Winnsboro 2nd and Sulphur Springs 10th in Texas in the America’s Best Farmers Market, Vote til Sept. 19
According to the American Farmland Trust’s annual Best Farmers Markets in America, the Winnsboro, Texas is holding second place in 2021 voting. The Sulphur Springs Farmer’s Market is now 10th in Texas, as of August 23, 2021. Both markets are held on Saturday mornings. You can vote for your favorite through September 19, 2021, one vote person. The top three markets will win cash prizes of up to $2,500. To vote, go to American Farmland Trust and click on Find My Market.
From the American Farmland Trust website, we learn that from June 21 to September 19, 2021, America’s Farmers Market Celebration showcases the essential markets across the nation making a difference for farmers, ranchers and communities. During this time, market shoppers and supporters can vote for their favorite market by visiting markets.farmland.org. In addition to recognizing the top markets in each region of America, AFT and FMC will offer cash prizes for the markets that finish in the top three of the “People’s Choice” category— $2,500 for first, $1,500 for second and $1,000 for third. These funds will be awarded to markets for marketing, communications and other needs that help expand the market’s reach and impact.
Since 2008, the celebration has highlighted the important role farmers markets play in communities across the nation. As we head into the second summer of the coronavirus pandemic, the role of farmers markets as both a vital venue for farmers to sell their goods and consumers to access local, healthy food is being recognized like never before. If the last year has taught us anything, it is that farmers markets are not a luxury to communities. They are essential businesses that provide a vital service and should be celebrated. “No Farms, No Food” is a slogan frequently used to impart the importance of small and large farm food production in the United States.
P&Z Commission Considers Oak Avenue Zoning Change
Sulphur Springs Planning and Zoning Commission was asked to consider a request for an Oak Avenue zoning change.
Kris and Cason Childress proposed rezoning a 0.21-acre property at 618 Oak Avenue, at the Oak Avenue and Gilmer Street split, from multifamily to light commercial, to accommodate commercial development on the property. The applicants want to convert the home located on the property to an office, Sulphur Springs Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski told the Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 23, 2021.
The property in question is surrounded by a mix of zoning designations. To the east of the property is zoned multifamily, to the south heavy commercial and to the west a strip center zoned light commercial. Other homes converted to law offices are located north in a professional office designated area, a tire shop within a heavy industrial zone to the south, and vacant land zoned multifamily to the east.
“Given the context of the area, commercial is an appropriate use along the Oak Avenue corridor. It also fits in with the land use plan of commercial along Oak Avenue,” Niewiadomski noted.
The city sent out certified letters to surrounding property owners within 200 feet of the property. Four were returned and all were in favor of the zoning change, Niewiadomski reported. Based on those factors, Niewiadomski said, city staff recommended the granting the request for the Oak Avenue zoning change.
The Planning & Zoning Commission members present for the meeting agreed the with city staff and are recommending the request to change the zoning for 618 Oak Avenue from multifamily to light commercial be granted. The zoning change is expected to be presented to the City Council at their next meeting on Sept. 7, and if approved, would be presented again at the Oct. 5 council meeting for second reading and final approval.
PBR Ticket Giveaway on KRVA
KRVA is giving away PBR tickets for Sunday August 29th at Dickies Arena! To enter to win like the post on KRVA! It’s that easy.
Forty men will compete, but only one can be the Iron Cowboy. Don’t miss your chance to see history in the making!
Winners will be announced on Thursday August 26th.
Tickets will be available for pick up at will call.
New HCSO Trucks, Election Judges, Updated County Calendar Approved
New trucks for the sheriff’s office, an updated county holiday calendar, appointment of election judges and alternates, two agreements with governmental entities and the county-maintained road mileage inventory were among the items discussed and approved by Hopkins County Commissioners Court during their regular meeting earlier this week.
New HCSO Trucks
Hopkins County sought bids for two 2021 model or newer half-ton pickup trucks to serve as inmate transport vehicles for Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Deputy Tanner Crump noted the two that the department has been using are having to be refurbished back to patrol, so new HCSO trucks are needed to get inmates from on jail to another, court or medical care.
“With the current market the way that it is, we felt like it would be best to purchase the vehicle instead of ordering the vehicle, which could take longer to get,” Crump said.
