[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6486494,"mediaKeyId","5567022-eefa97aea2d65211d5b49cf54752a59a","parentId",5567022,"title","Cleburne staff present FY2026 budget; council sets intent to consider 0.612548 tax rate and schedules hearings","audioSeconds",2419,"startMs",4443000,"endMs",6862000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5567022-eefa97aea2d65211d5b49cf54752a59a&start=4443&end=6862","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5567022-eefa97aea2d65211d5b49cf54752a59a/thumbnail_4443000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486494/Texas/Cleburne-staff-present-FY2026-budget-council-sets-intent-to-consider-0612548-tax-rate-and-schedules-hearings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486494-8886d9016656012e82234875f64f659c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487960&Signature=cpvCAl~Zza5HY4bIVRJPoRdSWSrboG85zh8SyqjRz3jZYIzCiQZUIRV2XibFB92Ql8CnqDosyMH-O-YtAYG8nKtp2A~HvFOUsUoUiQvwk6CygUadEEVyjcpV3EXUfc8~Qqla2XUKLuGs-xUOg1ykhxq4tGTEyv27cMm1Xmj9PW3K7sY9-zQgp954awkagv1Ar1HPL9HrtAsYI4Na~hJF2Ta7ADRXHNequs8Pt-bLoJDZMZZ41UWbnuFl91lK8doCug4LjKzztXVmiB38RraujTW6CkQwV~fy1ORzrnWYja2Tp93j8T612-vJaXgXy5cg0E0cmrGHMtp1CJepXY2ZCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cleburne","date","2025-08-12T00:00:00Z","article","City staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and recommended the City Council consider a proposed tax rate of 0.612548 per $100 of assessed value at a future adoption meeting.

Finance staff reported certified taxable values just above $4.0 billion and noted year-over-year growth of about $297 million (7.2%), of which roughly $182 million reflected new construction. Staff described the \"no-new-revenue\" and \"voter approval\" rate calculations and said the voter-approval rate of 0.612548 would yield about $23.2 million in property-tax revenue compared with roughly $22.1 million at the no-new-revenue rate.

The council took multiple preliminary actions required by state law: it accepted the certified appraisal roll and the calculation worksheets and voted to state its intent to adopt a tax rate not to exceed 0.612548 at the regularly scheduled September 9 meeting. That intent resolution passed 4-1; a roll-call vote was recorded for the intent resolution.

Staff also reviewed major budget drivers: continued investment in capital projects (streets, water and wastewater), replacement vehicles, a proposed compensation and classification study, and personnel changes that staff recommended. The proposed budget assumes a 1% cost-of-living adjustment to city employees and includes requests for 12 full-time positions and two part-time positions in several departments; staff said additional detail on personnel and supplementals is in the budget packet.

Council scheduled the public hearing on the FY2026 budget for Aug. 26 and the tax-rate hearing for Sept. 9 and approved advertising of those hearings in the Cleburne Times-Review.

On benefits, council approved proposed employee benefit plan changes for plan year 2025-26, including maintaining medical coverage with Cigna subject to a negotiated rate cap and introducing a $20-per-month employee contribution for one HSA option. The benefit changes passed unanimously.

City staff said sales tax and ad valorem growth are providing revenue increases but warned that some recent increases reflected late tax collections and that the HOT fund contractual obligations (79% to the CVB) constrain discretionary spending from that fund. Staff identified a projected dip into fund balance for some HOT scenarios if council funds all requests discussed during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cleburne - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented the proposed FY2026 budget and recommended a tax rate of 0.612548 per $100 of assessed value. Council accepted the certified appraisal roll, scheduled public hearings and approved employee benefit plan changes; council voted 4-1 to state intent to consider the voter-approval tax rate.","taxTitle","Cleburne City , Johnson County, Texas","taxId",54073,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6486500,"After debate over HOT funds and fund balance, Cleburne approves $100,000 for Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum",2187,2197000,4384000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5567022-eefa97aea2d65211d5b49cf54752a59a&start=2197&end=4384","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5567022-eefa97aea2d65211d5b49cf54752a59a/thumbnail_2197000.jpg","/articles/6486500/Texas/After-debate-over-HOT-funds-and-fund-balance-Cleburne-approves-100000-for-Chisholm-Trail-Outdoor-Museum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486500-359eb02ea98f1270288478f51420af28/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487960&Signature=oAg~jzMsukEhkWWa45MhY~ZgZNSx-vD--jYD8pAn08xwxyQ-HqfFX~0KgIS9R7KP2-S-e1oqc15HeGiQdgNIVty6LmmEtPMnVuD6yaNVDIkVinwKHkujNMKnaRorVHcYjuPLxztcaK5zTbFImfCdINcrk83Ob3rbrokYtIogcPLtoAmOc14yvSTJ-FZNwGzuJyN4tLHCH-wSPIgoL-98bmOCJ7snZfjlySIZkECUuCJVknBv1IwA51iTd3cJceONZ4qGbxyZjeJ86jQ45IWk0FmbPPSQmr65MgOedEqrDf7BIdIFP9mrc0WpO~oYxQN8p6kH44~2q8~74NBNGCWCew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cleburne City Council voted 4-1 to approve a Chapter 380 economic development agreement providing $100,000 to the Johnson County Heritage Foundation for operations of the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum.

