Dateline: September 13, 2007

Commissioners delay approving budget

Donley County Commissioners delayed approval of the county’s proposed $1.95 million budget Monday on the advice of County Attorney Landon Lambert.

Lambert told the Commissioners’ Court that state law required the county to approve the budget no earlier than September 15.

“I am advising you as the chief legal advisor of the county not to vote on the budget today,” he said.

Judge Jack Hall said a called meeting will be held September 20 for the purpose of adopting the budget and setting the county’s tax rate.

Commissioners will also meet next Monday, September 17, to hold an additional public hearing on the tax rate since the delay in approving the rate would have exceeded the rule that requires the hearing be held within 14 days of the vote on the rate.

Additional public notices are being published in this week’s Enterprise.

In other county business Monday, the Commissioners’ Court approved opening the County Dump during the noon hour effective October 1, 2007.

Attendance at training and continuing education seminars was approved for Constable Tony Sellars, County Attorney Lambert, and Justice Ann Kennedy.

The court approved a resolution recognizing September as National Preparedness Month.

Commissioners did not approve the closure of the railroad crossing on County Road LL but did okay moving forward with closing the crossing west of FM 1755 in Lelia Lake.

A request for matching funds of $205 for the Panhandle Water Planning Area’s regional water plan was approved.

Hall said 21 counties make up the planning area, and each contributes matching funds.

The court approved a letter of engagement for the annual audit with the firm of Foster & Lambert.

A motion was approved to allow a discount for taxes paid early in October, November, or December.

Commissioners set the date and time of regular commissioner court meetings as the second Monday at 9 a.m. and approved the holiday schedule for county office closings for 2007-2008. The court approved moving its regular meeting next month to October 9 due to the Columbus Day holiday.