Archives for August 2024

The Texas Department of Transportation wants the public’s feedback on the feasibility of upgrading US 287 to interstate highway standards through an online survey that is open through September 16.

The study is focused on almost the entire length of US 287 in Texas, a corridor that spans 671 miles from Port Arthur to Amarillo and plays a major role in moving people and goods through Texas.

Childress District TxDOT public information officer Ginger Wilson told the Enterprise this week there are no imminent plans to upgrade or move US 287 and says this is only a feasibility study.

“This study began about a year ago to look at possible needs, safety issues, and improvements to travel,” Wilson said. “The next step is public surveys. We really want everybody to fill out this survey, and not just people who live on US 287 but anyone who has a connection to US 287 or travels on it.”

The comprehensive study will evaluate transportation needs and identify potential multimodal solutions to help improve safety and connectivity. TxDOT is asking the public to participate in a survey to share their experiences traveling along the corridor, challenges for safety and mobility, and provide insights into priorities for US 287.

TxDOT corridor planning branch manager Lorena Echeverria de Misi said the study is an opportunity for TxDOT to hear from communities, businesses, and the broader public what this corridor should look like and how it can connect communities and foster economic opportunities for Texans for years to come.

Wilson said she has already heard concerns from people about the economic impact on communities of upgrading US 287.
“I want as many people as possible to take the survey because I believe it does make a difference,” Wilson said.

“Question eight – the last question on the survey – is open ended, and we encourage people to respond there with their thoughts and opinions.”

Wilson also said that if the study ultimately determines that upgrading US 287 is feasible, it would likely be many years or even decades before any changes would be made to the highway.

Members of the public are also encouraged to leave comments about specific locations along the corridor on an interactive map. Both the survey and the interactive map will be available through Sept. 16 on https://www.txdot.gov/projects/projects-studies/statewide/us287-corridor-interstate-feasibility-study.html.

Guided by groups representing northwest, central, and southeast segments of the corridor, this study focuses on safety, movement of people and goods, connectivity with other key corridors in Texas, and new technology, and other priorities.

For more information, contact Ginger Wilson at ginger.wilson@txdot.gov or 940-937-7288.

State and regional officials touted low unemployment figures last week, but the data shows Donley and Hall counties remains behind in job creation.

Gov. Greg Abbott celebrated the fact that Texas is growing jobs at a faster rate than the rest of the nation, with the state setting records for employed individuals and the size of the labor force.

Meanwhile, the Panhandle Workforce Development Area (WDA) solidified its position as one of the state’s top performers with a low unemployment rate of 3.5 percent in July. This marks our region’s continued reign as the second-lowest unemployment rate in Texas.

The story is different in Donley County, which has a 5.0 percent unemployment rate for July, up from 4.4 percent one year ago. While the number of employed people has risen from 1,391 last July to 1,395 this year, the number of people looking for work also went up from 64 to 74. Donley County’s labor force was 1,455 in July 2023 and was 1,469 last month.

Hall County reported the highest unemployment rate in the Panhandle at 5.4 percent, up from 4.6 percent a year ago. Out of a labor force of 1,106 workers, 1,046 were employed last month. In 2023, Hall County had 1,034 people employed with a labor force of 1,084. Sixty people were looking for work in July, compared to 50 people one year ago.

Regionally, the Panhandle’s diverse economy continues to drive job creation. Education and health services remain the dominant employer in the region, accounting for 22.5 percent of total employment according to Q1 2024 data. Trade, transportation, and utilities follow closely behind at 20.5 percent. Manufacturing (14.4 percent), leisure and hospitality (10.1 percent), and natural resources and mining (8.0 percent) are also significant contributors to the job market.

“Our skilled and growing workforce is a magnet for innovative businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to expand and succeed,” said Abbott. “As a result, Texas employers added jobs at a faster rate than the nation over the last 12 months and more Texans are working than ever before. The diversity of industries growing across our great state is a testament to the resilience of Texas businesses and the Best Business Climate in America. With increasing investments in education, innovation, and workforce training, we continue to build a bigger, better Texas for all.”

