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Trinity County News - Breakout

County hashes out budget details

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Trinity Countyseal 200By Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — Fuel costs and jail issues dominated budget discussions during a special Thursday meeting of the Trinity County Commissioners Court.

Commissioner Tommy Park said the big concerns for the coming year will be fuel and jail needs, and the new budget needed to reflect that.

The court agreed to add an additional $7,000 to each Road Department precinct’s fuel budget, which averages around $40,000, and increase fuel expenses for the Sheriff’s Department to $100,000.

Additionally, commissioners will look into purchasing an additional county vehicle to be used by certain county departments, such as IT, 911 Addressing and the County Tax Assessor/Collector’s Office, instead of reimbursing employees for mileage, to help save on costs.

The budget proposals include a 6 percent raise, 4.5 percent from the county and 1.5 percent COLA, but there were no raises or job classification changes allowed. County Judge Doug Page said the salary structure the county adopted last year is “set in stone,” and no alterations will be allowed.

Also, requests by the Sheriff’s Office for four additional jailers and the creation of a dispatcher supervisor position were denied because the need for those would not be determined until a new or temporary jail was built.

Commissioner Neil Smith said every dollar needed to count.

“We’ve got to save everything we can if we have to build a jail,” he said.

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Centerville passes budget

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CentervilleISDBy Tony Farkas
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CENTERVILLE — The Centerville ISD School Board approved its budget for the new fiscal year on Thursday, one that includes a dip in the property tax rate.

Superintendent Mark Brown said the board approved the tax rate at .9429, or 94.29 cents per $100 valuation, down from the previous rate of .9857. The new rate, however, will raise the bill for most property owners by $196 a year.

The additional money will help fund the 5 percent increase expected in the annual budget, which is just over $2.2 million.

In a related matter, the board approved budget amendments to the 2021-22 budget, necessary at the end of the budget cycle.

The board also held a public hearing on Title I, II and IV grants from the federal government.

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Eagles stadium spruced up

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The Apple Springs ISD renovated its Nelson Davis Stadium and press box recently. New sidewalks and ADA-compliant ramps were installed at Nelson Davis Stadium.  Courtesy photoThe Apple Springs ISD renovated its Nelson Davis Stadium and press box recently. New sidewalks and ADA-compliant ramps were installed at Nelson Davis Stadium. Courtesy photo

APPLE SPRINGS — The 51-7 win over Trinity School of Texas was the perfect way to christen the newly refurbished football field here.

Over the summer, Nelson Davis Stadium at ASISD was made ADA-accessible with new bleachers and sidewalks.

Greg Campbell, director of Operations for the district, said the bleachers and press box were more than 30 years old and were in bad shape, so the school board voted to upgrade them and bring them into compliance. 

“We installed new bleachers and a press box on the home side and these bleachers are ADA-compliant and wheelchair accessible,” he said. “We installed new sidewalks from the entrance to the home bleachers and to the visitor bleachers as well. We also installed sidewalks to the concession stand and restrooms.

“We also built a new field house on the south end of the football field for our high school and junior high teams,” he said. “Our old field house will now be used for the visiting teams and officials at our home games.”

This week, there is a junior school game at 5 p.m. Thursday against Conroe Northside and the high school will play at 7 p.m. Friday against High Island, and Campbell said everyone is welcome to enjoy the new facilities and the games.

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Board OKs annual budget

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AppleSprintsISDBy Tony Farkas
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APPLE SPRINGS — For the fifth year in a row, the Apple Springs district will provide a bit of tax relief to the property owners.

Superintendent Cody Moree said the board adopted its FY 2022-23 budget, and set at tax rate of 0.8645, or 86.45 cents per $100 in valuation. 

Moree said this also is a true savings for area taxpayers — almost 6 cents per $100.

The budget adopted by the board includes $2.8 million in expenditures for maintenance and operations, and an equal amount of projected revenues.

“A little of the budget will deal with security, but we were pretty far ahead of requirements,” Moree said. “About the only thing we will do this year is minor fencing, but our campus is pretty secure for a remote school. We’re making sure our students and teachers have what they need.”

In other business, the board:

•discussed preliminary enrollment, and the district count is up by 20 students;

•approved one bid each for propane, fuel, and trash collection, and authorized the administration to continue looking at better pricing;

•approval of T-Tess appraiser Kevin Plotts, and appellate Cody Moree;

•approved all 2022 budget amendments to close out last year’s budget; and

•set new meeting dates of Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. and Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.

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Winners named in contest

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Tami Brown (left) shows off her 3rd place Winner in the Places Category while Mayor Tommy Walton holds up the Best of Show Winner done by Rebecca Fleck. Next isMiley Hannah who displays her 2 Honorable Mention Ribbons from the Contest. Looking on is Ms Cathy Czajkowski, Groveton Public Librarian.   Photo by Philip SchmittenTami Brown (left) shows off her 3rd place Winner in the Places Category while Mayor Tommy Walton holds up the Best of Show Winner done by Rebecca Fleck. Next isMiley Hannah who displays her 2 Honorable Mention Ribbons from the Contest. Looking on is Ms Cathy Czajkowski, Groveton Public Librarian. Photo by Philip Schmitten

By Philip Schmitten
TCNS correspondent

GROVETON — The results from the 2022 Groveton Area Photo Contest are in, and judges found it was tough to come up with winners.

On Aug. 31, photos in several categories were judged, and several ties had to be broken, because, as Mayor (and judge) Tommy Walton said, “These are some super-fine photographs.” 

Judges who volunteered their time along with Walton were Evelyn Schmitten, Librarian Cathy Czajkowski and Susie Hammond.

Results

• Rebecca Fleck: first, second place in Places; first, second place in Things; second place in People; honorable mention in Things

• Callie Little: honorable mention in People; honorable mention in Things; third place in People

• Tami Brown: third place in Places

• Caitlyn Hutson: first place in People

• Miley Hannah: two honorable mentions for Places

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