Download & Print
The Bandera County Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service presented the 4-H Gold Star, I Dare You and Friend of 4-H awards, during the Sept. 14 Bandera County Commissioners Court session.
Photo by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
September 22, 2023
Bandera County Commissioners Court Briefing
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Bandera County commissioners are reviewing the rules for use of the courthouse lawn. Brought to the court by County Judge Richard Evans, the evaluation applies to events already approved for the remainder of the year, as well as future requests to be considered.
“I dislike letting people use [the lawn] if they don’t take care of it,” Evans said, calling attention to damage caused by vendors and other groups. “The courthouse belongs to the people. This lawn is historic. We’re obligated to take care of it.”
Pct. 4 Commissioner Jody Rutherford said he would not vote to approve any future events unless they involved veterans, religious groups or city organizations.
“It’s disrespectful to drive your cars and trucks across the courthouse lawn,” Rutherford said, adding for-profit organizations could be required to secure bonds and give the county a portion of their sales, “or we need to stop it.”
The county’s Human Resources Department will research surrounding counties’ policies, and look for suggestions of liability.
In other business, commissioners approved a tax rate of $.559500 per $100 valuation for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Although the tax rate is decreased 8.2 percent from last year, the county stated because the average homestead taxable values increased by 12.89 percent, and the tax on the average homestead increased by 3.61 percent, property owners may still see an increase on their property tax statements. Pct. 2 Commissioner Greg Grothues stood opposed to approval of the proposed tax rate, and was the lone nay vote.
“The bottom line is your tax rate is going down one nickel this year. It went down 12 cents combined in the last three years,” Evans said, who acknowledged property values have increased, but defended the approved tax rate, which is lower than than the voter-approval tax rate of $.629448 per $100 valuation (the highest tax rate Bandera County may adopt without an election).
“Our taxes, locally, are determined by what you need,” Evans said, adding the county needs vital services such as EMS, the Sheriff’s Office, the Jail and Justice Center, and Road and Bridge, in order to function. “If you’ve ever read truth in taxation, you’d understand what we have to do.”
Evans said legislators continue to pass more expenses and unfunded mandates to counties.
“The next time you see someone at the state level, talk to them. They don’t levy taxes, but they could help us lower property taxes by paying their bills,” Evans said. “Austin does not care anything about local government. I’m getting fed up with it myself.”
~ During the public forum, Lakehills resident Sylvia Metzinger asked the court to consider reopening the Lakehills EMS station, and return an ambulance to the area full-time. She said EMS Director Shannon Griffin explained EMS staff has decreased due to salaries and required continued education, and currently Lakehills calls represent 6 percent of the county’s overall caseload.
“There are senior citizens in Lakehills…who are waiting longer to receive EMS services,” Metzinger said. “While we can appreciate what is happening, we’d like to be assured that recruitment is going on.”
~ Commissioners convened in executive session to review five applicants for the county Veterans Service Officer position.
“I dislike letting people use [the lawn] if they don’t take care of it,” Evans said, calling attention to damage caused by vendors and other groups. “The courthouse belongs to the people. This lawn is historic. We’re obligated to take care of it.”
Pct. 4 Commissioner Jody Rutherford said he would not vote to approve any future events unless they involved veterans, religious groups or city organizations.
“It’s disrespectful to drive your cars and trucks across the courthouse lawn,” Rutherford said, adding for-profit organizations could be required to secure bonds and give the county a portion of their sales, “or we need to stop it.”
The county’s Human Resources Department will research surrounding counties’ policies, and look for suggestions of liability.
In other business, commissioners approved a tax rate of $.559500 per $100 valuation for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Although the tax rate is decreased 8.2 percent from last year, the county stated because the average homestead taxable values increased by 12.89 percent, and the tax on the average homestead increased by 3.61 percent, property owners may still see an increase on their property tax statements. Pct. 2 Commissioner Greg Grothues stood opposed to approval of the proposed tax rate, and was the lone nay vote.
“The bottom line is your tax rate is going down one nickel this year. It went down 12 cents combined in the last three years,” Evans said, who acknowledged property values have increased, but defended the approved tax rate, which is lower than than the voter-approval tax rate of $.629448 per $100 valuation (the highest tax rate Bandera County may adopt without an election).
“Our taxes, locally, are determined by what you need,” Evans said, adding the county needs vital services such as EMS, the Sheriff’s Office, the Jail and Justice Center, and Road and Bridge, in order to function. “If you’ve ever read truth in taxation, you’d understand what we have to do.”
Evans said legislators continue to pass more expenses and unfunded mandates to counties.
“The next time you see someone at the state level, talk to them. They don’t levy taxes, but they could help us lower property taxes by paying their bills,” Evans said. “Austin does not care anything about local government. I’m getting fed up with it myself.”
~ During the public forum, Lakehills resident Sylvia Metzinger asked the court to consider reopening the Lakehills EMS station, and return an ambulance to the area full-time. She said EMS Director Shannon Griffin explained EMS staff has decreased due to salaries and required continued education, and currently Lakehills calls represent 6 percent of the county’s overall caseload.
“There are senior citizens in Lakehills…who are waiting longer to receive EMS services,” Metzinger said. “While we can appreciate what is happening, we’d like to be assured that recruitment is going on.”
~ Commissioners convened in executive session to review five applicants for the county Veterans Service Officer position.