[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6154400,"mediaKeyId","5485002-c2e0374462d0d75da87b9eba54d9bf8e","parentId",5485002,"title","Mesquite HR proposes medical‑plan adjustments, retiree changes and market pay offers amid rising claims","audioSeconds",4018,"startMs",13927000,"endMs",17945000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5485002-c2e0374462d0d75da87b9eba54d9bf8e&start=13927&end=17945","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5485002-c2e0374462d0d75da87b9eba54d9bf8e/thumbnail_13927000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6154400/Mesquite/Dallas-County/Texas/Mesquite-HR-proposes-medicalplan-adjustments-retiree-changes-and-market-pay-offers-amid-rising-claims","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154400-f0b228618ee64e34f2194049c30485a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441349&Signature=BuQykmrALCdulAW40~IegMEmLf6sd1Enhu7FOq6Lb66ho78gPuQU-Hx4Ho6CyDymkGPoa4YaMtnFl~vSalNwExdKZY3b2Fis9dSnGevLCrIRMiZtQinX0-DWMTk8aL4lXIjq4Wchu-kHd5wkKcdzX0ISvdXx5GuprsoX0uKt3Kx3YDFE~viMOzozbTZr7g9BzQo2m3xkaGiQKSA~DQNiZnd6KRTRAWTXyTLa9Q~JPi8QpJ3AUFa27D4Sb3NayB1lisImMKPPMZYieV0hfXw6~n7PEJYMKWEzMWCLEZGxfr8I4EwJxVcPiPAypyQTJxTIFj3BtQIs7q1WM9n~GNXJaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mesquite, TX","date","2025-07-19T00:00:00Z","article","Mesquite — Human Resources Director Libby Craven presented health‑benefit trends, retiree costs and a set of proposed plan design changes and a market‑adjustment pool the department says are needed to help recruit and retain staff.

Craven told council the city is self‑insured for medical coverage; the city pays the largest share of monthly premiums and is seeing rising claims, especially for prescriptions. She listed proposed changes including small increases in employee paycheck deductions, modest increases to deductibles on high‑deductible plans, and consolidation from four medical options to two plans.

Why it matters: Benefits are a major part of total compensation and affect recruiting and retention in public safety and public‑works roles with heavy demand for technicians and CDL‑qualified employees. HR said changes are proposed to limit plan‑cost growth while preserving broad coverage and an employer contribution strategy.

Key proposals and figures
- Medical plan mix: The city currently offers four medical plans (HDHP, HSA, HMO, PPO). Most employees choose the higher deductible HDHP/HSA options.
- Employee premium and fares: HR proposed a $10 per paycheck increase in employee contributions and elimination of the “employee + child” rate tier (moving those members to a higher child tier), estimated to save roughly $326,000 and another $52,000 respectively.
- Deductible and co‑pay changes: Craven proposed modest increases to HSA/HDP deductibles and higher co‑pays for prescription tiers; projected savings were presented as several hundred thousand dollars if fully adopted.
- Retiree coverage: HR proposed simplifying the city’s retiree contribution scheme to a flat fee for certain retiree groups and continuing a Post‑65 insured product; HR said retirees make up roughly 10% of claim costs.
- Market pay: HR recommended a $500,000 market‑adjustment pool (on top of merit increases) to address hard‑to‑fill positions and phase‑2 pay adjustments.

Council questions: Members asked about employee access to doctors if plan options were reduced and whether the new city health clinic would show savings; HR said the HDHP/HSA network is a broad PPO network and the clinic is too new to show measurable savings.

