Commissioners review county's taxable values
Thursday, 12 August 2010 16:23 | 
Commissioners eye $425,000 deficit
Commissioners started their most recent budget workshop by reviewing the county’s certified taxable values. County officials are looking at an estimated deficit for the current year of $425,000.
Based on the taxable value of $1,437,265,012, County Auditor Tammy Wells explained to commissioners the effective tax rate is 0.415381 per $100 property valuation. This year’s total rollback rate is 0.447976. The total current rate is 0.476926.
Last year’s tax rate is the actual rate the taxing unit used to determine property taxes last year. This year’s effective tax rate would impose the same total taxes as last year if one compares properties taxed in both years. Any new improvements on properties are removed from calculation; it has to be based on properties taxed in both years.
This year’s rollback tax rate is the highest tax rate the taxing unit can set before taxpayers can start tax rollback procedures.
"Keep in mind values are up so tax rates will decrease," Wells said during the Aug. 2 workshop.
Cass County Judge Charles McMichael said, "Forty-seven cents to 44 cents is about a 3-cent rollback."
Wells said the current budget shortfall is $425,645.27. "This is the difference in estimated revenue and estimated expenses less $82,000 in the software budget," she said.
When asked, Tax Assessor/Collector Becky Watson said the collection rate for the county is 100 percent.
Wells explained the estimated shortfall in the general fund was $378,000 in 2009-10. Thus far the county has an estimated shortfall total of $425,000.
The main road and bridge fund’s revenue is $827,381.19; plus other revenue sources are $1,060,500.
With no further questions regarding tax rates, McMichael then asked Wells to move on.
There was discussion about the information technology (IT) maintenance contract with Shawn Bryan of Kaybro Computer Technology. After talking with department heads present at the workshop, commissioners agreed to continue the contract as it is at one day per week with no changes.
Wells reminded commissioners of where they left off during the previous budget workshop, saying Precinct 1 Commissioner Brett Fitts suggested asking department heads with budgets of $200,000 and more to cut their budgets a total of 8 percent and department heads with budgets below $200,000 to reduce their budgets by 5 percent. Fitts said he was still in favor of this proposal.
The county began the current fiscal year with a $378,000 deficit and has already spent $93,000 more "on contingencies" than officials projected for the year. "Contingencies" are unexpected expenses that were not budgeted.
Fitts suggested the county pay its 2009-10 deficit – $93,000 – with "tobacco funds," which is money awarded to the county several years ago because of a class action lawsuit involving several states and all Texas counties.
"Zero this year out," McMichael said.
"That’s right and then we will be even par. Then we will look at the $372, 000," Fitts said referring to the estimated shortfall in the proposed budget.
Cothren expressed his concern about what Fitts was proposing, saying the county projected a shortfall of $375,000 but is looking at an estimated $425,000 shortfall instead. He said he is concerned "contingencies" could drive the amount of the county’s shortfall even higher.
McMichael responded by saying, "We may need to go with the rollback rate this year and rollback rate next year to get us back on keel here."
Commissioners continued to discuss budget cuts. Wells asked, "So this is what you want to do?" referring to asking department heads cutting their budgets by either 8 percent or 5 percent.
"That gets us headed in the direction we need to go," responded Cothren.
Wells said the next step is to get the worksheets back to the departments. She explained the posted budget has to be on file for two weeks before any public hearings, saying, "We are running out of time."
Watson then explained the proposed tax rate must be published seven days before commissioners meet to approve it.
Watson then asked the judge if she could speak. She stood up and said 8 percent of her budget is the salary of one staff person, adding she is sure it is the same for other department heads.
"I am not prepared to make that decision; you gentlemen are going to have to do that for me because I fought tooth and nail for several years to get a staff person, which you gave me two years ago, and that is what you are asking me to give up. That is a service we provide to your constituents so when they’re standing in line in my office and I can’t put your money in the bank, I’m not taking the heat by myself, guys. In due respect, that is where we are at," Watson said.
"I understand what you’re saying but I’m not going to tell an elected official how to spend their money because if I come in there pointing around saying ‘you need to spend it like this and like this’ and y’all get mad. So I’m taking the heat for cutting 8 percent but I’m not taking the rest," Fitts said.
"There’s not anything that is going to change the situation that we are in – it’s where we are," Cothren responded. "I tend to agree with Fitts. There are some alternatives to be made and none of them is what any of us would prefer but it would give the elected official the opportunity to make reductions in time. It could either be a full position or they could move it around and make it different hours for different employees and try to make it work out that way, so I agree.