Museum representatives asked the council for $130,000 (and earlier materials showed an original $150,000 request). In a presentation, a museum representative said staff had tracked 37,477 visitors through midyear and reported that the site had used 231 hotel room nights so far this year. \"We have had documented, tracked visitors, 37,477 visitors to the museum,\" the representative said.

City staff briefed the council on hotel-occupancy-tax (HOT) fund constraints. Finance staff noted an estimated FY26 HOT revenue of roughly $550,000 and explained an existing contractual obligation requires about 79% of that funding be directed to the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), leaving roughly $117,000 unobligated before other event expenses. Staff also said recent late tax collections had temporarily inflated year-to-date numbers and that funding the museum at the level requested would require dipping into fund balance.

Councilmembers debated whether HOT funding should be used for ongoing operational salaries. Councilmember Derek Weathers said he was concerned about using HOT funds for salaries and the effect of deficit spending on the fund balance. Another councilmember said the museum produced a strong return on investment and supported a higher amount. Mayor Scott Cain moved to authorize $100,000; the motion passed 4-1.

Council directed staff to draft the Chapter 380 agreement reflecting the approved amount and to report back on the agreement language. The museum said it will continue seeking sponsors and noted it lost a source of labor when a contract with the Johnson County Probation Department ended and the museum had to hire two maintenance staff as a result.","Following lengthy discussion about hotel-occupancy-tax revenue and the city's fund balance, the council approved $100,000 for the Johnson County Heritage Foundation's Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum, less than the $130,000 the museum requested.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6486505,"Cleburne renews $60,000 grant to Christmas in Action for home repairs program",431,1765000,2196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5567022-eefa97aea2d65211d5b49cf54752a59a&start=1765&end=2196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5567022-eefa97aea2d65211d5b49cf54752a59a/thumbnail_1765000.jpg","/articles/6486505/Texas/Cleburne-renews-60000-grant-to-Christmas-in-Action-for-home-repairs-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486505-ded6be8a7420c120636f00ff3014c607/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487960&Signature=PszN0MZRjipX8Y5tEWAC8cUxxIXGZyEzKz2ys3rCidm5QZqJnQU2GldK-OBbquTSOTy1~75QMr2DsfidcMwQmJ3btKMeZlnT9T2P6Vyi2jiVV67cC-cs~aHHJEuaI~M5EdoRoMKyi8PQsicSFGPNy1b0ZN1Jg6fCxXpLXjpWUGLhdicYUgpP8tQh5IGK8sfel7m9eAGiRLpK0G6yZd2Grf5liS~9UYD23FglXYwdW4I7pPaPebAn7xraQp1JUiWhZvY7yHM9wcIDQpK-QqCKsy8KH0OB9kxYnsZfaYmKyH5VlVDIUoBxZqVWqjAEvUz--XleJHd79Nm1X~TxQsR~Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cleburne City Council unanimously approved a one-year renewal of a Chapter 380 economic development agreement to fund Christmas in Action\u0000Greater Cleburne\u0000up to $60,000 for its HOPE home-repair program.

City staff described the program as targeting elderly, low-income and disabled residents for repairs such as water and sewer fixes, gas leaks, wheelchair ramps and smoke-alarm installation. \"We've been around for about 25 years doing all kinds of repairs for elderly, low income, disabled, veterans,\" said Jim Bell, a representative of Christmas in Action, during a presentation to council.

