County proposing lower property tax

By Larry Tucker
editor@wood.cm
Posted 8/11/22

Wood County taxpayers will get some relief from the county as commissioners are set to lower the tax rate for the next budget year.

In a short workshop after Tuesday morning’s regular …

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County proposing lower property tax

Posted

Wood County taxpayers will get some relief from the county as commissioners are set to lower the tax rate for the next budget year.

In a short workshop after Tuesday morning’s regular session, commissioners discussed being on schedule to vote on a proposed tax rate of $.4825 which is down from last year’s $.5325.

“At least we are able to give our taxpayers a little bit of relief this year,” Prec. 2 Commissioner Jerry Gaskill said. Gaskill was leading the workshop and regular meeting in the absence County Judge Lucy Hebron.

The meeting Thursday morning at 9 a.m. will be to discuss the tax rate and take a record vote, schedule a public hearing if necessary and schedule a public hearing on the 2023 budget.

In the regular session, commissioners were presented a check for over $12,000 from Richard Brand of law firm Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson. The money comes from excess proceeds from delinquent tax sales.

Commissioners approved an inter-local agreement with the Andrews Center. 

Dr. Beverly Waddleton also introduced new Andrews Center Chief Executive Officer Lynn Rutland.

“For eight months we did an extensive search for a new CEO. As all of you know mental health is getting in a rut. I use this word so you can remember his name,” Waddleton noted. “This is a man who hit the ground running and is pulling us out of this rut.”

Commissioners approved Berkley for employee insurance benefits for the 2022-23 plan year.

In personnel matters, Shauna Key was given a raise from $69,160 to $73,008 in the district attorney’s office while Patrick Daley was raised from $63,668 to $73,008. Also in the DA’s office Ameila Turner was hired as a temporary worker at $10 per hour. In the county auditor’s office, Assistant Auditor Cara Farrell received a raise from $22.25 per hour to $22.60 per hour.

Claims submitted and approved were payroll of $395,103; health and dental and $108,134 for July; and accounts payable $284,925.

Commissioners approved $600 paid to East Texas Mortuary Services for a cremation in a pauper’s burial. The deceased was a woman living on CR 2560 who was found in her home May 19.

Commissioners approved Chris Bahr of Hawkins for a two-year term to the Emergency District #1 Board of Directors.