OFFERS APPROVED FOR SURPLUS EQUIPMENT, IN-TRUST REAL PROPERTY
In a lengthy regularly scheduled meeting of the Dickens County commission Aug. 11, the court discussed proposing a property tax rate below the No-New-Revenue rate, while also voting in a salary increase for elected officials and staff. (Due to space limitations, we’ll cover the property tax portions and other matters in next week’s Texas Spur.)
The county sheriff’s salary would see the largest pay increase, according to County Judge Kevin Brendle, bringing the county- funded portion to the state minimum.
County Attorney Aaron Clements said the cumulative salary increases now gets staff salaries to 2017 levels adjusted for inflation.
“If we are not competitive in the industry,” said Brendle, “we are losing valuable talent; now is the time to do that at no cost to us” via the SB22 grant funding provided by the State of Texas to raise sheriffs’ pay.
After brief discussion, Commissioner Mike Smith moved to approved salaries, expenses and allowances as presented in the published notice; Commissioner Chris Horn seconded. The motion carried 4-1 with Commissioner Dennis Wyatt voting nay.
The Dickens County Sheriff’s salary will remain $75,000 total, but the County’s share will increase from $37,825.44 annually to $50,066.49, an increase of $12,241.05.
The county judge’s salary and allowances will go from $49,550.38 to $53,366.49, an increase of $3,816.11.
Pay for the county clerk, the county treasurer, the county tax assessor/col- lector, the county attorney and the county justice of the peace will each increase by $3,816.11, from $46,850.38 to $50,666.49 annually.
Pay and allowances for county commissioners in all precincts will increase by $3,406.22, from $36,390.64 to $39,796.86 annually.
In other business, sealed bids were opened for the purchase of surplus county property.
For a 2001 Mack truck, no bids were received.
For a 2004 Chevrolet vehicle, two bids were received, of $650.
For a lot of surplus office furnishings and décor (office desks, chairs, boxes of Christmas lights, yard ornaments, non-working printers and computers), the court approved a lone bid for $1 (one dollar).
In-trust property.
County Judge Kevin Brendle discussed with the court their options in considering bids for in-trust properties via Texas Communities Group. Brendle clarified that Dickens County would act first, then the city (Spur or Dickens) and the school board.
Previously, the approving entities have routinely accepted the highest bid on a given parcel.
“There is heightened concern about in-trust properties and how they are to be addressed once all entities have passed,” said Brendle, in light of successful bidders who are apparently buying parcels for speculation rather than to improve the fabric of the community with new occupants. Brendle met with the mayor of Spur and the superintendent of Spur ISD to discuss the policy as well.
Commissioner Dennis Wyatt added, “We’ve had other properties that no one did anything with.”
County Attorney Aaron Clements confirmed that the court has “the latitude to accept bid that court determines best benefit to the public,” taking into consideration factors such likelihood of property improvement.
Factors such as the use of recently purchased intrust properties for junked vehicles were discussed by the commissioners.
In light of this understanding, regarding bids on the recent listing of 310 S. 2nd St., Spur, Brendle received permission to contact bidders to discuss their projected plans. Subsequently, a recommendation to dismiss the highest bid and consider the second highest (a purchaser from out of state who expects to fix up the house and move to Spur) was moved by Commissioner Mike Smith and passed unanimously.
