Archives for August 2005

The Donley County Hospital Board rescinded the proposed tax rate set at its July meeting and proposed a new rate last Tuesday.

Board President Alan Fletcher said the board had adopted the rate of $0.1946 based on information, which turned out to be only estimations. The new proposed rate of $0.189448 is based on actual data and is the maximum allowable without triggering a potential rollback petition.

The hospital district has been operating with a tax rate of $0.18022 for the last seven years. The higher rate would raise the tax on a $75,000 home by $6.92.

In other hospital district business, the board voted to no longer provide phone service for the dentist’s office in the Community Service Building. The board also approved a new one-year lease with the State Department of Health Services for space in that same building.

The board accepted bids on tax delinquent property at Howardwick as presented by the Donley Appraisal District.

Administrator In-Training Vicky Robertson reported that MCNH had 53 residents in its care. She said the state completed a desk review of the facility and approved it to be Medicare certified, pending the appropriate signatures.

Robertson also reported that she has completed three courses and had 500 hours of training waived in her quest to become a certified nursing home administrator. She expects to graduate in November and take her boards in January.

Ambulance director Anita Aaron reported the Associated Ambulance Authority had 66 calls for July. She also presented a revised set of policies and job descriptions, which she said hadn’t been updated in five years.

A Clarendon man landed himself in jail after he reportedly sold narcotics in a sting operation set up by the Donley County Sheriff’s Department last week.

Patrick Childs, age 20, was charged Friday with Delivery of Crack Cocaine, a second-degree felony.

Sheriff Butch Blackburn said the sting was set up after an investigation of another case. The suspect delivered the drugs to a residence at 309 W. Third, where the sheriff and Chief Deputy Randy Bond waited inside out of sight.

Childs was arrested after he sat down to cut off $50 worth of crack from a larger rock worth an estimated $300.

Donley County Judge Jack Hall arraigned Childs on Sunday and set bond at $20,000. He remained in custody Monday morning.

Blackburn said, as a result of the arrest, some merchandise stolen in Donley County has been recovered.

The July unemployment rate of 5.0 percent represented a one-tenth of a percentage point decrease from the June rate of 5.1 percent and fell significantly from July 2004 when the unemployment rate was 6.1 percent.

“Texas continues to create jobs as our economy expands,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chair Diane Rath. “With more than 10.6 million working, it’s encouraging to note that more Texans are employed than ever before.”

Donley County’s unemployment rate fell from 4.4 percent in June to 4.3 percent in July. That’s down from 5.2 percent one year ago.

A total of 1,890 people were employed in Donley County last month out of a labor force of 1,974.

Other area counties also showed a slight decrease in their unemployment rates between June and July. Hall County went from 5.5 to 5.2 percent, Collingsworth dropped from 4.4 to 4.3 percent, and Gray went from 4.7 to 4.5 percent.

Seasonally Adjusted Nonagricultural Employment in Texas grew by 12,600 jobs in July with job growth in eight of nine industry sectors. Texas employers have added 100,000 jobs over the year for an annual growth rate of 1.1 percent.

 Manufacturing added jobs for the fourth time this year, posting a gain of 3,300 jobs in July. This was the largest month-over-month increase since April 1998. July job growth in the Leisure & Hospitality sector increased by 2,900 positions over June. Trade, Transportation & Utilities also showed a significant increase over June figures, adding 2,200 jobs in July.

Over the year, virtually every industry sector showed job growth. Education & Health Services had the highest annual growth rate of any sector at 2.2 percent with the addition of 25,500 jobs since July 2004. Construction gained 9,100 jobs, representing a 1.7 percent increase over the year. Employment in Natural Resources & Mining recorded a 2.0 percent annual growth rate, adding 3,000 jobs.

“The Texas business outlook continues to be robust,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ron Lehman. “With eight of nine industry sectors adding jobs in the last year, employers are responding to increased demand for products and services.”

“I am glad to see the ranks of the unemployed continue to decline,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “Job gains over the month and over the year are both positive signs as well.”

Initial claims for unemployment compensation in July 2005 were 69,784, down 15.2 percent from July 2004.

Higher property valuations and lower health insurance premiums are allowing Donley County officials to consider a slightly lower total county tax rate, according to the proposed 2005-2006 budget filed in the clerk’s office last Friday.

The $1.9 million budget allows for raises for county employees and for increased fuel and utility costs while proposing a combined county tax rate of $0.492746 per $100 valuation. Last year’s rate was $0.49877.

Almost all the county’s employees would receive a three percent raise. The only exceptions would be the county commissioners, who did not take a raise, and Constable Mike Wallendorff, who had requested his salary be increased to the same level as a beginning deputy. His salary would increase from $17,866.95 to $22,500.

The proposed budget includes money requested by Sheriff Butch Blackburn for a new deputy whose primary function would be traffic control.

Commissioners also included a $250 per month increase for the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department to combat rural fires.

The taxable value of ad valorem property in the county has increased more than $6.2 million.

Budget hearings will be held at 9 a.m. on September 6 and 9 in the Commissioners’ Courtroom of the Courthouse. Final approval of the budget will come at a called meeting on September 16.

In other county business, commissionres met in regular session August 8. Among the items of business considered by the court, bids were accepted for delinquent tax property at Howardwick as presented by the Donley Appraisal District.

Five hours of comp time were approved for former Extension service employee Monica Wheelus.

A resolution was approved adopting the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which will require all county, EMS, fire department, and law enforcement personnel to receive certain accreditation through the Department of Homeland Security.

The bond for County Attorney Pro Tem Kaye Messer was approved.

The county approved an agreement with Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad to close the crossing at CR LL and create a new crossing on CR 5 with lights, gates, and a 32-foot concrete surface.

The appointment of election judges was approved, and a county burn ban was ordered as requested by the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department.

The court also met in called session on August 17, 18, and 19 to consider the 2005-2006 county budget.

The Donley County Extension office will be hosting an alfalfa production seminar on August 26 at the Church of Christ Family Life Center.

Program topics will include: “Overview and Agronomics of Alfalfa Production,” “Round-up Ready Alfalfa” and general weed control, variety selection, and a field visit to discuss insects and alfalfa management.

Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the program will conclude around noon. Registration is $5 and the Alfalfa Management Handbook can be purchased for $15.

Producers attending can earn 2.5 continuing education units for their pesticide applicator license.

Reservations are needed by August 25. To make a reservation or for information, call 874-2141.