[{"_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",6507312,"mediaKeyId","5566994-462206266530749dbd05a84670250dca","parentId",5566994,"title","Bedford council sets maximum tax rate for public hearing after weeks of budget debate over retiree COLA","audioSeconds",2384,"startMs",2626000,"endMs",5010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5566994-462206266530749dbd05a84670250dca&start=2626&end=5010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5566994-462206266530749dbd05a84670250dca/thumbnail_2626000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6507312/Bedford/Tarrant-County/Texas/Bedford-council-sets-maximum-tax-rate-for-public-hearing-after-weeks-of-budget-debate-over-retiree-COLA","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6507312-777e3e8588d258cecf639d435e42b4f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452913&Signature=DdQ~PpauF~VAWYdpjitB8Q21ZRNicEIYXuQeKmb-LCr9iWIPwVP46FJrXBE63oMecoSOy4BM59SIORlaaaTvD51Bl5vVxx-G-ONbEBXTlH5I04xCtCz~Vwxdqp79U3QUvD-sbv13GaGjOkxKOlf597eT98mMFC30vtznvnkCLGYj0Jy0vekdPPI0gYemnuYrzE9t1NTJfVh5anzmV6dDgqrTVu978A0dVGMucCS8uvYaUKU~Kk7JSy1BC8qcuZhQwevG4bJmC89LBjww5iFMnWkZjuX5XnTbjETrD3maZI5KLGYwv-TlvxyhqHdeXVvNw049HXedFGl62JoH7PNKeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bedford","date","2025-08-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Bedford City Council on Tuesday set a maximum proposed tax rate and scheduled a public hearing after hours of debate over whether to add a non‑retroactive cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) to retiree pensions administered through the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS).

Council members voted 6‑0 to set a maximum tax rate of $0.526212 per $100 of assessed valuation and scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 9, 2025, at 6 p.m. in City Hall. The vote establishes the ceiling the council may consider at that hearing; it is not an adoption of the tax rate.

The discussion centered on a city staff proposal to add a TMRS COLA option to next year’s budget. Staff presented two recurring options: a 30% COLA formula and a more expensive 50% COLA formula that would add roughly $263,000 annually to the city’s ongoing obligations. Council members also discussed offsetting the first year’s cost with one‑time bond proceeds for public safety equipment, an approach staff described as a stopgap to avoid immediate operating shortfalls while finding a permanent funding source.

Mayor (presiding) and Council members said they were split between accepting the added recurring cost for retiree benefits and finding other ways to use the funds. Council Member Farco argued for the COLA as a retention and fairness measure, saying, “Our most precious asset at this city are our employees. And we need to take care of them, not only the ones we have now, but the ones that are gonna retire in the future.”

Other council members warned about the long‑term budget commitments. One council member said, “It is hard for me to accept a 3¢ increase at this given time,” citing limited revenue growth and competing needs such as public safety staffing, sidewalk repairs, and facility maintenance.

Finance Director Brady Olson described the city’s fiscal constraints, noting that Tarrant County’s appraisal timing left the city with effectively no assessed value growth this year and that the proposed tax‑rate moves were needed to fund planned operating costs, step increases for public safety and a modest cost‑of‑living adjustment for current employees.

Council Member Sable made the motion to set the maximum tax rate ($0.526212) for consideration on Sept. 9; Council Member Farco seconded. The motion passed 6‑0.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (minutes, tax roll, site plan for 3000 Crystal Springs Street, NEFTA interlocal amendment, police locker purchase, ratification of lawsuit challenging an AG opinion, and other consent items): approved unanimously (mover: Council Member Farco; seconder: Council Member Gagliardi).
- Resolution to renew employee medical and dental insurance with Cigna (effective Oct. 1, 2025): approved unanimously (mover: Council Member Gagliardi; seconder: Council Member Sable).
- Call public hearing on proposed FY 2025–26 budget for Sept. 9, 2025: approved unanimously (mover: Council Member Farco; seconder: Mayor Pro Tem Dawkins).
- Motion to set maximum tax rate of $0.526212 per $100 assessed valuation and schedule the public hearing for Sept. 9: approved 6‑0 (mover: Council Member Sable; seconder: Council Member Farco).

Council members said they expect further public input and additional budget decisions before a final tax rate is set. Staff emphasized the Sept. 9 meeting will be the formal public hearing where the council may adopt a final rate after hearing citizens’ comments and additional financial detail.

The council’s action gives staff and the public time to evaluate tradeoffs between the recurring retirement liability and other immediate spending priorities while reserving the council’s option to act at the Sept. 9 hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bedford - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","The Bedford City Council on Tuesday set a maximum proposed tax rate and scheduled a Sept. 9 public hearing after a contentious discussion about adding a recurring cost‑of‑living adjustment for retirees under the Texas Municipal Retirement System.","taxTitle","Bedford, Tarrant County, Texas","taxId",50915,"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},6507302,"On Stage in Bedford asks council to continue stewardship of Old Bedford School",431,416000,847000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5566994-462206266530749dbd05a84670250dca&start=416&end=847","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5566994-462206266530749dbd05a84670250dca/thumbnail_416000.jpg","/articles/6507302/Bedford/Tarrant-County/Texas/On-Stage-in-Bedford-asks-council-to-continue-stewardship-of-Old-Bedford-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6507302-73df0754d709a7db8d745e9c78998cd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452913&Signature=oFtWJbxNfi40Cgqn6WZZGGGp9cfdjM2qUa6WRyHp022LUuvTmWhwS16EEbDlJUCNbWBfkHtxy2d3V3MD24cneuXYLg~dKpmZAhhvh2eo47aUCr-LrYC5WjmIuXu-NMSmU67Ffvd7Ac8MB-N0mt-PhLouankbjk2XysU-VNVag2s8CctaTmQq3DouYCjC835nebkE3WI5NpjWAwZ4lWyOs-9ylfigG4D4lCrPQXal129Asq1sEVVydmJ2WKVHZ-it9ndGmW5h76xV-mnbn8ii~CouBHLeFeu0lepG-qh345-GCKlAXDuno8ENt5lJ2iqo2fo48zImhmp9w-6mvegiBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leaders of On Stage in Bedford told the City Council on Tuesday that the long‑running community theater group should continue to be entrusted with stewardship of the Old Bedford School building and asked the council to support renovations that preserve the historic structure while improving accessibility and restrooms.

