Commissioners discuss spending caps
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

L. H. Crockett, Cherokee County auditor, discussed caps on spending at the Monday morning commissioners court meeting in the county courtroom.

He distributed a list of reasons that the cap would hurt. The list was compiled by the Texas Association of Counties.

"These caps will cause hardships for counties to fund the mandates set up by the state legislature. And, I understand our state senator (Robert Nichols) and state representative (Chuck Hopson) are big fans of these caps," he said.

The Texas Association of Counties has stated that "The state of Texas itself cannot live within a three percent cap. A Dallas Morning News analysis of the state budget reveals that the Legislature has increased it annual revenue and spending more than three percent in all but one budget cycle since 1996." With the cap, unfunded and underfunded mandates from the state could not be achieved.

Mr. Crockett also presented reviews for the first six months of the county budget year.

The county has received 82.79 percent of the general fund revenue for the year. This is due to the fact that taxes are always collected during the first few months of the budget year. The historical commission has collected 112.88 percent of its planned revenue because of the sale of a new book. The license and weight department has collected 100.75 percent of its planned revenue.

Total expenditures for the first six months totals $5,221,222.25, 47.21 percent of the budgeted $11,060,635.

During the regular business meeting commissioners approved a bid from Berry's Tin Shop Inc. of Jacksonville to construct a 900 sq. ft. building addition at the Precinct 4 county barn. The addition will allow for new restroom facilities and a break room at a cost of $16,690.

Commissioners approved the payment of a legal settlement of approximately $3,800 to a Stephenville man arrested in error by the Dogwood Trails Task Force. The payment is pending approval of the county's attorneys.

Certificates were presented to representatives of the Central High and Ponta Extension Clubs. The Central High club is 76 years old and the Ponta club is 74 years old.

Southwest Energy will rebuild a road in Precinct 2 during the last week in May and the first week in June. The company used the road to visit between nine and 11 gas wells, Commissioner Kevin Pierce said. They will fix the road and pay for all materials, Mr. Pierce said.

Reports from Constables Precincts Three and Four and the License and Weight department were approved. The license and weight officer was approved to attend commercial vehicle enforcement training class in Austin May 9-11. Lots one and two of block one of the Gaylords subdivision were approved. Commissioners discussed with Oscar McAnally of the North Cherokee Water Corporation requirements for plat applicants. Commissioners agreed that when plats for sub-divisions are accepted, the applicant will be required to include what utilities are available in that area.

Attending the meeting were Judge Chris Davis; Commissioners Mary Gregg, Kevin Pierce, Moody Glass III and Byron Underwood; County Clerk Laverne Lusk; and County Auditor Crockett.