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During Monday’s special meeting, the Navarro County Commissioners voted to postpone public hearings on two “Texas Reinvestment Zones.” In order to grant tax abatements, the county must create a “reinvestment zone” covering the property to receive the abatement, in this case, one for each of the proposed natural gas-fired power plants. A public hearing is the last step the commissioners must take before they can vote to grant tax relief to these plants. According to Judge H. M. Davenport, the public hearings needed to be postponed because the county’s attorney had not had an opportunity to review the paperwork. During the public comment period, Vicky Prater addressed the court on the formation of these zones. Her comments centered on the way in which the Commissioners Court had failed to indicate that these reinvestment zones were intended for the power plants. She believes that notices of the hearings should explain the reasons for adopting the zone. To do otherwise is “underhanded,” Prater said. “We are not your enemies. Be honest with the people and don’t do things that make us not trust you.” She also requested that the county not rush to take action, but instead to let the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality complete its review of the air applications that have been made for the power plants. “You have no reason to move until they pass the smell test in Austin,” Prater added.
In other business, the commissioners approved a request from the District Attorney’s office to use approximately $2700 from the Drug Seizure Fund for supplies for the community service garden. Hours spent working in the garden will be applied to community service hours owed by youths and adults. Besides developing a sense of accomplishment for the individuals, the produce grown can be sold at the farmer’s market and reinvested into the schools. Kit Herrington made the motion to approve taking the money from the drug fund. William Baldwin seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The Commissioners opted to extend the burn ban another month on the recommendation of the Office of Emergency Management. Chief Michael Cox presented the recommendation to the Commissioners from the OEM office on behalf of Co-ordinator Eric Myers. According to Myer’s report, burn bans are typically issued when conditions warrant and the KBDI exceeds 575. The mean Keetch-Byrum Drought Index for Navarro County on July 28, 2008 came in at 598, triggering his recommendation that the burn ban continue. “It is important to remember that no matter how a fire is started, if you start it you are responsible,” Myers wrote. Other action by the County Commissioners: -Items to be listed on an online auction were declared as “salvage.” The salvage items will be offered for sale on www.govdeals.com, as a cost-saving alternative to the traditional on-site auction in the county. Approved a price increase from Armor Materials. Approved the renewal of non-financial contract with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Approved the Health Insurance Renewal for 2009 plan. The plan included a seven percent increase in premium costs, with no change in benefits to the employee. Approved the Retirement Contribution Rate for 2009 plan, which included the same cost of living adjustment as the commissioner’s court had approved last year. Approved the Investment Report for the quarter ending on June 30, 2008. |
