Commissioners’ discuss budget, tax rate

Commissioners’ discuss budget, tax rate

  • On Tuesday, Alejandro Ojeda joined our club to talk about his latest venture, the truck driving school located in downtown Littlefield. He works with a variety of industries and schools to provide instruction, training, and facilitate the exam required by the State of Texas to obtain a CDL. (Submitted Photo)
    On Tuesday, Alejandro Ojeda joined our club to talk about his latest venture, the truck driving school located in downtown Littlefield. He works with a variety of industries and schools to provide instruction, training, and facilitate the exam required by the State of Texas to obtain a CDL. (Submitted Photo)
  • On Tuesday, The Early Risers Lions Club welcomed new member Dillion Spradley. (Submitted Photo)
    On Tuesday, The Early Risers Lions Club welcomed new member Dillion Spradley. (Submitted Photo)

    The County Commissioners’ Court met in regular session on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Lamb County Courthouse.

    Judge James DeLoach gave the invocation, led the United States and Texas pledges and called the meeting to order at 10 a.m.

    No one spoke for public comment.

    The Consent Agenda Items are as follows: Consider and take appropriate action on minutes from the previous meeting, which took place on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022; Consider and take appropriate action on budget and salary amendments and/or line item transfers, which there were none; Consider and take appropriate action on bills presented by the County Auditor, Gina Jones, requested that the Court accept bills totaling $342,459.36; Consider and take appropriate action on payroll, which there were none; Consider and take appropriate action on departmental reports, which there were none; Consider and take appropriate action on Tax Deed R20565.

    A motion was made by Commissioner Danny Short and seconded by Commissioner Kent Lewis to approve the consent agenda items. The motion carried.

    Item number four on the agenda was to consider and take appropriate action on Appointment/Reappointment of Lamb County Library Board Members. A motion was made by Commissioner Lee Logan to approve the Appointment/ Reappointment of Lamb County Library Board Members. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Danny Short. The motion carried.

    The next item on the agenda was to consider and take appropriate action on soil conservation work in Precinct 4. A motion was made by Commissioner Lee Logan to approve the soil conservation work. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Danny Short. The motion carried.

    Item number six on the agenda was to consider and take appropriate action on sealed bids for renovations to the Ag Barn, located at 1095 E. 17th Street. No action was taken on bids for renovations to the Ag Barn.

    The next item on the agenda was to consider and take appropriate action on Lease Agreement for Precinct 4 JP Office. A motion was made by Commissioner Cory DeBerry and seconded by Commissioner Lee Logan to approve the Lease Agreement. The Court also approved Matt Hanna, JP for Precinct 4, is allowed to sign the leasing contract. The motion carried unanimously.

    Item number eight on the agenda was to consider and take appropriate action on Public Hearing for 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Budget. Judge DeLoach opened the Public Hearing at 10:15 a.m. Gina Jones gave a final report. There were no comments. Judge DeLoach closed the Public Hearing at 10:17 a.m.

    The next item on the agenda was to consider and take appropriate action on the Adoption of the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Budget. A motion was made by Commissioner Lee Logan to adopt the 2022-2023 budget. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Danny Short. The motion carried.

    Item number 10 on the agenda was to consider and take appropriate action on Public Meeting for 2022-2023 Tax Rate. Judge DeLoach opened the Public Meeting at 10:20 a.m. Gina Jones told the Court the Tax Rate will stay the same at 0.7943 percent. There were no comments. Judge DeLoach closed the Public Meeting at 10:22 a.m.

    Item number 11 on the agenda was to consider and take appropriate action on the Adoption of the 2022-2023 Tax Rate. A motion was made by Commissioner Danny Short and he read, “this tax rate will raise more taxes for maintenance and operations than last year’s tax rate”; “The tax rate will effectively be raised by 5.92 percent and will raise taxes for maintenance and operations on a $100,000 home by approximately $59.20.” Then the motion was seconded by Commissioner Lee Logan to adopt the 2022-2023 tax rate as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

    Item number 12 on the agenda was to consider and take appropriate action on Ratify Property Tax Increase Reflected in the FY 2022-2023 Budget. County Auditor, Gina Jones, told the Court that the tax increase amount is $624,504.11. A motion was made by Commissioner Lee Logan to Ratify Property Tax Increase Reflected in the budget. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Danny Short. The motion carried.

    Item number 13 on the agenda was to discuss Lamb Healthcare Center operations. Rickie Redman, Lamb County Assistant District Attorney, reported on findings between Lamb Healthcare Center and the Texas Civil Commitment Center.

    Item number 14 on the agenda was to discuss future agenda items, which included to further discuss Ag Barn renovations and bids.

    At 10:25 a.m. Judge DeLoach called an Executive Session with all the Commissioner’s, the District Attorney and Assistant Attorney. The Executive Session concluded at 11:07 a.m.

    With there being no further business to discuss before this Commissioners Court, a motion was made by Commissioner Lee Logan and seconded by Commissioner Danny Short to adjourn.