August 26, 2015
County Budget Solidified
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Sheriff ’s Vehicles Approved by Commissioners The 2015-2016 County Budget of $8.6 million and a tax rate of $.285/$100 were approved, during the Freestone County Commissioners Court meeting on August 19, 2015, The vote followed a public hearing during the meeting. Before the votes were cast, several department heads made final attempts to get their requests in the budget. Vehicles Three Sheriff’s Department vehicles were approved for $127,000, the amount originally requested. The vote was not unanimous, 3 -1, with Commissioner Precinct 3 Bodie Emmons providing the “no.” Talks had stalled during the special meeting of August 12th, but Commissioners seemed ready to grant the request. However, they were concerned about the cost of the Dodge pickups that had been selected for purchase. Commissioner Clyde Ridge, Jr. indicated that he had found a Ford Explorer package that he said was less expensive. However, Officer Wade Harrison explained that these have all-wheel drive and V6 engines. He feared they would require costly repairs when they began to break down. Officer Harrison assured the Court that they would make do with whatever the Sheriff’s department was given and would be purchasing them through “buy board.” The Sheriff’s Administrative Assistant, Lisa Robertson, informed the Court that all of the vehicles would be placed on the street, but it was up to the Sheriff as to how these would be utilized. District Clerk Chief Deputy Pay Although the request to raise the Chief’s Deputy’s pay was not brought to a vote, Judge Linda Grant indicated that the pay scales of employees and the amount of County longevity brought to a new position would be on the next agenda. District Clerk Teresa Black was requesting that her Chief Deputy’s salary be increased to $2,800/month, which would be more in line with other Chief Deputies within the County, especially since she has 10 years of experience in the department.
Black said she would also like to see department heads have more authority over what their employees make. “I am not happy with how we have raises now,” said Commissioner Precinct 1, Luke Ward, Sr. Commissioners had previously agreed to included a 2% raise for every employee in the budget. Senior Services Meal Cost Senior Services Director, Stephanie Overall, said she had asked for $80,000 for raw food, but was only allocated $65,000 in the budget. Ms. Overall indicated that this amount equated to $1,250 per week, and that was not enough for the approximately 500 meals served weekly. Auditor Donna Lynn Williams said that, with every expense taken into consideration to run the center, the cost per aggregate meal (served on site) was $16/plate, with homebound meals costing $9/plate. No change was made to the budget. Judge Grant said they would be looking at revamping the organization to cut costs. During public comments early in the meeting, two individuals spoke up, saying they were at the meeting to support the Senior Services program, both lauding the program and confirming that it was a good experience for them and other seniors. Senior Services Part-time Pay Ms. Overall also requested an increase in pay for her part-time workers, who currently make 7.25/hour. She compared this to $10/hour made by McDonald’s employees. “They do a stand up job,” Overall said, referring to her workers. It was again reiterated that salary concerns will be on the next agenda. Fairfield EMS Budget The County had set aside $100,000 to go to EMS, and Director Billy Perez did not ask for more. He reported, however, that EMS is hoping to purchase a cardiac monitor. He said their call volumes are up by 50%, and expenses are going up. Mary McDonald reporting.
-Advocacy CenterContinued from 1-A
Mr. Kehm revealed that there equipment. were 171 4-Hers in Freestone Commissioner Ward’s County, with 55 volunteer education certificate workers to assist. for attending a Pipeline His report included, at Emergency Response seminar least, 18 different 4-H was accepted. accomplishments, one being Bill payments of $288,267.41, that of a 4-Her from Freestone which contained $38,749.77 County becoming a District in budget amendments, were Officer. approved. Mr. Kehm announced that Reports for Senior Services, this year’s Cow Country Justice of the Peace Precinct Congress will be held October 2, District Clerk, and Sheriff’s 23rd at the Maysel Ranch in Department were accepted, Freestone County under Erin’s as were the minutes of the direction. of August 5th and 12th Four volunteer fire meetings. departments: Butler, Fairfield, During visitor comments, Kirvin, and Southern Oaks, Jim Plant told the Court that submitted agreements he had a solution to a lack of between themselves and funds in the County budget. the County, which were He suggested that the Central approved. Appraisal District and the The lone bid from Knife River County Tax/Assessor Collector • of Way Maintenance (Reclaimed & New)be combined. forRight Grade 1 and 2 Flex Road departments • Right of Way Marking Material was accepted. According to Mr. Plant, the • Pipeline Mowing agreements and Planting same records are maintained The interlocal • forCanopy E9-1-1Cutting Automatic Location in both locations. • Mulching (NO BURNING) Information Maintenance He said the position of • Stump Grinding Services and E9-1-1 Public Tax/Assessor Collector is a • Pasture Shredding Safety Answering Point elected position, whereas, Services were entered into. the appraiser’s position is not, The services, which cost which he said was “taxation the County nothing, are without representation.” to maintain the 9-1-1 Mary McDonald reporting.
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Sign Up TODAY! Fairfield City-wide Garage Sale The Fairfield City-wide Garage Sale is coming up next month. Now is the time to register your sale! Hurry to the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and sign up to have your Garage Sale appear on a map to be published in the local newspapers following Labor Day weekend. Deadline is Friday, August 28th at 4:00 p.m. Cost is $10 The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce office is located at 900 W. Commerce. For more information, call 903-389-5792. Or, send an email to email to chamber@fairfieldtx.com The City-wide Garage Sale will be held Saturday, September 12th. See you there!
