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Commissioners officially approve 391 Commission BY DAVE LEWIS, Examiner publisher Grimes County Commissioners Monday unanimously approved the creation of the Grimes County Sub-Regional Planning Commission, following the City of Iola in becoming the second governing body in the county to do so. Also called a 391 commission after the chapter of the Texas Local Government Code which authorizes such commissions, the county will be able to participate in interlocal agreements with other cities or counties within Region 13 of the Brazos Valley Council of Governments. The county is expected to name its representative to the commission this month, and at least one member of the commissioners’ court must be appointed. Specifically denied to 391 commissions is the power of eminent domain, but such commissions are expected to take an active role in looking out for the general health, safety and welfare of their residents. The GCSRPC’s goal is to work with other governing bodies with similar concerns in planning for expanding population in the area, and to look after unique needs of the Grimes County region. The commission is expected to be active in planning of transportation systems, adequate infrastructure, such as streets, sewer and water, agriculture, business and industrial needs, preservation of cultural and historical values, economic use of public funds and the general quality of life for the area’s residents. The county is not required to fund any of the commission’s operations or distribute any of the commission’s funds. Also, all commission meetings are subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act. The county may withdraw from the commission at any time by a majority vote of the commissioners’ court. The county’s chief tax appraiser, Bill Sullivan, also briefed commissioners on the timetable for setting an effective tax rate and the maximum rate allowable without triggering a rollback election. After allowances for disabled and over 65 exemptions, the county’s taxable property value came in at $1,619,401.120. Last year’s valuation was $1,397,000,000. The county must adopt a tax rate no later than Sept. 29. In other matters, commissioners: recognized the volunteer efforts of Lila Steen, especially her work with disabled and other veterans. A brunch was held in her honor outside court chambers. approved a 1-year, $750 agreement with Bedias Soil and Water Conservation District 428 to provide services to county residents; approved modification of the Grimes County Fire Association’s burn ban policy allowing burn ban violators no more than one warning citation during a 1-year period after the first week of burn ban season; approved a pipeline crossing request on C.R. 217 from ETC Texas Pipeline, Ltd.; voted to keep the 90-day burn ban in effect until its expiration on Aug. 23, and; met in executive session to discuss jail personnel, road and bridge department personnel and negotiations with Tyler Technologies. No action was taken regarding a question of jail personnel, nor was action taken on policy discussions involving road and bridge supervision. Commissioners did vote in open session to instruct County Attorney Jon Fultz to continue negotiations with Tyler Technologies on fulfillment of the company’s agreement with the county.
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