County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook reported the county received two bids. Brian Toliver Ford bid $37,866.26 for 2-wheel drive pickups and $41,555.76 for 4-wheel drive trucks. Texas Country submitted bids for 4-wheel drive vehicles at a cost of $40,000 for both. The preferred choice, according to Crump, is to go with the bids from Texas Country for 4-wheel drive trucks.
“Just to put it on the record, one would be paid for from commissary and the other will be paid for from their federal housing revenue,” Aulsbrook said during the Aug. 23 meeting, referring to the inmate commissary fund and and the $70 per day per inmate fee paid for housing federal inmates at the county jail. “It’s not taxpayers’ dollars.”
Precinct 2 Commissioner Joe Anglin made a motion, which Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price seconded, to accept the bid from Texas Country for the purchase of the trucks to serve as HCSO transport vehicles.
Budget Amendment
Aulsbrook noted a budget amendment was needed to move $40,000 out of the fund with fees the county receives for housing other facilities and agencies’ inmates into the sheriff’s auto expense account to cover that portion of the HCSO new truck purchase.
“I just want to put in the record, the money he’s received from to-date has brought in $703,491.66 from housing federal inmates. After you take give this $40,000, there will be $563,491.84 left of it. He’s bringing in funds every month,” Aulsbrook noted, then turning to Sheriff Lewis Tatum, added, “I just want to thank you. We couldn’t have done this budget without the help of your programs, what you’re. It’s awesome, what you are doing.”
Tatum credited Jail Administrator Kenneth Dean for overseeing the jail programs.
“We recognize that you worked harder to make this happen, and we say thank you Sheriff’s Office; as a whole, you make it happen,” County Judge Robert Newsom said.
The Commissioners Court unanimously approved the budget amendment to move the funding for the sheriff’s truck
Election Judges
County Clerk Tracy Smith asked the court to approve appointment of election judges. She noted election judges and alternate judges serve a 2-year term. The next term will begin Sept. 1, 2021, and end Aug. 31, 2023. All of the recommended judges had indicated a willingness to serve in the position.
The Commissioners Court approved an order appointing Barbara Grubbs as early voting judge and Michael Wolfe as alternate for early voting. Also appointed by precinct voting place, judge and alternate were:
- 1 Lutheran Church – Doug McCool Tiffany Yarbrough
- 2A Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church – Gena Prickette Michelle Gasaway
- 3 Courthouse – Sheila Funderburk Patsy Neal
- 3A Grace Family Church – Caz Kivell Mack Pitts
- 4 Civic Center – D’Anne Chaney Brenda Sabbagh
- 4A League Street Church of Christ – John Berning Angela Zahn
- 5 Saltillo ISD – Melinda Daniel (no alternate listed)
- 11 Cumby Municipal Building – Menzie Chase Art Romanant
- 12 Sulphur Bluff ISD – Kim Willhite David Larkin
- 13 Como-Pickton CISD – Peggy Childs Gary Littrell
- 16 Miller Grove ISD – Mary Anne Spears Debbie Young
- 17 North Hopkins School -Katie Joslin Darrell Johnson
Holiday Calendar
An updated 2021-2022 County Holiday Calendar was approved by Hopkins County Commissioners Court. Newsom noted that the county has always historically had 11 holidays, which they will continue to enjoy. The calendar has been adjusted, however, to incorporate Juneteenth. President Joe Biden signed into law on June 17, 2021, the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act passed by Congress.
June 19, Juneteenth as it’s become known, is the day in 1865 word reached Galveston that the Civil War had ended and that the Emancipation Proclamation issued 2 years before set the enslaved free. The day recognizes the end of slavery in the Unites States.
In 2022, Juneteenth falls on a Sunday, a day county offices are closed. Thus, Hopkins County will observed Juneteenth by designating Monday, June 20, 2022 as a county holiday.
County-Maintained Road Mileage
Newsom noted that county administrative staff and commissioners have worked hard for weeks, staying late many afternoons, to compose the County Road Inventory for Hopkins County-Maintained Road Mileage for certification funding through Texas Department of Transportation.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker express appreciation to Newsom’s administrative assistant Donna Goins for all that she does. The other commissioner too offered thanks to her for her work.
