TAMUC Hosting Annual Viewing of Manhattan Short Film Festival
COMMERCE, TX—The Texas A&M University-Commerce Department of Literature and Languages will restart its yearly tradition of hosting a viewing of the Manhattan Short Film Festival on Sept. 29.
The festival is unique in that, instead of a touring event that travels to various venues, it is hosted simultaneously by theatres, schools, municipalities and more worldwide. At each viewing, attendees are given voting cards to choose their top film out of the selection. All votes worldwide are tabulated and the film with the most votes wins.
The festival came from humble beginnings. Founder Nick Mason hosted the first edition by projecting the films onto the side of a truck trailer in New York City’s Little Italy neighborhood.
“It was not for money; it was a love project,” Mason said.
But the small festival gained a lot of attention in a short time. It moved to Union Square Park and began to feature celebrity guest judges, more closely resembling a traditional film festival format. But the events of September 11, 2001, affected many, including Mason.
“September 11 happened 10 days before the 2001 festival, but even then, the city asked us to go ahead with our event,” Mason said. “It got a lot of press attention. I got many calls from people saying ‘We saw your festival on television.’”
He adds: “I was deeply affected by the events of 9/11 and the sheer hatred that followed, but films helped to teach me about love.”
In Mason’s eyes, short filmmakers often encapsulate cultural attitudes and emotions on topics that are very relevant to their time period, and their work can be enjoyed by a wide range of people in many different locations. This is what gave him the idea to create Manhattan Short’s current format.
“When I was watching the films back then, I thought ‘Why don’t we show these same films, not just in New York, but in Boston, New Hampshire or anywhere?’” Mason said. “We do it all at the same time and let the public judge it.”
Now, the festival is screened in more than 500 venues on every continent except Antarctica. While the festival receives upwards of 1,500 film submissions each year, only 10 are chosen to be shown and voted on by audiences, a selection process which has proved to be a difficult task as the festival grows in popularity.
“it’s difficult to choose a group of films that has the right blend,” Mason added. “We ideally want to choose films that can resonate with a demographic of anywhere between 15 and 85 years old, and anywhere from Sydney, Australia, to Siberia.”
Filmgoers in Hunt County have been enjoying the event for half a decade, as A&M-Commerce has hosted its own screening of the festival for several years now. Hunter Hayes, Ph.D., associate professor and head of the Department of Literature and Languages at A&M-Commerce, believes that this event is a strong indicator of the types of opportunities offered by the university.
“The event is one that I believe aligns superbly with our institutional goals,” Hayes says. “For one week, people worldwide engage in a common purpose and experience by watching a collection of international short films and then voting for best film and actor. Participation can have a direct experience on the outcome.”
A&M-Commerce’s viewing of the festival is one of only five venues in Texas. It will be held on Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. in the Talbot Hall of Languages, room 203. The event is free, open to the public and light snacks will be served.
Learn more about the Manhattan Short Film Festival.
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About Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas A&M University-Commerce serves rural and metropolitan East Texas with a dedicated mission to Educate. Discover. Achieve. With an enrollment of 11,624 students, the university is the third-largest member of The Texas A&M University System. The 2,100-acre Commerce campus provides many opportunities for students to learn and grow. The university offers more than 130 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. A vibrant student experience includes 14 NCAA Division II athletic teams, a thriving Greek system and more than 120 student-led organizations. Classes are delivered on-site in Commerce, Corsicana, Dallas, McKinney, Frisco and Mesquite. In November 2021, the university will open A&M-Commerce at Dallas, located at 8750 North Central Expressway.
Contact: Michael Johnson
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
903.886.5128
Klondike Volunteer Fire Department to Host Fish Fry and Silent Auction September 25th, 2021
Klondike Volunteer Fire Department is a full volunteer department, run solely off any money made from their 2-3 Fundraisers per year. There will be a Fish Fry and Silent Auction September 25th, 2021. They are looking for donations for silent auction items and/or sponsors for the Fish Fry. Fish fry tickets are available $10.00 each!
KVFD is a 501c(3), all donations are tax deductible. A tax donation receipt is available.
Please contact Belinda (903) 307-9107 for more information or if you and/or your business would like to make a monetary or item donation for our silent auction.
