The Blanco County Commissioners Court held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners Courtroom of the Blanco County Courthouse, Johnson City, Blanco County, Texas. Blanco County Judge Bill Guthrie and three of the four County Commissioners attended the meeting. Blanco County Commissioner John Wood was absent because of a death in his family.
After Judge Guthrie called the Regular Meeting to order, the Court stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Blanco County Clerk Karen Newman presented the minutes of the Special meeting of August 26, 2014. Blanco County Commissioner James Sultemeier gave a motion to approve the minutes as read and County Commissioner Chris Liesmann seconded. Newman also read the minutes of the Special meeting of August 28, 2014, and those minutes were approved by the Court after a motion for approval from County Commissioner Liesmann. Commissioner Liesmann’s motion was seconded by County Commissioner Paul Granberg.
The Commissioners Court considered the burn ban. Judge Guthrie asked the Commissioners if everyone had gotten good rain. Blanco County Commissioner Liesmann answered, “We’ve gotten some rain.” Judge Guthrie asked if there were any comments, and there were none. He asked if the Court wanted to pass, and there was no action. The burn ban is off at this time.
The Court was asked to consider resolution authorizing the tax resale of Lot 35, Block 10, Lake of the Hills Estates subdivision for the amount of $667. The Court would also consider a second resolution authorizing the tax resale of Lot 12, Block 10, Lake of the Hills Estates subdivision for the amount of $850. Judge Guthrie told the Court, “We’ve dealt with this in the past, and we have a tax attorney present.”
Jeffrey Garcia, tax attorney for Blanco County Appraisal District, told the Commissioners Court, “the property dimensions are so small and there is no septic…we have received two bids and these bids are higher than those we have received in the past. The first bid offers thirty-one cents on the dollar owed to you, and the second bid offers sixty-eight cents on the dollar owed to you.” Attorney Garcia added, “I think these offers are pretty good.” Judge Guthrie told Blanco County tax attorney Jeffrey Garcia, “Thank you, sir.”
Judge Guthrie asked if the school had approved the bids, and Garcia answered, “Yes, the school approved them on August 11th.” Judge Guthrie asked for a motion to approve the first bid and Blanco County Commissioner Granberg made a motion authorizing the tax resale of Lot 35, Block 10, Lake of the Hills Estates subdivision for the amount of $667. This motion was seconded by County Commissioner Sultemeier. Judge Guthrie asked if there was a motion to approve the second bid, and Blanco County Commissioner Liesmann gave a motion authorizing the tax resale of Lot 12, Block 10, Lake of the Hills Estates subdivision for the amount of $850. County Commissioner Sultemeier seconded the motion.
The Commissioners Court went on to consider designating day of the week on which court will convene in a regular term pursuant to Texas Local Government Code 81.005(a). Judge Guthrie told the Commissioners, “This is routine. We’ve been meeting on the second Tuesday. I recommend that we leave this the same unless you see a reason to change.” Blanco County Commissioner Granberg gave a motion to designate day of the week on which court will convene in a regular term pursuant to Texas Local Government Code 81.005(a). County Commissioner Sultemeier seconded the motion. Judge Guthrie called for discussion, and it was noted that the second meeting is always designated as a Special meeting.
Judge Guthrie told the Court, “The tax increase is included in new properties and set forth on the tax rolls. We are to consider ratifying the tax increase of $95,707 for the next budget.” A motion to ratify the tax increase was presented by Blanco County Commissioner Sultemeier and seconded by County Commissioner Granberg. Judge Guthrie called for discussion and there was none; this motion carried.
The Commissioners considered adoption of the Blanco County Budget for FY 2014-2015. Judge Guthrie called for a motion and one was given by Blanco County Commissioner Liesmann and seconded by County Commissioner Sultemeier. No discussion followed and the motion carried.
The Court also considered setting the tax rate for FY 2014-2015. Blanco County Commissioner Granberg made a motion to set the tax rate for FY 2014-2015 as the effective rate of $ 0.343200 of which $ 0.057200 is for debt service. The motion was seconded by County Commissioner Liesmann. Judge Guthrie called for discussion, and there was none. This motion was approved.
The Commissioners Court set the homestead exemption at 1% of the appraised value with a minimum exemption of $5,000. The motion to set the homestead exemption was given by Blanco County Commissioner Sultemeier and County Commissioner Granberg seconded the motion. Judge Guthrie asked if there was any discussion or opposition. There was none, and the motion carried.
The Commissioners considered early discount payments as follows: 3% for payments made in October 2014, 2% for payments made in November 2014, 1% for payments made in December 2014. Judge Guthrie asked, “How does the Court wish to vote?” Blanco County Commissioner Liesmann answered, “At this point I make a motion as follows: 3% for payments made in October 2014, 2% for payments made in November 2014, 1% for payments made in December 2014.” County Commissioner Granberg gave a second to Commissioner Liesmann’s motion and Judge Guthrie called for discussion. There was no discussion given and the motion carried.
The Court approved the estimated September 2014 payroll in the amount of $260,232.58 after a motion to approve from Blanco County Commissioner Sultemeier and a second from County Commissioner Liesmann. Judge Guthrie asked Blanco County Secretary Kathy Strickland if all official reports were in. He was told that they were. The official reports were approved after a motion to approve from Blanco County Commissioner Liesmann. County Commissioner Sultemeier seconded the motion, there was no opposition, and the motion carried.
The Court was asked to consider payment of the outstanding bills for the amount of $136,699.09. Judge Guthrie reminded the Commissioners that the County Treasurer and Auditor were present if there were any questions for them. Blanco County Commissioner Sultemeier gave a motion to approve the outstanding bills and County Commissioner Liesmann seconded. There was no opposition and the motion was approved. The business of the Regular meeting was concluded at this time and the meeting ended after a motion to adjourn from Blanco County Commissioner Liesmann and a second from County Commissioner Granberg.
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