Newsom reported the county recorded 827.04 miles total: including 233.225 miles in Precinct 1, 219.91 miles in Precinct 2, 210.2 miles in Precinct 3 and 218.7 in Precinct 4. That’s an increase over time due to new roads, including for subdivisions and development.
Agreements
The Commissioners Court also approved an interlocal agreement between the county and Ark-Tex Council of Governments for E9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point Services and PSAP equipment as well as a state case registry cooperative agreement between the Office of the Attorney General of Texas and the county for state case registry. Both are agreements that have to be renewed annually to continue the services.
Chamber Connection – August 25, 2021
By Butch Burney
We are currently accepting applications for stew cooks for the 52nd Annual World Championship Hopkins County Stew Contest on Saturday, Oct. 23. Letters to past cooks were mailed out a couple of weeks ago.
Come by the chamber office or send us an email and we will get the registration form to you or download one off our website, hopkinschamber.org. We are expecting a big turnout for this year’s event, so be sure and get your spot.
We have also opened up our sponsor call for businesses that would like to sponsor some of the winning stew pots.
We also have two important partnership opportunities for a title sponsor and platinum sponsor. Contact me at [email protected] to find out more.
Stew Fest Market Vendor Call
The Chamber is excited to announce our vendor call for the Stew Fest Market! The Chamber is currently accepting vendors for the Stew Fest Market, which will be located on the south side of Buford Park during Friday night and Saturday Stew Contest activities. This is a great opportunity to sell goods or to promote your business to 7,000 people who attend the Stew Contest annually. Vendors may rent booth space to sell goods or distribute information about their business. Booths will be assigned on a first-paid basis. Access to electricity is not guaranteed. Generators are permitted. Vendors who are interested in purchasing booth space, call the Chamber of Commerce at 903-885-6515 email us at [email protected]
Stew Contest Drink Sales
Every year, the Chamber allows a non-profit organization to sell drinks at the Stew Contest. If you are interested in placing your organization’s name in the hat, please call the Chamber. You will be asked to come in and sign an understanding agreement in regard to rules and expectations. The deadline is Aug. 31. Once we have all our volunteers in place, we will literally pick one out of a hat and award drink sales to that organization. Please call if you have any questions.
Register to Hear Hall and Slaton
The Texas State Legislature has been in the national news, and you will have a chance to get the inside scoop when State Sen. Bob Hall and State Rep. Bryan Slaton will be in town for a Lunch and Learn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15. Registration forms are on our website, so sign up to learn how laws passed (and not passed) by the Texas Legislature will affect your business. Lunch will be provided at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Tickets are $15 for Chamber members and $20 for nonmembers. Thanks for Atmos Energy and Oncor for sponsoring this important luncheon.
Photography Contest
We are accepting entries in the 6th Annual Chamber of Commerce Photography Contest! Anyone of any age can enter as we have a children’s category. The picture must be newer than January 1, 2019, and must have been taken in Hopkins County. The contest will be open from Aug. 2 to Aug. 31. There are seven categories you may enter: Natural World, Travel, People, The Hopkins County Experience, Altered Images, Mobile, and Children’s Category. Only digital images are accepted (no prints). To submit your photograph, email the picture to [email protected] or upload on our website. Rules and releases will be available on the Chamber of Commerce website.
Postcards are in!
People ask about Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County postcards, and now the Chamber has them in. We have five different postcards featuring the landmarks and events of the county.
Come in, they are for purchase for $2 each.
Christmas Ornaments
Our annual Christmas ornaments are for sale for $40 at the Chamber office. They feature the City Hall at Christmastime, and are the fourth in our series of ornaments featuring county scenes.
Arts and Crafts Show
The 2021 Hopkins County Fall Festival Arts & Crafts Show will take place in the Sulphur Springs High School cafeteria and north entry way on Friday, Oct. 22 and Saturday, Oct. 23. This event is open to anyone with hand-made, hand-crafted items to sell. Unique items, including handmade soaps and lotions, greeting cards, Christmas and seasonal decorations, jewelry, wood carvings, and much more will be available for purchase. Contact Johanna Hicks at 903-885-3443 for more information.
