Preparing for the Fall Semester at Paris Junior College
Student Molly Wiser, right, of Sulphur Springs visits with PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Testing Center clerk Cathey Martin as she prepared for the fall semester at the college campus.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Tira News – Sept. 9, 2021: New Owners Allen and Tami Joslin Invite You to the White Oak Buffet
By Jan Vaughn
Allen and Tami Joslin are excited to share their big news! They are the proud new owners of the White Oak Buffet! They would love for you to come try it out.
Robert, Yvonne, and Wesley Weir and their friend, Brenda Allen, went to Greenville Municipal Auditorium on Friday night to see a Neil Diamond tribute band. Yvonne commented that it was good music.
Also, Yvonne babysat with her granddaughter, Everly, for three days in Rowlett last week.
Brailon Joslin, son of Landon and Laiken Joslin, celebrated his 8th birthday at home with family and friends. He had a “bug” theme and a water slide. Everyone enjoyed pizza and cupcakes, and had a great time!
Our daughter and granddaughter, Tiffany and Jaidyn, came in from Malvern, Arkansas, on Friday evening. Jaidyn spent the night with her friends, Maygan and Bella, and then, we all went to Brailon’s party on Saturday. Linda Ellen Vaughn arrived that afternoon and came to the party for a little while. Tiffany and Jaidyn returned home on Saturday evening. Linda stayed over for the Labor Day holiday and went back to Dallas on Tuesday morning.
Jim and Sandra Vaughn of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, came for a visit on Sunday and had lunch with us.
The Tira City Council will meet on Sunday afternoon at 5 o’clock at the Tira Community Center.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or janvaughn73@gmail.com.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Free Mammograms For Uninsured Women Offered Oct. 9 At Gillis Women’s Center
In support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Hopkins County Health Care Foundation and In My Closet encourage women to make time in 2021 for a mammogram. As part of that effort free mammograms for uninsured women over 40 will be offered by appointment from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 9, in the Ruth and Jack Gillis Women’s Center, located just past lobby entrance inside CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs.
Scheduling is limited to the first 40 people. Call 903-439-4040 to make an appointment.
Anyone interested in contributing to the Heath Care Foundation to assist with these and other efforts in the community, call the number above or click here to make an online donation.
Proposed Budget And Decreased Tax Rate And Increased Utility Fees Approved By Sulphur Springs City Council
Master Fee Schedule Passes On 5-2 Vote
Sulphur Springs City Council unanimously approved the proposed budget and tax rate on first reading during the regular September meeting Tuesday night. A master fee schedule, with increases in street maintenance fees and to the Grays Building rental deposit fee, was also approved, but on a 5-2 vote.
Master Fee Schedule
The Council opted, at the recommendation of Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Lesa Smith, to removed the city fees and rates from the budget and voted on an ordinance for each utility fee and a master fee schedule for city rates. Pulling these out for approval as separate ordinances will make it easier in the instance any changes are needed, Smith noted. City staff recommended looking at street maintenance fees and the costs of renting the HW Grays building in Pacific Park to determine whether they should be increased.
Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski noted the city at the current rate the city is able to repair and reconstruct streets is not able to keep up with the decline. He outlined the projects of street deterioration as well as costs associated with repairs/reconstruction in terms of the current street improvement program as well as potential if the street maintenance fee were increased to $7.50 or $10 per residential customer on monthly city utility bills. Council members recommended setting the rate at $10 to overlay more roads annually, expanding their street life and significantly reducing the amount of time between treatment of each road.
Also discussed was potentially increasing the $50 fee or $100 deposit currently charged to rent the new Grays building in Pacific Park. Ultimately, the City Council voted on a motion to leave the rental fee unchanged but to double the deposit, which will be returned to renters provided they meet the terms for cleanup and care of the facility. If the building is not properly cleaned and returned in good condition, the city would keep the cleaning deposit and a crew would come in to do the job the next day.
Mayor John Sellers and Rev. Harold Nash voted against against the fee schedule ordinance as proposed in a motion by the City Council, due primarily to the doubling of the deposit fees for those renting the new HW Grays building in Pacific Park as the street maintenance fee. Sellers also said he is not in favor or raising the street maintenance fee to $10 per residential customer. If approved on second reading on Sept. 21, the street maintenance fee for single family dwellings will be $10. The SMF for commercial increases from $12.50 to $22.50 and the industrial fee will increase from $30 to $50.
