By Tony Farkas
news@sanjacnews.com
COLDSPRING — The San Jacinto County Commissioners Court will seek a slightly lower tax rate for it upcoming fiscal year, but not without some concern about funding Road and Bridge Department needs.
At the Wednesday meeting, County Judge Fritz Faulkner said he submitted a proposed budget to the state with a proposed tax rate of 0.4821, down from the current rate of 0.5077.
However, Commissioner Mark Nettuno said that the current portion of the tax, 0.14, that is set aside for Road and Bridge needs to be raised .01 of a percent, which would put the tax rate at the state-mandated cap of .15.
Faulkner said that some of the changes in the budget include an extra person for the tax office, and moving several employees from part-time to full-time; and two employees for the Animal Control Center, one for field work and one for office work. It also includes extra funds for Senior Citizens centers.
Nettuno said he wants to propose approval but include taking 1 percent extra from the General Fund to give to the Road and Bridge departments.
“I know you're looking for a motion, but I would like to talk about it right now at that rate and I know it's going to upset you cause you work very hard on the General Fund budget,” Nettuno said. “That's only $127,000 divided by 4 (precincts).”
Nettuno said that that with a $40,000 increase, it means no additional road work will be done because proposed raises will take up any increases.
Faulkner said that the precincts should look into taking money out of their fund balance for their projects.
“Three of you (except Commissioner Donnie Marrs) have got healthy fund balances right now,” Faulkner said. “I don't think we should just keep piling the seed. We need spend some of it.
“I’m not completely against raising your rate 1 percent to .15, which is your cap,” he said. “Then I wouldn’t have to endure this. I would never have to hear this again unless you get the Legislature to raise your cap.”
After more discussion, the commissioners set a public hearing on the tax rate for Aug. 27, and a hearing to adopt the budget and tax rate will be held Sept. 2. The new budget year starts Oct. 1.
In a separate matter, proposed county park generated a lot of comment from county residents.
People came and spoke both for and against naming the proposed county park after Neil Adams, an officer who was slain in the line of duty. Those against the name felt that one person should not be singled out as there were many people who died in service to the county and the country, and it would be fair to have every one of those souls acknowledged.
After some discussion and passionate appeals, the court approved naming the proposed area San Jacinto County Memorial Park.
In other business, commissioners:
