Commissioners Court Agrees To Tax Incentive For Dike Solar Farm, EMP Credits For TxDOT Bridge Projects
Increases To Jail & HCFD Budgets, Longevity Pay, OSSF Fees Also Approved
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday approved several items during a special session, including a tax incentive for a Dike solar farm, equivalent match credits for bridge projects and increases to jail and fire department budgets, longevity pay for county employees and OSSF fees.
381 Agreement
The court approved a 381 agreement, which would provide a tax incentive to a Dike solar farm. The agreement is essentially the same as a tax abatement. However, with a 381 agreement, instead of not having to pay the agreed upon amount in exchange for locating the service in Hopkins County, the applicant would pay full taxes on the property up front, but would have what would be the abated amount returned when all terms for the incentive are met.
The 381 agreement the Commissioners Court approved Monday is a 10-year agreement with Hopkins Energy LLC which would decrease in incentive amount each year by 10 percent. The proposed Dike solar farm also has asked for limited tax liability agreements with Sulphur Springs and Sulphur Bluff ISDs and indicated a desire for a tax break from any other taxing entity within the boundaries of which the project would be located.
Barker made the motion, which was seconded by Anglin, to approve the Chapter 381 agreement for Hopkins Energy LLC as presented. The proposal received full approval of the court.
OSSF
Hopkins County Fire Department Chief Andy Endsley asked the Commissioners Court Monday to consider increasing the fees charged for On-Site Sewage Facility permits.
“This is something I was tasked by the court to research as far as our fees for OSSF. We canvassed our surrounding counties and we are below what they are,” Endsley said.
Endsley proposed increasing the OSSF permit fee for a single family dwelling by $100 to $360 and commercial inspection fees would increase by $200 to $560. He said the additional fees for commercial permits because there are several more site inspections involved in the process
For instance, North Hopkins ISD over the summer required a 5-6 on-site process plus additional paperwork.
“There’s a lot of administrative work to get these inspections ready, even though it’s a one time visit to residential unless something’s wrong, but there are a lot administrative work on that side of it. This helps compensate that side of it,” Endsley said.
“This would be a one time a one-time only fee for building of a residence?” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom asked.
“Correct, it’d be a one time deal, unless that resident is building a lot of houses,” Endsley said.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker made the motion, which was seconded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price, that the OSSF permit fees be increased as requested. The motion received unanimous approval of the 3 commissioners present and the county judge; Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley was unable to attend the Monday morning meeting.
Budget Amendments
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum asked the Commissioners Court to consider amending the jail budget.
Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook noted an increase was requested because the original jail budget approved in fall 2019 did not include expenses or revenue from the housing of federal inmates in Hopkins County jail. Thus, the jail is over budget in food and medical operating.
“We predicted they would bring in from prisoner housing $80,000. As of today, they’ve brought in $259,000. So I’m asking you to give them $100,000 of that to bring their budget up, not in the red,” Aulsbrook said. “The budget amendment for the sheriff or for the jail is from the revenue he’s brought in.”
“We are in the process of making some changes at our farm to save some more money and try to bring that cost down on this, but we are also making quite a bit of revenue off of them,” Tatum said.
The funding received for is for housing and care of inmates while in custody at HCSO jail, but does not include salaries or wages for any jail or other sheriff’s office staff. The federal government will also reimburse the county for any transporting of federal inmates between facilities.
“If you look at projections for the year, that’s going to be quite a bit of money we’re going to be bringing in – at first we thought about $800,000 but it could be even more than that,” Tatum said.
“Is the state of Texas still continuing to having us hold many of their people that should have been in the prison system?” Newsom asked, referring to the decision for state prisons to not accept any additional prisoners through much of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a precaution.
Tatum said the county jail still has about 30 inmates who have been assessed time in prison, approximately 10 were released last week and another 8-10 or so are scheduled to be sent to prison this week if they pass the health inspection now required before an inmate will be accepted in a state prison.
Barker asked if CARES Act funding could be used to cover some of the costs associated with the longer term housing of inmates who have been sentenced to time in a state facility.
“No, we asked. They weren’t willing to pay for that. They may pay for some of the jailers who had to get overtime or things like that, but that’s all they are going to help with,” Aulsbrook noted.
Tatum said the program to house federal inmate is new, but one he feels will be a lot better once the county has a long term contract to do so and a routine and budget for the feeding and other associated costs are established.
HCSO Chief Deputy Tanner Crump anticipates potentially completing the application process within the next month.
Aulsbrook reported the fire department budget also needed to be amended. The county was notified after the 2019-2020 budget was approved that the fire department had been approved for a SAFER Grant which allowed Hopkins County Fire Department to hire three firemen, 1 additional full-time firefighter per 24-hour shift daily for each of the three shifts.
The SAFER grant did not include cost of uniforms and PPE gear for the three firemen it allows the county to add, 1 additional full-time firefighter per 24-hour shift daily. That put required an additional $6,057, which would need to come from the county fund balance to fully cover the expense.
“This is actually structural firefighters gear and, actually, we saved $3,000 on that by hiring one of our part-time firefighters so we only had to buy two sets of PPE. They run $3,000 a piece. That’s from head to toe for the firefighters. We didn’t budget for it because we didn’t know we were getting the SAFER grant until after the budget had been set,” Endsley noted.
Newsom asked how much the SAFER grant funds of the 3 new full-time firefighters’ salaries.
Endsley noted the federal grant pays 75 percent of their salaries the first year, and 35 percent the third year of the grant program. The county was notified HCFD was selected for SAFER grant about a month into the 2019-2020 budget.
HCFD was able to use uniforms the department already had in reserve, saving on the cost of additional clothing. HCFD did budget in the 2020-21 budget approved earlier this month for the additional uniform costs.
Price made the motion, which was seconded by Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin, to approve the budget amendments for the jail and fire department as recommended.
EMP Credit
Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved a 3-page resolution which helps the county meet the required funding match for off-system bridge projects using equivalent match project credits from work already performed on other deficient bridges or deficient main lane cross-drainage structures.
Bridges that meet criteria go into TxDOT’s 10-year plan, so the projects designated in the near future were projects submitted at least 10 years ago by previous commissioners.
Hunt and Rains County have designated excessive EMP work in those counties to Hopkins County for work on Texas Department of Transportation off-system bridges.
Hopkins County is submitting the following $315,464.54 in EMPs in return for waiver of the local match fund from their participation-waived projects not yet awarded:
- Culvert replacements — on Hopkins County Road 4719 near FM 2653, $3,320.51; on Hopkins CR 4707 near CR 4702, $3,058.10; Hopkins CR 4574 near CR 4581, $2,428.12; Rains CR 1140 at Glad Creek, $85,000; and Hopkins CR 1173 near CR 1174, $9,240.96.
- Installation of a new culvert — Hopkins CR 1100 near FM 3389, $3,228.06.
- Repair of bridge abutment and approach — Rains CR 3160 at Magee Brancfh, $9,662.13.
- Sheet piling installation at east abutment and backfill — Hunt CR 3110 at Timber Creek, $13,770.57.
- Construction of new bridge — Hunt CR 3512 at Little Creek, $76,026.09; Hunt CR 1072 at Cowleech Creek, $48,305; and Hunt CR 1091 at Holden Branch, $61,425.
Hopkins County’s required match is $170,565 for six bridge projects:
- $36,996 on County Road 1152 over Big Creek;
- $26,352 on CR 4714 over Crooks Creek;
- $23,790 on CR 4767 over North Caney Creek Tributary;
- $39,528 on CR 1138 over Turkey Creek;
- $22,814 on CR 1137 over Mitcham Branch; and
- $21,106 for CR 3545 over Mitchell Creek Tributary.
The resolution also authorizes the county judge to execute advance funding agreement with TxDOT for those 6 projects.
Other
Hopkins County Commissioners Court also approved as presented:
- The annual Statewide Victim Notification System (SAVNS) maintenance grant contract. SAVNS is “an automated method of providing victims of crime with access to information and notification about changes in offender status and court events twenty-four hours a day. SAVNS provides crime victims with this information via a toll-free number and website. The system operates by networking status information from participating county and state contractors into a central database operated by a private vendor. Resources are allocated to the Office of the Attorney General by Texas Legislature to provide assistance in establishing contracts between county/state entities and the central database company, according to the OAG’s office.
- An Additional $25 per county employee in longevity pay after a full year, increasing it from $75 to $100
At the recommendation of Price, the Commissioners Court tabled a request from Oncor Electric Delivery to construct an electrical power distribution facilities which would extend about 2,450 feet west, along County Road 4592 right of way, which is located 1.32 miles northwest of FM 1536 in Precinct 4. This gives the parties involved another week to further negotiate some differences between them.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner Enjoys Two Saturday Wins After Friday Road Loss
Saturday’s (September 19) good play by the Lady Cats Volleyball Team was probably just what Coach Bailey Dorner wanted to see after a lackluster loss on the road Friday evening.
In the Lady Cats 3-0 loss Friday at Frisco Heritage, Coach Dorner said the Lady Cats did not do well with serve receive and seemed to rarely get hands on many balls during the match. The Lady Cats responded with a pair of wins Saturday, 3-0 at Pittsburg and 3-0 at home against Paris later Saturday.
Coach Dorner said her team seemed to be a little sluggish for the Saturday noon start at Pittsburg but, then, did well. She said she was proud of the straight sets’ win.
Then, at home against Paris, Coach Dorner said she hated that the Lady Cats lost a 17-5 lead in the first set but, she said she was proud that the team was able to pull out a 30-28 win. After the 3-0 win over Paris, Coach Dorner said it would be nice if her team could play a whole set well from start to finish.
She said early the Lady Cats have hit some spots where they have struggled. Coach Dorner noted that the Lady Cats had an unusual match serving versus Paris. The Lady Cats recorded 10 service aces but the coach said her team also gave up entirely too many points on bad serves.
Sophomore Laney Hurst has been promoted to the varsity and has contributed as a server. Coach Dorner said she has been working hard in practice and is handling things well, considering it’s her first time to be playing at this level.
Coach Dorner has moved Senior Night to Tuesday night’s game against Commerce at home. She said she wants to make sure to get the recognition in during these uncertain times. Five senior players and a senior manager will be honored Tuesday night before the 6:30 p.m. Varsity contest.
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.
Lady Cats Cross Country Wins Pine Tree Puddle Jump Meet, Wildcats Are Fifth
The Lady Cats Cross Country Team had another strong showing Friday, September 18, at the Pine Tree Puddle Jump held at Lear Park in Longview. The Lady Cats won the meet. The Wildcats finished 5th in an 8-team field.
Again Friday, the Lady Cats were led by freshman Haylee Shultz who finished 2nd overall with a time of 21:29.9. Sophomore Laney Hurst was 6th. Sophomore Mattie Bridges was 9th, senior Kenia Herrera was 11th, sophomore Rebekah Stanley was 13th, sophomore Emily Soto was 18th and senior Maurie Flecker was 19th. Three more sophomores, Makayla Jimmerson, Allison Peckham and Angel Cruz also competed in the race. Coach Ross Hicks said the Lady Cats totaled a good low team score of 27. He said the second place team was in the 50’s. Coach Hicks said all of the district’s teams were in the race.
The Wildcats were led by senior Camden Fuller who finished 7th with a time of 17:53.4. Coach Hicks said Fuller worked hard this summer and has had to overcome injuries. He said Fuller is running about a minute faster now than he was a year ago at this time. Junior Alex Flecker finished 15th just over a second ahead of junior Evan Patrick who was 16th. Next finishers for the Wildcats were sophomore Hector Hernandez, junior Johnathan Scott, sophomore Kevin Garcia, senior Alejandro Diosdado and senior Abdiel Ramirez. Coach Hicks said the Wildcats had to do without two of their good boys’ runners.
The Wildcats and Lady Cats run next at a meet Saturday at LeTourneau University in Longview.
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.
Hopkins County Sept. 21 COVID-19 Update: 25 New Cases, 25 Recoveries, 14 Patients In COVID-Unit
Hopkins County’s COVID-19 case counts increased significantly over the weekend, with 25 new COVID-19 cases and 25 additional recoveries reported Monday afternoon, Sept. 21, Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported in their Hopkins County Sept. 21 COVID-19 update.
That’s 78 new positive lab-confirmed cases reported during the first 21 days of September, outpacing July and August case counts. There were 67 new cases reported through from July 1-21 and 89 total new cases reported in July. There had only been 77 new cases reported Aug. 1-21 and 91 total cases during the month of August.
Because the number of recoveries matched new cases, the active case count remains 73, as reported on Friday, Sept. 18.
The 25 recoveries reported since Friday increases the total number of Hopkins County residents who have recovered from COVID-19 this month to 52. That’s better than during the whole month of July, when only 48 people recovered from COVID-19, but is still behind August’s pace of 94 recoveries through the 21st, although only 3 more Hopkins County residents recovered in August. Cumulatively, that’s 248 of the 321 Hopkins County residents who tested positive for COVID-19 on molecular PCR tests who have recovered.
The number of patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs increased significantly from 8 on Friday to 14 on Monday, HC/SS Emergency Management officials reported on Sept. 21. That’s the most patients in the COVID-19 unit since HC/SSEM began reporting the data.
An additional 83 molecular COVID-19 tests were conducted on Sept. 18-19, during the free testing offered at Hopkins County Civic Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Sept. 18-19. That makes 633 total tests performed at HCCC since the free tests were first offered Sept. 7 and continued to be offered weekly through last Saturday.
Texas Health and Human Services on Sept. 14 reported an increase in COVID-19 cases at one local nursing facility on Sept. 7, the most recent data available regarding nursing facilities. Carriage House Manor reported 2 of the 4 employees who tested positive for COVID-19 continued to have active cases, the other 2 have recovered on Sept. 7. The facility also reported 1 resident had tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 7, according to the HHS nursing home report.
There were no active COVID-19 cases among either employees or residents of assisted living facilities in Sulphur Springs on Sept. 7, according to the Sept. 21 HHS assisted living facility report.
HHS also reported no active COVID-19 cases at any of the child care centers in Sulphur Springs on Sept. 20.
Guaranty Bank & Trust Lobbies Re-Opening
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Pickton-Pine Forest VFD Adds Brush Truck To Fleet
PICKTON, Texas – Pickton-Pine Forest Volunteer Fire Department increased their fleet thanks to a $99,723 Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance cost-share grant administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
“The new apparatus has four-wheel-drive, a 300-gallon water tank, foam capability, bumper spray nozzle and electric hose reel,” said Fire Chief Trey Thompson. “It is built for wildland firefighting but can also be used for
structure fires and rescue and will carry a cache of wildland equipment and medical supplies.”
The truck has gone into service.
“Our department trained on the functionality of the truck and it has already been out on five or six calls,” said Thompson.
Pickton-Pine Forest Volunteer Fire Department has been serving their community since 1976 and continues to grow and advance their fire service.
“The addition of this brush truck to the Pickton-Pine Forest VFD fleet will help to increase their capacity to better serve their community and surrounding area,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Cody Mayo.
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, a cost share program funded by Texas State Legislature and administered by
Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides funding to rural Volunteer Fire Departments for the acquisition of firefighting vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry-hydrants, computer
systems and firefighter training.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.
Five People Arrested By DPS Following 2 Traffic Stops
Five people were arrested by DPS troopers following 2 traffic stops in Hopkins County overnight Saturday, including one that resulted in a vehicle crash, according to arrest reports.
State Highway 19 Arrests
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper reported stopping a white Chrysler 300 around 8:30 p.m. Sept. 19. He observed the vehicle driving on the improved shoulder of State Highway 19.
As the trooper approached the car, he reported smelling a marijuana odor. Sheriff’s deputies reportedly asked the driver, a 23-year-old Sulphur Springs man, and passengers to exit the car. Marijuana was allegedly found inside the car.
The driver and all occupants, including a 21-year-old Sulphur Springs man and 22-year-old Cumby woman, were arrested for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana. The woman admitted some of the marijuana found in the car was hers, but did not acknowledge who the rest of the marijuana belonged to. The Sulphur Springs passenger allegedly admitted to having marijuana inside of his sock.
All three were released from jail Sept. 20, 2020 on a $1,000 bond each on the misdemeanor possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana charge, according to jail reports. The driver was also reportedly issued a citation for driving without a driver’s license, according to arrest reports.
FM 1537 Arrests
The same DPS trooper attempted to stop a 17-year-old Campbell resident at 12 a.m. Sept. 20 for failing to drive a silver Chrysler 200 in a single lane on FM 1537. When the highway patrol trooper turned on the lights on his patrol vehicle, the vehicle collided with the back of another vehicle.
The Campbell teen allegedly admitted to the trooper that he had been drinking and smoking marijuana at a party. He was found to be intoxicated by administration of standard field sobriety tests and arrested for driving while intoxicated. He was taken to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital for a voluntary blood draw, then transported to jail. He was booked in on a driving while intoxicated charge.
