on the ballot for a special election on Nov. 4, 2025.

During the discussion of item 15, staff and council members referenced the ordinance that both adopts the commission’s recommendations and calls the election for Nov. 4; the motion to approve the ordinance passed on a council vote.

Executive session and personnel matters
The council convened to discuss legal and personnel matters under Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 and 551.074; following that session, council authorized the mayor to execute severance agreements for the city manager and the city attorney. A council member moved that the mayor be authorized to sign the severance agreements; the motion carried.

Appraisal district board nominations
Council received an informational briefing on the Wise County Appraisal District board nomination process. The nominating period is open until Oct. 15; Decatur is allocated 218 votes (based on the levy formula described) and may nominate up to five candidates. Staff asked council members to bring nominations to the Sept. 22 meeting so the council can approve a slate by resolution prior to ballots being compiled.

Why this matters: adoption of charter amendments and calling an election are binding procedural steps to present proposed charter changes to voters. The severance authorizations are administrative actions that will be executed by the mayor as directed by council.

Quotes (from the meeting)
\"You're also calling the election in this ordinance.\" — City staff (clarifying that the ordinance both adopts charter recommendations and calls the election)

Ending: The council approved the ordinance to place charter amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot, authorized severance agreements to be signed by the mayor and asked staff to return with a plan for appraisal‑district nominations before the Sept. 22 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Decatur - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Decatur City Council approved the Charter Review Commission’s recommendations and called a special election for Nov. 4; the council also authorized the mayor to sign severance agreements for the city manager and city attorney and discussed nominations to the Wise County Appraisal District board.","taxTitle","Decatur, Wise County, Texas","taxId",52370,"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},6499026,"Decatur council advances annexation and several land‑use items; first readings set for permits and PD changes",1651,2397000,4048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558893-d5503ded234df2cf29f36116ce52dd6e&start=2397&end=4048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558893-d5503ded234df2cf29f36116ce52dd6e/thumbnail_2397000.jpg","/articles/6499026/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/Decatur-council-advances-annexation-and-several-landuse-items-first-readings-set-for-permits-and-PD-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499026-8647915bd84e5359f96716fc4a5f7f42/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457011&Signature=CNI2k8viC600mEyp35VAeWO9uAHZ-heFTxasO06ga2veaEFkBuGXYq9H3p4OAtIeWlhGNqrJ2eHeX-DctKu-4A4~tWl0Bq26eJGs5~DG7UGXeIdzWNOVkSy1bex8IggLa0p5V5jQfVNdkCO4dpiiub0Pq4O12UW8bb3eDQY2WJU~eYGYkuq4HEP-ONAPayQOwU8RHc-d2lo5VPUNTNOvi4DS~mNXpVpkydlQWBQA7xH5muk~Syo4DjocnE94tsBP7c0AiyC5o~HfQB8EX46bHnSxjjtjy8kruL0uczE4rABibmBRtae6DaQGKrB4XdJVwFEGkn0O5OmsUF6uy6I18A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decatur City Council on July 20 approved a resolution accepting an annexation petition related to a Paloma Trails right-of-way and advanced multiple planning and zoning items to subsequent hearings and readings.

Annexation
Planning Director Lisa Hannon described a Paloma Trails request to annex 0.422 acres of right-of-way; the council approved the resolution accepting that petition and set the annexation process in motion. Lisa said the right-of-way will be dedicated back to the city once annexed and outlined a timeline that includes Planning & Zoning review on Sept. 2, first reading Sept. 22, and final reading Oct. 13.

Specific-use permits and first readings
The council opened and completed first readings on two specific-use permit (SUP) requests. Lisa said SUP 25-003 applies to a second carport at 1204 John Avenue that exceeds the zoning code’s length and height limits (the new carport is about 30 feet long and roughly 14 feet high, exceeding the 24‑foot length and 12‑foot height thresholds). Building-permit review and engineered plans must meet building-code requirements. Planning & Zoning had recommended approval 6–0; no formal public objections were recorded.