20 Years Later, Hopkins County Remembers Emergency Service Personnel Killed In 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
For the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States, local emergency responders held a service to honor the emergency responders who were killed Sept. 11, 2001, while responding to offer aid to those in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.
Hopkins County and Sulphur Springs Fire Departments, Hopkins County Emergency Medical Services personnel, Fire In Texas recruits, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, Sulphur Springs Police Department, Hopkins County elected officials and community members were among those attending the fourth annual remembrance service, hosted has become tradition at the Hopkins County Intermodal facility, which houses HCFD’s Station 20 and a HCEMS ambulance crew.
Rodney Caudle with Fire in Texas gave the opening comments, denoting the annual event to honors the firefighters, medical and law enforcement personnel who ran toward the Twin Towers, while everyone else was running away after the airplanes crashed into them on Sept. 11, 2001. He noted that many present were not born or not old enough to remember where they were or what they were doing that day, others were just beginning or still early in their careers as first responders.
“Take a moment to reflect on why we wanted to serve in the capacity we serve. Times are changing. People are changing. Let us remember, life is short and there’s no time for hate. Let us remember we can overcome any endeavor or feat by looking to God for help. Let us remember ‘they word is a lamp unto my feet and a light until my path.’ Let us stay focused and restore unity where evil has prevailed,” Caudle said
Pastor Joel Tiemeyer said a prayer of thanks for the freedom of gathering and open worship afforded in this country, and asked the Lord to be with the families of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty responding 20 years ago to the terror attacks. He then offered thanks and asked for protection for those who continue to serve and give of themselves daily. He prayed for the county and city to have God go “before use” and to become a Matthew 5:14 city, a city on a hill where the Lord’s light cannot be hidden, and asked for peace and grace.
Joel Tiemeyer, Rodney Caudle 
In remembrance 
Lary Fowler
Fire In Texas academy recruits marched in formation to accompaniment of bagpipes played by South Texas bagpiper and Fort Worth Bagpiper Lary Fowler to the flags on the front lawn of HCFD. The academy color guard raised proceeded to the flag poles in front of Station 20 while the rest of the class filed along the approach. The color guard posted the American and Texas flags on the three poles in front of the station. The recruits saluted the flag. All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the USA flag. The flags then were lowered in honor of the 412 first responders killed in the 9/11/01 attacks.
Central dispatch broadcast across the radio a call for all first responders to stop what they were doing and take a moment to bow their heads in a moment of silence and prayer for those killed in the line of duty. Thanks was offered for all the emergency responders do daily serving others. Fowler played Amazing Grace on bagpipes.
Hopkins County EMS Director Brent Smith over the radio recalled those responders lost on Sept. 11, 2001, ordinary men and women running that horrific morning toward the danger as emergency responders do.
“Greater love hath no man that this: that a man lay down his life for a friend. Twenty years ago 412 emergency responders, including 343 New York city firefighters, 60 police officers, eight emergency medical technicians and paramedics or private EMS services, one patrolman from the New York Fire Patrol ran towards danger and did not make it home to their families. Today we honor their courage, commitment and sacrifice with a long standing tradition in the fire service with the tolling of the bells,” Smith said.
Firefighters rang three sets of five tolls of a bell on a fire engine to signal those first responders who did not return home after responding on Sept. 11, 2001.
After additional playing of bagpipes by Fowler, Caudle directed the attention of those responding to a fire truck park across the approach, a 1993 Seagrave pumper. While currently in service as Engine 2 in Como, on Sept. 11, 2021, the truck, in service as Lanchmont, New York Engine 33, responded at the World Trade Center.
Tiemeyer then offered thanks to all who serve on a daily basis, giving their lives to keep the rest of us safe, for their service. He then offered a closing prayer for the protection and safety for all those present at the remembrance service as well as those who put their lives on the line across the nation. He concluded the prayer asking the Lord to bless the US once again.
The recruits then filed out, concluding the service with a selection of patriotic music by Fowler. The annual remembrance is typically held on Sept. 11, however, because the event will be on a Saturday, not a traditional work day, it was held one day early in 2021.
The tribute also featured an American flag against a flag backdrop, with firefighting gear, complete with coat with FDNY on it, pants and boots, an air cylinder and coat to present the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. SSFD too draped a large US flag from the ladder on Tower 1 in remembrance of those killed in the terror attacks.
