Ector County Commissioners on Tuesday voted to lift a burn ban that has been in place since June and approved the budget and tax rate for fiscal year 2022-23.
The burn ban was voted into place on March 22 and extended on June 28.
At the beginning of August, the precipitation was 2.23 inches for the year. That changed over the last month as CBS7 has reported more than 4 inches of precipitation during that time, while average temperatures have dropped by 7 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to a map provided by the Texas A&M Forest Service, as of Sept. 9, all of the surrounding counties to Ector have burn bans. The closest counties that don’t have burn bans are Loving, Reeves and Pecos.
Texas A&M Forest Service also lowered the Wildland Fire Preparedness Level to Level 1 on Sept. 6. Texas A&M Forest Service details on its website “Preparedness Levels are dictated by fuel and weather conditions, fire activity and fire suppression resource availability. Level 5 is the highest level of wildland fire activity and indicates heavy resource commitment to fires locally.”
Commissioners also approved the budget for fiscal year 2022-23. County Auditor Randy Donner said the approved budget has the general fund at $67,889,795 and the sales tax fund at $38,749,251.
Donner said Monday that this is about a $2 million increase from what was estimated before budget hearings began on Aug. 1. Donner said there isn’t one major cause of the increase, but a bunch of items added up.
The court also approved adopting the 2022-2023 tax rate for Ector County. It will be $.35000 per $100 valuation down from $.36500 per $100 for last year.
The county held its required hearings for the rate change last week as the rate will still bring in more revenue than the previous year due to rising valuations.
Commissioners also approved:
- The use of the parking lot at the Ector County Coliseum on Sept. 18 from 8 a.m. to noon for a drive thru Pay What You Can Afford vaccination clinic.
- The utilization of the courthouse lawn and sally port on Sept. 24 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for West Texas Fest.
- Accepted a donation of $4,385.16 from Law Enforcement Partners to the Ector County Sheriff ’s Office.
- Considered, discussed, and took action regarding the price increase on Paper Towels and Bathroom Tissue II (Proposal # 20-11-13-01); and authorize the County Judge to sign all documents associated with this agenda item.
- Considered, discussed, and took any action regarding a Master Service Agreement between Lexipol and Ector County and authorize the County Judge to sign.
- Approved a contract between Permian Basin Community Centers DBA PermiaCare and Ector County for jail based medical services and continuity of care services and authorize the County Judge to sign.
- Approved a contract between Permian Basin Community Centers DBA PermiaCare and Ector County for Mental Health Deputy Services and authorize the County Judge to sign.
- Considered, discussed, and took action regarding Change Order #2 for 67th Street Improvements PO#: 38409 and authorize the County Judge to sign all documents associated with this agenda item.
- Considered, discussed, and took action regarding reclassification of Engineering Technician position to Construction Inspector and adjust budget accordingly.
- Considered, discussed, and took any action to authorize road improvements on County Road 307 (S. Wheeler Road) as presented in the Paving & Drainage Construction Plans designed by Landgraf, Crutcher & Associates dated August 8, 2022 and authorize the County Judge to sign.
- Accepted a donation of public road improvements for the upgrade of S. Wheeler road by Oxy Low Carbon Venture (OLSV’s) and to accept maintenance of the public portion roadway after completion, and authorize the County Judge to sign.
- Considered, discussed, and took action regarding plans, schedule and estimate for 0.27 mi of C&G along north Sycamore Drive Curb & Gutter along Sycamore Drive, and to engage Landgraf, Crutcher & Associated (LCA) to provide all necessary PS& E for a fee of $28,140.00 and authorize the County Judge to sign.
- Approved a Proposed MHRC Development to serve 183 Soto Avenue 1.0 acre located in Soto Subdivision Blk 1, Lot 4 (Prec. 1) Ector County, Texas, Joel Talamantes and authorize the County Judge to sign. Eddie Landrum – Planning & Development 15.
- Approved a proposed MHRC Development to serve 15635 W. Nugget – Muniz 10.3 Acres, Sect 26, Blk 44 (Prec. 1) Ector County, Texas and authorize the County Judge to sign.
- Approved Larenda Addition replat of Lot 3, Block 6, Gardendale Subdivision Ector County Texas and authorize the County Judge to sign.
- Approved the consent agenda including a line item transfer on General Fund, Senior Centers, Special Department Equipment, 001-6305507 from Contract Services, 001-630-5309 for $5,600; a line item transfer to General Fund, Cemetery, Equipment Maintenance & Repairs, 001-720-5247 from Special Department Equipment, 001-720-5507 for $7,500.
- Also, a line item transfer to General Fund, Animal Control, Uniform Supplies, 001-361-5176 for $ 982, to Animal Supplies & Expense, 001-361-5198 for $2,500 from Sheriff, Departmental Furniture & Equipment, 001-3605199 for $3,482.
- Approved a budget amendment to General Fund, Library, Library Supplies, 001-690-5185 and to Donated Revenues, 001-4171 for $5,000.
- Approved the Accounts Payable Fund Requirements Report for September 13, 2022 to review County financial statements and reports.
