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Tyler County News - Breakout

Council approves HVAC purchase for Chamber office

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Woodville City Administrator Mandy Risinger receives a proclamation from Mayor Amy Bythewood honoring her spotlight as the county’s “Best Public Servant” by popular vote in the Tyler County Booster’s “Best of” contest. MOLLIE LASALLE | TCBWoodville City Administrator Mandy Risinger receives a proclamation from Mayor Amy Bythewood honoring her spotlight as the county’s “Best Public Servant” by popular vote in the Tyler County Booster’s “Best of” contest. MOLLIE LASALLE | TCB

By Mollie LaSalle

WOODVILLE – At its regular monthly meeting on Monday, the Woodville City Council approved the purchase of a new four-ton A/C unit for the Tyler County Chamber of Commerce office, which the City of Woodville owns.

The Chamber’s vice president, Chris Edwards, spoke to the council about the necessity of a new A/C unit and the need for financial assistance from the city toward the purchase.

“The problem with our Chamber building right now is we need some help. One of our A/C units has gone out, the one in the front part of the building,” he said.

Edwards noted that the Chamber received bids from three different contractors, and the lowest bid was from Casey Tolar of Magnolia Appliance, at a cost of $6,500 to replace the entire unit.

“We don’t have that kind of money to replace the system,” he said.  He added, “per the terms of our lease agreement, we are responsible for the first $5,000. Anything exceeding that amount, the landlord is obligated for, and we need some help with that.”

He said part of the $5,000 has already been spent on remodeling a bathroom.

Edwards noted the importance of the Chamber’s office as a welcome center for visitors and a hub of information, in addition to the benefits the organization offers to the countywide business community.

“We want to continue nourishing the community with these services, and it’s hard to do without a functioning AC in the summertime. We do have another unit in the back part of the building that keeps the boardroom cool, but not the front,” he said, noting that it would be uncomfortable to visitors, and that the Chamber’s executive director’s office is in the front part of the building.

The Chamber’s office is closed until further notice, and Holly Wells, the executive director, is working from home, mainly doing clerical work, networking and social media marketing. Edwards was asked by council if monies could be obtained via fundraisers, membership dues, etc.

He was also asked about repairs already done this year to the building, and Edwards replied “there are other issues that need to be addressed, but right now, [the AC unit] is the most pressing.”

Mayor Amy Bythewood said the Chamber of Commerce pretty much operates on a month-to-month basis. They do receive a stipend from the city, which goes to paying staff salary, as well as an allotment from the county for the Christmas in Tyler County celebration.

Edwards did mention that under the current chamber leadership, they are looking for ways to economize right now, as well as planning upcoming fundraisers and the annual Chamber banquet in September.

Alderman Lee Mann made a motion to approve the Chamber’s request, noting its importance and adding “we’re not going to have a Chamber unless we approve this request”.

Council approved the request from the Chamber for the city to be invoiced $6,500, and to contact Tolar to replace the unit.

Pet shop fee set

Other items discussed were the approval of a pet shop licensing fee, and amending the hours at the city park. Licensing fees for pet shops run anywhere from $50 to $200; it is an annual fee, and has to updated every year. Council discussed this licensing fee regarding the new pet shop which opened at 1905 West Bluff, Castillo Family Farm, which has relocated from its Dam B location.

Mann added “my understanding is this is a small shop, and we’re a small town. I think $50 is fair, we want to be a business-friendly community, that is my opinion.”

Bythewood added, “since we are halfway through the year, the fee would be pro-rated, and Castillo would only pay $24.95 (ish) for the remainder of the year”. Council voted to approve the pet shop license fee.

Council approved an ordinance modifying the hours at the city park, from the current 7 a.m to 10 p.m. to dawn to dusk. Alderman Mike Cabaniss said, “ a lot of the problems we are getting is from vandalism in the bathroom at the park, so once we get it cleaned up and painted, it’s going to be locked up at night by the police department, and opened back up in the morning by the city, so there won’t be free reign at night for any type of vandalism”. There are cameras up now, so if you make a bad choice, you will get caught.

Risinger honored

After all agenda items were tackled council adjourned, but mayor Bythewood had a surprise proclamation issued in honor of City Administrator Mandy Risinger being voted the best public servant in the Tyler County Booster’s “Best of” contest.

Bythewood cited “her deep and genuine love for the city and surrounding areas. She has served this community with distinction, always willing to place her concern for the public good ahead of her own personal interest, and throughout her career, she earned the respect of government, civic, religious leaders, area residents, and employees who are proud to call her friend. On behalf of the entire council and citizens of Woodville, I want to acknowledge Mandy Risinger as the Best of Tyler County Public Servant.”

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County approves training budget increase

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TylerCountSealBy Chris Edwards
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WOODVILLE –  During Monday morning’s regular meeting of the Tyler County Commissioners Court, the county commissioners voted for an increase to the training and education of county officials.

In a letter to the commissioners from County Auditor Jackie Skinner, the price increases of training due to the post-pandemic price increases of everything was noted. Skinner cited increased registration fees as well as hotel booking fees. Skinner approached the commissioners asking for a budget increase to the training and education line item for each county official. “The departments will give the exact amount they feel they need to finish the year,” she wrote in her letter.