Cumby Volunteer Fire Department will hold a 343 Memorial Walk Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in honor of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11/01. The 3.43 mile walk/run will begin at 7:46 a.m., the time the first of the World Trade Center twin towers fell. Departing from Cumby YSA Field. the walk will continue east on FM 499 to the I-30 service road, then turn and eventually conclude at Cumby VFD station at 101 East Main Street in downtown Cumby. All are welcome to join the walk or line the route to show support and togetherness in remembering. Call Ryan Horne at 936-645-5475 or Jimmy Helfferich at 903-335-1619 for additional information.
Ensuing Weekend Brings Several Wildcats, Lady Cats Teams in Action
This weekend brings lots of sports activity from Sulphur Springs teams.
On this Sept. 10 edition of Friday gameday, Coach Greg Owens and Wildcats football will be in Kaufman for their third game of the fall 2021 season.
Lady Cats volleyball, lead by Coach Bailey Dorner, will be in Mt. Pleasant later today for their first district match of their fall season.
Wildcats football will be making the trip out to Kaufman to take on the Lions for their third game of the fall season.
The Wildcats come in to the game 0-2 reeling from their Friday loss in Lovejoy and will try to turn things around tonight to get their first win of the fall 2021 season.
Kaufman comes in to the game 2-0, with late-game heroics leading the Lions to victory in both of their opening games.
Kaufman’s two wins were achieved by a combined eight points.
Sulphur Springs will try to get their first victory on the season tonight before returning home next week for not only Homecoming, but their first district game of the fall 2021 season.
But before Coach Owens and his program can shift their focus to district play, they must first take on a Jeramy Burleson-coached Kauffman program who not only won the state 7-on-7 tournament earlier this summer, but beyond that will be looking to get their third win tonight and be one step closer to entering district season undefeated.
The Wildcats’ third football game of the season is set to kick off tonight at 7:30 P.M.
KSST has been granted access to livestream Friday’s match on our Youtube channel, but whether we can livestream from Leopard Stadium is contingent upon internet access from Lucas’s press box.
Regardless of livestream capabilities, the game will be broadcasted over the radio on KSST 1230 AM.
Coach Dorner and her squad must be feeling confident considering how much they have fought and grown over the last two weeks.
The Lady Cats volleyball team have found their footing recently, having won three of their last four contests heading into tonight’s match in Mt. Pleasant.
A week ago, Coach Dorner’s team hosted their first home match in almost a month.
The Lady Cats came from behind down in sets at 0-1 and 2-1 to win in five in the volleyball team’s first five-set win of their fall 2021 season.
Coach Dorner’s squad has played in two matches that have gone to five sets heading in to district.
Then on Tuesday, Sulphur Springs hosted their second straight game and beat a tough Pleasant Grove team in four.
That game was a back-and-forth affair from the get-go, but the Lady Cats managed to pull away mid-way throughout the second set and won against the Lady Hawks, 3-1.
The win gave Coach Bailey Dorner’s team a 14-10 overall record as they head in to district play tonight when they travel to Mt. Pleasant to take on the Lady Tigers.
Sulphur Springs is ready for district play, as they will no doubt hope to keep their recent momentum going to the tune of a Mt. Pleasant defeat tonight which would give the Lady Cats their first win of district play and keep Coach Dorner’s team on the right track as they continue to improve.
Coach Dorner’s squad will fight for their first district win tonight when they travel to Mt. Pleasant to take on the Lady Tigers.
Varsity will get the action going at 4:30 P.M. followed by the junior varsity and freshman squads.
Also in action over the weekend will be Wildcats cross country and Wildcats team tennis.
Wildcats cross country had their bye week last week as they prepared for their first district invitational of their fall 2021 season.
The last meet Coach Ross Hicks’s teams participated in was on Aug. 27 in the Kaufman Run with the Lions.
Several runners had personal best times, including the Lady Cats, who finished in 10th place at the invitational.
The Wildcats fared a bit better, getting 7th in Kaufman against a number of large, 5A and 6A schools.
While both teams have some stand-out seniors, it has been underclassmen as of late that have been really impressing the cross country staff.