Ending: HR will return with final cost estimates and the communication plan; council members asked HR to add an analysis comparing the communication and recruitment effects of plan changes for front‑line hourly staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting Jul 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Human Resources proposed plan design changes, higher employee contributions and a $500,000 market‑adjustment pool; staff said claims rose but the city currently pays most medical premiums for employees.","taxTitle","Mesquite, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2785,"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},6154404,"Parks workshop: council backs new teen, recreation and event proposals; asks for sponsorships, public input on MLK vs. Black History Month",2895,22291000,25186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5485002-c2e0374462d0d75da87b9eba54d9bf8e&start=22291&end=25186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5485002-c2e0374462d0d75da87b9eba54d9bf8e/thumbnail_22291000.jpg","/articles/6154404/Mesquite/Dallas-County/Texas/Parks-workshop-council-backs-new-teen-recreation-and-event-proposals-asks-for-sponsorships-public-input-on-MLK-vs-Black-History-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154404-9e1d6a700f4310601f628c2335db6eda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441349&Signature=UsTWFl9SyjYIkzqIfklrSrZ79JDJgjDEiDDmiMDLxzzKkzV7eNylK2RxhmRMkgOuGl3o2es5B0K1jzHgsItj8If~4uECrreM7RyhP1yJF74wVIGTl6MP0QDJupeXjQZxZvS1~5hFJqabrosQXMgYAIatOMRx2aobGiNWpDsACCKM6g~C3IFfefZryWSGlLyV~-11oGk4vXvPbu5En-lSLMAkTSZCQE8qwPBdHJvJQlaivm~u4sSlfob~D6csJq6z~HV4kzPQTTlM~0VZUtZKiZdHMIVbNwlEuDnnDEl0th5k8jT7ozWvZ7RYzQ3EQdrFH6y0zh~McsAMrOS4n30Dwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesquite — Parks and Recreation presented spring‑to‑summer attendance data, capital projects funded by the 4B Quality‑of‑Life Corporation and a request for council direction on special events and park projects.

Elizabeth Harrell, Director of Parks and Recreation, reviewed completed projects (skate park, spray zone, playground updates) and asked council whether to replace the city’s MLK parade with a Black History Month celebration and whether to reintroduce a mother‑son dance. The Parks and Recreation Board recommended adding the two events and removing a low‑attendance “Guts & Gory” run.

Why it matters: Parks and events draw residents to public spaces and help local businesses and community groups; funding and staff time for big events is a recurring city expense and both council and the Parks Board asked staff to pursue sponsorships to offset costs.

Most important facts
- Events and programming: The department reported strong growth in teen turnout programs and preteen camps; a “dive‑in” movie night at City Lake Aquatic Center drew about 725 attendees in the latest session, double last year’s turnout.
- Parks capital: Ongoing capital projects include City Lake Park design, playground replacements, Vanston Park redevelopment linked to the replacement of Fire Station No. 2, and a second spray zone and pickleball at Evans Park. The Parks budget relies heavily on Mesquite 4B Quality‑of‑Life funds for special projects.
- Events policy: The Parks and Recreation Board advised the city to (a) consider a Black History Month event as an alternative to the January MLK parade because January attendance has been low and (b) reintroduce a mother‑son dance; it recommended removing the low‑demand zombie run.

Council feedback and next steps
- Council members suggested keeping an MLK recognition component and better public education if event timing is changed; several members urged staff to pursue sponsorships for marquee events such as the rodeo parade and Christmas in the Park.
- Parks staff will return with cost estimates and an outreach plan, and present proposed sponsorship and revenue options to reduce the city’s operating subsidy for large events.

Ending: Harrell said the department will advance the parks master plan and a recreation‑center feasibility study and will bring detailed cost and sponsorship options back to council for any event additions or restorations.","Parks and Recreation outlined facility upgrades, youth programming growth and a proposed events lineup that includes a possible Black History Month celebration instead of the MLK parade and a reintroduced mother‑son dance.",{"_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},6154409,"Mesquite public works unveils five‑year streets, alley and asphalt program focused on immediate repairs",4100,14884000,18984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5485002-c2e0374462d0d75da87b9eba54d9bf8e&start=14884&end=18984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5485002-c2e0374462d0d75da87b9eba54d9bf8e/thumbnail_14884000.jpg","/articles/6154409/Mesquite/Dallas-County/Texas/Mesquite-public-works-unveils-fiveyear-streets-alley-and-asphalt-program-focused-on-immediate-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154409-7179d3de839108918dfc74f60a97c8d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441349&Signature=dQE7lbHfyIWUY-kKIId5QKZjGsPtcaGRoBoIQ9uLtAXcHTx1zr91HOBoEApK3PdwVY9JIYn2Me2DuBby052BHnYJ58AdV46j19KomIJjo1ky6ODp73Cm2ff4AWpBjWJVyUkou-uFtFAHGXVZ0jVU489skBG9n9s51TYZHMkDGjShHQadsKgR0wmZxqYlX73KKKpyMwcJvSBFvoNKw9qdNj2ahQ4fdYR4~LSXDMmVhEtyyhsNvnLTRXxvSKlcPoc1Uw5Z9y02i2-l8GFyco9MAuJBLJcPsfJSs6yW-yF~vKg-fnqZNMVCmABUGdKK3yizCLHV0PawleXI0nOiKB3tfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesquite — The city’s public‑works director presented a five‑year streets program that concentrates city crews on asphalt repairs where staff can “get the biggest bang for the buck,” while contracting larger concrete reconstruction projects.