The line item increases will come from the county’s Contingency for Miscellaneous fund.

TCHC recognized

During Monday’s meeting County Judge Milton Powers congratulated the Tyler County Historical Commission for earning the Distinguished Service Award from the state. The award represents efforts from TCHC for the year 2022, and as noted in a letter to the judge, after a statewide analysis of the efforts of all historical commissions across the state, 83 awards were approved.

Powers thanked the commission members for all of their hard work in preserving the county’s history.

Fireworks order passed

One resolution was passed on Monday, which allows for the sale of fireworks for the coming Fourth of July holiday.
The period for approved fireworks sale begins on Saturday, June 24, and expires on midnight of July 4. Powers said, per the resolution, that the order can expire if drought conditions are determined, prior to the Fourth.

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Chester preps for new grants

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Chester Mayor Robert Poynter presented Chester City Secretary Balela Mahaffey with a well-deserved “Employee of the Year” award. Pictured are (L-R) Council persons Joe Neal, Chri Cocco, Wes Whitworth, Gail Williams, Mahaffey, Poynter, and Bryan Davis. PHOTO BY MICHAEL G. MANESSChester Mayor Robert Poynter presented Chester City Secretary Balela Mahaffey with a well-deserved “Employee of the Year” award. Pictured are (L-R) Council persons Joe Neal, Chri Cocco, Wes Whitworth, Gail Williams, Mahaffey, Poynter, and Bryan Davis. PHOTO BY MICHAEL G. MANESS

By Michael G. Maness

CHESTER – Chester City Secretary Balela Mahaffey reminded the council at their Monday evening council meeting, June 5, that Mayor Robert Poynter, Councilman Chris Cocco, she will be meeting again on Wednesday with Grantworks to look at another grant to replace gas piplines.

The council tabled an agreement drawn up between the city and Tyler County under the auspices of Commissioner Doug Hughes to get help from the county for roads and emergencies. There were a few questions on minor details, but in general the city was welcome to access the county heavy equipment at a nominal cost.

Councilman Bryan Davis asked the council to give Director of Public Works Ivan Coronado a bonus for taking a recent needed initiative on the city park, and the council unanimously approved.

Poynter broached the question of getting Mahaffey a new desk more suitable for her manifold needs, and the council talked about several options.

In a pleasant surprise, Poynter presented Mahaffey with an “Employee of the Year” award for her untiring work in all the transitions and upgrades that have come fast this last year.

The city park playground equipment will be installed soon, and Poynter tendered his desire for a modest celebration.

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Luther presents tax info in workshop

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Tyler County’s Chief Appraiser David Luther speaks during Monday evening’s workshop.  CHRIS EDWARDS | TCBTyler County’s Chief Appraiser David Luther speaks during Monday evening’s workshop. CHRIS EDWARDS | TCB

By Chris Edwards
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WOODVILLE – “What we do is not a science. It’s a judgment, an opinion,” Tyler County’s Chief Appraiser David Luther told a crowd assembled in the District Courtroom at the Tyler County Courthouse on Monday evening.

Luther spoke before a courtroom full of county residents and the members of the Tyler County Commissioners Court on the posted topic of “How to Lower Your Taxes.” Luther said that although he was called to address the topic, it was one to which he does not “have an answer to that right off the bat.”

Luther’s presentation addressed the aspects of how appraisals are assessed on properties; the statutory role of property taxes; the aspect of depreciation and how the protest process works and the politics that play into the property tax system.

Luther pointed out in the beginning of his presentation that the countywide certified taxable values were $1.5 billion in 2022, while the preliminary values this year exceed $1.8 billion. Much of that increase, he noted, was due to mineral rights as well as oil and gas.

At the legislative level, a debate carries on as to how property tax relief should be delivered, with Gov. Greg Abbott having called special sessions to address the topic, among others, after the 88th legislature adjourned sine die.

One of the measures favored by the House, but rejected by the Senate, included an increase of the homestead exemption to $100K, as well as a 5% appraisal cap on all real property.

In the regular session, the legislature had set aside $17.6 billion for property tax relief, but ideological differences between the two chambers resulted in adjournment sans deal.

Abbott, in comments following the first special session, said that he supports the approach passed by the House, which would result in $12.3 billion spent on compression, where the state would buy down school districts’ property tax rates and foot the bill.

Luther addressed the machinations of property tax relief as a political football during legislative cycles; that although often talked about and campaigned on, has not been handled by the state’s governing body.

“Three men (Abbott, Speaker Dade Phelan and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick) are holding every property owner at the cliff’s edge,” Luther said. “There needs to be an ‘Abraham, Abraham’ moment so they don’t sacrifice the future of hurting citizens.”

Part of the presentation broke down the basics of the state’s property tax system. Property taxes provide the bulk of funding for local governments to pay for services, and by statute, the process is meted out to local officials in determining property values, ensuring that the values are equal and uniform in setting and collecting the taxes. Luther said that one paradox in the state’s property tax system is what he refers to as “the great divide,” which is that the majority of taxpayers agree that the taxes are too high, but that also, the majority do not want a state income tax. Also, he noted, there is, by statute, no state property tax rate set by the state, nor are property taxes collected by the state.