Business Highlight
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a member of the Chamber each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for Aug. 25, Hopkins County Fire Extinguisher. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Ribbon Cutting
A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Merle Norman Cosmetics at 212 North Davis St. at noon on Friday, Aug. 27. Please join us for this event.
Achievement Banquet Honors 4-H’ers with Gold Star Award, Scholarships and Volunteer Recognition
Each year, the Achievement Banquet honors Hopkins County 4-H students who have excelled in their chosen areas of interest during the past 12 months. Now, just as a new 4-H enrollment year is beginning, these students were recognized for hard work and success during 2020/2021.
All five 4-H clubs of Hopkins County had a number of students involved in the special recognition of the evening. Texas Agri-life Extension agents Johanna Hicks and Mario Villarino hosted the event but it was actually the students who carried out the awards and recognition of their peers.
Guest speaker Patrick Johnson of Harleton, Texas gave an uplifting talk on ‘doing the right thing’ and respect for parents and elders. Johnson, a USAF Sgt. Major and former chaplain now represents J-Star Ministries. He is married to Shanna Clayton Johnson, a native of Sulphur Springs.
Hopkins County 4-H Adult Volunteer of the Year is Stephanie Stewart. Stephanie is a busy mom who also began teaching archery as a brand new club project. Her 4-H students have learned the basics of archery and are now competing across the region in contests with other 4-H’ers. Stephanie helps them have fun, cultivate new interests and learn to excel at the same time.
Gold Star Award winner Rylie Carroll is on the District 4-H Council and competed in Food Challenge and Consumer Education categories. During the last school year, Rylie earned honors on the District and State Level, taking 1st place at State in her Record Book on Consumer Education, 3rd Place at State level in Fashion Show, and 5th place at State level in Public Speaking. Rylie also accrued honors at the Houston Livestock Show in the Public Speaking Contest. She applied and was selected to a state-level position as a Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador, and will be working alongside Johanna in the local office in program development for Hopkins County health and wellness.
Hopkins County had double winners in two scholarship categories. The Janie Crump Award, a $500 local scholarship, went to Miss Jorja Bessonett (in Food, Fashion and Family Life categories) as well as to Miss Savannah Allen, (in Livestock Exhibition). Then, each of the girls also received a state-level scholarship category called Texas 4-H Opportunities, for $20,000 each. Hopkins County had 2 recipients in this prestigious award!
Penelope Deterding announced Record Book
Penelope Deterding caught onto 4-H real fast when she joined. She got involved in Fashion and Interior Design projects and is a member of the County 4-H Council. She first began on sewing projects, then attended a quilting workshop where she fell in love with quilting. Since then Penelope has completed a quilt on her own which received recognition at State, and she joined the Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild as their youngest member!
An Installation of Officers was overseen by 4-H Volunteer Peggy Childs as she reminded them of their leadership responsibilities for the coming year.
New officers are:
President, Rylie Carroll of Infinity 4-H Club
Vice President of Programs, Ethan George of Miller Grove 4-H Club
Vice-President of Recreation, Kaden Mabe of Infinity 4-H Club
Secretary-Treasurer, Blaine Allen of Infinity 4-H Club
Reporter, Diego Childs of Infinity 4-H Club
Parliamentarian, Lena Reyes of Infinity 4-H Club
These are just a few of the outstanding 4-H students who live and go to school in Hopkins County. Adult volunteers play a big role in helping the students learn, stay focused and excel in their projects. Can you volunteer? National 4-H Week is coming up in October 2021. Find out how you can help, and get involved!!Contact Extension agents Johanna Hicks or Mario Villarino at 903-885-3443 or drop by the Extension office at 1200 B West Houston Street in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Commissioners Court Considers 2 Building Projects, Gutter Repairs, Roof Renovations
Hopkins County Commissioners Court had a full agenda during their regular meeting this week, including discussion requests for qualifications for engineering and architectural services for two building projects, roof repairs, gutter and downspout replacements and a replat request.
Courthouse Roof Repairs
The county sought bids to remove and replace existing cooper gutters and downspouts on Hopkins County Courthouse. Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook reported that Horne Brothers bid of of $66,766 was the only one the county received for the project, which required bidders to attend a mandatory pre-bid meeting on Aug. 12, 2021, to discuss the project and receive the bid specifications and deadlines.
