A packed commissioners court agenda Monday, Aug. 25 led to a lengthy meeting and slew of approvals.
The meeting kicked off with a presentation in honor of Ruth Buzzi, an American actress and comedian from Erath County.
She appeared on stage, on screen in films, and on television. She won a Golden Globe Award and received five Emmy nominations, was inducted into the Television and Radio Hall of Fame at the Paley Museum in Hollywood in 2001, inducted into the Rhode Island Hall of Fame, and was honored with her own episode of “This is your Life” with Ralph Edwards. Sheappearedeight times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and performed as a guest star in more than a dozen TV Specials with Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tony Orlando, Donnie and Marie Osmond, Cher, Anne Murray, and Bob Hope to name a few. Ruth was a charter member of the Pasadena Playhouse Alumni Association and was the first honoree to receive the Achievement Award. She did countless voices for animated features and cartoons in movies such as The Aristocats and Scooby Doo. She was a voice in many popular cartoon series including The Jetsons, Berenstain Bears, Smurfs, and was known as Granny Goodwitch with Sugar Bear in commercials.
She was known for making people laugh and enjoyed living life with her husband Kent on their ranch near Stephenville.
Her husband Kent Perkins was there to accept the award.
Meals on Wheels
The court approved a $25,000 grant from the county for Meals on Wheels.
Erath County Meals on Wheels Executive Director Elizabeth Johnson was on hand to share some statistics with the court and answer any questions.
It is costing the program just over $5 per meal just to purchase the food and they serve between 165-175 clients.
The program’s 228 volunteers served 264 hours last month and they served more than 43,000 meals last year.
“Funding has really been hit the past two years,” County Judge Brandon Huckabee said. “We appreciate everything you guys do for the county.”
The grant money aids the elderly and disabled that may not be eligible for the program otherwise.
New job description
The court unanimously approved a job description for a new full-time secretary for Commissioners Albert Ray and Jim Buck after the termination of the former employee and restructuring of the Indigent Healthcare Fund.
Huckabee explained the position had been tailored to fit the needs of the two commissioners and the salary would be paid from the commissioner’s road and bridge funds, not from general operation funds.
“I’m not ever in my office,” Ray said, stating he began his day at 6:30 a.m. and ended about 4:45 p.m.
“If we have a secretary at least they can talk to someone,” he said.
“We need someone there to answer the phone,” Buck said, adding that cell phones do not work well in parts of his precinct.
Also, both Precinct 2 and 4 work 4-day workweeks so it would be helpful for someone to be at the offices, they added.
During public comments, Erath County resident Carla Trussell spoke about the position being unnecessary with how tight the budget is for the county.
“It’s a waste of taxpayer funds,” she said.
In a separate agenda item, the court approved supplemental pay of $1,000 per month for Veteran Services Officer Lindsey Merrimen who is now also over the Indigent Healthcare Fund.
Huckabee recommended the supplemental pay be retroactive for the months July-September since she was doing the work.
Imposition of Optional Fees Tax Assessor-Collector Valerie Stephen addressed the court presenting an additional optional fee the court could choose to add to tag collections.
Currently the county collects an additional $10 for Road and Bridge fund and Stephens asked the court if they would like to add an additional $1 for a child safety fee which could be utilized for school crossing guards throughout the county.
“It’s just another thing to keep track of to make sure it is spent correctly,” Edwards added.
Ultimately, the court decided to leave the optional fees alone not to burden taxpayers with another fee.
Tax Office Interlocal Agreement Huckabee explained that the majority of all entities had signed their interlocal agreements including an increase for the county collecting taxes for all schools and cities. Discussions are continuing with the city of Dublin.
The city of Dublin is hesitant to sign the agreement, he said, because they do not use the same legal firm for tax collections as the county, and do not wish to change.
Huckabee explained if there was a problem with collecting taxes from someone receiving letters from multiple tax attorneys could be confusing.
“I think having the same continuity across the board is important,” Commissioner Sherman Edwards said.
Research is also continuing with Stephenville after a contract from 2016 resurfaced.
Proposed Tax Rate
The county’s proposed tax rate is lower than last year’s and though it’s only the proposed rate they cannot go higher than this rate when setting the official tax rate.
Huckabee addressed the court suggesting a proposed tax rate for the ‘No New Revenue’ tax rate of $.3811 per $100 valuation. Last year’s rate was $.3913.
“I feel comfortable we can manage the budget we need with this tax rate,” the judge said.
The tax rate is comprised of $ .2856 for Maintenance and Operation and $ .0955 for Road and Bridge.
The county has no debt this year, so none of the tax rate funds are designated for Interest and Sinking (debt services).
The county will have its hearing on the tax rate Sept. 8 if any citizens wish to speak.
Election items
Several election items were approved including an amendment for a ballot on demand system reducing the licensing fee by about $20,000 and approving a one-time fee for pollbook licensing software at a cost of $39,775.
“I would like to give credit to Lana and her team for ensuring that Erath County is ready to go for the November election,” Huckabee said.
Other items
In other business the court:
■ held a public hearing for lowering the speed limit to 45 mph on CR 386. No one spoke.
■ approved Democrat and Republic election judge appointments
■ approved the Holiday Calendar for 2026 including 13 paid days off
■ approved monthly departmental reports for June and July
■ discussed implementing the burn ban and with the current drought index the county is still OK for now
■ approved going out for an RFP for a countywide date phone plan service