Some other additional fees also will change to better keep up with inflation and make them more comparable to rates of similar sized cities across the state and around the area.
For instance, at the airport, community space in the hangar building 44 will increase from $70 to $130 in 2021-22, private space in Hangar building 44 would increase from $90 to $155 and aircraft storage would rise form $200 to $300.
The fee per day to rent a tournament field would increase from $100 to $120, park soccer use fee per player per season would go up from $12 to $13 for city residents, and from $12 to $14 for players living outside the city limits, the market craft and produce vendor space for market season, however, would decrease from $140 to $100, and market vendor space for one day only drop from $15 to $10.
The food establishment inspection fee would rise from $200 to $300, while food establishment re-inspections would drop from $200 to $150. Public pool inspections would increase $100 to $300 while public pool re-inspections would drop $50 to $150, as proposed.
Budgets, Tax Rate
After a public hearing in which no community members spoke, the City Council approved on first reading:
- Ordinance No. 2783 adopting the 2021-2022 city budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2021, and ending Sept. 30, 2022, with the revenue and expenditures adjusted equally for the projected revenue from the increased street maintenance fee (if the master fee schedule ordinance is approved on second and final reading); and
- Ordinance No. 2784 setting the 2021-2022 city tax rate which is less than the rate of 44 cents (or slightly lower) that the city has charged since 2002, but is expected to still generate about 12-13 percent more (about $507,100 more) in tax revenue due partly to $52,715 in new construction added to the tax roll this year as well as increased appraisal values throughout the city, as is the case across the county and state.
The city ad valorem tax rate of $0.42692 per $100 property valuation would provide $0.36241 for city maintenance and operations and $0.0645 for principal and interest on city debt. Taxes levied with Ordinance 2784 will be due and payable on Oct. 1, 2021 and will be considered delinquent on Feb. 1, 2022.
The city anticipates raising $5.1 million with that tax rate, which comprises only 14.5 percent of the projected revenues for FY 2021-22. That’s figured based on the current year’s tax collection rate of 98.35 percent.
The $35.3 million budget includes all anticipated expenses for debt requirements, city operations, capital improvements, and maintaining all departments at the same level as in fiscal year 2020-2021.
Approximately 11 percent of the budget will come from grants, 15 percent sales taxes, 42 percent utility bills and 16 others sources. According to the posted budget, the city anticipates receiving $1.1 million from franchise and right-of-way fees, $4.85 million from sales tax, almost $3.5 million from grants, the $200,000 EDC contribution approved by tax payers in November of 2019 to fund improvements in Pacific Park and a new Senior Citizens Center, $190,000 from hotel occupancy tax, almost $6.3 million transfers into fund and $3.38 million from other revenue sources, according to the proposed 2022 budget posted on the city website.
A 3 percent cost of living raise was also included in the expenditures.
Approved on first reading, Ordinance No. 2788 dealing with updated service credits, that is the city’s retirement system through Texas Municipal Retirement System. The city’s contribution rate is 7.84 percent without updated service credits and increases to a total rate of 8.17 percent with adopted updated service credits. The city funded portion that will decrease slightly from 95.3 percent to 94.8 percent for FY 2022. The updated service credits enhance each retirement account of current full time employees for inflationary factors above specific thresholds. The additional cost of USC are estimated at $30,209.97 for FY 2022.
The City Council also approved as proposed the Economic Development Corporation budget, which Executive Director Roger Feagley told the council did not change a lot. It does however, include an additional personnel, an intern from Texas A&M University-Commerce who will be assisting with research projects. Promotions costs are only anticipated at about half the allowable 10 percent. An additional $34,000 is included for industrial expansion. Additional in insurance fees are included to cover buildings and open properties.
The asset forfeiture budget was approved by the council. Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson asked to be allowed to use about $20,000 of the $284,063.34 in the asset forfeiture fund throughout the year to stockpile equipment for the department such as duty belts, cameras and radars. This would allow the department to have funding when needed or if items they will need go on sale, creating a stockpile. These funds are acquired from cash and liquidation of forfeited property from narcotic related enforcement.