“We will receive insurance proceeds to cover this. To date, we’ve received, $35,497 for the gutters and $27,695 for hail damage to the slate. Once we’ve done these repairs, accept this bid, then we’ll receive the rest of that money,” Aulsbrook said. “We do need to accept that one bid so they can get the material.”
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley made the motion, which was seconded by Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin the unanimously approved at the Aug. 23 meeting by the Commissioners Court, to accept the lone bid for the gutter removal and pairs at at the courthouse.
Courthouse Annex Roof Renovation
The Commissioners Court also sought bids for a roof renovation at the Hopkins County Courthouse Annex building. However, after reviewing them, Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price, who is overseeing that project for the court, asked that the court to temporarily table making any decisions on the project.
“We’ve looked at these bids and had a little problem possibly with the material that was going to be used. It wasn’t really fair on how we did it, so we put it back out for bids again,” Price explained.
Bartley second the motion, with the rest of the court following suit, voting in favor of temporarily tabling that agenda item.
A special court session has been scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, to consider and accept a bid for the annex building room renovation.
The project bid notice posted on July 28, 2021, called for those interested to attend a mandatory pre-bid meeting, then to receive bid specification. The project calls for an EPS Flute Fill and 80 mil TPO Roof Retrofit over the standing roof of the annex building. The applicant also is required to be a certified manufacturer installer capable of a 20-year material and labor warranty.
RFQs for 2 Construction Projects
Hopkins County Commissioners also put out requests for qualifications for architectural and engineering services for a Community Safe Room as well as architectural services for a county jail trustee housing facility. At the Aug. 13 deadline, the county had received two RFQs for each project.
A Selection Committee consisting of the Commissioners Court, Aulsbrook, grants facilitator Beth Wisenbaker, Fire Marshal Andy Endsley, Sheriff Lewis Tatum graded the RFQs on the 16th. Scoring criteria included experience, work performance and capacity to perform.
DRG received 775 points and Grace Herbert Curtis (GHC) receive 763 points, out of a possible 900 points. The committee’s recommendation was to go with DRG, which scored the highest number of points, for services for a Hopkins County Community Room.
DRG and Cutright responded to the RFQ for the Hopkins County Trustee Facility. DRG barely came in ahead of Cutright for the trustee housing project, receiving 823 points to Cutright’s 818 points, Aulsbrook reported.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley made the motion to accept DRG as the highest grade for the Trustee Housing facility. Anglin second the motion, which then receive unanimous approval of the court. Bartley also made the motion to accept DRG’s high grade for the Community Safe Room. Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker seconded the motion, which also received unanimous approval of the Commissioners Court.
The county is applying for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program/Building Resilience Infrastructure and Communities Program grant, funded by FEMA through Texas Department of Emergency Management, with a goal of constructing a Community Safe Room. If approved, the grant requires a 80/20 percent match, with 80 percent of funding coming from the grant and the county providing a 20 percent match.
The Community Safe Room would serve multiple purposes. It could serve as a community shelter in times of extreme weather or a site for certain types of mass distributions, such as a safe space from which vaccines could be administered. The Community Safe Room too would likely serve as a new Emergency Operations Center for the entire county.
In order to make it as safe a location as possible, the Community Safe Room would be built much like the portion of Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center where inmates are housed. It would have solid concrete floors, as well as solid walls and ceilings to make it sturdy, able to withstand extreme weather such as a tornado. It would be located across from the county jail, would include restrooms and a kitchenette.
Construction of the safe room depends on the county being approved for funding to use for that purpose.
Hopkins County officials plan to use a portion of the $7-plus million the county has been awarded in American Rescue Plan Act to construct a 48-bed Trustee Housing facility to keep the male jail trustees who work in the community separate from other inmates as a safety precaution against COVID-19 or any other illness being spread, and to better keep contraband such as snuff or controlled substance out of the county jail. Tatum estimated 35-36 trustees can be found on any given day on work detail.
The project would require four additional jailers, whose salaries would not be covered by the American Rescue Plan funding, to be in compliance with inmate-officer requirements. Those salaries would not be paid out of the ARP, state and local fiscal recovery funds, however, Aulsbrook noted. Tatum said jail revenues should cover the cost of the extra jail staff.