"But if it comes down to we are going to be required to say one layer of employees. Then that’s what it is, as it is being presented. It may not be a full employee position as it is being presented. But if it comes back to where we’re on a time crunch to clarify then it maybe a complete full position to get to the numbers," Cothren said.
"If you could do it through attrition that would be nice but I don’t think we have the numbers," McMichael said.
Cothren said to Wells, "I am not sure it is where we need to be. We may need more."
"I guess the sovereign state of Texas has added some things on to us that is beyond our control," McMichael said.
Cothren voiced his concern to Wells about the computer equipment the county clerk’s office still needs, which is estimated to cost approximately $32,000. "If we blanket her like everyone else (with an 8 percent budget cut), we aren’t taking care of her real needs," Cothren said.
Cothren tried to explain by saying the 8 and 5 percent cuts as a uniform reduction may not work for everybody. Mitchell said she will lose a position with an 8 percent cut in her department. Cothren stressed to Mitchell that her real need, a new computer system, would be addressed.
Commissioners then moved on to their departmental budgets. Precinct 2 Commissioner Danny Joe Shaddix said he has been operating with his reserve fund account for several months, and the fiscal year does not end until Sept. 30.
Commissioners agreed to take an 8 percent cut across the board in their departments. "It’s only fair to take 8 percent off revenue like everyone else," Fitts said. Commissioners of Precincts 3 and 4 all agreed to give Shaddix, in Precinct 2, $25,000 each from there precincts to help his precinct, which is the largest in terms of land and road mileage.
Shaddix said he hopes to get some of the money he has spent on repairs back from the National Resource Conservation Service the county requested. NRCS will pay for road repairs in waterways caused by flooding in April 2009.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Darrell Godwin, who was recently appointed to the position after Max Bain died in office, voiced his concerns regarding money expected from NRCS, saying his precinct wasn’t even looked at during the first round of funding. McMichael said NRCS representatives assured him they would inspect damage in all of the precincts when they return.
The next workshop is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 9, following commissioners court, which starts at 1:30 p.m. in the Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace courtroom at the Cass County Law Enforcement and Justice Center building.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 August 2010 16:34 )
July indictments announced Thursday, 12 August 2010 16:15 |
DA reports 60 new indictments for July During a one-day grand jury session on July 23, Cass County Criminal District Attorney Clint Allen announces 60 new indictments were handed down. Listed below are the names and offenses of those individuals who were indicted and have been arrested. – Jeremy Wayne Holcomb, 29, of Atlanta, burglary of a habitation and burglary of a building. – Jimmy Ray Nix Jr., 35, of Daingerfield, burglary of a building. – Rose Ann Nottingham, 21, of Atlanta, failure to stop and render aid. – Tina Markos, 48, of Atlanta, aggravated assault by use of or exhibiting a deadly weapon. – Thomas Chad Hammond, 29, of McLeod, assault/family violence (enhanced). – Donnie Ozell Mills, 21, of Atlanta, burglary of a building. – Blocker Thomas Neal, 58, of Texarkana, criminal mischief. – Jimmy Chase Wakefield, 21, of Hughes Springs, criminal mischief. – Joshua Bailey Wilson, 26, of Douglassville, criminal mischief. – Henry Thomas Royal, 73, of Naples, theft greater than $1,500 but less than $20,000. – Tracy Monra Royal, 38, of Hughes Springs, stalking. – Jeannie Marie Reaves, 52, of Atlanta, aggravated assault by use of or exhibiting a deadly weapon. – Jason Floyd Smith, 31, of Linden, endangering a child. – Bernice Andrew Richardson, 46, of Texarkana, burglary of a building. – Brandon Earl Martin, 18, of Texarkana, burglary of a building. – Buster White, 46, of Maud, theft greater than $1,500 but less than $20,000. – Eric Lee Smith, 32, of Atlanta, injury to a child. – Johnny Paul McKinney, 35, of Fouke, Ark., unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. – Stephen Craig Vandevender, 25, of Daingerfield, criminal mischief. – Terrence Cornelius Owens, 33, of Douglassville, evading arrest by use of a motor vehicle. – Martel Dejuan Turner, 20, of Linden, sexual assault of a child. – Don Parr Basworth, 53, of Spring, indecency with a child by exposure. – Cadarian Gerra Smith, 21, of Dallas, injury to the disabled. – George Alexander Williams, 27, of Linden, two counts of aggravated assault by use of or exhibiting a deadly weapon. – Brandon Rex Liles, 20, of Hughes Springs, aggravated assault by threatening with a deadly