COMMISSIONERS' COURT i_ONVENED IN A PUBLIC HEARING on Friday,
October 5, 1990 with all officers present, except judge
Edwards. Chairman Pro Tem Baldwin chaired the hearing on the
proposed tax increase. There wars Łnur (4) members of the
public present, as well. as Tommy Tomlinson, County Auditor,
and Paula Rector, Tax Assessor-Collector.
Ellen Drummond, a local realtor, addressed the Court on the
high cncst of gas, taxes, groceries, etc. She said the canoe
figure shows 15% of the local houses are vacant. Mr. Jack
Blanton replied that real estate is bad aL1 over the country.
Mr. Bob Nichols told the Commissioners to drive around and
look at the empty place•a everywhere. When the economy is
good taxes go up, when the economy is bad, taxes go up. When
you ran a business and the economy is down, you do nut expand
and give your employees raises, you cut back expenses. The
local economy has been bad for the past two (2) to five (5)
year z.
Commissioner Morgan told Mr. Nichols tt,at the four t4) of
them have had nothing to do with most of those figures and
two (2) of them only the last two f2). We are trying. We
had a budget with a deficit oŁ 5830,00@. 00 and we cut that to
5221,000.00. Tt,e Commissioners have done everything possible
~~ to cut expenses. We cut our own salary last year, and did
not even considere ourselves for the 4% Cost oŁ living
increase.
Ray Roach told the Court they should be commended nn their
attempt to hold the line. The elected officials know what
the salary was when they ran for office. If they want more
money, then maybe they can get it outside.
Mr. Morgan told the public present that the City and County
share programs that are developed by the State of Texas.
They are forced to spend money to implement those programs.
Insurance went up last year, law enforcement is up, adult
probation had to have a larger office, indigent health care
is up, and all of tt,ese are state mandated.
The Fublic Hfraring closed at 11:00 A. M.
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