County officials are proposing cleaning up county-owned property on the north side of Houston Street across from the sheriff’s office and jail and building the Trustee Housing Facility on the site.
Having the male inmates at a separate facility would be easier for jail staff and those individuals who pick the inmates up for their work detail. The trustee facility would allow for better monitoring during the pick up and drop off process without causing congestion in the main booking area at the jail, which could potentially present a safety issue.
The Penn Addition Replat
The Commissioners Court was asked to replat Lots 1-4 of The Penn Addition, an old plat that originated in the 70s. The request was to combine turn the four lots and an area where a road was supposed to have been built but wasn’t into two larger lots of land and taking in the nonexistent road.
“He spoke to me about it. Really, it looks like a better deal than what we originally had. He’s got two lots here. They’ve all got 200 feet or more of frontage to the highway, so it didn’t require a subdivision plat, just a plat,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price said, making a motion approve the replat request.
Bartley seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved by the Commissioners Court.
County Tax Rate Reduced By 4 Cents, Balanced Budget Includes Raises, Budget Increases
Hopkins County Commissioners Court have adopted a tax rate that is 4 cents lower and a balance budget that includes raises and increases to some budget areas.
Tax Rate Reduction
As proposed by County Tax Assessor/Collector Debbie Mitchell based on the formula given by the state and months worth of budget sessions the tax rate approved on Aug. 23 by the Commissioners Court is $0.584035, down from the current county tax rate of $0.624892 per $100 property valuation.
Although lower, that tax rate is expected to raise $888,540 or 6.9 percent more than the current 2020 tax rate, with $280,336 of the tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year. An overall increase in tax appraisals also contributes to the increase in revenue. In other words, while a property owner’s tax rate is down, an increase in appraisal value does not necessarily mean their tax bill will decrease. An increase in appraisal value could mean very little difference or, depending on the appraisal increase, or even an increase in the amount the property owner has to pay for their property bill.
Commissioner Wade Bartley pointed out while the Commissioners Court can control the tax rate, the group does not have any control over tax values; that is handled by the appraisal office.
County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook also noted that the county has recently received and A+ Rating, which has allowed the county to pay down some debt.
Budget
The Commissioners Court also approved salaries for elected officials and the fiscal year 2021-2022 budget for Hopkins County.
According to the proposed budget posted on the Hopkins County website for the year beginning Oct. 1, 2021 and ending Sept. 30, 2022, the county judge, county clerk, district clerk, justices of the peace, county attorney, county auditor, county treasurer, tax assessor/collector, sheriff and commissioners salary as elected officials is set at $66,107, while the County Court-At-Law elected salary is $70,591 and constables’ salary is $62,501.
Also approved during the Aug. 23 meeting was the pay for the court stenographer (shorthand court reporter) for the 62nd Judicial District. Hopkins County will pay part of the salary and the three other counties in the district – Delta, Franklin and Lamar – will pay the rest. Hopkins and Lamar are larger, so they will pay a larger portion of the salary.
Aulsbrook reports the FY 21-22 budget will be balanced, even with a $0.040857 reduction in county tax rate, and leave $4 million remaining in the county’s general fund in keeping with policy at the end of the year.
Even through the pandemic, the county managed to pay down on debts and save in many areas of the budget due to inmate trustee programs and housing of federal inmates, she noted.
“These combined changes have allowed us to give across the board raises to all elected officials and county employees, as well as assist the budget in many areas,” Aulsbrook said.
Members of the County Commissioners Court after the Aug. 13 meeting reported a 12 percent pay increase, thanks to those special programs.
Also incorporated into the FY 2021-22 budget are three additional personnel at the sheriff’s office: a jail nurse, an additional jailer position and an additional dispatch position to meet the growing needs at the jail.
“All three judges – the 8th and 62nd Judicial District and County Court-At-Law – were granted funding in their Court Appointed Attorney expenses,” Aulsbrook said.
The volunteer fire department budget will also receive an overall increase to assist with the purchase of tires, and Hopkins County Fire Department will receive an increase overall to cover repairs and maintenance of buildings and vehicles in the FY 2021-22 budget, Aulsbrook also noted.