A passenger in the silver car, a 19-year-old who gave an Ohio address for his place of residence, allegedly had a bag of marijuana in a bag between his feet in plain view. He too also allegedly admitted to drinking at a party; a bottle of alcohol was also reportedly found between two backseat passengers. The 19-year-old was arrested at 12:45 a.m. Sunday for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies reportedly assisted at the crash site, according to arrest reports.
The 19-year-old was released from Hopkins County jail later Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, on a $1,000 bond on the misdemeanor marijuana charge. The 17-year-old was also released on the misdemeanor DWI charge, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
Cumby Man Accused Of FM 1537 Church Burglary
A 20-year-old Cumby man was accused Sunday of a FM 1537 church burglary, according to sheriff’s reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office communications operators dispatched Sgt. Tanner Steward, and Deputies Chris Baumann, Kevin Lester and Alvin Jordan at 5:48 a.m. Sept. 20 to FM 1537 at County Road 3509, to check the welfare of a male reportedly lying in the middle of the road, according to sheriff’s reports.
Upon arrival, deputies reported finding Cole William Peterson lying in the ditch, with part of his body in the roadway. Following investigation, Peterson was taken into custody for public intoxication, according to deputies’ and other sheriff’s office reports.
At 9:56 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, the sheriff’s office was contacted regarding a building burglary. A church told officials it appeared someone had busted out a back window at the church, located on FM 1537 at County Road 3511. Deputy Zack Horne and Sgt. Shea Shaw responded.
Upon arrival, the deputies reported the church was surveyed to see if anything was missing. A small pack of bottled water, a blanket, papers and a fire extinguisher were reported to be missing. They looked around and found evidence in the church aisle and on a pew that a person had been inside, according to sheriff’s reports.
Sheriff’s officers reported finding among Peterson’s belongings at the time of his arrest items matching the description of those reportedly stolen from the church
Consequently, the 20-year-old Cumby man was charged later Sunday with burglary of a building in connection with the FM 1537 church burglary, according to sheriff’s reports. Peterson remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, Sept. 21, according to jail reports.
Sunday was the second time in two months that Peterson has been booked into Hopkins County jail on a felony charge. He was also arrested Aug. 3, 2020, on a warrant for unauthorized use of a vehicle, according to jail reports. Peterson was released from Hopkins County jail Aug. 5, on a $5,000 bond on that UUV charge, according to jail reports.
Sunday was also not the first time Peterson has been jailed locally on a burglary of a building charge. The Cumby man also spent Nov. 5, 2017 through Jan. 3, 2018, in custody at Hopkins County jail on burglary of a building, theft of a firearm and burglary of a vehicle warrants, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
October is Child Health Awareness Month, and Hopkins County Fall Festival, Christmas Joys Quickly Approaching
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County
In October, celebrate Child Health Awareness Month by becoming more aware of children’s health issues and evidence-based strategies to prevent them.
This unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the way children are interacting with their peers, participating in activities, and receiving education. By staying connected with their pediatrician, kids can fight against health disparities, strengthen their immune system and mental well-being.
- Most Texas schools are conducting distance learning, so staying active will help children to learn better and reduce their stress levels.
- Physical activity and play are still important parts of the curriculum.
- Parents also play a vital role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle for their child.
- At home, parents are encouraged to implement sitting less and moving more, along with discussing the benefits of healthy eating.
- Physical activity and healthy eating can be combined during virtual learning to provide education, movement, and fun! Studies show that incorporating movement into learning can assist a child in gaining and retaining knowledge.
- While any activity has benefits, walking is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to stay healthy. Another way to help form a sustained habit of walking/activity is by participating in any of Extension’s Walk Across Texas programs. Walk Across Texas is a free, 8-week program designed to help Texans establish the habit of regular physical activity. A new on-line feature, Walk Through Texas History, is a four-week program designed to help Texans establish the habit of regular physical activity while learning the rich history of Texas. Watch for start-up dates coming soon!
2020 Hopkins County Fall Festival Happenings
The 2020 Hopkins County Fall Festival is offering lots of opportunities! The Arts & Crafts Show, scheduled for October 23 and 24, provides shopping for those one-of-a-kind hand-made, hand-crafted items. So far, a great variety of items will be on display and I plan to do some serious shopping! Spaces are still available for anyone who would like to be a vendor. The Mothers’ Culture Club will provide a concession stand during the two-day event.
