Several weeks of workshops and pencil-sharpening came to an end Monday for the Navarro County Commissioners Court as it adopted the county’s budget and tax rate for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

The county’s spending plan, coming in at just under $23 million for the year, includes a $2,000 across the board salary increase for every county employee. The plan leaves the county with a projected general fund balance of just over $1 million, about $500,000 below the level the county had hoped to end the year with.

“That is a very low ending fund balance,” cautioned former county auditor Paula Welch, who presented the document to the commissioners court Monday. “You need to be very frugal the first three or four months until tax dollars start coming in.”

The pay raise issue was an important one for the court, after having not given raises in the just completed 2007-2008 budget. All four commissioners and County Judge H.M. Davenport Jr. supported the raise given to employees. Commissioners studied several pay raise scenarios at the last budget workshop before deciding on the $2,000 figure. A group of county office holders represented by Tax Assessor/Collector Russell P. Hudson had originally requested a $2,400 across the board pay raise when budget talks began earlier this year.

Included in the budget are several capital expenditures for the Navarro County Jail — repairs mandated by the state to keep the facility in compliance — totaling $482,000. The Sheriff’s department will also be replacing five patrol vehicles and two vehicles for the jail, and spend about $106,000 on equipment for the new vehicles and departmental use.

All together, the budget includes $761,000 in capital equipment expenditures, and $137,000 in operating equipment expenses.

After renewed discussion by James Olsen, Precinct 4 commissioner, on the possibility of not increasing the county tax rate by about three-quarters of a cent, commissioners adopted the property tax rate of 58.28 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The rate is expected to bring the county $13,008,295 in revenue for the coming year.

“I have a fundamental problem in raising the tax rate without increasing services,” Olsen said Monday.

Welch explained without the increase, there would be no money for raises for county employees.

“If you left the tax rate where it is now, you’d have to come with $200,000,” Welch said. “If you don’t adopt that tax rate, you’ll have to take the raises out.”

The votes for both the budget and tax rate were unanimous.



County to rebid road materials

The Navarro County Commissioners Court voted to reject all annual bids submitted for road materials when it was discovered the only local company the county purchased materials from previously had failed to meet the bid deadline. Commissioners wanted to be able to purchase materials from the company, but couldn’t do so without a written bid. All other companies that did submit bids were out of town vendors, whose costs are higher due to transportation and delivery charges. Those companies will be eligible to resubmit bids. A special meeting of the commissioners court has been called for 3 p.m.Thursday to authorize the rebidding process.



Temporary road closure approved

Commissioners approved the temporary closing of NECR 0070 until a bridge is replaced. The court gave permission to property owners on the road to put up a gate restricting public access during the closure.



Property struck for flood project

The county relinquished its interest in five parcels of property for a flood control project. The lots are located on 15th Avenue between Main and Beaton Streets. The city is working with TxDOT on the project that will help ease storm flooding.



Soil conservation report accepted

Commissioners accepted the annual report of the Navarro Soil and Water Conservation District as presented by Bobby Wilson. Wilson reported dams in the county are being inspected regularly and are in generally good condition. Wilson said they are working with a property owner on one dam that was altered without approval of the district.



Pipeline crossing approved

The court approved a pipeline agreement with Trend Gathering and Treating, L.P. for a natural gas pipeline adjacent to SECR 1230 and SWCR 2360 at the request of Precinct 3 Commissioner William Baldwin.



Procedural changes approved

Commissioners approved eight agenda items relating to the retirement of Paula Welch as county auditor. Replacements on bank accounts, insurance, investments, retirement plan and health benefits positions were approved by commissioners.



Consent agenda, reports OK’d

Commissioners approved the tax report from Russell Hudson and the treasurer’s report presented by Ruby Coker. The consent agenda of previous meeting minutes and the payment of bills was approved.



October meeting rescheduled

Because of the Columbus Day holiday on Oct. 13, 2008, commissioners approved rescheduling the court’s meeting on that day to Friday, Oct. 10, 2008.



Burn ban discussed

Commissioners took no action on reinstating a burn ban in the county. A check of the drought index with the county’s emergency management coordinator indicated conditions did not necessitate a burn ban at this time.



Pct. 1 budget change approved

Commissioner Kit Herrington requested moving unspent funds from two unfilled positions in his precinct to the road and bridge materials fund. The court approved the request unanimously.



Annual bids opened

Bids for auto parts, culverts and hauling of aggregate were all accepted by the commissioners court. The gasoline and diesel fuel bid was awarded to Winters Oil Company when it was discovered the bid from Johnson Oil failed to meet bid specifications for the octane grade of gasoline to be supplied. County bid specifications called for an 89 octane fuel; Johnson submitted a bid using 87 octane fuel.



No action from executive session

Commissioners met in executive session to discuss pending or anticipated litigation. The closed-door session lasted nearly an hour. The meeting included attorney Terry Jacobson and Lee McCleary, city/county economic development director. No action was taken following the executive session.



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Bob Belcher may be reached via e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com