Live Oak County adopts 2010 budget and lowers tax rate
5 months ago | 431 views | 0 
| 3 
| 
| 
| 3 | |
Live Oak County officials adopted their 2010 budget during the Monday morning (Sept. 28) meeting and set a lower tax rate.
For Maintenance & Operations (General Fund: .30402; Special Road & Bridge: .07836; Dept. Fund: .05224) the tax rate will be $.43462. Sales tax adjustment rate - .06227; Live Oak County Rate of .37235; Farm to Market Road Fund of +.10794 for a total tax rate of $.48029.
This year’s tax levy to fund maintenance and operations expenditures does not exceed last year’s maintenance and operations tax levy. “We did not need a public hearing as the rate is now lower,” said Live Oak County Judge Jim Huff.
During the Friday (Sept. 25) Commissioners Court meeting, Huff deviated from the agenda and went straight to item 3, which read, “Receive persons wishing to communicate with the court.” There were 14 extra people in the audience, three of whom addressed the court concerning item 14 of the Sept. 14 meeting, which read, “Discussion concerning Lake Meadows Subdivision. During that meeting, county officials discussed a complaint made by a resident of the subdivision on competitive shooting in a platted subdivision.
The Lake Meadows subdivision is comprised of lots that are roughly one or more acres but less than 10 acres. Live Oak County Commissioner Jim Bassett explained Section 235 in local government code (part of the health and safety code) says, County Commissioners Court has the authority, if they so desire, to pass a resolution limiting the discharge of firearms in platted subdivisions of lots of 10 acres or less, like Lake Meadows. A group came to court on Sept. 14 petitioning the commissioners to enact this resolution. However, the commissioners only listened to petitioners and did not take any action after the discussion.
The first to address the court was Steve Waterman. He said he lives on Lake Meadows Drive closest to the competitive shooting. “It is my understanding that one or more members expressed concern with competitive shooting at Lake Meadows subdivision. District Judge Welborn has already looked at this as well as our sheriff and they agree that everything the firearms instructor is doing is being done in a safe manner. I live closest to the berm and I feel quite safe. If you are doing this for safety reason, then we should be looking at safety of all the people in all these types of subdivisions. Please do not impose the will of a couple people on the majority.”
The second to address the group was John “Rusty” Valentine. He smiled as he addressed the court and said, “I am the one most talked about because I’m the one doing the shooting sports. The sheriff and his chief (deputy) came out and looked at the location. I have taught firearms safety to policemen, the Navy, and I’m an instructor at Del Mar College. I have been a competitive shooter for 17 years. Other than one or two people, the other area residents have turned in letters requesting there be no restrictions on shooting sports. Several of those people are here today and 24 have signed an affidavit.”
The last to address the group was Herman Harada. He began by saying, “I have lived on Lake Meadows Drive for 20 years. I also shoot; no one has been injured, no property has been damaged and no one has ever complained in the past.” According to district clerk records, the suit against Valentine and Harada was a summary judgment not a jury trial, where both sides had a chance to present their cases to the judge. However, Welborn ruled that the statute of limitations had run out as the complaint originated two years prior to the suit.
The county commissioners listened but did not comment. Judge Huff said to the audience, “This is a one-sided conversation to conform to statutes of public meetings. However, we will communicate as to what the court will do next.”
Commissioners went on to the agenda item of a proposal by Camacho Recycling on containers service. Pct. 4 Commissioner Emilio Garza said, “We need to be there (recycling center) to make sure the recycling isn’t mixed.” Pct. 1 Commissioner Richard Lee said in his precinct they direct people as to where to put their recycling. Camacho said, “Just remember we don’t take fencing material like hurricane fences and barbed wire. But, Mr. Tullis is there and he can advise people as to what they can put in initially when they bring a container of material.” A motion was made to accept Camacho’s proposal for container service; the motion passed.
Commissioners went on to other agenda items including taking action on employment status of a transfer station employee and jailers and approval of a bond renewal for Pct. 2 Constable Mari Gonzales. They also adopted a new district court records archive fee of $5 as authorized by S.B. 1685, pursuant to Section 51.305, Government Code.
