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August 14, 2012

Commissioners OK burn ban

By MARY RAINWATER Palestine Herald-Press

PALESTINE — Due to increasingly dry conditions in the county, the Anderson County Commissioners Court approved an order calling a 90-day burn ban during its regular meeting Monday.

The ban, effective from 3 p.m. Monday until 3 p.m. Nov. 12, prohibits outdoor burning in the unincorporated areas of the county. If conditions improve, the order can be lifted at any point.

County Judge Robert Johnston mentioned that there has been an increase in fires in the county, specifically citing a fire in the Tennessee Colony area that was put out “just in time.”

“I am OK with it (a burn ban),” Precinct 1 Commissioner Joe Chaffin said. “We do have a slight chance of rain, but it might not be enough, so we will just see.”

Those violating the burn ban order will be cited by law enforcement. According to City of Palestine Fire Chief Alan Wilcher, outdoor burning is never permitted within the city limits.

Also during the meeting, commissioners heard a presentation from County Tax Assessor Teri Garvey on the 2012 effective and rollback tax rates and property values.

“The effective rate is .51280 and the rollback tax rate is .55017,” Garvey said. “Sales tax is .10138 and the debt rate is .03241.”

Commissioners later approved a proposed tax rate of .521 per $100 of property valuation — the same as last year’s tax rate — to support the 2013 Fiscal Year budget.

Two public hearings regarding the tax rate have been scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21 and at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24. Hearings on the 2013 budget are scheduled for 2 p.m. Aug. 24 and at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4.

The final budget is expected to be approved during the Sept. 4 meeting. All hearings will take place in the county courtroom at the Anderson County Courthouse Annex, located at 703 N. Mallard St. in Palestine.

Also on Monday, the court:

• APPROVED budget amendments, bills and minutes from the July 23 meeting.

• APPROVED contracts and agreements for the Anderson County Juvenile Detention Center for secure short-term and long-term detention of juvenile defendants, long term residential for mental health and substance abuse.

• APPROVED the sheriff’s and constables 2013 fee schedule.

• APPROVED a correction to page 46 of the 2011 Annual Audit.

• APPROVED a Discretionary Service Agreement with Precinct 4 and Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC. in order to move a utility pole.

• APPROVED commissioner per diem allowance.

• APPROVED Anderson County/City of Palestine Texas Tax Abatement Guidelines and Criteria as presented by Wendy Ellis, director of the Palestine Economic Development Corp.

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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com



 

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