The City Council too approved Resolution No. 1254 adopting the annual investment policy. The city is required to adopt the policy annually. There have been no changes in 2 years,.
Utility Rates
The City Council Tuesday night also approved on first reading Ordinance No. 2785 which set a monthly demand water charge of $8.02 for customers with meters less than 4 inches in size, plus a $4.05 usage fee per $1,000 gallons of water use. The monthly water rate for active connections in the system for those with meters 4 inches in size or larger is $939.52 for 0-230,000 gallons, then $3.78 per 1,000 gallons of water for all usage of more than 230,000 gallons. That’s a 2 percent increase in base rates.
Ordinance No. 2786, increasing the city’s base sewer service rate by 2 percent, also received approval on first reading. This sets the city’s sewer rate at $28.10 for 0-4,000 gallons usage for residential consumption, and $4.07 per thousand gallons after 4,000. Customers who contribute higher concentrations of waste than normal domestic wastewater will be charged, in addition to the basic rate, extra strength and penalty surcharges, figured based on formulas outlined in the ordinance. charge or penalty charge.
Ordinance No. 2787 increasing sanitation fees by 5 percent, too received City Council approval Sept. 7. The two contractors for collection, removal and disposal of garbage and trash in their contacts are allowed to increase their fees by a CPI of 6 percent. A fee of $13.07 per month per residential dwelling unit, per unit per multifamily residences, and per unit in mobile home parks in each park within the city limits. The monthly commercial rate will be $26.15 per commercial unit. Business rates would be figured based on yard and frequency of collection weekly. For temporary dumpsters, there will be a $102.84 delivery charge, plus roll-off fees and compactor fees per cubic yard.
A special city council meeting is scheduled Sept. 21, 2021, for a public hearing related to the budget as well as second reading and final consideration of ordinances approved for the first time on Sept. 7. The meeting is planned to take place at 7:30 p.m.
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report – Sept. 7, 2021
Marc Maxwell presented the following monthly city manager’s report to Sulphur Springs City Council during their regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021:
COVID-19 RESPONSE – The number of active cases in Hopkins County increased 219% since our last meeting with 373 active cases as of Sept. 2. There are 25 patients in the COVID unit at the hospital, up from 17 last month.
GRAYS BUILDING –The building is completed.
SENIOR CITIZENS BUILDING – We are waiting for the steel market to normalize.
SAPUTO SEWER MAIN – This project is nearing completion. The Capital Construction Division has completed its work on the project. I expect the contractor to bore under Interstate 30 and to connect to the existing system this month. This will complete the project.
This $750,000 sewer project is funded entirely by a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture. The new main will supplement an older undersized main. The path of the new main begins at Saputo and continues under the interstate. It then continues South for 3,500 feet before connecting to an existing trunk line. The new main has a 15-inch inch diameter. This grant is made possible because of a $50 million plant upgrade at Saputo and their cooperation with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Without their cooperation this project would not have been possible. ]
COLLEGE STREET – This will be the next reconstruction project. You will consider a bid on water main materials later on the agenda. We already have sewer main materials.
CLAIMS – We did not have any workers compensation claims or liability claims in August.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Lesa Smith will present a report of revenues and expenditures and the status of water accounts in arrears.
RUNWAY/TAXIWAY REHAB – This $1.9 mil project is in progress; 90% of the project cost is covered by a TxDOT grant. The project is approximately 33% complete, and we expect the contractor to finish by mid-November.
All the concrete and asphalt surfaces on the operations side are being completely rehabilitated and the ramp is being significantly enlarged.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM – Progress resumed in August. The contractor, Texana Land and Asphalt, plans to be completed by September 30. The following highlighted streets have been completed:
Miscellaneous
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Checked out 3,174 items from the library plus 825 eBooks.
- Produced treated wastewater effluent with a total average suspended solids reading of .29 mg/L
- Installed new LED fixtures in parking lots and along pathways at Coleman Park
- Set timers on school zone lights to run from 7:15 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. and 3:25 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Performed inspection/preventative maintenance on:
- PD roof drains
- PD windows
- Exterior Library lights
- City Hall fountain
- City Hall elevator
- Airport Terminal
- Animal Shelter
- Performed repairs on 2 dump trucks in the wastewater division.