Public Works Director Eric (Public Works Director) told council the city will transition from the Real Texas Roads bond program into a multi‑year maintenance program that pairs in‑house asphalt overlays and localized mill‑and‑overlay work with contracted concrete replacements on the oldest concrete streets.

Nut graf: The plan addresses three problems the city faces simultaneously — an aging local street network, historically delayed concrete repairs, and new growth that changes where crews are needed — by ordering work from worst PCI (pavement‑condition index) to better‑condition roads while grouping projects for efficiency.

Key points
- Focus and strategy: Public Works emphasized “worst‑first” PCI targeting for efficiency, pairing neighborhood repairs to limit repeated mobilization costs and using in‑house asphalt overlay capacity for the largest near‑term impact.
- Five‑year targets and budgets: Staff proposed a multi‑track program: ($2.0M/yr) alley reconstruction, ($2.0M/yr) expanded in‑house asphalt paving, and ($5.0M/yr) contracted concrete work for structurally failed streets. Major corridors and bond‑phase completions (LaPrada, Lawson, Galloway resurfacing) are budgeted separately.
- Expected outcomes: The plan is intended to lift low‑PCI roads above critical thresholds over five years; staff said performance will improve faster where asphalt overlays are prioritized and where utility work is coordinated to avoid rework.

Council requests and next steps
- Data transparency: Council asked staff to publish the city’s PCI map and an accessible list showing which roads and alleys are scheduled each year so residents can see why one road is chosen for a year and another is not.
- Funding and coordination: Public Works and finance will present funding tradeoffs tied to the tax‑rate scenarios the council requested: continue current funding (no‑new‑revenue), a voter‑approval increase, or higher revenue that would require an election.

Background details
- End of RTR: Staff reminded the council the Real Texas Roads bond program is winding down and that future work must shift to a combination of operating dollars, new bond allocations, grants and other funds.
- Cost drivers: Public Works highlighted rising material costs and contractor lead times for signals and large components; staff said efficiency gains can be realized by grouping projects and coordinating with utility work.

Ending: The public‑works director said the department will return with a public portal for the PCI inventory and a set of budgeted scenarios that show how many lane‑miles and alleys the city can fix under each tax‑rate scenario the council requested.","Public Works outlined a five‑year approach that prioritizes worst‑first asphalt repairs and a stepped concrete program; council asked staff to post PCI maps and return with funding options tied to tax scenarios.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6154414,"Mesquite workshop lays out police, fire pay comparisons; council hears options for raises and step plan changes",6571,6085000,12656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5485002-c2e0374462d0d75da87b9eba54d9bf8e&start=6085&end=12656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5485002-c2e0374462d0d75da87b9eba54d9bf8e/thumbnail_6085000.jpg","/articles/6154414/Mesquite/Dallas-County/Texas/Mesquite-workshop-lays-out-police-fire-pay-comparisons-council-hears-options-for-raises-and-step-plan-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154414-254b1c2aeae59fe60fd9a9800ad14c14/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441349&Signature=Yvs1C-0Rbtke52xuy0aBVAyerUdI1Wk2j8~CyWqbijavfyEPA9BO00n9XUGUTE43l6bzpFPlNkpLjo7QD-2VRpcRKrgwP~z7cwY6H02vIC2yBt9LUAmIqgEUIUzyyyNG8ynRHDCRpiVgPOUjLO0wYwVUY0VanY-V72aC9XUUulVIuoQNKBek1x4YJ5ixbUh6QpceA~n1YgElJ5ImrF2mV3uJBFWbyIXJihvSoSNP~VodXZHV7XH3dwjyYOhCtiR083ucYquiicPybDxf6wWimt0qBhgOkzQ6lAygr2x-9ci~-VrqclML~JDVu8E8ctxjjsP0whM2OCMK5c3K4FpN5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesquite — City staff presented a detailed comparison of Mesquite police and fire base pay against peer cities and outlined options for step increases and targeted longevity pay to retain experienced officers.