Another great opportunity is the Creative Arts Contest. Hopkins County residents are encouraged to enter items for judging. Categories include art, clothing, creative crafts, food preservation, holiday corner, photography, horticulture, woodworking, handiwork, and more. We have an age division for all ages.
For more information on both of these events, contact the Extension office at 903-885-3443 or go to http://hopkins.agrilife.org. Click on ‘publications.’ Also, check out the Hay Bale Contest, petting zoo, and more – lots of fun in store!
2020 Christmas Joys
Even though the event will look a little different this year, the annual Extension Christmas Joys will take place! The date is Monday, November 9, at the ROC (Recreation Outreach Center), 115 Putman, Sulphur Springs. Three sessions are being offered to allow for social distancing: 10:00 am, 1:30 pm, and 5:30 pm. Sessions will fill quickly, so don’t procrastinate! Call the Extension Office at 903-885-3443 to reserve a seat. We must have a name and phone number for each seat reserved. Please note that it is best to call rather than send a message on social media. The cost is $5, which will cover a booklet of all the ideas and recipes demonstrated, goody bag, door prizes, and refreshments. We ask that you wear a face covering, if possible.
Closing Thought
I have found that a lot of people want to focus on the darkest day in their life instead of all the good that there is. – Terri Roberts
Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B W. Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected]
Hospital District 2021 Tax Rate, Budget Approved
Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors approved the 2021 budget and tax rate as proposed and, following an executive session, approved the hiring of an additional staff member for the hospital district.
Tax Rate
Ron Folwell, hospital district CEO and CFO, recommended no change to the tax rate. Based on the tax formula outlined by the comptroller’s office, the hospital district received $5,526,478 in tax revenue last year from a $2.298 billion tax base. The tax rate was 25-cents per $100 property value.
This year’s adjusted tax base is expected to be $2.256 billion. Based on the tax formula, the effective rate would be $0.246061 per $100 property valuation, which would generate $5.55 million. The rollback rate, the highest possible rate the district could set the tax rate at without having to hold an election, is $0.265745.
The HCHD Board unanimously agreed for the tax rate to remain 25-cents per $100 property value for the 2020-21 tax year.
Budget
Also approved as presented was a HCHD/HC EMS 2021 budget. This is includes four pieces, revenues, operating expenses, nursing home operations and non-operating income and expenses.
Overall, in the consolidated 2021 budget HCHD anticipates receiving $5.572 in rent income, $11.88 million in EMS patient revenue from all four counties Hopkins County EMS services, and $361,425 in deployment revenues. Factoring in communications center costs, which does not bring in revenue, a 55 percent contractual allowance and 10 percent bad debt expenses, Hopkins County EMS expects to have $2.795 million in the revenue, Delta County $455,030, Franklin County $567,635 and Rains County EMS $701,800. That’s a 2.87 percent revenue increase overall, according to a budget summary provided by Folwell.
Smith noted that one factor that will impact the Franklin County EMS budget is the restructuring of the EMS agreement with Franklin County. The current agreement ends in December, which is the first quarter of the new budget year. The new contract is for 5 years. Smith said financially EMS is performing a lot better in Franklin County than in the previous year.
In January, EMS will be moving into a new station in Franklin County that is currently being constructed on property that backs up to the railroad tracks and shares a parking lot with the sheriff’s department. HCHD/EMS has no costs associated with that, Smith noted.
Operating expenditures are expected to be $7.1 million, a 4.16 percent increase.
Nursing home expenses in the consolidated 2021 budget are expected to be $52.8 million, and revenues projected at $54 million.
The non-operating fund within the consolidated 2020 budget incorporates $4.5 million for uncompensated care, $1.5 million in interest expense, $5.9 million in tax revenue, $336,000 in interest income and $120,000 in other income. That would leave $336,458 overall in the non-operating fund.
Included in the capitol budget, according to Smith, are funds needed to replace and upgrade all cardiac monitors over a certain age. This meets FDA guidelines established in 2015 by the Legislature, which requires the obsolete devices to be upgraded and replaced by February 2021, according to Smith.
Executive Session
HCHD Board, following a closed session, approved the addition of a controller or accountant to assist Folwell and the two administrative personnel with finances. Promotion and compensation was approved for Heather Smith and Angie Waller as well, according to the HCHD CEO.
