Polk County News - Breakout

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Livingston ISD superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins presents the reports from the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council and the Superintendent’s Personnel Advisory Committee meetings. COURTESY PHOTO

By Brian Besch
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The Livingston ISD Board of Trustees’ regular meeting for October featured informational items on the athletic complex, school safety and purchases.

The meeting Tuesday opened with informational items, as Livingston superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins reported the contract with Berry & Clay as construction managers for the high school athletic facility expansion has been signed. The facility committee will meet with Claycomb Architects to begin schematic designs next week. The campus and district plans will be on the next board agenda once the state data is released from TEA. 

“There are three groups that I wanted to acknowledge and thank for their unique role in our pursuit of making LISD better,” Hawkins said. “The first group is the superintendent’s student advisory council, made up of Livingston High School students. They are a very diverse group of students. These student voices will make our district better. These students meet with the superintendent regularly throughout the year and discuss a wide range of topics with the goal of improving our schools. The second group is the superintendent’s personnel advisory committee, which is made up of staff members who help with communication about any issues that can be improved for our employees at the campus level.

“The third group was given a luncheon in honor of them as district social media ambassadors. The digital ambassadors are helping to share the events that are occurring in our district each day. Millions of miracles occur in public schools across the state each day and this group of employees are ensuring that we capture those in LISD for our community to see. I would personally like to acknowledge and thank each person in these three groups, as I see the impact they are making on our district. We believe that collective ownership of our district will accelerate our success for those we serve.”

LISD Special Service Director Lana Smith said safety shields have been completed at the high school campus, which completes the district-wide installation of film on all windows. The district has been diligent in meeting all safety requirements that the Texas Education Agency has put in place. The district used grant funds to implement extra safety on campuses, thereby fulfilling requirements before they were mandated by TEA.

Upon reviewal of three quotes from vendors, the board approved the superintendent to negotiate a contract to purchase turf for the LISD baseball-softball complex under cooperative purchasing agreements not to exceed $2,221,073.  

In closed session, the board approved the superintendent’s recommendation to file a complaint with the State Board of Educator Certification, due to Courtney Myers abandoning a teacher contract under board policy.

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Several presidents and officials with Lamar State College were in town Thursday for Polk County Annual Designer Purse Bingo. This year’s event featured a Barbie theme and the proceeds will benefit the Polk County Higher Education & Technology Foundation. Lamar State College is moving into the Polk County Commerce Center in the spring and will provide local and area students with a myriad of opportunities, both academically and career-tech prep. (l-r) Texas State University System Vice Chancellor Daniel Harper, Lamar State College-Orange President Dr. Thomas A. Johnson, Lamar State College-Port Arthur President Dr. Betty Reynard, Lamar Institute of Technology President Dr. Sid Valentine and Lamar State Colleges Chief Financial Officer Mary Wickland. Photo by Emily Banks Wooten

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By Brian Besch
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The Goodrich ISD School Board received a financial update and approved a district improvement plan in the regular meeting for October.

Eric Carver with Axley & Rode gave a financial update on the district. Carver said the audit went well, commending financial officer Sarah Fulcher and the staff.

Goodrich ISD received a clean, unmodified opinion. Carver stated that everything remained similar to the year prior, but cash and Investments were up around $990,000. In 2018, the district’s position was $2.1 million, while this year’s is $5.9 million. Revenues in that same period have gone from $4.7 million to $6.5 million. Property tax increases, along with state and federal funding has been the biggest reason for the steady increase. Expenditures over that time have increased $1.3 million to $5.4 million. Carver said the district has made some nice improvements to the campus, while putting some financial reserve aside.

“It is a tricky time now because we are seeing expenditures increase, but it is also a time to start thinking about future needs and requirements,” Carver said. “Because you do have a very healthy fund level. You need to start thinking about what you are going to do with these funds. You are in a position to make some very healthy long-term decisions.

“Ultimately, the state comptroller wants to control the valuation process. They want to take it away from the county level and potentially go to a statewide property tax. Some of the things they would like to see – they have not publicly said it, but they would like to see consolidated school districts. I think you have to be conscious of it and make sure you have no reason for them to question your ability to continue in what you are doing.

“You are in a difficult situation, where you’re between two larger districts. What you need to think about is what will Goodrich be like in 15-20 years. When (Highway) 69 comes through and the new port facilities in Beaumont are built, you are going to see tremendous growth in this whole area. If you are ready for it and have the facilities and infrastructure, you will continue to exist. If you don’t, they will push for consolidation. They would like to see less local control. Some schools are struggling right now financially, and their hands are tied. They will be some of the first that will have to consolidate.”

The board approved the district improvement plan, which included items such as reroofing the theater, security, adding vestibules to the primary and main entrance, and upgrading air conditioning units. Items to be tackled afterward include electrical upgrades, roofing on the old gym, theatre lighting and sound, as well as carpet and flooring.

In the maintenance update, Goodrich superintendent Daniel Barton said gates have been installed for the campus, and a new air conditioning unit has been installed in the cafeteria.

A new app for parents has allowed easy communication with teachers, as well as checking attendance records and receiving notifications.

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By Emily Banks Wooten
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The purchase of a vehicle for Precinct 2 Road & Bridge utilizing the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds was approved by the Polk County Commissioners Court during its regular meeting Tuesday.

“On Dec. 13, 2022 the Commissioners Court set aside ARPA funds for each road and bridge precinct to be utilized at their discretion. The funds must be used for the provision of governmental services and they may not be used to pay down debt, to replenish reserves or to support pensions,” County Judge Sydney Murphy said, adding, “They must be approved by Commissioners Court because they are ARPA funds.”