SUP 25-004 seeks on‑premises consumption of alcoholic beverages at 109 North State Street (the former Fuzzies space). Lisa said the space is an existing restaurant within the Decatur Square Business District (C‑1A) and that Planning & Zoning recommended approval 6–0; no written public responses were received.

Paloma Trails PD amendments
Council considered proposed amendments to the Paloma Trails Planned Development (approved in 2022) affecting the commercial parcels. Lisa said the amendments expand permitted exterior materials (adding EIFS, fiber‑cement panels, architectural CMU, metal panels and other materials) and adjust directional signage rules along Business 380 and service roads to allow two directional signs per entrance (up to 6 feet tall and 32 square feet) for safety and visibility. Planning & Zoning recommended approval; a Vercaro Ventures representative, Austin Navarette, spoke in support of the changes and gave a brief residency statement.

Buffers, fences and xeriscape changes
Council heard an extended staff presentation of proposed zoning and subdivision‑ordinance amendments that would change buffering and fence rules between residential and nonresidential uses, allow limited front‑yard decorative walls and clarify permitted and prohibited fence materials. The amendments would also let developers combine landscaping and fences as alternatives to full masonry walls, require irrigation for buffer plantings, and set a two‑year timeframe for planted buffers to reach a minimum height.

Separately, staff proposed a xeriscape amendment to allow xeriscaping in commercial districts and to permit it in residential areas with limitations (requiring minimum living plant material, design/installation standards and, for commercial properties, irrigation). The council discussed enforcement and maintenance concerns; staff said commercial landscapes would be subject to an approved landscape plan and irrigation is required for commercial properties, while residential enforcement would generally be complaint‑driven.

Votes and next steps
- The annexation resolution passed by voice vote.
- The SUPs and PD amendments were presented and took first readings; final approvals will return after the required public‑notice and second‑reading processes.

Quotes (from the meeting)
\"This is a request from Paloma Trails to annex in a right of way, 0.422 acres…This is the first of the operation for annexation. This will be dedicated back to the city once we get it annexed.\" — Lisa Hannon, Planning Director

\"Obviously, just trying to update some building materials…as well as update to the directional signage to allow for safety and ease of readability…\" — Austin Navarette, representative for Vercaro Ventures

Ending: Staff will return with required notices, Planning & Zoning recommendations and second readings for final council action on the SUPs, PD amendments and the proposed ordinance changes on buffers, fencing and xeriscape.","Council accepted an annexation petition for right-of-way from Paloma Trails, took first readings on two specific-use permits (a carport and an alcohol-on-premises request), and heard proposed plan‑development amendments and zoning changes for buffers, fences and landscaping including xeriscape standards.",{"_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},6499030,"Decatur proposes 0.565713 tax rate, schedules hearings and advances budget to second reading",1133,78000,1211000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558893-d5503ded234df2cf29f36116ce52dd6e&start=78&end=1211","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558893-d5503ded234df2cf29f36116ce52dd6e/thumbnail_78000.jpg","/articles/6499030/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/Decatur-proposes-0565713-tax-rate-schedules-hearings-and-advances-budget-to-second-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499030-80e04c2f89ab57dd75c1197aef455688/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457011&Signature=faJGn0EUUaBIhzijz89EgVhGRF6n0m8DNK7DZt1JUaBGZpmotx9hTsHO8rEUOHP3VZ8WIA0rqnYA8InbHn7xty8S5xmiAmrdV4p9-KQ9M9fggfTuZBQv528~r-FFWIvS5kRTsHTuM2me0Al~n~A7oRPn7IDEg09-MF35atXXfNeyZIxQ1E6jNUXxj8kCXB-TD3qWacbXvI5jNXAjgWRJyYLbq4NSYpGuK8Qub58vYfD0od745u8rTnDQVLg-hS9vm9upY6QTeU5-Kn0qxEq0G0Wksp0jxou8B5QeYBKwAkAa-4zygYa47PMW2wJI21eiVYiVwnE1NspQUYu-DGAo7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Nate presented the Decatur proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget and a proposed property tax rate of 0.565713 per $100 of taxable value during the July 20 City Council meeting.