- Place sod around the new Grays building.
- Removed utilities from old Grays building in preparation for demolition.
- Continued making minor improvements at the wastewater treatment plant.
- Treated 187 tons of sludge at the compost facility and sent 160 tons of sludge to the landfill.
- Repaired 12 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 8 water meters.
- Unstopped 17 sewer mains.
- Treated 173 million gallons of potable water.
- Responded to 186 calls for animal control and achieved an 89% adoption rate.
- Responded to 2,130 calls, responded to 35 accidents, wrote 481 citations, recorded 32 offenses, and made 39 arrests in the Patrol Division.
- Made 3 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 278 fire/rescue calls including 3 structure fires.
- Performed 15 fire inspections and pre-fire plans.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 79 fire hydrants.
- Conducted 20 building inspections, 12 electrical inspections, 15 plumbing inspections, 5 mechanical inspections and issued 25 building permits.
- Patched 228 potholes.
- Replaced 1 stop sign.
- Hauled street sweeping spoils to the landfill.
- Placed rock for fish habitat in Coleman Lake.
- Made 8 extensive street repairs following utility repairs.
- Replaced sidewalk in the 200 block of Church Street.
- Cleaned out multiple ditches and storm drains.
Join the Walk Like MADD Event in Sulphur Springs Sept. 25
The Northeast Texas Walk Like MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s signature fundraiser, will be on Saturday, September 25th, behind Shannon Oaks Church in Sulphur Springs. There will be food and activities such as music, dancing, face painting, balloons, games, a petting zoo, corn hole, educational activities, and much more.
Pre walk activities will begin at 5:00 p.m. Becky Hicks, Northeast Texas Chapter leader, invites everyone and states,
“The walk will start with a kid’s fun run and teams will begin walking around 7:30 p.m. Dinner will be available for a small donation to help raise critical funds for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Bring your lawn chairs, strollers, and wagons! It’s a fun night for the whole family! We will be taking COVID precautions and encourage all to wear a mask. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided, as well as a hand washing station on site”.
We walk to create a future of No More Victims®
The Northeast Texas Walk Like MADD 2021 event is MADD’s signature fundraising event to help us raise both awareness and funds to eliminate drunk and drugged driving. We hope that you will rally with us in Sulphur Springs, TX to help create a future of No More Victims®. Register and donate TODAY to help us save more lives!
Captain Davis Philips Chapter Of DAR To Meet Sept. 11
The Captain David Philips Chapter Daughters of American Revolution will meet at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 11, at the Senior Citizens Center in Sulphur Springs. Associate member Charlotte Abbott will bring the program on insignia. Also, dues will be collected at this time.
Any guests and all members are encouraged to attend. Social distancing will be upheld and mask-wearing is acceptable.
Abbott Announces Third Special Session
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday issued a proclamation announcing a third Special Legislative Session at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021.
The proclamation identifies 5 agenda items for the third Special Session: redistricting, American Rescue Act appropriations, transgender student participation in UIL, state an local government mandating of COVID-19 vaccines and unlawful restraint of a dog.
Abbott Sept. 7, 2021, called for Legislators to address apportionment of the State of Texas into districts used to elect members of the Texas House of Representatives, the Texas Senate, the State Board of Education, and the United States House of Representatives.
“The Texas Legislature now has the opportunity to redraw legislative and congressional districts in accordance with the new census numbers,” Governor Abbott said Sept. 7 when officially calling for the session. “In addition to redistricting, there are still issues remaining that are critical to building a stronger and brighter future for all Texans.”
Abbott wants the elected officials to also consider “legislation identical to Senate Bill 29 as passed by the Texas Senate in the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, disallowing a student from competing in University Interscholastic League athletic competitions designated for the sex opposite to the student’s sex at birth.”
Up for debate is whether any state or local governmental entities in Texas can mandate that an individual receive a COVID-19 vaccine and, if so, what exemptions should apply to such mandate.
