Ladybirds Grab Home Win
Uncovering El Campo’s Past Page 3-B
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Bond savings, rail park plan goes before city council By SHANNON CRABTREE publisher@leader-news.com
A chance for the city to save money by refunding a previously issued bond and issuing a new tax note top city business when council meets Monday. Refunding the 2010 City of El Campo bonds is recommended, according to Interim Finance Director Brittni Nanson. Doing so, she said, “would produce total cash flow savings of $110,144 or average annual savings of $10,013.” The notes, she said, are callable in February. The $565,000 debt to be issued in upcoming months will be used to purchase the new asphalt zipper as well as water and sewer line extension on Hwy. 71 south of U.S. 59. Payments for the notes have al-
Copyright ® 2019
Page 1-B
Volume 135 Number 49 • Saturday, August 24, 2019
75¢
14 Pages, 1 Insert
ECISD trustees talk tax rate By MELONY OVERTON reporter@leader-news.com
The El Campo ISD board of trustees will hold a public hearing on the 2019-2020 general operating budget and total tax rate followed by a regular meeting to approve both on Tuesday. The district is proposing to decrease the total tax rate by 8 cents (the state average) to a total of $1.12 per $100,000 valuation. The proposed tax rate is broken down into two parts: a state-mandated com-
Northside Renaming Effort Back On Agenda, Discussions Start of Satellite Busing pressed rate of $1.0684 on the maintenance and operations side down from $1.17, and 0.058 cents on the interest and sinking rate or debt side, an increase of two pennies from last year. The proposed budget of $33,791,541 includes $550,000 to replace high mileage buses and
$61,200 for technology. The board is looking at a $3.5-million surplus in the general fund. The board will continue to discuss the formation of a naming committee for a possible renaming of any district facility, but most recently Northside Elementary. One name, Master Sgt. Roy P. Benavidez, Medal
of Honor recipient, has been brought to the board with the required amount of signatures representing 15 percent of registered voters. Recommendations for other names will go through the committee appointed by the board. The committee will submit to the board three recommended names for each campus or facility to be named. Trustees will discuss House Bill 2840 recently passed by the Legislature that gives the public more (See EL CAMPO ISD, Page 8-A)
Ricebirds Prepare For Season Opener
(See COUNCIL, Page 7-A)
Louise board will discuss school levy drop Monday By MELONY OVERTON reporter@leader-news.com
The Louise ISD school board members will listen to public comments on the proposed 2019-2020 general operating budget and total tax rate before holding a regular meeting to approve both on Monday. The district is proposing to decrease the total tax rate by 11 cents (the state average is 8 cents) to a total of $1.06835 per $100,000 valuation. That rate, mandated by House Bill 3 (HB3), is the compressed rate on the maintenance and operations side down from $1.17. LISD does not levy an interest and sinking rate for any debt at this time. “Values were increased yet we’re lowering the tax rate to maintain (See LOUISE ISD, Page 6-A)
Ricebird senior running back/defensive tackle Javien Williams (24) puts a hit on Sweeny’s quarterback during the defense only portion of the Ricebirds final scrimmage Thursday night at home. Also pictured is the Ricebird coaching staff reacting to Williams blow. As a running back,Williams also broke free on a long
run that led to a touchdown. The Ricebirds play their first game of the season Friday when they go on the road to play Texas City. For more on the scrimmage, please see Page 1-B. L-N Photo by Joshua Reese
Puppy Joins Crime Fight DA’s ‘comfort dog’ takes oath of office, joins force
LOCAL WEATHER Saturday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 40% HIGH: 93º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 76º
Sunday
By SHANNON CRABTREE publisher@leader-news.com
Wharton County’s newest law enforcer was sworn in by 329th District Court Judge Randy Clapp Wednesday and officially went on duty with a “woof.” She’s Blue Belle, a seven-month-old miniature Australian Shepard, assigned to the Wharton County District Attorney’s Office. Her job? “Dogs such as Blue Belle can Comfort. She’s there to be petted calm and bolster their spirits,” and cuddled, to offer a paw of friendship to crime victims. – DA Dawn Allison “The majority of our victims are female and have responded positively towards Blue Belle and vice versa. The majority of our law enforcement community are male and the response has also been very positive,” DA Dawn Allison told the newspaper. Little Miss Blue Belle isn’t much over ankle high with bright blue (See DOG’S CALMING EFFECT, Page 8-A)
Listen Closely
VIEWPOINT......................................Page 4-A OBITUARIES.....................................Page 7-A SPORTS.............................................Page 1-B KIDS PAGE........................................Page 2-B LIFESTYLE.........................................Page 3-B CLASSIFIEDS & REAL ESTATE........Page 5-B
L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree
329th District Court Judge Randy Clapp reads the oath of office to Blue Belle, the comfort dog for the Wharton County District Attorney’s Office. Also pictured is DA Dawn Allison. Belle’s mission is to be there for the victims, helping in the way most pets do, by simply being there when needed.
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 40% HIGH: 94º NIGHT: 30% LOW: 78º
Monday
Slight Chance of T-Storms DAY: 20% HIGH: 95º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 78º
Tuesday
Slight Chance of T-Storms DAY: 20% HIGH: 96º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 77º Last Week: Avg. High: 94º • Avg. Low: 76º
RAIN GAUGE
Last 7 Days............................. 0.48 In. Last 30 Days........................... 0.62 In. Same Time In '18...................... 1.92 In. Year To Date......................... 26.40 In. Year To Date '18..................... 21.36 In. Data Collected by LCRA at El Campo Memorial Hospital
BURN BAN COUNTY’S MEAN KBDI: 639 Burn Ban is put into effect when the mean KBDI reaches or goes above 500.