The balance of ARPA funds for each road and bridge precinct are as follows: $132,000 for Precinct 1; $74,131.35 minus $49,645 for the vehicle resulting in $24,486.35 for Precinct 2; $162,000 for Precinct 3; and $34,297.93 for Precinct 4.

Murphy reminded commissioners that the funds must be allocated by December 2024 and spent by December 2025. “I would strongly recommend that you expend the ARPA funds because there is some jibber jabber at the federal level of clawing back some of the undesignated funds.”

The Court approved the revised fiscal year 2023 safety award program standards which reflects an increase in the amount of award from $12.50 to $15; reviewed the fiscal year 2024 safety award program standards which are the same; and reviewed the fiscal year 2024 safety committee member list which includes: Courtney Comstock, Mark Dubose, Stephanie Dale, Jay Burks, Fern Caddenhead, David Sottosanti, Lawrence Dawson and Sheri Atchley.

An order prohibiting the sale of fireworks during the Diwali period of Nov. 5 through midnight Nov. 14 was approved. Diwali is the Hindu celebration of lights. The decision was made following comments from Murphy that Veterans Day falls within this time period and there are some veterans who are traumatized by the sound of fireworks, plus there is a small, if any, local population that celebrates Diwali and no one has requested to sale fireworks during this time.

Although the county had previously gone out for bids for the replacement of the driveway and the creation of a new handicap parking spot and ramp at the Polk County Memorial Museum located at 514 W. Mill, only one bid was received and it was deemed too high and thus rejected. The long-term goals of the Polk County Historical Commission have always been to remodel the facility which was previously a house so the commission has decided to hold off on the driveway, handicap parking and ramp and instead select an engineer and go through a site plan, even if it has to be done in multiple phases. The Court approved the commission’s request to go out for bids to remodel the museum.

An amendment to the Polk County on-site sewage facility order was approved by the Court.

As the second December court meeting is slated for Dec. 26 and the 2023 county holiday schedule includes Dec.25-26 for Christmas, the Court approved rescheduling the regular commissioners court session set for Dec. 26 to Dec. 22.

An offer to purchase tax foreclosure property, specifically, undivided interest in 2.8125 acres out of a 60-acre tract, S.R. Mallette Survey, Abstract 861, Cause No. T14-422, located in Precinct 4, was approved.

The Court reviewed and approved personnel action form requests submitted by department heads since the last meeting and also reviewed two authorized emergency hirings, one in the auditor’s office and one in human resources. Fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2024 budget revisions and amendments, as presented by the county auditor’s office, were also approved.

During informational reports, the Court was apprised of a landfill gate rate increase that will go into effect Dec. 1. The increase will go from $49.50 plus the county’s host fee per ton to $52.59 per ton.

Jennifer Moffett, area manager of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, the county’s delinquent tax collection firm, presented the delinquent tax collection report for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, 2022 and ended Sept. 30, 2023. She reported that they mailed 23,572 warning notice letters, with the goal being for every taxpayer on the delinquent roll with a current address to receive correspondence from them several times a year. She said they filed 227 real property and personal property lawsuits to collect delinquent taxes on 309 accounts, representing $339,555 in delinquent taxes due Polk County. Additionally, she said they dismissed a total of 161 lawsuits that involved $1,097,527 in taxes, penalty and interest. They took judgments in 211 lawsuits involving $698,665 in delinquent taxes and there were 49 release of judgments totaling $327,664. She said 314 tracts of real property were taken to a tax sale during this reporting period, resulting in 43 collection payments totaling $159,509, nine pulled, 12 struck off and 250 sold totaling $2,064,52.

“These are great numbers. I’m overjoyed with the job they’re doing,” Interim County Tax Assessor-Collector Steven Hullihen said.

In old business, the Court approved the minutes of the Sept. 21 and Sept. 26 meetings.

Items on the consent agenda included:

Approval of the minutes of the Oct. 6 and Oct. 10 meetings;

Approval of the schedules of bills;

Approval of an order designating surplus property;

Receipt of the county auditor’s monthly report, pursuant to Local Government Code Sec. 114.025;

Receipt and recording of personnel action forms submitted by elected officials since the last meeting;

Approval to file claim with the state comptroller, pursuant to Government Code Sec. 61.0015(B) for reimbursement of a portion of the juror fees paid by Polk County during the period of July 1, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2023;

Approval of a renewal agreement with Texas Department of Public Safety for release of driver records for county employment;

Approval of a leaseholder request to change name to London Cattle Company as surface leaseholders of Polk County school land currently in surface lease to Lela and Greg London;

Approval of a lease agreement between Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Eastlease LLC for washer/dryer equipment at the jail;

Approval of a CDL agreement and conditions of employment, as requested by Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Dubose, to be paid out of Precinct 2 Road & Bridge travel/training expenses;

Approval of a CDL agreement and conditions of employment, as requested by Precinct 3 Commissioner Milt Purvis, to be paid out of Precinct 3 Road & Bridge travel/training expenses;

Approval of interlocal agreements between Polk County and the Democratic Party for the county’s provision of election equipment and services for the March 5, 2024 primary election and (possible) runoff election, as recommended by the county clerk;

Receipt and recording of continuing education certifications/transcripts of elected officials, as submitted;

Receipt of the county treasurer’s annual investment report for October 2022 through September 2023;

Approval of an application to apply for the USDA Wildfire Defense Grant; and

Approval of a request from Goodwin Lasiter Strong to advertise a request for bids on the fiscal year 2021 TDA-CDBG Water Project, Texas Department of Agriculture Contract No. CDV21-0368.

Sheriff Byron Lyons opened the meeting with prayer.