Coach Hicks and his program will no doubt be hoping for similar if not better results tomorrow when they travel to Hallsville to participate in the Hallsville Invitational.
That meet will take place on Saturday.
The Wildcats tennis team will also be in action tomorrow when they host Kaufman at the Wildcats Tennis Center in SSISD’s Athletic Complex.
The tennis team, lead by Coach Tony Martinez, has been entrenched in the center of district play.
They have already taken on three district foes, including a shut-out victory of Mt. Pleasant, and will take something of a breather from play-off-implicating matches when they host the Kaufman Lions tomorrow.
One of those big matches that may act as a de-facto playoff seeding game if things go the Wildcats’ way, will be next Tuesday versus Pine Tree, according to Coach Martinez.
After Team Tennis has taken on the Pirates on Tuesday, Coach Martinez’s squad will only have two more district matches.
But before Wildcats team tennis can shift their attention to the Pirates when they come to town on Tuesday, they must first take on the Kaufman Lions tomorrow at the Wildcats Tennis Center.
The matches are set to begin at 1 P.M.
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.
The Signature Solar Team Makes A Donation to the Benefit Concert by Neal McCoy with Jason Walden and The Alibis set for Today September 10, 2021
Dena Loyd who has organized the Sulphur Springs concert by Neal McCoy with Jason Walden and The Alibis set for Friday September 10, 2021, got a welcome surprise! Early Friday morning, the Signature Solar Team made a donation to the fundraiser. The local company will cover 100 free tickets for persons who are active National Guard, Active Reservists or Active Duty military. Not only are the seats for those personnel, but for their immediate families, which includes their parents, spouses and children.
The special qualifying seating will be available starting at 6 p.m. on Friday September 10, on a first come, first served basis. You must show ID at the door to qualify yourself and your guests. Again, the 100 free tickets will be used to seat active National Guard members, National Guard Reservists and any active duty military who wish to attend the concert. This special offer does not extend to military Veterans.
For more details, phone 903-243-2206. The Signature Solar Team was happy to make this unique donation on behalf of The Wall That Heals and Vietnam Veterans Mobile Education Center coming to Sulphur Springs November 4-7, 2021. The September 10 Neal McCoy fundraising concert will be a special night in Sulphur Springs, and by way of a thank you to our National Guard members, this gift is much appreciated. Thanks, Signature Solar! Also, concert tickets are available for purchase at the door. The concert begins at 7 p.m.
Sulphur Springs Locals Brian Snyder and Andrew Vo Compete in the Jettribe WaterX Mid America Race Series
This last weekend marked the final round of the Jettribe Mid America Jetski race series, meeting in El Dorado, Kansas. This was the last stop for the IJSBA race tour in the region.
This race series brought in the best Jet Ski racers from Arizona, Kansas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Colorado and New Mexico. It was a long season which started in Lincoln, Nebraska (June 5 – 6),Lawrence, Kansas (July 17 – 18 ),Pomona, Kansas (August14 – 15),and finished in El Dorado, Kansas (August28 – 29).
Your Sulphur Springs Jet-ski racers were Brian Snyder and Andrew Vo, a 12-year old junior racer. Both Andrew and Brian relocated from California in recent years, and now reside in our great city of Sulphur Springs. Andrew and Brian were beginner Jet-ski racers this summer season who both took first place overall in the Jettribe Texas Jet-ski race season. They were favored for podium finish at the final round of the final race in El Dorado, Kansas. But racing is racing and luck, of course, plays a huge part in winning or losing.
Saturday, Moto 1, race 1, Brian Snyder had his work cut out for him, he moved up a class to Amateur 4 strokes from the Beginner class. This a tough class, with a stacked line up. The other riders have raced in this class for years, with the only next level for advancement is the Pro class.
On the first race of the day, Brian was on the line with his stock 1500cc Kawasaki stand-up Jetski, among a huge line of experienced racers, with fast fine-tuned skis. The next 30 seconds seemed like hours. When the starting line rubber band snapped back, all racers sling-shot down the straight away. Brian was caught behind the pump wash from the other racers and his ski’s intake was sucking mostly air and pump wash, much like a washing machine, along with big wakes. Brian was ejected off his ski, but he stubbornly applied the death grip, and hung on to his 500-plus pound Jet ski, going at 60 MPH. This painfully caused his shoulder to separate and instantly tore some muscles.
