IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF FALLS COUNTY THE STATE OF TEXAS TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES COUNTY OF FALLS COMMISSIONER'S COURT MINUTES FOR September 9,2024 1 Proof of posting of notice in accordance with the provisions ofTitle 5, Chapter 551, Govemnment Code (Vernon' s Texas Codes Ann. 1994) as amended, known as the Texas Open Mectings Act. Judge Elliott requested proof of posting of Agenda. Sharon Scott responded that it had been posted on both the north and south doors oft the County Courthouse, ase well as on the bulletin board in the hallway on the second floor of the Courthouse. 2. PUBLICI HEARING on tax increase for 2024 tax rates per $100 valuation for Falls County's fiscal year 2024/2025, including specifically the following items: Proposed 2024 tax rate for: (i) M & o (Maintenance and Operations).. .$0.60908 (ii) I & S (Interest and sinking fund obligations on debt).. $0.01853 Total County $0.62761 (ini) F.M.L. (Farm to Market Lateral Roads). .$0.10748 Total Proposed Tax Rates.. $0.73509 No comments. 3. Public comments and questions, and comments and responses from Commissioners and County Judge. None 4.3 Presentation and discussion of salaries set by 82"d Judicial District Judge. Georgie Patterson, County Auditor, noted that no changes had been made since the presentation on August 22. 5. Discussion and/or action concerning 2024-2025 budget including anticipated income and expenses; the Falls County Detention Center; departmental line items; all funds, including general fund and Farm-to-Market Lateral Road Fund. No action taken. 6. PUBLIC HEARING on the proposed 2024-2025 Budget for Falls County- Public comments and questions, and responses from Commissioners, County Judge, and staff. None 7. Comments from Elected County Officials and County Employees. None 8, Discussion and/or action conçeming adopting salaries of county employees including public comments. No public comments. Commissioner Milton Albright moved to adopt the county employee salaries. Commissioner Nita Wuebker seconded. Motion carried by unanimous vote. 9. Discussion and/or action including the formal adoption and recorded vote pertaining to the adoption of the 2024/2025 budget. Commissioner Green moved to adopt the 2024-2025 budget; Commissioner Albright seconded the motion. The roll call vote is as follows: County Judge (Elliott) voted Aye, Commissioner Precinct #1 (Albright) voted Aye. Commissioner Precinct #2 (Green) voted Aye. Commissioner Precinct #3 (Willberg) voted Aye. Commissioner Precinct #4 (Wuebker) voted Aye. Motion carried. 10. Discussion and/or action including a recorded vote to ratify the property tax increase reflected in the 2024/2025 budget as required by Local Government Code 111.008. "This budget will raise more revenue from property taxes than last year's budget by an amount of $794,140 which is a 7.68% increase from last year's budget. The property tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year is $313,678" F. A. Green moved to ratify the property tax increase in the 2024-2025 budget. Milton Albright seconded the motion. The roll call vote is as follows: County Judge (Elliott) voted Aye. Commissioner Precinct #1 (Albright) voted Aye. Commissioner Precinct #2 (Green) voted Aye. Commissioner Precinct #3 (Willberg) voted Aye. Commissioner Precinct #4 (Wuebker) voted Aye. Motion carried by unanimous vote. IT Discussion and/or action including the formal adoption and recorded vote pertaining to the adoption of the tax increase for 2024 tax rates per $100 valuation for Falls County's fiscal year 2024/2025, including specifically the following items: Proposed 2024 tax rate for; (iv) M & O (Maintenance and Operations). $0.60908 (v) I& S (Interest and sinking fund obligations on debt). $0.01853 Total County $0.62761 (vi) F.M.L. (Farm to Market Lateral Roads). $0.10748 Total Proposed Tax Rates. $0.73509 F. A. Green' moved to adopt the 2024 tax rates for the fiscal year 2024-2025 as presented. Commissioner Wuebker seconded. By unanimous vote, motion carried. 