City staff said the program has partnered with the city since 2018 and that council has provided varying amounts of support historically. The requested renewal authorizes the city manager to execute any documents necessary for the Chapter 380 agreement and continuation of the HOPE program.

Councilmember John Warren moved to approve the renewal; Oliver Cosby seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Councilmembers praised the program as a cost-effective investment in neighborhood stability. Mayor Scott Cain said the program provides an alternative to code enforcement by addressing causes of property noncompliance.

Christmas in Action said volunteers and partner organizations contribute labor and funding, and the group is seeking volunteers and sponsors for upcoming projects and fundraisers.","Council approved a one-year renewal of a Chapter 380 economic development agreement, authorizing up to $60,000 to support Christmas in Action's HOPE program for repairs to low-income and elderly homeowners.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6486508,"Cleburne council approves revised playground design for Trail Creek subdivision",633,1115000,1748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5567022-eefa97aea2d65211d5b49cf54752a59a&start=1115&end=1748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5567022-eefa97aea2d65211d5b49cf54752a59a/thumbnail_1115000.jpg","/articles/6486508/Texas/Cleburne-council-approves-revised-playground-design-for-Trail-Creek-subdivision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486508-85ed8228905655b907f580488a3bc38f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487960&Signature=UjKZXhp19hsS6Z7f1a4IOw5r2BystdtxR57Q3ZuAwVElVwhshH6q~YIxwwpF0ATKD~8YE1hZy5VsWrcarMjJvlXpeoj2v8EoptmkMTz8GQZGpd~Pgz~8DjJ5oW~Jznj1n6rETVTYKEFbr1~OKxvC~vAw5UHZnAGLR5I--trUp3e22B24Wzb73y5URkO2tdGxtu9bmmM6R7akAcoNrSQaxhGTd-mqWkTNWO37HDKc-HIhA7FCHBu88OjkHXWHOXlpS1vI5mr~YNRhkB3n1x-cm~I4OhGgTvm5Kq1dsS8cJKrhL9j9s5JGXCpILixxJoGCmVLTWrN7TaTm2YirY2j9eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cleburne City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve an amendment to the Trail Creek planned-development (PD) standards that will substitute the originally approved natural-theme playground with an alternative manufactured set that includes a larger shaded area.

The change affects roughly 38 acres in the Trail Creek addition located north of Mancourt, south of Mimosa Street and west of Grand Avenue and covers the playground equipment only; other park amenities and the planned dedication of about 7 acres along McAnarrie Creek to the city remain unchanged.

City planning staff told the council the developer’s proposed equipment is manufactured by GameTime and that its expected longevity and quality are comparable to the originally approved set by Landscape Structures. \"Traditionally, their playground equipment will last a similar length of time,\" said Aaron (parks director), responding to a council question about durability.

The planning and zoning commission recommended denial by a 7-0 vote, citing the loss of the original playgrounds natural/faux-wood aesthetic. Because the commission recommended denial, city code required a supermajority (four of five councilmembers) to overturn that recommendation. Councilmembers said cost increases since 2020 and the addition of a shade structure influenced their decision; one councilmember noted the shade in the proposed set would avoid a $60,000 future cost if the city required a retrofit of the 2020 design.

Councilmember Blake Jones moved to approve the PD amendment; Oliver Cosby seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The developer will install the playground during phase 3 of the Trail Creek build-out, as previously scheduled. Staff said they mailed 119 notices for the amendment and received two letters of support and two of opposition; one opposition stemmed from an incorrect belief the park would be removed and staff said they would follow up with that resident.

No other changes to zoning, park acreage, trails, parking or fencing were approved as part of this amendment.

Looking forward, council members asked staff to communicate the decision and the reasons for overturning the planning commission recommendation to the commission members.","The Cleburne City Council voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the Trail Creek planned development to change the approved playground equipment, overturning the planning commission\u0000recommendation and requiring a supermajority to pass.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cleburne staff present FY2026 budget; council sets intent to consider 0.612548 tax rate and schedules hearings

After debate over HOT funds and fund balance, Cleburne approves $100,000 for Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum

Cleburne renews $60,000 grant to Christmas in Action for home repairs program

Cleburne council approves revised playground design for Trail Creek subdivision