In a rare split session, the Navarro County Commissioners met Monday morning, conducted regular business, and then recessed until seven o’clock that evening to do the final work on the budget.  The evening meeting was necessary to allow former County Auditor Paula Welch to attend.  She began her new job on Monday in Dallas, but returned to do the final work on the 2008 – 2009 fiscal year budget.  The commissioners voted Monday to continue her salary until September 30, 2008.

The morning meeting began with the usual housekeeping items, but went quickly into an executive session to discuss “pending/anticipated litigation,” consulting with Lee McCleary and Terry Jacobson. 

When the regular meeting resumed, Ruby Coker, the Navarro County Treasurer gave the financial report for September.  The county has $1.245 million cash on hand, with another $7.191 million in assets held by the Treasurer’s office.  Total disbursements for August totaled $2.396 million. 

Eight of the agenda items were necessary due to Ms. Welch’s retirement, replacing her name on various funds and as a signatory on county accounts.  Tim Easley, the First Assistant Auditor was appointed in her place in most cases. 

In other business, various annual bids were reviewed and accepted. 

When the meeting resumed that evening, the commissioner’s voted to adopt the budget and tax rate.  The beginning balance for the General Fund is $3.153 million.  Total revenue is expected to total $15.84 million, with expenses budgeted at $17, 934 million, leaving only $1.059 million as an ending fund balance. These figures include a $2,000 raise for every officer and county employee.

“That’s a very low ending balance,” Welch warned, and advised that all large capital expenses be pushed until after the beginning of the calendar year, when property taxes will begin to be paid.  “Every dollar that you can save, by not hiring or by putting off a project, will help,” she added.  “Be frugal in the first three to four months.” 

Commisisoner James Olsen once again asked about the proposed higher tax rate.  “I have a fundamental problem with raising the rate,” he said.  Welch gave final numbers on why the increase was necessary.  If the tax rate is left at the current rate of $.5754 per $100 valuation, the ending fund balance would be below one million.  “I would never recommend to this court that (ending balance) would be acceptable,” Welch said. 

The commissioners court approved the increase in the tax rate.  For 2008-2009, the tax rate will be $.5828 per $100 of taxable value and will bring in $13,035,270 in property tax revenue.  Total tax rate is broken down into the following rates:  $.4583 for General Fund, $.0955 for Road and Bridge, $.009 for Flood Control, and $.02 for Debt Service.  The county continues to offer a $15,000 homestead exemption for taxpayers over 65 years of age, as well as a tax freeze for disabled and 65 and over homeowners. 

In other business, the court approved:

-a renewal of the interlocal agreement between the county and the city of Kerens

-a license agreement with Trend Gathering and Treating LP for a natural gas pipeline to cross SW 2360 and  SE 1230. 

- annual bids for: 

Miscellaneous Auto Parts to Corsicana Auto, B&G Auto and O’Reilly Automotive

            Culverts to Wilson Culverts and ConTech

            Fuel to Winters Oil

            Hauling of Aggregate to CTBX Inc, Wallis Trucking, Billy Jock and Coker & Son Trucking

-the annual report on dams from the Navarro Soil and Water Conservation District given by Bobby Wilson.

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