After his race, we brought Brian to the on-site Butler County EMT. They aid “No more racing for you”! Brian regrettably sat out the rest of the weekend. Tony from Jettribe always reinforced that we are racing for fun not for any prize money.
Andrew Vo, came into the final race in the Jettribe Mid America Jetski Series with a sense of confidence. He narrowly earned first place overall in the beginner ski Junior class for the Texas.
Series and two first place podium finishes from the Mid America Series. For this weekend, at the last minute, Andrew asked the race organizer (Terry Hebert) if he could race in the men’s beginner stand up ski class also, just to gain some experience. Terry reluctantly approved for Andrew to race with the adults, but Andrew was advised not to try for the hole shot and stay back for safety reasons.
The men’s ski class was stacked with 1500cc SXR Kawasaki stand up jet skis. These are the fastest most power stand up stock jet skis you can buy straight out of the box! Andrew lined up with this 2021 Yamaha Super Jet, with is a 1050cc motor, a 450cc disadvantage but he only weighs 80 Lbs! His race class all season was the beginner Junior class, and we knew that next season, Andrew will need to graduate to the next class up. Andrew will have his hands full next season, so getting some practice early was what he wanted to do.
Since the previous rounds this season, all of Andrew’s junior teammates had gotten faster (really fast), and many were equipped with more powerful jet skis. Andrew fought hard on the race track all weekend throughout his four motos. He managed to steal three firsts when one of the moto the leaders, Noah (an up and coming junior racer from Kansas), fell off his ski at the back straights. Andrew held a comfortable solid second place and was able to pass the downed rider and snatch the checkered flag!
Sunday’s final race day counted as double points, and it all came down this moto. Tristan, an experienced junior racer also from Kansas, got the hole shot on his 1500cc Kawasaki SXR. Andrew fended off the pack and followed around the first lap in second place, charging hard and pushing Tristan for a mistake. But Tristan rode a solid race until the last lap. Andrew took the inside split track and caught up to his teammate, as both fought for their ski to corner the next red buoy.
Both riders were coming in hot, and both riders got ejected off their skis at nearly at the same moment, just like the a scene from the Movie Hot Waters! Both Andrew and Tristan swam to their skis like it was the Olympics, frantically trying to restart their skis to dash for the finish line. As luck would have it, Andrew’s friend and teammate was a faster swimmer and restarted his ski and rightfully won the last moto. Overall points added up on Sunday and amazingly Andrew earned another “First” weekend overall in the Juniors Beginner ski class!!! Congrats to all junior riders, it was a close and narrow points weekend, and luck had a huge factor in this.
Once again, Lady luck must be watching over Andrew. In men’s ski class Andrew rode his trusty Yamaha Super Jet 1050cc that was slightly under powered. Andrew would swap positions all weekend with the top 3 adult riders on their Kawasaki 1500cc jet skis. At the final race of the weekend, Andrew was doing what he was supposed to do, staying safe, while he chased the adults around for experience.
As the extra-long race progressed Andrew was in the middle of the pack, then found himself gaining one spot after another as adult racers fell or fatigue kicked in, slowing them down. We guess that Andrew’s playing Soccer in Sulphur Spring Soccer Association helped his endurance. To the crowd’s amazement on the final lap, Andrew, a junior racer in the men’s ski class, found himself reeling in the race leader! For some reason the current race leader fell hard at full speed at the back straights, ejecting himself over a 100 feet away from this stand up jet ski. Andrew holding on to a far second place pounced and skirted past the course marshal trying to fish the down racer leader. Andrew crossed the finish line taking the win the men’s skis class!
We are proud of Andrew for finishing a long, hard first season of racing in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. We watched Andrew grew emotionally and physically while he always stayed humble at this exciting power sport. Next season will be very difficult as Andrew enters a higher class and will face a more experienced group of racers.
Jetski racing is half luck and timing and the rest is skill. For our next race event site we will travel to Lake Havasu City, Arizona for the IJSBA Jet Ski World Finals, where Andrew will join hundreds of Juniors racers from all over the world in a training camp with the Pro racers. We’re looking forward to the next Race!
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 [email protected].
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.
