Thursday's Internet Edition, September 09, 2010.
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| Homecoming Royalty.... Van Horn High School has named its Homecoming Queen and King candidates for 2009. The Queen candidates are (L to R) Jasmine Tarango, Jennifer Flores, and Maribel Lopez. The King candidates are (L to R) Julio Baeza, Eleno Mendez, and Ricky Ramirez. The Queen and King will be announced at the coronation events which will precede tomorrow nights Homecoming game kickoff. The coronation events are slated for 7 p.m. |
- Culberson County Commissioners held an unusual monthly meeting Monday evening. And, in that meeting, they formally approved the 2009-2010 fiscal year budget and set the tax rate.
Commissioners once more, looked at the prepared budget document which reflected collected delinquent tax payments from two pipeline operators and an adjusted appraised value increase of nearly $9 million.
These changes to the budget altered their thinking somewhat with respect to setting a tax rate to meet the budget expenses.
Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the revised budget document and armed with that approval proceeded to discuss the tax rate.
Commissioner Garibay told the court, “I still favor the 4% increase that we have published since our needs and our equipment needs are not getting any better.”
County Judge Molinar urged commissioners “to consider carefully as the county does not know what continguencies we’ll face next year.”
Commissioner Lyndon McDonald told the court, “I favor setting the tax rate at the effective tax rate based on the fact that we’ve collected the delinquent taxes on the two pipeline operators and the valuation has been adjusted upward by nearly $9 million.”
And, then Commissioner McDonald made the motion to set the tax rate at the effective tax rate of .75963 cents per $100 of valuation. That breaks down as follows: General Fund - .65767 cents; Road & Bridge - .05106; and FM & Lateral Roads - .05090.
McDonald’s motion was seconded and carried.
Commissioners, at the same time, approved granting a 3% discount for taxes paid in October; a 2% discount for taxes paid in November; and a 1% discount for taxes paid in December.
Under grant matters, commissioners approved, upon it’s receipt, of a grant in the amount of $234,869 which will be used to construct a new fire station on West Broadway, near the county barn.
The grant comes to the county from stimulus funding approved by the federal government to get the economy going across the nation.
Judge Molinar reported that he has been advised that the grant amount will be increased by some $90,000 and that they can now look at a three-bay fire station facility.
Commissioners, in an attempt to speed the grant process along, approved Grimes & Associates, of Lubbock, to do the architectural work on the grant, and they approved Marbec Consulting (Becky Brewster) to handle the administrative aspects of the grant.
And, while discussing grants, County Judge Molinar reported that he has also been advised that the county will be receiving some $243,648.27 in additional grant funding from the State Homeland Security Grant Program.
This money will have to address homeland security needs within the county.
With regard to other matters considered by commissioners, the following actions were taken:
* Commissioners received the monthly report from Elaine Koch, County AgriLife Extension Agent.
* Cmmissioners heard the audit report of the Senior Citizen Nutrition Center as prepared by Auditor Mark Cabezuela. In the report, Cabezuela cited references to appropriate codes which will help Manager Tencha Sanchez overcome some of her deficits. Commissioners agreed to accept the report and implement the precedures recommended.
* At the same time, commissioners approved up to $1,000 to hire consultant Donna Greaves to come in and assist Manager Tencha Sanchez in getting the Nutrition Center running even better.
* Commissioners held a behind-closed-doors executive session with Justice of the Peace #1 to discuss personnel matters. Upon reconvening in open session, Judge Molinar announced that no action would be taken.
* Commissioners talked about repairs to the Justice of the Peace office up at Guadalupe. County Attorney Steve Mitchell suggested that a simple lease agreement be drawn up before any work is done on the building.
And, they approved travel for JP#3 to come to Van Horn once a week to take care of paperwork here.
* Ordering of election supplies was approved for the upcoming Constitutional Amendments election. At the same time, commissioners approved combining the polling places in Precinct 3 at the District Administration Building as it will save hundreds of dollars and lots of time.
* At the request of Sheriff Carrillo, commissioners approved $1,600 for improvements to the Sheriff’s Annex parking area.
* After approving recommended budget amendments by County Auditor Mark Cabezuela, commissioners approved the submitted monthly reports.
* And, they approved payment of monthly bills and payrolls amounting to $349,794.37. Of that sum, $229,373.20 was for payrolls and $120,421.17 was for monthly bills.
Homecoming 2009 Activities
“Catch Football Fever”
Thursday, September 17th -
“Class Bash Day”
Wear colored t-shirts for each class
Put up Hall Decorations
Homecoming Parade is at 7 p.m.
Homecoming Bonfire at Airport after the Parade
Friday, September 18th -
“Spirit Fever”
Show Eagle Pride! Wear Red and Gray!
Homecoming Enchilada/Taco Supper @ Cafeteria
Homecoming Queen & King Cornation @ 7 p.m.
Homecoming Game @ 7:30 p.m.
Homecoming Dance, Sponsored by Women’s Svc League