Falls County Commissioners approve 2023-2024 budget
The Falls County Commissioners Court met at the County Courthouse in Marlin on Monday, Sept. 11, with County Judge Jay Elliott presiding. Commissioners present were Milton Albright (Pct. 1), Jason Willberg (Pct. 3) and Nita Wuebker (Pct. 4). F.A. Green (Pct. 2) met via conference call.
The Commissioners approved the tax increase, proposed 2023-2024 budget, ratification of property tax rate reflected in the budget and voting on adoption of tax increase.
Tax Increase for 2023 tax rates per $100 valuation for the fiscal year 2023-2024 include: Maintenance and Operations (M&O), Interest and sinking fund obligations on debt (I&S) and Farm to Market Lateral Roads (F.M.L.) with a total increase is $0.769221. Ratifying the property tax increase reflected in the budget will raise more revenue from property taxes than last year’s by $540,747, a 5.58 percent increase from last year’s. The property tax revenue added to the tax roll this year is $208,128.
In other matters, the Commissioners did not approve the use of American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds to pay for a Board Member-Volunteer who taught Computer classes at the Marlin Public Library. The Chilton VFD were approved to revise operational expenses using ARPA funds.
Commissioners approved the state-mandated County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) Optional Health Care Services. Some services discontinued were colostomy medical supplies and/or Equipment, Dental Care, Diabetic Supplies and/or Equipment, and Home and Community Health Care. Some services provided are ambulatory service, federally qualified health centers, and Occupational therapy.
A project agreement with the Texas Association of Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Areas was approved. The project description included Household Hazardous Waste (Ewaste). Supplemental Environmental Programs (SEP) will provide an estimated $3,000 toward the budget. Commissioner Wuebker noted the Ewaste includes TVs, computers, and microwaves. More information will be shared after Oct. 1.
Commissioner Albright moved to approve the payout of compensatory time for a Falls County Jail Administrator. Seconded by Commissioner Wuebker, motion carried. Commissioner Albright moved to approve the Brandt Companies, L.L.C quote to use the Jetter to clean the sewer lines and camera the main line for issues at the County Jail. Ten floor drains are included in the sewer concerns. Seconded by Commissioner Willberg, the motion carried. Commissioner Willberg moved to accept the TXDOT resolution to replace bridges located at FCR 408 at Perry Creek #2054. Seconded by Commissioner Wuebker, the motion carried.
Kayci Nehring and Cederia Taylor were approved for bonding. Commissioner Albright moved to accept the OAG Statewide Automated Victim Notification Service (SAAVNS) grant program (Sept. 1, 2023, to Aug. 31, 2024). The program assists Texas counties in maintaining a statewide system that provides relevant offender release information, notification of court settings or events to crime victims and other entities.
Jeff Jackson, Road & Bridge Administrator, noted the need to purchase a shredder. Jackson noted a position opened and recommended signing a new agreement with Aramark for uniforms. Commissioner Albright moved to approve the payment of bills, including reimbursements, late charges, the transfer of cash or funds from any line item or departments to another, and budget amendments. Seconded by Commissioner Willberg, the motion carried. Commissioner Wuebker moved to accept the minutes from the prior meetings. Seconded by Commissioner Willberg, the motion was carried. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10 a.m.