Rich Wilshire, president of On Stage in Bedford, and Hannah Bell, a theater professional and On Stage representative, described the organization’s history in the city and the time, volunteer labor and regional draw the group provides. Wilshire noted the company’s 40‑year history in city buildings and said the group has routinely shared space with other local arts and community organizations.

“I just wanna… say thank you to the city,” Wilshire said, describing On Stage’s reliance on city‑owned space and its volunteer stability. Hannah Bell told the council On Stage serves participants from “over five states and 30 cities,” and urged the council to allow the group to continue stewarding the Old Bedford School and to support modern, sustainable upgrades such as larger, accessible restrooms.

Bell said the group provides youth programs, partnerships with local organizations and regional cultural tourism, and argued that continued stewardship would keep the school “a symbol of Bedford’s past” while turning it into “a thriving dynamic hub for the future.” The presenters said On Stage already works with other users of the building and has adapted productions to smaller footprint stages.

Council members acknowledged the comments and invited the group to provide written materials and budget details to staff; one council member reminded public commenters of the city’s new three‑minute public comment limit.

No formal action or vote was recorded on the stewardship request during the meeting. Presenters said they planned to follow up with staff at a forthcoming budget meeting.","Leaders of On Stage in Bedford urged the council during public comments to continue allowing the community theater to steward the Old Bedford School building and to support proposed renovations that would preserve the historic site while expanding programming.",{"_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},6507307,"Bedford to renew employee medical and dental plans with Cigna; premiums to rise about 11.8%",895,1636000,2531000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5566994-462206266530749dbd05a84670250dca&start=1636&end=2531","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5566994-462206266530749dbd05a84670250dca/thumbnail_1636000.jpg","/articles/6507307/Bedford/Tarrant-County/Texas/Bedford-to-renew-employee-medical-and-dental-plans-with-Cigna-premiums-to-rise-about-118","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6507307-a6183d330f644b0e29289ca7bc37ef76/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452913&Signature=MnJaWhoGWjbsPSp4wt77fC6iDPAJDsfQ7oFI63K0EcC5khq2Jhx7P3IRho-rTdrooVlk0Cc-f4Dt3y~FTCgAzEh~Ngwy2GGPwPr~84PT40P7ONRRRge3ndZEKDu4fuZQcsJy3ssv7leTeetU0Os~8VUcUZ-kA4UGMSJ59izousUchcDdNIkC1tuuUHYaJhEF4iy8W7Vlz3xQVSA9XYD0mJG4Ml0v05nK-mGwxVAEBQHlSqeo6IJSO9OuApmUiYnx99BlZ09LUJ2jOX8vPbUpmNn0LbfjeANpe6MAB93cWso2rpC2ZglEjlBVN7W-CCgYCnfA5PfzcWykZGqBXgQBMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bedford City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing the city to renew employee medical and dental insurance with Cigna effective Oct. 1, 2025, after a presentation from the city’s benefits consultant that recommended renewal despite an anticipated premium increase.

Human Resources Director Stephanie Ayers introduced Andrew Weager, senior account executive with HUB International, who reviewed plan experience, utilization and the proposed renewal. Weager told the council the city’s current plan is running a high loss ratio—about 92% in the Cigna reports, and closer to 100% when final “runout” claims from the prior Aetna contract are included—driving the carrier’s renewal request. Cigna’s renewal came in at an overall 11.8% increase (just under the 12% cap the carrier offered as part of last year's best and final deal). Weager said that without last year’s rate cap, the renewal could have been far higher.

Weager recommended no benefit design changes other than required IRS indexing of HSA deductibles, and he highlighted a $25,000 wellness fund and a $10,000 communications fund included in Cigna’s offer. Staff also proposed modest employee premium contributions for the high‑deductible HSA plan (from $0 to $20 per month for single coverage) and higher contributions on the copay plan; overall the city would still fund roughly 84.6% of total medical costs under the proposed contributions.

Ayers and Weager said the city would add a HUB call center patient advocacy service (cost: $1 per employee per month) and use Cigna’s communications funds to offset that cost. All other lines (dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts and HSA administration) were recommended to renew with no design changes.

After questions from the dais about wellness fund use and how costs would affect employees, the council voted to authorize the city manager to execute the agreement with Cigna. Council Member Gagliardi moved to approve; Council Member Sable seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Council members and staff said they will continue monitoring claims and may issue a request for proposals in 2026–27 if plan experience deteriorates further and the carrier rate cap is no longer available.","The City of Bedford accepted staff’s recommendation to renew medical and dental coverage with Cigna beginning Oct. 1, 2025, after a presentation showing an 11.8% renewal increase tied to high plan utilization. Staff will pass a portion of the premium increase to employees.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bedford council sets maximum tax rate for public hearing after weeks of budget debate over retiree COLA

On Stage in Bedford asks council to continue stewardship of Old Bedford School

Bedford to renew employee medical and dental plans with Cigna; premiums to rise about 11.8%