Polk County News - Breakout

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From Enterprise Staff

Having obtained the required number of signatures on a petition, “Citizens of Livingston for Fair and Equitable Rates Inc.” filed its case with the Public Utility Commission of Texas Tuesday.

Spearheaded by Joshua Grant, “Citizens of Livingston for Fair and Equitable Rates Inc.” is a coalition of local residents and business owners who are seeking a remedy for “the ongoing lack of transparency from our city officials and the outrageous electric rates assessed on City of Livingston electric customers.

“Our aim is to see the city succeed by ensuring rates are beneficial for both the customers and the city. As citizens of the City of Livingston, we want to see our city be a success. A municipality’s utility should be able to make a profit and use those profits for the city’s operational needs. What we will no longer tolerate is a city that knowingly overcharges its rate payers, hides behind its lack of transparency, and justifies its actions by referring to its lack of an ad valorem tax,” Grant said.

The city’s electric rates were set during the Sept. 12 meeting of the Livingston City Council for its fiscal year that began Oct. 1. Once the rates were set, local citizens had 30 days to gather signatures on a petition of at least 10% of eligible voters within the city limits and file their petition with the commission.

After filing a petition with the commission, the city will be given a chance to verify the signatures on the petition as true and accurate. Once this verification is complete, the commission will order the city to file its proposed rates, and this will begin the rate review. Like other legal proceedings, there will be an opportunity for any interested party to intervene in the case. There will be several phases to the case, including a discovery phase during which any party may ask questions of or request documents from the city concerning their rates and costs. The next phase will be a testimony phase in which the city will submit written testimony about their rates. Thereafter, other parties will be given an opportunity for rebuttal to the city’s testimony. And finally, should no agreement be reached before this stage, the case will be scheduled for a hearing in front of the commission for which the commissioners will issue a final order on what the city is to do.

For additional information, go to livingstonratereview.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Mike Fortney with the Center of Hope recently presented a program to the Livingston Lions Club where he provided an update on the center’s activities. The center’s food bank pantry, which is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. served approximately 18,000 people last year and has seen a 44% increase in the number of people. Through Campaign 300, the center assisted approximately one-third of the families that came in needing financial assistance with utilities. The center’s cancer support ministry assists with logistics and meal costs for patients needing treatment. They also have quarterly meals with guest speakers that patients can attend. The bus ministry delivers food to families that are unable to come to the food pantry and to pick people up to bring them in. They transport about 30 people per month. The Emergency Health Board Ministry assists 20-30 people per month with gas, prescriptions and personal items. The clothing ministry has served over 530 family members this year. It is presently closed but will reopen when inventory is available. The Christmas of Hope Empty Stocking Ministry served 600 children with over 5,000 gifts in 2022, allowing parents to shop for their children and gift wrap the items before they leave. For more information about the Center of Hope’s ministries, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. (l-r) Fortney and Lion President Jared Jernigan.Courtesy photo

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Madison Brooke Milner, daughter of Donald Wayne and Teresa Milner of Livingston, is engaged to marry Jewel Haywood Johnson, son of James and Brandy Johnson of Livingston. The couple will join in marriage at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 25 at Hensley Farms in Livingston. Madison is the granddaughter of Larry and Shirley Hensley and the late Ann Johnson Milner of Livingston and Luther and Cheryl Milner of Segno. Jewel is the grandson of Harold and Kim Johnson and Spanky and Risa Ivy of Livingston, Brenda and Donnie Vann of Tenaha and the late Rita Ivy of Livingston. Courtesy photo

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From Enterprise Staff

Robert BeltGovernor Greg Abbott has reappointed Robert Belt to the State Securities Board for a term set to expire on Jan. 20, 2029. The board registers securities offered and sold in Texas and oversees the firms and individuals selling securities or providing investment advice to Texans.

Belt is a certified public accountant and managing partner of Belt Harris Pechecek, LLLP. He is a member of the Texas Society of CPAs, American Institute of CPAs, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), and GFOA of Texas. He is a board member of the Houston Prayer Breakfast Association and serves on the Boy Scouts of America - Sam Houston Council’s Eagle Scout Review Committee. Additionally, he is appointed by the Harris County Commissioners Court to serve on the Harris County Public Facility Corporation Board. Belt received a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University. He is a 1984 graduate of Livingston High School.