Luther outlined what he and the appraisers working for the County Appraisal District do, including the determination of appraised values for all properties in the county and setting values at both market and appraised values.

Appraisers also measure houses, estimate values and use deed records to determine the taxable values of properties.

Luther also outlined several types of exemptions, including the homestead exemption; exemptions for religious organizations as well as those for over age 65.

One key factor of property tax protests Luther went over deals with depreciation, in which loss of value due to any cause is factored.

“If we have developed what we believe are accurate costs to rebuild or replace a home and we apply them to your property, then in theory and in practice…then we must apply sufficient depreciation,” Luther said, before demonstrating examples, such as structural disrepair and property values affected by outside forces.

When the floor was turned over for public comment, several citizens had signed up to speak on the topic. The first up was Warren resident Neil Alderman said that citizens should not have to worry about their properties being taken away due to excessive taxation.

“Change is never going to start at the steps of the White House…change is going to start at the county courthouse,” he said.

Alderman further addressed a need for clearer understanding as to where the appraisal increases are coming from and recommended that the appraisal district be done away with. “Someone’s got to be accountable. No one ever is,” he said.

Another Tyler County resident, Mike Godwin, asked for clarification on the tax statements about market value and the large difference between it and the appraised value. “What’s the big deal about even having the market value on there?” he asked. “We’re not in Houston, nor Dallas,” he said.

Melissa Riley, a Woodville resident, echoed some of Alderman’s sentiments about holding to account legislators on the issue, and encouraged county officials to “step up and go beat on doors” in Austin.

Luther urged residents to take advantage of the right to protest their appraisals. “It is important to exercise the right to protest,” he said. The deadline for protesting the 2023 appraisals is Thursday, June 15.

The Tyler County Appraisal District is located at 806 W. Bluff Street in Woodville and can be reached by phone at 409-283-3736 or via email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Library staff gives presentation

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Alan Shivers Library and Museum administrative staff, pictured left-to-right: Kay Timme, Roschelle Springfield and Carolyn Williams, gave a presentation on the library and museum’s history and its resources available to Tyler County residents to the Rotary Club of Woodville last Wednesday. MOLLIE LASALLE | TCBAlan Shivers Library and Museum administrative staff, pictured left-to-right: Kay Timme, Roschelle Springfield and Carolyn Williams, gave a presentation on the library and museum’s history and its resources available to Tyler County residents to the Rotary Club of Woodville last Wednesday. MOLLIE LASALLE | TCB

By Mollie LaSalle
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WOODVILLE – The Rotary Club of Woodville heard from the staff of the Allan Shivers Library and Museum at their meeting last Wednesday at the Pickett House.

ASLM Director Kay Timme began by giving a little history of the building’s origins. If you didn’t know, the museum began way back in 1881 as the R.A. Cruse home, a two-story Victorian mansion that originally was situated where the Woodville Inn is today. Former governor Allan Shivers purchased the home in 1962 and purchased the land and deeded it to the school district for the purpose of creating a library and museum. The museum’s objective was to illustrate and display Governor and Mrs. Shivers personal and public life; Shivers was governor from 1949-57.

In the 1950s the Tyler County Library was in different locations. It was on the third floor of the courthouse for a while and was also located in a portable building on the grounds of the hospital. When Governor Shivers deeded the land to the school, he stipulated that it was to be a joint effort between the school district, the city and the county. After he bought the Cruse home, he had it moved to its present location to be used as a museum and a library, however he soon realized the building wasn’t big enough for that purpose, so construction began in 1963 on the library side. The library opened in 1965, the complex was dedicated in 1966, and the buildings remained relatively unchanged until the early 2000’s. The courtyard was closed in and became the children’s reading room, the Bunch meeting room was opened in 2010, and the museum was updated and renovated in 2021-2022.

Allan Shivers Library and Museum is in the very capable hands of its leadership team which consists of: ASLM Director, Kay Timme, Assistant Director and Head Librarian Carolyn Williams and Museum Manager Roschelle Springfield. The complex has four part time library aides, and a part time maintenance man.

If you haven’t been to the library lately, come and check out the new look; the library was remodeled on the inside in January to reflect a more modern look, although some of the original chairs from the 1960s are still in house. Some of the services offered at ASLM are free WIFI, free public computers, over 25,000 books, 20,000 e-books, more than 2,000 movies, interactive play and learning areas, hotspots, yearly free events, meeting spaces, and author signings, to new a few. The volunteer group “Friends of the Library” recently re-formed last year and has been a big help. Timme said “we are very appreciative of all their efforts.”

She also said the “Shivers family is 100% on board with everything.  We are at a place now where we have their 100% support”.

ASLM received a generous grant last year which went towards installing an elevator on the museum side, and Springfield has spent the last year getting the museum up to date, with a lot of help from Timme and the library staff.

The complex held a grand re-opening in January to showcase all the hard work everyone has done to get it looking new again. The library is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can call the library to schedule a tour of the museum at 409-283-3709, or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

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