V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
Marion County Commissioners approved a 2023 tax rate of 0.5222938 for 2023 and gave final approval to the 2024 budget during Monday mornings regular meeting.
The tax rate is lower than the 2022 rate, but will generate more revenue due to higher appraisal values and Commissioners raising the rate by .02, above the No New Revenue rate.
The rate will generate $337,777 more in property taxes than last year, yet the maintenance and operations rate will cost homeowners approximately $22.14 per $100/valuation than in 2022.
Commissioners still adopted a budget with a deficit of $14,969.50 for 2024. During budget workshops they feel the deficit willb e reduced, if not eliminated, when they receive a grant from the State of Texas to increase salaries for law enforcement officers. The grant is also known as SB 22 which provides up to $250,000 to rural counties.
Commissioners met for the first time in their newly remodeled courtroom on the second floor of the Courthouse Annex. The project was spearheaded by Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur to update the room and allow for better communication and safety for Commissioners.
During the meeting, Commissioners also approved the salary for the 115th and 276th Court Reporters, as well as the salary for the Marion County Auditor.
The 276th Court Reporter will be be paid $95,000 per year, of which Marion County is responsible for $1,425 per month.
The 115th Court Reporter will be paid $79,000 per year.
The Marion County Auditor will be paid $43,383.
Elected officials in Marion County had their salaries set by the Court as well, with salaries of $45,044 for the County Judge, County and District Clerks, County Treasurer, and County Tax Assessor; $40,943 for JP #1, $33,750 for JP #2; County Attorney at $14,580; Constable #1 at $39,008; Constable #2 at $33,750; Sheriff at $51,917 plus $23083 from SB22; Commissioners at $40,295; Extension Agent at $18,930; and the VSO at $9,500.
The County Clerk received approval for her 2024 Recordds Archival Plan, which is paid for through filing fees.
Elections Administrator Karen Jones received approval for the Order of Election for the November 2023 State Constitutional Election, as well as establishing the appointment of judges and alternate judges for a two-year term. Jones also received approval appointing the presiding and alternative judge for the Early Voting Ballot Board. The names of the judges appointed had not been received as of press time.
The staff at the Central County Station for the November 7 2023 election was set with Jones as Manager, Era Johnson as Tabulation Supervisor, and Shasheesta Durden as Assistant Tabulation Supervisor.
Jones also established a maximum number of election workers at 3 clerks and one judge and one alternate judge per polling location for the November election.
Jones said that since this was a non-partisan election, a reduced number of judges was allowed.
Commissioners tabled a decision on modifying the heavy trucks permit for County Roads pending County Attorney Bill Gleason reviewing and proposing a change. The discussion was on making the permit not expire every 30 days for residents.
Recycling trash tickets will be changing in the coming year as Commssioner J.R. Ashely will be implementing a rotating color for each year’s ticket to cut down on reuse from year to year instead of purchasing a new ticket each year.
The recycle tickets are a pass for entry rather than a punch-style ticket.
Commissioners viewed this as a precinct specific issue.
Lastly, Mairon County is now officially a Bigfoot Refuge as Commissioners approved a non-binding resolution “requesting all citizens of Marion County recognize the county as a refuge for Bigfoot to both prove both protection and security and also supports the Texas Bigfoot Conference, taking place annually every October.”
Commisisoners also approved:
– Renewal of Airport Storage Tank Liability
– Airport Owners & Operators Policy Liability
– Accepted revenue received after the start of the fiscal year for insurance proceeds from the totaled 2021 Dodge Sheriff Vehicle which was damaged during the recent storm;
– approved submitting questionaires to receive insurance quotes for auto liability, auto physical damage and genral liability renewal for 2024 through TAC Risk Management Pool.