County plans ahead for March Primaries, OKs interlocal agreements with Alto, Rusk for police equipment

RUSK – County leaders have set into motion the process that will update election proceedings in Cherokee County due to redistricting.

During the Dec 14 Commissioners’ Court meeting, the court voted on two separate, but related agenda items regarding elections with two separate, but related votes: The first approved of a joint March 2022 Primary Election with both Republican and Democratic parties, while the second was for an order to reconfigure county election precincts to reflect changes wrought by redistricting based on the 2020 Census results.

In other action, the court split its 1,465 votes among three nominees for the Cherokee County Appraisal District board of directors: Jay Jones received 489 votes, while Joe Taylor and Connie Nice each received 488. Elected members begin two-year terms as CCAD board directors on Jan. 1, 2022.

The Commissioners’ Court also:

• Approved interlocal agreements between the county and the cities of Rusk and Alto for purchase of digital radio equipment and accepted payments of $5,000 from each agency for that equipment

• Approved Rodney Vorndam as a reserve deputy for Precinct 3

• Accepted $15,752.25 in donations to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office from a recent golf tournament fundraiser.

• Accepted the November monthly sheriff’s report from Sheriff Brent Dickson. Last month, CCSO received a total of 2,492 calls, of which 1,328 were 9-1-1 calls, 52 were alarm calls and 53 were fire calls. A total of 133 animal control calls/complaints were received and a total of 402 offense cases were reported.

• Authorized tax refunds of $500 or more for three accounts that were overpaid to the Tax Assessor-Collector’s office

• Bid on tax sale property previously struck-off to Bullard ISD

• Assigned an airport lease between Snider Living Trust and James Hubbard for Hanger #18

• Approved a consent agenda entailing a final plat for lots 1-8 of Westlake Estates in the T. Timmins Survey, Abstract No. 50 Cherokee County Texas, no roads; and payment of bills, payroll and transfer of funds.

During the meeting, County Auditor Steven Daughety presented an update on the American Rescue Plan, noting that funding was divided into two payments, with the first – issued July 12 – for $5,112,934. That money, which was placed in a separate fund, has been drawing interest since then, with a reported balance of $5,123,923.10. A second payment is not expected to be received until July 2022, he said.