August 16, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners heard several financial updates from the county treasurer and were informed on tax rate options to consider by the tax assessor during their August 9, 2023 meeting.
Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, updated the commissioners on the weekly expenses they were considering. She remarked on one item in the list of weekly expenses, which she indicated to be the cost of housing inmates out of county. This was a payment to the Panola County Treasurer in the amount of $14,850.
Another expenditure Blackwell referenced was for equipment the Sheriff’s Department is getting through an “e grant,” at a cost of $36,045.39. Judge Allison Harbison asked that the equipment is being paid for out of the grant, and Blackwell clarified the county is paying the $36,045.39 with the anticipation of a reimbursement once the county makes a requests.
Blackwell comments the total was $1,100 more than was originally requested.
Another bill for $12,500 from Bladeco LLC was meant to be split between all precincts; however, Blackwell said the total had been charged to Precinct 1 and that would need to be adjusted with each precinct reimbursing Precinct 1.
A motion by Stevie Smith, Precinct 3 Commissioner, to approve the weekly expenses was seconded by Jimmy Lout, Precinct 2 Commissioner, and the motion carried.
Blackwell then gave the officers report for the month of July, and during that report she explained the bank which holds the county’s investments will pay percentage points over what Texpool does, and she will be moving $4,000,000 from Texpool to that account for the county to earn more and provide more diversity in investments.
Blackwell explained to the commissioners there have been some expenditures out of the American Rescue Plan Act fund (ARPA) during July 12, 2023 to August 2, 2023, and the current accounts payable checks totaled $818,525.25 which she said was for motor graders.
She presented the commissioners with a list of projects planned and pending utilizing ARPA funds, and what has been paid to date. Blackwell stated $2,085,223.30 has been paid, with projects pending of $803,123.80 which doesn’t include the expense of the Huber Well or the AgriLife and gym remodel.
Completed projects she referenced for the commissioners include the jail roof, jail sewer, election equipment, and some of the equipment the Road and Bridge departments have ordered. According to Blackwell, the cash balance is $2,823,954.70. The fund balance remaining to obligate is $2,020,830.90.
A motion made by Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, was seconded by Commissioner Smith, and the motion carried.
Debora Riley, Tax Assessor/Collector, presented the 2023 Calculated rates for the commissioners. She reminded the commissioners that in 2022 they adopted a tax rate of .6948 and as of June 30, 2023, according to Riley her office has collected $12,095,608 which includes current and delinquent taxes for general fund and the special road and bridge. Riley said the collection rate for the 2022 tax year with that included is 99%.
Riley presented the no-new-revenue tax rate for this year of $0.590161 and the voter-approval rate of $0.612816 which is the highest rate the taxing unit can adopt without holding an election unless there’s some unused increment. Riley explained another rate, which is the voter-approval rate with unused increment and that is $0.659302.
The commissioners continued to discuss the tax rate; however, the item was only up for discussion and no action was taken.
The commissioners considered local optional fees, for the calendar year 2023, (Chapter 502 of the Transportation code), which are already in place. Riley explained further these are fees collected through the motor vehicle side of her office and the county commissioners courts are statutorily required to notify the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles yearly regarding the imposition or removal of optional fees.
The Road and Bridge fee is $10 and cannot exceed that amount and the Child Safety fee is $1.50 and cannot exceed that amount.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, moved to keep the fees as they are, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Bellmyer. The motion carried.
Riley presented the commissioners with an annual contract from Computer Information Concepts which her office uses regularly, and it was at a cost of $4,600.
Commissioner McSwain moved to continue with the contract with Computer Information Concepts, and Commissioner Bellmyer seconded his motion. The motion carried.
The commissioners discussed shelving that was intended for the Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace office and which has been stored at the Sheriff’s Department. Commissioner Bellmyer has some of the shelving, and he recommended Commissioner Smith use some in his new barn.
A motion by Commissioner Smith to retain the shelves and let the commissioners divide the shelves up amongst themselves was seconded by Commissioner Bellmyer, and the motion carried.
Constables Josh Tipton and Taylor Fanguy spoke with the commissioners about the possible exchange of vehicles between their precincts.
Constable Tipton stated they are open to what the commissioners choose to do. He stated the Tahoe he currently has is a very good vehicle. Constable Fanguy said the camera system, radio and radar are what would be coming out of his old vehicle for a new one. Tipton provided the court a quote of $2,400 to install equipment and decals on the Tahoe which came from DeSoto Parish.
Commissioner Smith asked Tipton what vehicle was best, referring to the Tahoe against the Explorer that Fanguy currently has. Constable Tipton said it’s a toss up between the two; however, he said the Explorer is a pursuit vehicle, and he doesn’t want officers in a vehicle that can reach 160 mph. Constable Tipton said to the commissioners his office isn’t going to be in pursuits and things of that nature.
The court asked Constable Fanguy how many times the vehicle he drives has been wrecked, and he only knew of one incident before he took office and possession of the vehicle, and he confirmed for Judge Harbison he hasn’t wrecked the vehicle once.
Discussion continued on the potential of the vehicle being used for courthouse security.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to turn the Constable Precinct 4 vehicle into the courthouse security vehicle once Constable Fanguy receives his new vehicle, leave the Tahoe in the Constable Precinct 5 office to be upgraded, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner McSwain and the motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:13am.
Officers report for the month of July: Debora Riley, Tax Assessor/Collector: Property - $149,444.30; $38,631.86; Total $188,076.16 Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk: $32,912.49 Lori Oliver, District Clerk: $12,311.69 Donna Hughes, JP 1: $6,329 Marla Denby, JP 2: 0.00 Melba Rodgers, JP 3: $4,347 Dee Dee Green, JP 4: $538 Tracy Broadway, JP 5: $5,265 Zack Warr, Constable 1: $270 James Hagler, Constable 2: 0.00 Roy Cheatwood, Constable 3: $360 Taylor Fanguy, Constable 4: $90 Josh Tipton, Constable 5: $180 Sheriff’s Fees: $885 Total $251,564.34 Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of July 5, 2023 special meeting, July 5, 2023 Budget Workshop,July 12, 2023 Regular meeting, July 26, 2023 special meeting of the Shelby county commissioners court. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Officers Report. 4. Retain local optional fees for the calendar year 2023,$10 for Road and Bridge; $1.50 for Child Safety fee. 5. Renew yearly contract with Computer Information Concepts for the Tax Office. 6. Divide shelving from JP #1's office which are stored at the Sheriff's Office between the commissioners. 7. Turn the Constable Precinct 4 vehicle into the courthouse security vehicle once Constable Fanguy receives his new vehicle, leave the Tahoe in the Constable Precinct 5 office to be upgraded. 8. Appoint Kerri Shofner as Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator. 9. Adjourn. 10:13
