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Navarro County Commissioners on Monday approved action of the Navarro County Lake Planning and Zoning Commission, granting a special use permit for a used manufactured home in the Mattie Caston Phase II development.

The request by Ronald and Thelma Cooper was met with opposition by several Mattie Caston residents, who claim that deed restrictions on the parcels in the development prohibit a used mobile home from being placed.

However, Terry Jacobson, chairman of the Navarro County Lake Planning and Zoning Commission, told commissioners the county could not deny the permit if they met the county’s requirements for installation.

“Deed restrictions are a private contract between land owners,” Jacobson said. “We really don’t have the authority to get into a private dispute.”

Karen Nix, a resident of the area, said that property owners had to get the approval of the home owners association or architectural committee prior to going to the Planning and Zoning Commission, but Jacobson told commissioners there was no such requirement.

Pct. 2 Commissioner Dick Martin said while he understood the concerns of the home owners, it was not an issue the county would be able to enforce.

A representative of the developer of the property — Jerry Bauer — said Bauer want the matter delayed until he could appear before commissioners, but commissioners took action, voting unanimously to approve the permit for the used manufactured home.

Commissioners also voted Monday to accept the resignation of Precinct 3 Constable Brad Butler. Butler submitted an email resignation to County Judge. H.M. Davenport Jr. on Aug. 9, stating his resignation was effective at 5 p.m. that day. Butler also said he was pulling his name from the November 6 General Election ballot. Davenport said he expected to receive a signed, hard-copy of the resignation this week.

Davenport said the county could pick someone to fill the unexpired term of Butler through Jan. 1, 2013, or leave the office vacant. It will be up to the local Democratic and Republican party chairs to name a candidate for the November ballot. Butler defeated Nicole McMahon in the May 29 GOP primary. There was no Democratic candidate.

Navarro County GOP Chairman Frank Steed said county Republicans would meet on Monday, Aug. 20 to pick a candidate. Navarro County Democratic Chairman Eddie Pevehouse said Monday she would be meeting with precinct chairs to discuss the ballot vacancy.

COMMISSIONERS MEETING BRIEFS

Consent agenda approved

  Minutes of previous meetings, payment of bills, and two replats were approved by commissioners as part of the Consent agenda.



Burn ban remains

  The present burn ban in place for Navarro County will remain in place. County Judge H.M. Davenport Jr. said the KBDI readings for the county remain in the 600 range with a continued dangerous risk of grass fires.



Appraisal roll accepted

  Commissioners accepted the 2012 appraisal roll from County Tax Assessor/Collector Russell Hudson, and the certification of the collection rate.



Election ordered

  Commissioners officially ordered the Nov. 6 general election, and set polling places and election judges for the vote.



Planning and Zoning items approved

  Actions of the Planning and Zoning Commission approving replats in Retreat Ranchettes and The Hideout Phase 1, a special use permit for a storage shed, and a special use permit for a used manufactured home were all approved.



Cash to replace bond

  Dallas Productions Inc. has told the county it will submit a cash bond instead of a road bond for a project on SECR 3150.



Grader purchase approved

  Commissioners gave Pct. 1 Commissioner Kit Herrington approval to purchase a used motor grader for use in the precinct. Herrington said it would be a good purchase for the county and for the person replacing him in office.



Auditor’s report accepted

  Commissioners approved the June 2012 report from County Auditor Kathy Hollomon, tabled from the July 23 meeting.



Tax rate intent approved

  On a unanimous vote, commissioners voted their intention to set the county tax rate at .6270 cents per $100 taxable valuation. The rate is the same as last year, but will generate more revenue due to new properties on the tax rolls.



Cell phone request approved

  Commissioners approved a monthly cell phone allowance for District Clerk Josh Tackett, effective with the new budget year.



Law library fee increased

  An increase from $25 to $35 per month for county court use of the law library, effective Jan. 1, 2013.



Salary grievance committee drawn

  Ten names from previous service on the Navarro County Grand Jury were selected to serve on a Salary Grievance Committee.



Executive session yields no action

  Commissioners met for about two hours in executive session to discuss personnel, but recessed their meeting until 9 a.m. Tuesday with no action taken on the closed session discussion.

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Bob Belcher may be reached by email at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? Email: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com.