The Texas unemployment rate in July of 4.1 percent was 0.2 percentage points below the national rate.

State Rep. Ken King will visit Clarendon next Tuesday, September 3, as he tours a segment of House District 88 to discuss the upcoming 89th Regular Legislative Session.

The representative will meet citizens at the Bairfield Activity Center at Clarendon College from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Rep. King will solicit feedback from constituents on issues of vital importance to them and their communities.

“Before beginning another legislative session, it is important that I received input and ideas from the constituents of District 88 to help me effectively represent and advocate for our community.” King said.

The Clarendon College Board of Regents approved the tax rate and the budget for the next fiscal year for the college district when they met last Thursday, August 15.

CC President Tex Buckhaults said the new budget totals about $13 million. Donley County taxpayers will pick up about $786,000 of that bill with the new ad valorem tax rate of $0.2549 per $100 value.

This will be the first year that CC does not tax personal property in Donley County.

The remainder of the budget will be covered by $6.930 million from state appropriations, about $1 million in maintenance taxes in Gray and Childress counties, and the balance from student tuition and fees.

Buckhaults said college staff are getting five percent raises and college faculty are getting raises of three percent or $2,000, whichever is higher.

Capital expenditures planned in the new budget includes replacing roofs on two buildings – part of a rotation plan that will see a roof or two done on all college buildings for a 15 year period – and new drapes for the stage in the Harned Sisters Fine Arts Center.

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved by resolution financial assistance in the amount of a $1,000,000 loan from the Agricultural Water Conservation Loan Program to the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District, which covers Carson, Gray, Donley, Roberts, Armstrong, Potter, Hutchinson, and Wheeler counties.

The District will use the assistance to provide financing for a loan program that funds agricultural water conservation equipment.

The District could save approximately $86,300 over the life of the loan by using the Agricultural Water Conservation Loan Program.

The District will use the funds to provide loans to area farmers to purchase irrigation systems and related equipment to improve water use efficiency.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional water and flood planning, and preparing the state water and flood plans.

The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood mitigation, and agricultural water conservation projects.

Donley County Commissioners filed a proposed $4.2 million budget this week for fiscal year 2025, and Judge John Howard says it does not include money for a Texas Historical Commission grant for courthouse work.

The proposed budget does continue to set aside $50,000 for preservation of the 1890 Courthouse, but in their regular meeting on Monday, commissioners tabled action on a grant received last week from the THC because it was not the grant the county had applied for.

Donley County was ready to put up about $820,000 as an 18 percent match for a grant that would have funded $4.6 million in continuing restoration and preservation work to the Courthouse. THC instead approved the county for a 50-50 matching grant, which meant the county would have to provide $2.3 million for the project.

Howard says the county cannot do that, and talks are continuing with the state agency about how to move forward.

Howard says the county matching funds are in the bank ready to go if the state and county officials can figure out a way to proceed. A budget amendment could be passed later in the fiscal year if needed to cover that.

The proposed budget does see several increases in expenditures, but the county’s tax rate is actually going down slightly. County employees will see varying raises in the budget, but the most significant raises are those in the Donley County Sheriff’s Department, which are funded by a grant through Senate Bill 22.

Another grant program in the proposed budget includes money from FEMA that will help buy generators for several locations in the county for use during emergencies.

A third grant funded program will employee a second highway safety officer for the county to help patrol highways since the DPS presence here has been reduced.

Howard said the county is also proposing funding for a new road hand position that will be shared between all four precincts. The new employee will be charged with clearing and maintaining all the rights of way along county roads. Trees and other vegetation growing into the rights of way has become a problem over time, Howard said.

Commissioners will hold public hearings on its proposed budget as well as the tax rate on August 26 at 9 a.m.
See the public notice in this week’s Enterprise for more information.