[{"_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",6017298,"mediaKeyId","5776412-5632c2dcbda1da9461d6de97a9b523e0","parentId",5776412,"title","Council amends ballot language for charter question on city manager compensation and later authorizes mayor to amend manager’s contract","audioSeconds",4171,"startMs",3745000,"endMs",7916000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776412-5632c2dcbda1da9461d6de97a9b523e0&start=3745&end=7916","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776412-5632c2dcbda1da9461d6de97a9b523e0/thumbnail_3745000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6017298/Whitehouse/Smith-County/Texas/Council-amends-ballot-language-for-charter-question-on-city-manager-compensation-and-later-authorizes-mayor-to-amend-managers-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6017298-a5157c2abed1730a6ab9c057f5ba5110/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447856&Signature=GRkNR-XssJmg2-YkIAmk5s2LNDqnl6PvEUvbuvgCaTnnRee7OqjNvH2Sh8MYMZgjM5qhkRYfE8NOSVzAnJ8Nw2zXzi3eRTY18MmDHxztI~zi1EjNioOVvRotkB3efveCYdJwue0VO~ymSZ-iaOGometq8x~IOL75dNTzZcqAHkXE02rGuU~mHIIZH-4eZ~wip0z6O5YJmCGXHo84Dz3khOBmLyYnOGsgvml~z01CYP8LU0rZytDFbaFHnc2diAJpt0QY2EV7LFovw9Xln0KandApqConHMchxTZh8UyPff-0lH-nYsLSD3VeoHMsWwSEVEZVQzy5B8GP7O5qLdgUeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Whitehouse Texas","date","2025-08-20T01:19:10Z","article","The White House City Council on Aug. 19 approved changes to ballot language for a charter amendment on city manager compensation and later authorized an amendment to the city manager’s contract following an executive session.
Council approved ordinance 25‑0819‑01 to update the wording for “Proposition G” on the special‑election ballot. The revised wording, as presented to council, reads: “Amend the charter to remove the procedure for city manager compensation.” Staff said the change moves compensation procedure out of the charter and into council negotiation, and that state law requires substantial charter changes to be presented to voters.
Some council members voiced concern that the revised language could be confusing to voters and asked staff to ensure voter education explains the effect. “It does still look like we’re removing the removal procedures for the city manager, so there’s no way to remove her,” a councilmember said during discussion.
Later in the meeting, council convened in executive session under Texas Government Code section 551.074 for a personnel matter — the annual review of the city manager — and subsequently reconvened in open session. In regular session a councilmember moved to authorize the mayor to amend the contract with the city manager for annual compensation; the council voted in favor and the motion carried.
What’s next: the amended ordinance language will appear on the November ballot; staff said they will include explanatory materials in voter education. The city manager’s contract amendment will be implemented as authorized by council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - August 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council changed the wording of a proposed charter amendment to refer to removing the procedure for city manager compensation (rather than removing compensation itself) for the November ballot, then, after an executive session under Texas Government Code, authorized the mayor to amend the city manager’s annual compensation contract.","taxTitle","Whitehouse, Smith County, Texas","taxId",52509,"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},6017302,"Council authorizes $15,000 consultant engagement plus printing for special‑election voter education",188,3690000,3878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776412-5632c2dcbda1da9461d6de97a9b523e0&start=3690&end=3878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776412-5632c2dcbda1da9461d6de97a9b523e0/thumbnail_3690000.jpg","/articles/6017302/Whitehouse/Smith-County/Texas/Council-authorizes-15000-consultant-engagement-plus-printing-for-specialelection-voter-education","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6017302-9a9ace23287fd2a9cc3594700c9e967f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447856&Signature=NuOOcgpGMZHSE-SGtK-7~C74FER8ohlNIsAEcVokCbk4D1X0hSV37CvZCmi9iK7BGMNRd5emdXaqwbC~UjwNq-XgNQyWGRV10m6SN4QSPf~Iemt-slsDx3oG8~gmRMc1O8me-6MFWh13cO-HdzBqzwAqYM6zvWUUmiZGQfseAvhxFs955E20JLkdL40yIqoJtag~Ulz5AtbG4QhRzPLuPuHmtnkXbGUG8AX8lmAo-2zTsUreDYSLEAg2CEsO-wvWNs63DTWpAmvYuLa76NiOr9vv2zCT1~HsCQ9y9pDJCS4D6VDObgsAXScEdgxy5ag08wyCNmwLt0DC9sWXLT~R-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The White House City Council on Aug. 19 authorized the city manager to contract with a communications firm to develop and distribute voter education materials for an upcoming special election.
City staff presented a scope that includes two mailers, social media content, a short video, an FAQ, website content, press coordination, search campaigns and talking points for council members. “The quote for the scope came in at $15,000 of design,” a staff presenter said. Staff estimated printing and postage for two mailers would likely add between $5,000 and $8,000.
Council members moved and seconded a motion authorizing the city manager to execute the agreement; the motion carried.
Staff said the printing/postage costs were not included in the current budget and would be paid from fund balance or contingency. The presenter also noted the selected firm had experience with recent local elections and staff considered the quote competitive given time constraints.
