Staff Reports
County residents can expect to see similar tax bills next year as Commissioners voted to propose a “No New Revenue” tax rate for 2022 during Monday’s regular meeting, effectively lowering the county tax rate by $0.0277831 per $100 valuation.
The NNR general fund rate proposed was $0.4836936 and Road and Bridge was $0.0607338 for a combined rate of $0.5444274. The 2021 combined rate was $0.5722105.
Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur had expressed his desire to not increase taxes on county residents this next year and Commissioners honored that request.
The difference in income is being made up by increased valuations, as well as properties added back to the tax rolls.
The former Marion County Hospital property on US59N will soon be up for sale as Brenda Wilson was selected as the listing agent. LaFleur had a trustee Tanner Yates draw one of four names submitted from a hat. The Jimplecute verified the names before the drawing and read the selected name to the court. Other local licensed real estate agents who submitted for the opportunity included Laurel DeWare, Jesse DeWare, and Cathy Surratt.
The process for selecting a listing agent was approved by the court in July and notice has been appearing in the Jimplecute for several weeks.
The price of Dump Tickets will be increasing January 1, 2023, as commissioners approved raising the rate to $30. Ticket sales will also move across the hall in the courthouse from the County Clerk’s office to the Commissioners Court office on January 1.
Marion County Sheriff David Capps requested that the 2023 Sheriff and Constable fees not be increased for 2023 and commissioners approved that request.
Tax Assessor Collector Karen Jones presented the court with the certified Appraisal Roll and Collection Rates for 2021. Jones said there is an increase in the tax roll of $76,376,036 across the county, and thus allowed commissioners to lower tax rates.
Jones also presented the court with results from the last tax sale and requested commissioners accept the bids so the properties could be returned to the tax rolls. The properties included:
• Parcel 10652 – Deer Cove sec2 lot 91 – Received full bid from Jessie Gail Fitzgerald in
the amount of $1,821.24. This property was struck off in December,2013.
• Parcel 16577 – Pleasure Point sec1 blk2 lots76 & 77 & sec4 blk 2 lots 120-123. Received full bid from Logan and Debra Barnes in the amount of $8,475.59. This property was struck off in September, 2016.
• Parcel 16674 – Pleasure Point sec 4 lots 190 & 191. Received full bid from Logan and Debra Barnes in the amount of $700. This property was struck off in September, 2003
• Parcel 9980 – Shady Shores Hillview sec lot 202. Received full bid from Dee and clint Ratcliff in the amount of $500. This property was struck off in April, 2003.
• Parcel17807 – Alley Addition blk 11 lot 6. Received full bid from James A. Parsons in the amount of $7,248.95. This property was struck off in April, 2021.
Because these bids were for the full amount the court only needed to approve the County Judge to sign the deed.
Commissioners approved a resolution supporting Conterra Networks Broadband Initiative Grant. The grant, if approved, would begin the process of installing a “loop” inside the county to improve broadband internet access. The grant is scheduled to be awarded in early 2023.
Commissioners also approved a quarterly maintenance agreement on a copier in the MCSO dispatch office.
Lastly, commissioners established dates for various Public Hearings:
• August 29, 9 a.m. for Archive Public Hearing
• August 29, 9:15 a.m. for Budget Public Hearing
• August 29, 9:30 a.m. for Tax Rate Public Hearing.