Dateline: September 11, 2003

County officials hear tax rate complaints

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Donley County Commissioners received several complaints last Thursday during a public hearing on the proposed 2003-2004 budget.

The $1.9 million budget reflects an overall increase of almost $55,000 over last year’s budget, and commissioners have proposed raising the combined county ad valorem tax rate by $0.029903 per $100 valuation to help make up the difference.

A crowd of about 20 people attended the hearing, and several complained about continuing increases in taxes and property valuations. Criticism also focused on the cost of the restoration of the Courthouse.

The payment on the restoration note will increase by $2,112.87. But the county’s expense for providing health insurance to its employees is expected to increase by 30 percent, a jump of more than $54,300.

The county has realized savings in some areas, such as a reduction in the labor force in Precinct 3 and paying off the vehicles used by the sheriff’s department.

The higher tax rate will cost the owner of a $50,000 home a total of $14.95 per year.

In other county business, commissioners met in regular session Monday to discuss several agenda items. The court approved spending $14,000 from the courthouse security fund to install an alarm system in county offices. The system from Audio Link Security would provide an emergency button at the desk of each county officer – including one in the Justice of the Peace office in Hedley and one on the judge’s bench in the district courtroom. In the event of an emergency, the system would signal the sheriff’s office to send a deputy to that location.

The court approved a letter of engagement with Gordon Maddox for the audit of fiscal year 2003.

An agreement was reached between the county and the Texas Tech Health Science Center for autopsy services.

A bid was accepted from the Howardwick Baptist Church to purchase a lot in that city for delinquent taxes.

The nominees for the 2003-2004 Child Welfare Board were announced. Those citizens are Kim Dickinson, Don Myers, Betty Jean Williams, Alton Gaines, Ted Shaller, Kathy Hommel, Pearl Hermesmeyer, Sharon Sanders, Jeanetta Burns, Bill Houston, Greg Henry, and Markeeta Howard.

The court agreed to allow Doug Lowe to attend the statewide training conference for Veterans Services officers this month.

An agreement was reached with Joe Ortiz to clean and wax the floors in the Courthouse Annex.

Commissioners agreed to allow a discount to be given for taxes paid early in October, November, and December.

The county agreed to renew the contract between the sheriff’s department and the City of Clarendon at a cost to the city of $130,000. The renewal of the contract has not yet been approved by the Board of Aldermen.

The court also voted to allow the Donley County Historical Commission to use the conference room on the second floor of the Courthouse.