Commissioners propose 58.91¢ rate

By Melinda L. Lucas

Following a series of budget workshops over the past month, Shackelford County commissioners met in a special session on Friday morning, Aug. 30 to propose both a budget for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1 and a tax rate to support it.

A $4,329,454 balanced budget was proposed by Steve Riley, with a second by Cody Jordan. The expenditure figure is $144,631 more than the current year’s original budget of $4,184,823.

Jordan made the motion to submit a 58.91-cent rate, seconded by Riley.

Both votes were unanimous.

Since the proposed tax rate is the highest option without a rollback election, the commissioners scheduled the two required public tax hearings on Sept. 16 and Sept. 20. They plan to vote on both items at a special Sept. 30 session.

The proposed rate is actually more than 2.5 cents less than the current year’s tax rate of 61.51 cents due to higher property valuations, but is calculated to bring in about $181,982 more than the effective tax rate.

County judge Bob Skelton advocated the increase, suggesting that approximately $120,000 of the increase needs to be dedicated to high priority bridge repair on a highly traveled county road in Precinct 2.

“In addition to the more than 200 miles of road that the commissioners regularly maintain, this year we are faced with repairing a bridge on a busy county road,” said Skelton. “The bridge was damaged by flooding.”

During recent workshops, commissioners also discussed a budgeting funds over a two-year period for new voting machines, replacing the aging 15-year-old models now in use.

Other items in the budget include a five percent across-the-board raise for county employees, two new vehicles for the sheriff’s department, and Courthouse parking lot repair.

More information about the public hearings is available in required advertising in this week’s issue.

Bid Advertisements

Commissioners discussed and approved posting of advertising to receive bids for fuel for the year beginning Oct. 1, as well as bids for mowing the Courthouse lawn and two historical cemeteries for the next year. 

Sealed bids are due by Friday, Sept. 27 and will be opened Sept. 30.

Other Business

•The county officials okayed a contract to enter into class action opioid litigation, as long as there is no monetary risk to the county.

•A memorandum of understanding was approved with the DPS allowing all county jurisdictions to use the Nationwide Interoperability Channels for emergency communications.