The budget proposal shows $215,000 budgeted to the VFDs, up from $214,200 in FY 2021 and $188,00 in FY 2019-2020. In a previous meeting, it was noted that the commissioners have opted to have the money received for turning in scrap metal to the volunteer fire departments to help with tire expenses. The county added $12,116 to the budget for this operating expense. Another $800 is allocated for pump testing for VFDs.
The budget also shows $557,247 allocated to HCFD for personnel, up from $522,883 in the FY 2020-21 budget and $507,684 for 2019-2020. Another $184,833 is allocated for operating costs, including $1,250 addition for direct operations; $3,000 more for gas, oil and grease; $6,000 more for repairs and maintenance; $364 more for maintenance agreements, $68 more for uniforms, and $1,000 more for office equipment. Overall, HCFD’s operating costs are expected to be $184,833, which when coupled with the $40,000 grant match and personnel brings the total HCFD budget to $782,090,
Another notable inclusion in the FY 21-22 budget is funding in the elections budget to purchase the mandates elections equipment for future elections.
Another budgetary change can be found in the courthouse security budget, which is decreasing from $75,016 to $16,300. The county completely cut out security salaries, which were budgeted at $40,163 that last year, as well as related amounts such as $8,256 in group insurance and $150 in longevity pay. When Butch Adams retired as security officer earlier this summer, funding for the security position switched from the courthouse to the sheriff’s office, as sheriff’s officers will work rotating shifts to handle all security for court systems.
“We are grateful for the cooperation from all elected officials, appointed officials, departments heads and county staff to help develop the FY 2021-2022 budget. In this challenging financial environment, their cooperation has been essential in helping the County keep its finances on a sound footing. I believe the budget provides the frame work to help us navigate through the anticipated challenges during FY2022, and by working together we have found ways within all departments to work smarter, be intentional with the tax payers’ dollars and to make the money stretch further than ever,” Aulsbrook concluded.
Cumby Mobile Home Heavily Damaged By Fire; 1 Fatality Confirmed
A Cumby mobile home was heavily damaged and one fatality confirmed as a result of a fire late Tuesday afternoon.
The blaze was called in just before 5 p.m. Aug. 24, 2021, as a structure fire with one possible entrapment. Cumby, Hopkins County, Miller Grove, Campbell, Commerce, Arbala and Brinker firefighters responded, along with Cumby Police, Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies and Hopkins County EMS.
A neighbor reported seeing the smoke across the street and, aware an elderly man who is bedridden and on oxygen resides in the home, attempted to reach reach him. Unfortunately, due to the heavy smoke and fire, he was not able to get past the man’s window, firefighters were told.
Firefighters reported heavy fire blazing in the mobile home upon arrival at the Mill Street address, about a block from downtown Cumby. Firefighters got the fire knocked down relatively quickly. However, some places within the mobile home were thought to still be smoldering at 6 p.m., so firefighters remained on scene while investigators from more than one agency worked together to investigate at the scene Tuesday evening.
Hopkins County Fire Department officials just before 9 p.m. Tuesday confirmed the resident had been located deceased within the structure. The cause of the fire ha yet to be determined and the investigation is ongoing, HCFD investigators reported.
Wildcats Football’s Friday Opponent Changed to Frisco High School
The Wildcats football team’s original Friday opponent, Frisco Wakeland, had to cancel their game with Sulphur Springs Wildcats football head coach Greg Owens confirmed over text on Tuesday, Aug. 24.
Now, Coach Owens and his players will be taking on Frisco High School for their season opener on Friday, Aug. 27.
The Raccoons were originally to be traveling to Garland to take on Naaman Forest on Friday, but are now taking on Sulphur Springs at Gerald Prim Stadium for their season opener.
Frisco High School went 8-2 last season, finishing second in District 7-5A losing only to Lucas Lovejoy in the regular season.
The Raccoons went three rounds deep in the playoffs before falling to Aledo in the Regional Quarterfinal round of playoffs.
But that was the 2020 team. Now, both schools are prepped to get their seasons underway when Frisco High School comes to town on Friday, Aug. 27 to take on the Wildcats at 7:30 P.M. for both teams’ football season openers.
The game will be broadcasted on KSST 1230 AM and, if possible, will be live-streamed on our Youtube channel as well.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