For Maintenance & Operations (General Fund: .30402; Special Road & Bridge: .07836; Dept. Fund: .05224) the tax rate will be $.43462. Sales tax adjustment rate - .06227; Live Oak County Rate of .37235; Farm to Market Road Fund of +.10794 for a total tax rate of $.48029.
This year’s tax levy to fund maintenance and operations expenditures does not exceed last year’s maintenance and operations tax levy. “We did not need a public hearing as the rate is now lower,” said Live Oak County Judge Jim Huff.
During the Friday (Sept. 25) Commissioners Court meeting, Huff deviated from the agenda and went straight to item 3, which read, “Receive persons wishing to communicate with the court.” There were 14 extra people in the audience, three of whom addressed the court concerning item 14 of the Sept. 14 meeting, which read, “Discussion concerning Lake Meadows Subdivision. During that meeting, county officials discussed a complaint made by a resident of the subdivision on competitive shooting in a platted subdivision.
The Lake Meadows subdivision is comprised of lots that are roughly one or more acres but less than 10 acres. Live Oak County Commissioner Jim Bassett explained Section 235 in local government code (part of the health and safety code) says, County Commissioners Court has the authority, if they so desire, to pass a resolution limiting the discharge of firearms in platted subdivisions of lots of 10 acres or less, like Lake Meadows. A group came to court on Sept. 14 petitioning the commissioners to enact this resolution. However, the commissioners only listened to petitioners and did not take any action after the discussion.
The first to address the court was Steve Waterman. He said he lives on Lake Meadows Drive closest to the competitive shooting. “It is my understanding that one or more members expressed concern with competitive shooting at Lake Meadows subdivision. District Judge Welborn has already looked at this as well as our sheriff and they agree that everything the firearms instructor is doing is being done in a safe manner. I live closest to the berm and I feel quite safe. If you are doing this for safety reason, then we should be looking at safety of all the people in all these types of subdivisions. Please do not impose the will of a couple people on the majority.”
The second to address the group was John “Rusty” Valentine. He smiled as he addressed the court and said, “I am the one most talked about because I’m the one doing the shooting sports. The sheriff and his chief (deputy) came out and looked at the location. I have taught firearms safety to policemen, the Navy, and I’m an instructor at Del Mar College. I have been a competitive shooter for 17 years. Other than one or two people, the other area residents have turned in letters requesting there be no restrictions on shooting sports. Several of those people are here today and 24 have signed an affidavit.”
The last to address the group was Herman Harada. He began by saying, “I have lived on Lake Meadows Drive for 20 years. I also shoot; no one has been injured, no property has been damaged and no one has ever complained in the past.” According to district clerk records, the suit against Valentine and Harada was a summary judgment not a jury trial, where both sides had a chance to present their cases to the judge. However, Welborn ruled that the statute of limitations had run out as the complaint originated two years prior to the suit.
The county commissioners listened but did not comment. Judge Huff said to the audience, “This is a one-sided conversation to conform to statutes of public meetings. However, we will communicate as to what the court will do next.”
Commissioners went on to the agenda item of a proposal by Camacho Recycling on containers service. Pct. 4 Commissioner Emilio Garza said, “We need to be there (recycling center) to make sure the recycling isn’t mixed.” Pct. 1 Commissioner Richard Lee said in his precinct they direct people as to where to put their recycling. Camacho said, “Just remember we don’t take fencing material like hurricane fences and barbed wire. But, Mr. Tullis is there and he can advise people as to what they can put in initially when they bring a container of material.” A motion was made to accept Camacho’s proposal for container service; the motion passed.
Commissioners went on to other agenda items including taking action on employment status of a transfer station employee and jailers and approval of a bond renewal for Pct. 2 Constable Mari Gonzales. They also adopted a new district court records archive fee of $5 as authorized by S.B. 1685, pursuant to Section 51.305, Government Code.
post a comment
comments (0)
no comments yet