Finance Director Ted Chin and department leaders told the council that Mesquite’s base pay for many public‑safety ranks sits below the averages for expanded peer groups, particularly in early career steps; the city’s total compensation package includes health and retirement benefits but base‑pay differences affect recruitment and retention.

Why it matters: Earlier this year the police and fire departments reported open positions and higher overtime; council members said holding services steady without pay adjustments would force difficult program or capital tradeoffs. Staff offered a set of funding options the council can consider during the FY2026 budget process.

Most important facts
- Staffing: Police Chief (Police Chief) reported about 10 police‑officer vacancies; Fire Chief Hopkins reported 253 total employees in the fire department and described the department’s recent hires and training needs.
- Regional pay comparison: Staff showed bench‑marks across two peer groups. For police the city’s average base pay placed Mesquite slightly under expanded‑group averages in early‑career steps. For fire Mesquite was below the peer average in base pay but closer after later steps and longevity pay were included.
- Overtime and vacancies: Chief Gill said total officer overtime varies widely by person and assignment; staff emphasized some overtime reflects SRO coverage or court and event duties while other overtime covers vacancy gaps.
- Staff proposals: Finance and HR proposed several options for council consideration, including (a) a general base‑pay increase for FY2026, (b) a targeted 5% increase to Step 1 (to raise starting pay and early career steps), and (c) a late‑career longevity step (for example a one‑time additional step at year 20) aimed at retaining veteran officers.

Discussion highlights
- Council members stressed that public‑safety pay is a high priority but flagged the need to balance raises against other demands in the budget, and asked staff to present clear budget scenarios (current tax levy, voter‑approval rate and a midrange option) so members can see tradeoffs.
- Several council members said they preferred a one‑time longevity step to keep experienced officers rather than only spreading increases uniformly.

What staff will present next: A short set of budget scenarios that quantify the cost of several public‑safety options (3% across‑the‑board, 5% Step‑1 bump, and a 20‑year longevity step), and how each option fits under the no‑new‑revenue rate, a midrange (voter‑approval) rate and a higher rate that would require a voter election. The council asked for costs tied to concrete tax‑rate scenarios before making final direction.

Ending: Council members and staff agreed on the urgency of the discussion and instructed finance and HR to return with dollar‑cost estimates for each public‑safety option as part of the August budget package.","Officials reviewed regional pay comparisons, staffing levels and overtime; staff proposed various options including a 5% initial step increase and a late‑career step to retain veteran officers.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6154419,"Mesquite officials weigh tax‑rate options, budget tradeoffs at Saturday workshop",721,92000,813000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5485002-c2e0374462d0d75da87b9eba54d9bf8e&start=92&end=813","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5485002-c2e0374462d0d75da87b9eba54d9bf8e/thumbnail_92000.jpg","/articles/6154419/Mesquite/Dallas-County/Texas/Mesquite-officials-weigh-taxrate-options-budget-tradeoffs-at-Saturday-workshop","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154419-43866857f1dda67ac4b878998ff09401/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441349&Signature=nA6lXxtE1pDHo7RnwcH58HpZEwRPOA~2qQUovoO4jJ9Bmh0HQT0vdp9HEvIgF6Wm7Np3O8e49Fwjl6heADJtOGUKxUZU0F4B7IvrCHT4JW8ZyDyObQofBfwn8gfZrQhZghxPh2AOz3at1rJXsfxaDQaZHmLQbRuPfQKinQswOuIlUU7fAXDex~NAJzwI0lR7DEyKbS26cfZPwqviQBTxjruKU0kN8cL7KxTOnzZT0pistCr3CBpqDUperxBP2SISQLTQ1kKrZ2r5KfNwfGFmNoIMP4dytvoKWTYc16Z3nGK4XVehHPsVmhUvIykEChaHH72NXrCgh3DJ3gO3XpGwVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesquite — City officials held a Saturday budget workshop to review department requests, proposed utility and program fee changes, and options for the city’s tax rate as staff prepares final numbers for August decisions.