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August 15 & August 29 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Teague brookshire brothers, mexia mcdonalds, buffalo brookshires
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. The Donut Shop in Wortham GAMES WILL BE PLAYED IN TEAGUE AND MEXIA
READY FOR FHS HOMECOMING on September 18th is Creations Flowers & Gifts, who was visited by the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Surprise Patrol last week. Getting a first-hand glimpse of all things Maroon and Gold are (left-right): Chamber Ambassador Amy Freeman (Navarro SBDC), Chamber Chair Pam Chavers (Eagle Insurance Services), Chamber Ambassador Bettye Trask (Freestone Cancer Support Group), Owner Gail Farish and Chamber Ambassador Karen Leidy (Freestone County Times). Stop by 305 E. Commerce in Fairfield for flowers and gifts. Or, give them a call at 903-389-5990. (Photo by Chamber Director Brenda Shultz)
-FISD Accolades-
Continued from 1-A worked diligently, shampooing carpets. The cafeteria looks fantastic,” Mr. Cain stated. Mr. Cain also thanked Superintendent Rick Edwards and Assistant Superintendent Melissa Cox for their guidance through his first months as the new principal. The maintenance department was again thanked, by District Police Chief Billy Barlow, for getting the campus cameras installed. As of this meeting, only a few were left to be completed, which would be installed by the time this article is run. Chief Barlow informed trustees that Carroll Cain assisted in getting one of the older FISD vehicles repurposed for police use, with mechanic, Michael Mertz, installing the necessary equipment. Superintendent Edwards also passed out plenty of accolades. “I want to commend all the principals. I’ve asked a lot of them throughout the summer and have never gotten any hesitation. They are all on board,” he said about the principals. Mr. Edwards informed the trustees that 350 student and 70 teacher computers were replaced, with ones built by Arland and his team.
HEAD START
TAKING APPLICATIONS !!! (No Transportation Provided) Fairfield Head Start is now accepting applications for the 2015-2016 school year. Head Start is a pre-school offering excellent educational opportunities along with medical, dental, developmental, and nutritional benefits at no cost. The Head Start approach of individualized care and guidance is well-suited to helping children with disabilities. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 may be eligible. There is no charge for participation in Head Start. Pick up your application now at the Head Start Center at 920 S. Bateman Street. For more information, call your local center at 903/389-2022 or Hill Country Community Action Association at 325/372-5167
HEAD START
ESTA ACEPTANDO APLICACIONES !!! (Ningun Transporte Proporcionado) Fairfield Head Start esta aceptando aplicaciones para el año 2015-2016. Head Start es una escuelita para niños de edad 3-5 años que califican. Head Start ofrece oportunidades brushcontrol3t@aol.com excelentes para educacion y tambien beneficos de medico, dental, Shane Thornton desarrollo, y de alimento. Head Start ofrece mucha ayuda para niños y familias. No cuesta nada para que su niño atiende el progama Head Start. Puede usted recojer ahora una aplicacion (903)de390-0763 para solicitar un puesto en Head Start. Para mas informacion llame a la Head Start, 920 S. Bateman Street, #del telefono: 421 County Road 1090 903/389-2022 or Hill Country Community Action Association Streetman, TX at 75859 325/372-5167.
By building these, instead of purchasing them, they were able to put more computers into operation for the money allocated. Numerous other computers were revamped for use in the libraries and other areas. Additionally, the network was redone “across the board.” Mr. Edwards said he appreciated Arland’s commitment to getting the work done. Other items reported by the campus principals: --Daniel Phillips has taken over as the Vocational/Ag Director. --Band members number 170. --New playground equipment has been installed at the Intermediate campus, thanks to box tops saved by the students. --55 students participated in the elementary summer academy. --DAEP Principal Angie Ridge said that she will begin school with six students. --Chief Barlow and Officer Glenda Bass have completed the necessary Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) requirements. In other business, Mr. Edwards noted that enrollment appears to be about 1,780, up 20 from last year. Ms. Cox reported that Fairfield High School had received distinguished in all 7 academic categories. Only 153 campuses out of over 8,600 achieved that. The board entered into a public hearing, regarding the proposed 2015-2016 budget of $21.2 million and tax rate of $1.396042 per $100 evaluation. With no comments the hearing was adjourned. Trustees adopted the budget and tax rate in regular session. Freestone Central Appraisal District (FCAD) Chief Appraiser Bud Black spoke to the board, at the request of Superintendent Edwards, about recent developments regarding Luminant property values. Mr. Black said that FCAD appraised Luminant properties
at $245 million for 2015. This is the 2014 value they settled for, to avoid a lawsuit months earlier, Black reported. Luminant has now indicated that the properties are only valued at $100 million, and they have until September 26, 2015 to file a lawsuit. Mr. Black indicated that FISD represents 40% of his budget. However, should Luminant file a lawsuit, FCAD has $100,000 budgeted for litigation, so he may not require funds from FISD. FCAD returned unused monies of $182,000 to FISD from the previous anticipated lawsuit, when it was settled out of court, he reminded them. Luminant has not indicated if they will file suit yet, so Mr. Black has not yet hired an outside appraiser, which will cost $60,000. Since FCAD contracted an appraiser a couple of years ago, for $50,000, and he had completed some work before the lawsuit settled, Trustee John Fryer asked if any of that effort could be used. Mr. Black said he was not sure it would still be valid, but there may be some value in the information obtained then. Trustee Fryer asked if Luminant would pay taxes on only the $100 million, instead of the $245 million in January 2017. Mr. Black indicated that, if they file a lawsuit, that is the amount that they will use until it is settled, which could take 2 – 3 years. It was made known, late Monday, that Luminant will file suit. Stay tuned to The “Times” for more details next week. Minor revisions were made to FISD Policy FJ. One of these is to allow organizations within the school to have more than one fundraiser a year. WB Computers, owned by Wayne Bonner, was approved to assist with network service and administration. No action was taken after executive session and the meeting adjourned. Mary McDonald reporting.