What’s next: the city manager will execute the contract and staff will coordinate distribution of voter education materials in accordance with Texas election code and the project timeline.","City council authorized the city manager to engage a consultant to prepare and distribute voter education materials for an upcoming special election; the $15,000 design fee will be supplemented by printing and postage estimated at $5,000–$8,000 from fund balance/contingency.",{"_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},6017308,"Residents urge larger Forestdale park; city staff says $650,000 plus development fees set aside",2592,592000,3184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776412-5632c2dcbda1da9461d6de97a9b523e0&start=592&end=3184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776412-5632c2dcbda1da9461d6de97a9b523e0/thumbnail_592000.jpg","/articles/6017308/Whitehouse/Smith-County/Texas/Residents-urge-larger-Forestdale-park-city-staff-says-650000-plus-development-fees-set-aside","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6017308-23d5c4d7a16f9a99cfeaacf0655ba5bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447856&Signature=hTBBaq4GNCkdMAfl0oKazD-RxK8dSmLvXsp0GJAynzoRZp1banHW6r96yiGBCSo89hPI5oILH5V3oePp2AFLV9VJcAmEGnjpBb17AjR6XWjIcdV7bCl3sjDQXeV9-9KGUyQMgnIdjZn4KIWQaKewe-EEfD3GTykWjWQuoHmvVyGvVZyKHNJO5MrfUyn3-rSi04KvXrCbpkLnBxY0AdSGCPV1-9U9vWCuz5OcYqBjIxRnvvnI67SoEMjKapBpV6bhwQeRaRU3lOxYmPP4S8ZR~hz9FWRsTnGNGhzDb8KXFtshnRO3nKgRpMUZfSDADNjipNv32k-srnp1EdqxD5kH4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents of the Forestdale neighborhood told the White House City Council on Aug. 19 that the city’s proposed fiscal 2025–26 budget does not allocate enough money to build the park they were promised during development.
At a public hearing, multiple speakers urged the council to increase funding and include amenities such as basketball courts, walking paths and pickleball courts so children and families would have a safe place to gather.
The speakers’ concerns center on the line items staff identified in the proposed budget. City staff said the proposal includes $650,000 in the 2022 certificates-of-obligation capital fund for Forestdale Park plus about $105,000 tracked in a development-fee account, meaning roughly $755,000 is being held for the project before grant funds are added or concept costs are known.
“I oppose this budget because it does not allocate enough money for the park and forest,” said Butch Hall, a Forestdale developer and resident, closing his remarks after a detailed description of the neighborhood’s growth, a land donation and his expectation that a high-quality park would follow residential buildout.
Residents described children playing in neighborhood streets and said a park with a basketball court, benches and green space would improve safety, community ties and property values. “Our families need safe and accessible spaces for fitness and recreation,” said Gabriel Anzures, a Forestdale resident. Multiple speakers noted they moved to the neighborhood in part because a park was planned.
City staff responded to those concerns with budget detail and a timeline for further planning. “In line item 62‑562‑530, in the proposed budget, there’s currently $650,000 set aside for Forestdale Park,” a staff presenter said during the hearing. The staff presenter also explained the separate line item of approximately $105,000 came from development permit fees specifically tracked for the neighborhood. Staff said the city is awaiting a concept plan and an opinion of probable construction cost from the consultant and is exploring grant opportunities to supplement the budget.
Staff warned that construction costs depend on site conditions and that an opinion of probable cost is required before deciding which amenities can be funded. “There are so many factors that go into construction costs, including grading, site prep… Until we have soil samples, we don’t know what kind of concrete we’re going to have to pour,” the staff presenter said.
Council members emphasized community input and cautioned that some amenities can create neighborhood impacts — for example, pickleball courts can draw destination players and parking demand. Staff said they will hold additional public meetings after a preliminary concept is prepared and that planned grant applications could reduce the city’s share of construction cost.
As required by state law, the council took action at the conclusion of the public hearing to set a date for final budget adoption. A motion to schedule consideration and possible adoption of the FY 2025–26 operating budget for Sept. 23, 2025, at 6 p.m. passed.
The hearing drew sustained engagement from Forestdale residents: speakers described more than 1,200 rooftops within a mile, a 4.2‑acre parcel donated for a park, and ongoing commercial plans whose financing, some residents said, may hinge on the park’s quality. Staff and the consultant will return with concept drawings, cost estimates and grant-seeking updates before final budget adoption.
What’s next: staff will meet with the consultant to develop a concept and an opinion of probable construction cost, pursue grant funding, and schedule additional public input sessions. The council set final budget adoption for Sept. 23, 2025; any change in the budgeted park amount would be decided then or through subsequent budget amendments.","Dozens of residents pressed council at a public hearing to increase funding and amenities for the planned Forestdale neighborhood park. Staff clarified the proposed budget includes $650,000 from a 2022 certificates of obligation project fund plus about $105,000 in development fees; the council set final budget adoption for Sept. 23.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council amends ballot language for charter question on city manager compensation and later authorizes mayor to amend manager’s contract

Council authorizes $15,000 consultant engagement plus printing for special‑election voter education

Residents urge larger Forestdale park; city staff says $650,000 plus development fees set aside