weapon. – Ricky Pleasant, 52, of Hughes Springs, assault/family violence. – Tracy Harold Beaver, 51, of Euless, assault/family violence. – Forrest Clay Kennedy, 59, of Dayton, theft greater than $20,000 but less than $100,000. – David Lynn Gregson, 55, of Hughes Springs, theft greater than $1,500 but less than $20,000. – Robert Randolph Reel, 21, of Daingerfield, retaliation. – Tonya Marie Alexander, 21, of Atlanta, criminal mischief. – Carroll Eugene Jacobs, 48, of Queen City, possession of a controlled substance. – Donald Justin Naron, 28, of Hughes Springs, driving while intoxicated-subsequent. – Dennis Heard, 56, Atlanta, driving while intoxicated-subsequent. – Logan Ryan Madewell, 18, of Atlanta, tampering with/fabricating physical evidence. – Jesse Alton Lansdale, 27, of Linden, aggravated assault on a public servant. – Jack Daniel Davis, 51, of Bloomburg, possession of a controlled substance. – Quincy Bill Jacobs, 68, of Atlanta, possession of a controlled substance. – Charleston Bernard Henderson, 31, of Atlanta, delivery of a controlled substance (two counts), possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. – Patrick Jerome Rocks, 42, of Lone Star, driving while intoxicated-subsequent. – Gwendolyn C. Warlick, 34, of Queen City, driving while intoxicated-subsequent. Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 August 2010 16:23 ) Heldt homecoming celebration Thursday, 12 August 2010 15:45 |
Welcome home event is Aug. 14 in Atlanta Emily Heldt will be welcomed home by family, friends and community on Saturday, after being hospitalized for more than three months from a horse injury. Heldt was injured in May and underwent treatment at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock until she was released nearly two weeks ago. From 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 14 in the family life center of Westside Baptist Church in Atlanta, Emily and her family will meet with everyone who has prayed for her and been there during her recovery. Ice cream and cake will be served and everyone is invited to share in her miracle. Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 August 2010 16:05 ) |
HOME grant replaces substandard dwellings Thursday, 12 August 2010 16:05 |
Queen City to receive $416K from grant The City of Queen City has received a $416,000 HOME Investment Partnerships Program grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to build five new houses for low-income homeowners. The purpose of the HOME Program is to expand the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing for low-income households. The program provides funds to demolish substandard housing and build a new home on the same site. Participants in the program must live in a substandard home, reside within the city limits of Queen City, own their own home, be current on their property taxes and have an income at or below 60 percent of the area median income. The homes are constructed at no cost to participants. Participants are able to select the floor plan for their home and the colors and finishes. The homes are handicapped accessible depending on the needs of the homeowner. Assistance is in the form of a five-, 15- or 20-year, deferred forgivable loan, depending on the income of the homeowner. If the participant sells their home within that time period, they must repay a portion of the cost of the home back to TDHCA. After that time period, the loan is forgiven. Applications for the program are available at Queen City City Hall, 601 Loop 236. Applications will be accepted until September 17, 2010. Eligible applicants will be contacted for an interview and verification of information. For more information about the HOME Program, contact the City of Queen City at 903-796-7986 or Kathy Boyles at 903-276-4995. Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 August 2010 16:15 ) Cowboy Gathering Sept. 11 Thursday, 12 August 2010 15:38 |
Cowboy Gathering seeks vendors for event The Cass County Cowboy Gathering is just around the corner and event coordinators are looking for vendors to help make this year’s event a success. This year’s gathering is set for Saturday, Sept. 11, with team roping starting at 10 a.m. at the Cass County Championship Rodeo Grounds in Linden. Many activities are planned throughout the day with a kids’ stick-horse rodeo, mutton bustin’, critter scramble, and working ranch rodeo topping off the evenings event. Vendor applications are available at the Linden Economic Development office. Booth fees are $25 per 10x10 foot space. Set-up begins at 8 a.m. Gates open at 9 a.m. Vendors are requested to keep booths open all day and may stay open through the evening during the event. The Cowboy Gathering takes place rain or shine. Vendors must provide own security, tables, tent, etc. For more information contact Kayla at 903-756-3106 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 August 2010 15:45 ) |
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