HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-03-12-0100PM-PublicHearing~11
BRAZOS COUNTY
BRYAN. TEXAS
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AGENDA
PUBLIC HEARING FOR CREATION OF RURAL FIRE PREVENTION DISTRICTS
IN BRAZOS COUNTY
1:00 P.M.
1. Hear comments from the public for or against the creation of
Rural Fire Prevention District No. 1 and the levy of tax not
to exceed $.03 on $100 evaluation on property in the
District.
2. Approve or disapprove the petition and set the boundaries of
the district.
1:30 P.M.
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1. hear connnents from the public for or against the creation of
Rural Fire Prevention District No.+ and the levy of tax not
to exceed =.03 on $100 evaluation on property in the
District.
2. Approve or disapprove the petition and set the boundaries of
the district.
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COMMISSIONERS' COURT
PUBLIC REARING
MARCH 12, 1990
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The Commissioners' Court of Brazos County, Texas held a
Public Hearing to consider an order calling an election for or
against the, creation of Rural Fire Prevention District No. 1 and
for the authorization to levy a tax not to exceed three cents on
$100 valuation on real property within the district. The meeting
was held in the Commissioners' Courtroom in the Courthouse in
Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Monday,
March 12, 1990, with the following members of the Court present:
R. J. Holmgreen, County Judge, Presiding;
Gary Norton, Commissioner of Precinct 1;
Walter Wilcox, Commissioner of Precinct 2;
Randy Sims, Commissioner of Precinct 3;
Milton Turner, Commissioner of Precinct 4;
Frank Boriskie, County Clerk, Absent.
The following citizens and officials were in attendance:
Ruth McLeod Executive Assistant
Bea Green Secretary to Commissioners
Carol Palmer Admin. Asst, to Co. Judge
Mary Ann Ward County Clerk's Office
Mary Horn Justice of the Peace Pct. 2
Russell Ueckert Pct. 1 V.F.D.
Michele Meade Pct. 1 V.F.D.
Emily Staples Pct. 1 V.F.D.
Blanche Prescott Pct. 1 V.F.D.
John Prescott Pct. 1 V.F.D.
Norma C. Wolf Pct. 1 V.F.D.
Kenneth Wolf Pct. 1 V.F.D.
Alvin R. Phelps Pct. 4 V.F.D.
Jack Luckenbill Pct. 4 V.F.D.
Gregory J. Janda Pct. 3 V.F.D.
C. M. Ware Pct. 3 V.F.D.
Mark Lenz Pct. 1 V.F.D.
Eugene Pavlinski Pct. 1 V.F.D.
C. B. Jones Brazos County Resident
Henry L. Allen Brazos County Resident
Marvin Kuers Brazos County Resident
Dorothy S. Clark Brazos County Resident
The County Judge opened the Public Hearing and stated the
purpose of the Public Hearing was to hear commentary for and
against the Order calling for an election on the creation of
Rural Fire Prevention District #1.
The County Judge stated in his opening remarks that proper
notice of the hearing had been given according to law. He
outlined the procedures for the hearing and asked those in
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Commissioners' Court Public Hearing March 12, 1990
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attendance wishing to speak to state their names and
organization.
C. B. Jones - read from a prepared statement saying that he was
opposed to the creation of a Rural Fire Prevention District
because it was bad for the economy, discourages new business,
there is no general understanding by the residents of the
proposed district that the new taxing entity has the power of the
state, and that the districts are run by appointed individuals
who can call elections to raise taxes to satisfy any debts they
might incur. In general, he felt that the Commissioners Court
was better able to effectively and efficiently fund the fire
departments from the county level. Mr. Jones then cited various
sections of the election code and asked the Court if it was in
compliance.
The County Judge thanked Mr. Jones for his comments and
asked if anyone else wished to speak.
Henry Allen - resident of rural Brazos County - stated he
was against the establishment of another taxing entity. He said
he had been told there would be no cost but feels that the County
Commissioners should supply the fire protection and increase
taxes to provide the services.
The County Judge thanked Mr. Allen and asked if anyone else
wished to speak.
Emily Staples - Fire Chief at Millican - Mrs. Staples
reminded those in attendance that the volunteer fire fighters are
just that "Volunteers.' They donate time and money to save
other peoples' property. They receive no compensation when they
go out on call and that many people in the precinct never
contribute to the volunteer fire department. She continued,
saying that the equipment was substandard, the insurance premiums
high and the funding inadequate to bring the services up to
minimum levels.
The County Judge thanked her for her comments and asked if
anyone else wished to speak.
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Commissioners' Court Public Hearing March 12, 1990
Kenneth Wolf - Individual - stated he helped when the
volunteer fire departments were created. It is and has been
difficult to get funding. He addressed some of the concerns
voice by Mr. Jones. He said that a taxing entity would not deter
business in the rural areas. While he sat on the Appraisal Board
prospective new business asked the question about fire
protection. Adequate fire protection raised property values and
encouraged business.
Commissioner Norton - quoted figures on the tax base and
amounts collected from rural and urban areas of the county. He
went on to say that bonds cannot be issued without the consent of
the Commissioners Court.
There being no further comments from those in attendance,
the County Judge then asked for a motion on the petition. on
motion by Commissioner Sims, seconded by Commissioner Norton, the
Court voted unanimously to approve the petition as filed for the
Rural Fire Prevention District.
Commissioner Norton informed Mr. Jones that written notice
had not been received from the cities.
There being no further comments from the Court, the County
Judge closed the Public Hearing.
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