Abbott also calls on Legislators Legislation to consider Legislation “similar to Senate Bill 474 as passed by 87th Legislature, Regular Session, but that addresses the concerns expressed in the governor’s veto statement.” This specifically would address unlawful restraint of a dog and create a criminal offense regarding the matter. After being read on March 9, the proposed legislation was referred to the Criminal Justice committee, testimony was given in committee on April 13, and was received favorably without amendments by the Senate on April 15. It was read a second and third time and passed on April 21. SB 474 passed to the House on April 22, where it was read for the first time and referred to the House criminal jurisprudence committee. It was filed by the committee coordinator on May 12. The bill was laid out in lieu of companion House Bill 873 on May 13, when it was read a second and third time with an amendment failing. Overall, it passed on May 14, then went back to the Senate, who concurred with the House amendment on May 27, with both the House and Senate approving if on May 29, sending it to the Governor, who vetoed it on June 18.
4-H Events: Registration Kick-Off Sept. 23, Foods Fun Day Mug Madness On Sept. 25
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent Hopkins County
Do you know what the four H’s in 4-H represent? Do you know who the County Extension agents in Hopkins County are? Have you seen the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Hopkins County? Do you know a student in grades 3 through 12 who might want to register for 4-H, but you don’t much about it?
If you answered ‘no’ the to first three questions and ‘yes’ to the last, we have the perfect solution for you! A come-and-go 4-H Registration Kick-Off event will take place on Thursday, September 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Extension Office, 1200-B West Houston Street in Sulphur Springs. Our office is very easy to find! We are directly in front of the Hopkins County Civic Center and across the driveway from the Southwest Dairy Museum. We will have displays, refreshments, and copies of the most recent 4-H Gazette. Anyone who wants to sign up for 4-H that evening may register that evening on site. We will walk you through the steps. The registration fee is $25 until October 31, and $30 after that date.
Of course, you don’t have to attend the event to register for 4-H. You may go to https://texas.4honline.com and follow the on-screen instructions. The 4-H year is September 1 through August 31 and registered 4-H members will receive a copy of the 4-H Gazette newsletter and have the opportunity to participate in many activities throughout the year. There are currently 5 clubs in Hopkins County: Infinity (meets at the Extension Office), Miller Grove, Cumby (school-based club), Paws (Sulphur Springs 4th & 5th grade campus), and Veterinary Science (for older kids). Numerous county-wide events and workshops take place throughout the year, which are open to all 4-H members.
Hopkins County ended the 2020-2021 year with approximately 200 members and we hope to top that this year! And as always, if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call our office at 903-885-3443. We’ll be glad to assist!
4-H Foods Fund Day
While we’re on the topic of 4-H, I want to announce a fun event for 4-H members coming up later this month. “Mug Madness” will take place on Saturday, September 25, 10 a.m. at the Extension Office. During this event, 4-H’ers will learn about hand hygiene, reading a recipe, measuring ingredients, and will have the opportunity to take home at least two items that they create during the workshop. Each 4-H member is asked to bring at least two coffee mugs for the project. There is not cost for the workshop, but we are asking for those who plan to attend to please call the Extension Office. We don’t want to run out of ingredients! Call 903-885-3443 with name and phone number so we can plan adequately.
Closing Thought
“If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.”
Napoleon Hill
Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or jshicks@ag.tamu.edu.
Cumby VFD To Host Memorial Walk Saturday In Honor Of the 343 Firefighters on 9/11
The Cumby Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a Memorial Walk Saturday, to pay tribute to the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11. The 3.43 mile walk will begin at the CYSA fields and travel east on FM 499, making the loop down the north Interstate 30 service road, then turn on Frisco Street (FM 275) and end at CVFD Station 11, 101 West Main Street, across from City Hall in Cumby.
No sign-up, registration needed, or money is needed for any who wish to participate in the Memorial Walk on the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the nation. All that’s needed is time to reflect and a willingness to come together with others.
Any who would like to walk with the Cumby VFD members are welcome, as are any who’d like to stand along the route to show support for the tribute and the effort to ensure they are never forgotten. The walk will begin at the CYSA Field Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at 7:46 a.m. the time the first of the World Trade Center twin towers was struck by a plane. Those who’ve never been to the Cumby YSA Field, should be able to find it by typing in 45PJ+GX Cumby, Texas to Google Maps or plug n the GPS coordinates: 33°08’10.7″N 95°49’03.2″W.
For additional information, contact Ryan Horne at 936-645-6475 or Jimmy Helfferich at 903-335-1616.
