WALKER COUNTY
PRESS
VOL 4 • ISSUE 26 PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit #60 WINNIE, TX
Thursday May 7, 2020
W a l k e r C o u n t y C o r o n a County Calls For Election on New Taxing District Virus Update
By Wade Thibodeaux The Walker County Covid-19 situation update includes a mobile testing that was conducted at the Walker County Fairgrounds last Monday, May 4, 2020
from 9:00 am. until 6:00 pm. Patients tested that day numbered 149 total and another drive thru testing will be conducted on Sunday May 10, 2020 from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm.
Persons desiring to be tested must preregister at www.txcovidtest.org or call 512.883.2400 within 48 hours of the testing. The numbers of positive testing patients (contd on page 9)
City Approves Airport Master Plan By Wade Thibodeaux The Huntsville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 6:00 pm. via remote telephonic method due to the Covid-19 situation in Walker County. One of the items on the short agenda was the approval of the City of Huntsville Airport Master Plan. The master plan
called for an extension of 500 feet to the existing runway and comes with a price tag of about $25 Million. The good news is that TxDot has provided a 90% grant leaving the City to only have to pay for 10% or about $2.5 Million. This work should be completed in about 3 to 5 years. The Council also ap-
proved a purchasing agreement for off site fueling of City vehicles and an outsourcing contract for the installation of 17 lampposts in downtown Huntsville at a cost of $49,971.00. No action was taken on a first reading of a contract for street milling/ overlay/rehab services as well as no action on (contd on page 9)
Jennifer Lewman with the Walker County Jail was on hand at Commissioners Court to visit with Commissioners about the water softener situation at the jail. By Wade Thibodeaux and ultimately end- City of Huntsville, the Walker County Com- ed in a split vote with sales tax rate is 8.25%, missioners Court met Commissioner Ron- but if a person living in in regular session on nie White voting NO an unincorporated area Monday, April 27, 2020 and the other Commis- of the County pays an at 9:00 am. in the Dis- sioners and the County electric bill the sales tax trict Courtroom on the Judge voting YES. This is only 6.75%, a small third floor of the Walk- vote was simply to put 1.5% difference. This er County Courthouse. it on the ballot and let small amount could add This meeting was a rare the taxpayers decide if up to hundreds of thouin person meeting due they wanted to pay an sands of dollars that the to the Covid-19 situa- additional 1.5% sales County could use for tion, but everyone prac- tax on items that were maintenance of roads ticed social distancing purchased and were and other items that are and spread out in the already taxable. The needed in an already large room. One of the only area of the County stretched budget. The items on the agenda that would be effected agenda item passed 4-1 was to call for an elec- would be areas that are and once again this is tion this November to not currently under an- simply to put the item ask the taxpayers to other jurisdiction such on the agenda. Walker approve the creation as a City or Emergency County Press will folof a County Assistance Services District that low this item and report District. This agenda has already secured the to our readers. item generated quite a full 8.25% tax rate. For In other actions, the bit of discussion from instance if a person pays Court extended the the Commissioners an electric bill in the (contd on page 9)