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Weekend edition, August 27-28, 2016
Vol. 116, No. 17 • Hereford and Deaf Smith County, Texas
12 Pages, $1
Hereford tax, utilty rates among lowest in region By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
2 cents, its proposed 2016-17 budget also includes a 3 percent hike in water and sewer rates. Commissioners approved proceeding with the proposed increases to balance a $9.6 million budget in a 5-2 vote at their Aug. 15 meeting. With city officials acknowledging that no one likes increased taxes and utility rates, Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Steve Bartels distributed a pair of charts to
While the bad news is city residents will likely see an increase in property taxes, as well as water and sewer rates, the good news is the hikes will come on some of the lowest rates in the region. As the Hereford City Commission prepares to hold a first public hearing Monday on increasing property taxes
commissioners comparing rates for property taxes, water, sewer and garbage with as many as 21 cities of similar size in the region. The figures showed Hereford had some of the lowest individual and overall rates. For tax rates, Hereford’s listed 35-cents-per-$100-valuation rate was the second-lowest among the 21 cities including Monahans, Snyder, Lubbock, Sweetwater, Midland, Brownfield, Odessa,
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Plainview, Borger, Abilene, Levelland, Lamesa, Brownwood, Pecos, San Angelo, Big Spring and Stanton. Monahans (33.04 cents) had the lowest tax rate, while Stanton’s $1.17 was the highest. Big Spring ($1.01) was the only other more than $1. Only seven of the 21 were less than 50 cents, and nine were between 62.59 cents (Kermit) and 82.75 cents (San Angelo). Also in that group are Levelland,
Abilene, Big Lake and Pecos. In a comparison of property tax and utility rates of 18 cities – Amarillo Dalhart, Hereford, Dumas, Brownfield, Midland, Canyon, Abilene, Levelland, Plainview, Pampa, Lamesa, Snyder, Lubbock, Borger, Big Spring, San Angelo and Sweetwater – Hereford was among the lowest across the board. PLEASE SEE RATES | 3A
Tax increase needed to avoid deficit in a hole,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Jerry O’Connor said. “Because we’re not passing Despite the lack of costs onto appreciable rainfall, two insurance things continue to grow in them, it’s equal to every Deaf Smith County (DSC) – employee getting $504. “We’re asking careless weeds and taxpayers to taxes. tighten their As the Deaf belts, so it’s not Smith County unreasonable to Commissioners ask employees to Court began its do the same.” budget workshops, County Judge the possibility of D.J. Wagner asked a 2-cent tax hike commissioners to has grown into an consider how the inevitability unless absence of pay the county dips O'CONNOR raises might affect into reserve funds. the county’s ability “If we stayed at 51 [cents], we would be to retain employees. The City of Hereford faced with an insurance deficit of $70,000,” DSC gave 3 percent raises, auditor Trish Brown and county employees said. “Our reserve is at share similar skill sets five months, close to the that would enable them preferred optimum of six, to work for either entity, Wagner said. but nothing will “Still, we’re be added to the taking a substantial reserve. hit [with rising “This is a breaki n s u r a n c e even year.” costs],” Precinct Brown’s current 3 Commissioner budget proposal Mike Brumley said. accounted for “I don’t think this the fixed-rate is the year to do it increase for county [give raises].” employees’ health BRUMLEY The sheriff’s insurance. office will likely The proposed budget did not include add a deputy to assist with raises for any of the the increased number of county’s 115 employees, prisoner transfers and any but all commissioners transfers to residential facilities at agreed that the DSC treatment Sheriff’s Office needs an the behest of the 222nd District Court. additional deputy. The DSC Jail’s request “If we go up 2 cents and face a worst-case scenario for a kitchen guard will go with our insurance pool, we’re still going to be PLEASE SEE COUNTY | 3A By C.E. Hanna BRAND Staff Writer
BRAND/C.E. Hanna
Mom Jessica Whitson directs Northwest Elementary third-grader Kelton Whitson’s attention to the list with his name on it during the school’s Open House on Aug. 18. Every Hereford Independent School District elementary campus hosted similar events that evening as the district looks to increase parental involvement in school events beyond athletic contests this year.
School food now easy pickin's Burn ban lifted in Deaf Smith By C.E. Hanna BRAND Staff Writer Regardless as to whether or not allergens are more prevalent or if there is simply more awareness, a free cellphone app offered by the Hereford Independent School
District (HISD) will help students, parents and staff make choosing safe and healthy cafeteria meals easy. The Nutraslice app, available in English and Spanish, offers photos, descriptions, nutritional breakdowns and allergy information regarding menu options. “It’s a great tool to help students and parents alike plan for the week,” HISD Executive Chef Steve Dexheimer said. “Knowing what you’re eating will help make lunch more
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enjoyable.” The app provides menu information up to five weeks away, including caloric and carbohydrate content, and allows diners to survey menu options before going through the line. Parents and students can download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Upon opening the app, select the state, district, grade level and the desired day’s school menu for PLEASE SEE FOOD | 3A
By C.E. Hanna BRAND Staff Writer Cooler temperatures combined with appreciable rainfall throughout Deaf Smith County has prompted officials to lift the county’s burn ban until further notice. County Judge D.J. Wagner took overnight rain totals from Aug. 25 into account when considering the action. “Due to the significant rainfall last night [Aug. 25], we are lifting the burn ban until further notice, but we still encourage everyone to be diligent anytime they have an outdoor fire,” Wagner said. According to Hereford Fire Marshal Dean Turney, the county has received enough rain, anywhere from one-fourth inch to over an inch in various locations,
to warrant the repeal. Grassfires remain a possibility, but vegetation has sufficiently “greened up” to make starting fires difficult, he said. “The county has seen some good rain, although it has fallen in strips,” Turney said. “Grassfires have slowed tremendously.” The Hereford Fire Departments’ last response to a grassfire, caused by lightning, occurred Aug. 8. Lower temperatures in the run up to autumn have lessened energy release components, a fuel moisture index regarding living and dead vegetation. “Grassfires ignite faster when it’s hot and dry,” Turney said. “When it’s over a 100 degrees outside with less than 10 PLEASE SEE BAN | 3A
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