Nate described the rate as split between 0.407008 for maintenance and operations (M&O) and 0.158705 for interest and sinking (I&S), and said the rate would generate $591,335 in additional revenue, including $67,676 attributable to new construction. He said the city’s certified taxable value rose to $1,495,281,348, a roughly 7.5% year-over-year increase, and that the proposed rate would reduce the overall tax rate by “just over a penny.”

The council voted to schedule public hearings on the budget and tax rate for the next regular meeting on Aug. 25. A separate, roll-call resolution (R2025-0820) certifying the city’s property tax values also passed by recorded vote. The council then approved a motion to propose the 0.565713 ad valorem tax rate and to schedule the tax-rate public hearing on Aug. 25; both actions advanced the tax and budget process to first-reading ordinances and set the items for second reading and adoption at the next meeting.

Why it matters: the council balanced competing priorities—funding employee pay and benefits while lowering the rate for homeowners. According to the presentation, the average market value indicator for a home in 2025 is $324,234; with the proposed rate and recent increase in the over‑65/disability exemption from $25,000 to $30,000, the average homeowner’s tax bill would increase by about $37 if the rate is adopted as proposed.

Key budget details and constraints
Nate said the budget funds a merit program and step increases for public safety, and that staff budgeted for a roughly 25% increase in health insurance costs (described as about $2,500 per FTE and a health‑benefit total near $1.8 million). The managers proposed no new general‑fund debt for FY 2026; a future bond package discussion was noted for September and could affect FY 2027.

Revenue assumptions and structural changes
Sales tax was forecast at a 2.5% increase (modeled with Zactax) to $4,720,000. Staff recommended pausing the water‑fund transfer to the general fund for FY 2026 after consulting auditors and Moody’s because water sales fell short of forecasts this year (the water fund revenues were down roughly $617,000 in the presentation). American Rescue Plan Act funds that had previously been included are exhausted and no longer provide ongoing revenue.

Fund and service implications
City staff presented a balanced general fund with $622,744 in new revenues (including the property-tax revenue cited above) directed largely to employee pay and benefit commitments. The presentation emphasized a conservative approach to capital and operating outlays to protect fund balance goals (targeted at 25% of operating costs for the general fund and 20% for the water fund).

Public safety staffing and capital
Council members asked about staffing for a planned new fire station and police staffing. Chief Bennett, participating remotely, said Station 2 could open with a single apparatus under the department’s staffing plans and that the department commonly supplements with part‑time personnel; he recommended a phased staffing approach and said minimum effective staffing and response‑time goals were motivating the station plan.

Next steps and calendar
- Council scheduled public hearings on the proposed budget and the proposed tax rate for Aug. 25, 2025 (motions passed).
- First readings of the budget and tax‑rate ordinances were taken; second readings and adoption are scheduled at the next regular meeting.

Quotes (from the meeting)
\"Good evening, mayor and council. I wanna start off our budget and tax rate conversation by giving a quick thank you to the budget committee…\" — Nate, City Manager

\"Our 2 priorities this year were our citizens and our employees. … we felt like we were able to take care of our employees with raises and the insurance, and we feel like we were able to take care of our citizens by lowering the tax rate.\" — Melinda Reeves, budget committee member

\"If Station 2 were to open today, they would have a piece of equipment running in it.\" — Chief Bennett, Fire Chief (participating remotely)

Ending: The council advanced the budget and tax‑rate items and set public hearings for Aug. 25; staff said it will return with second readings and final adoption at the next council meeting.","City Council received a presentation on the fiscal year 2025–26 proposed budget and proposed property tax rate of 0.565713 per $100, scheduled public hearings for Aug. 25 and approved related motions and a certification resolution.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts Charter Review recommendations, calls Nov. 4 election; authorizes severance agreements for city manager and city attorney

Decatur council advances annexation and several land‑use items; first readings set for permits and PD changes

Decatur proposes 0.565713 tax rate, schedules hearings and advances budget to second reading