12. Public comments. A citizen voiced that he hopes it is obvious when this is posted in the paper, that although the amount of taxes will be higher than last year, the tax rates were lowered, 13. Elected official reports. None 14. Discussion and/or action concerning American Rescue Plan. None 15. Discussion and or action concerning finding all three of the first three exceptions under TLGC $262.024 DISCRETIONARY EXEMPTIONS; to authorize the purchase of a New Mower Max Boom Mower to be able to clear the çounty roads and county lands of fallen trees and branches which are impeding use of those roads without the need to advertise for bids Commissioner Green moved to authorize the purchase of a new Mower Max Boom Mower under TLGC 262.024. Commissioner Willberg seconded. Motion carried. 16. Discussion and/or action concerning resolution authorizing and approving execution of an equipment lease purchase agreement with Cadence Equipment Finance, a division of Cadence Bank. Commissioner Green moved to approve the resolution for the lease/purchase agreement with Cadence Equipment Finance, a division ofCadence Bank. Commissioner Albright seconded. Motion carried. 17, Discussion and/or action concerning Sheriff and Constable fees. Following a brief discussion regarding the fees, Milton Albright moved to approve the fees. Jason Wo;;berg seconded the motion. Motion carried with a unanimous vote. 18. Discussion and/or action concerning the Falls on the Brazos Park grant. There was a brief presentation. Schematics are being started. A recent survey by drone regarding elevation has been done. They have changed to Game Time for the playground equipment. Game Time currently has a grant, which should enable some oft the money previously carmarked for the playground equipment to be assigned to other park needs. The equipment must be guaranteed for at least 25 years. No action was taken 19. Discussion and/or action concerning setting public hearing for records archive fee for October 14, 2024. Commissioner Green moved to set the hearing for October 14, 2024. Commissioner Willberg seconded. Motion carried. 20, Discussion and/or action concerning replacing security cameras at the jail. Commissioner Albright moved to replace the security cameras using SB22 Funds, noting that payment could not be made until after October 1, Commissioner Green seconded. Motion carried. 21. Discussion and/or action concerning TAC lawyer payment. Commissioner Albright moved to make the payment to the TAC lawyer. Commissioner Green seconded. Motion carried. 22. Discussion and/or action concerning Interlocal Agreement for Assessment and Collection ofTaxes. No action was taken because the Tax Aisessor-Collector did not have all the paperwork at this time. 23. Review and discussion of Road and Bridge precinct work reports, including Administrator's progress report, The department will be needing both a foreman and opcrator soon. There is approximately 15,000 cubic yards of debris at the location. Mr. Jackson noted that he would like to obtain burn permits to begin to eliminate some of the extra debris. The County Judge noted that the fire danger index from drought is still too high at this time, but when it gets low enough, they will be given permission to burn. Jeff noted that he had discussed purchasing a grappler from wC Tractor, with whom he opened an account. He needs to get a check for payment. He has the invoice, and the Auditor will prepare it today, and he can pick it up tomorrow. Commissioner Albright moved to buy the grappler attachment. Commissioner Willberg seconded. Motion carried. 24. Discussion and/or action concerning the approving of payment of bills, including reimbursements, late charges, the transfer of cash or funds from any line item or departments to another, book transfers and any budget amendments; including but not limited to discussion and action concering department or non-departmental items with line items that go past their budgeted amounts. Following a few questions, Commissioner Albright moved to pay the bills, with amendments. Commissioner Willberg seconded. Motion carried. 25. Approval of minutes of prior meetings ofCommissioner's Court. Commissioner Wuebker moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Willberg seconded. Motion carried. 26. Adjournment. Meeting was adjourned at 9:56 a.m. Signed this 23rd day of September 2024. Chrlle Jay T. Eioft County. Judge Milton Albright, Jdge Commisstory Pet 3I - - F.A. Green, Commissioner Pet. #2 Jason Wilberg, Commissioner Pct. #3 - Ve Shohen Va M Nita Wuebker. Commissioner Pct. #4 Sharon Scott, Deputy County Clerk