City Manager Cliff (City Manager) told the council the workshop is intended to shape the final fiscal‑year 2026 budget and the city’s tax‑rate decision, saying the exercise “gives us the opportunity to look at where we want our community to go in the next 5, 10, 15, 25 years.”

Why it matters: Mesquite’s preliminary tax roll shows unusually strong growth in taxable value in 2025. That growth gives the council room for revenue, but state “truth in taxation” rules and Senate Bill 2 limits mean the council must choose whether to set the no‑new‑revenue tax rate (which preserves existing levy but captures new value), the voter‑approval rate (which allows about 3.5% more maintenance and operations revenue), or to go to voters for a higher rate. The council asked staff to return with a tighter set of budget scenarios showing the no‑new‑revenue, a midrange option and the voter‑approval rate for comparison.

Most important facts
- Preliminary appraisal trends: Finance Director Ted Chin said the draft tax roll shows roughly a 16% increase in overall taxable value this year, driven by residential and industrial development, with roughly $95.8 million projected in property‑tax revenue under staff assumptions.
- Tax‑rate options: Staff outlined (a) a no‑new‑revenue rate that would preserve last year’s levy while capturing new value; (b) the voter‑approval rate (roughly staff’s midrange scenario); and (c) a higher rate that would require a voter election. Staff said the council should expect to set an August ceiling on the rate and hold public hearings before adoption.
- Next steps and schedule: City Manager Cliff said certified appraisal numbers and the county’s truth‑in‑taxation calculation are due soon; staff will return with final numbers and a recommended ceiling at the August 4 council meeting and hold the required public hearing before adoption. The council was reminded there are public hearings already scheduled on July 21 and August 4.
- Tradeoffs: Council members and staff acknowledged that choosing a lower tax rate would require program or capital cuts — not just “trimming fat” — while a tax‑rate election would allow more of the department requests to be funded but would have an election cost (estimated in the hundreds of thousands).

Supporting details
- Staff emphasized the difference between the city’s immediate options: the no‑new‑revenue calculation vs. the voter‑approval rate under truth‑in‑taxation law; the city’s tax calculator will change after the county certifies the roll.
- The workshop covered a long list of department requests — from increases to water and sewer rates to hiring proposals in fire, police and public works — and included requests for capital work such as street reconstruction, drainage projects, and building repairs.
- Several council members urged staff to present three concrete scenarios: hold the current rate, the voter‑approval rate, and a middle option, so voters and council can see the budget consequences of each path.

What’s next: Staff will return with updated, certified numbers and a short set of budget scenarios showing the levy, the effect on the median homeowner and which department requests each scenario would fund or defer. The council will set a formal ceiling and schedule required hearings in August; staff recommended public outreach explaining the choices and likely tradeoffs for residents.","City officials heard department budgets, discussed a likely voter‑approval tax‑rate option and set next steps for public hearings and a final decision in August.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mesquite HR proposes medical‑plan adjustments, retiree changes and market pay offers amid rising claims

Parks workshop: council backs new teen, recreation and event proposals; asks for sponsorships, public input on MLK vs. Black History Month

Mesquite public works unveils five‑year streets, alley and asphalt program focused on immediate repairs

Mesquite workshop lays out police, fire pay comparisons; council hears options for raises and step plan changes

Mesquite officials weigh tax‑rate options, budget tradeoffs at Saturday workshop