Pr issu 08 05 15 (20pages)

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DOWN LIFE’S HIGHWAY

Sports

FISHING ORANGE COUNTY

Commentary Kaz’s Korner

Capt. Dickie Colburn Page 1B

Roy Dunn-Columnist Page 9A

Page 3B

Healing Power of Prayer

Church Briefs Page 8A

The     Record TheRecordLive.com

Vol. 57 No. 14

Distributed FREE To The Citizens of Bridge City and Orangefield

Week of Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Vote scheduled for Bridge City tax rate David Ball

For The Record

The city of Bridge City moved closer to approval of a tax rate for the next fiscal year at their regular meeting on the evening of August 4. The city council approved scheduling a vote to be held on Tuesday, September 15 to place a proposal to adopt an ad valorem tax rate for the 2015 tax year of $.49920 per $100 valuation. The total tax rate consists of $.22640 for Interest and Sinking Fund and $.27280 for Maintenance and Operation Fund. There will be a 10.71 percent increase in the effective rate. Also approved was a public hearing starting at 6 p.m. on

Tuesday, August 18 at city hall to hear and consider public comments regarding the proposed 20152016 budget Jones for the city. Likewise, two public hearings are scheduled at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1 at city hall to hear and consider public comments regarding the proposed ad valorem tax rate for the 2015 tax year. City Manager Jerry Jones reported the file storage building to be built behind city hall will start next week. The police station plans to be built behind RaceTrac filling station are

Commissioners ok tax rate David Ball

For The Record

The Orange County Commissioners Court took on issues ranging from property tax rates to supporting building a new hospital among others at their meeting on the afternoon of August 3. Commissioners approved the submission of the 2015 certified property tax values from the chief appraiser and required under the property tax code. Lynda Gunstream, county tax assessor-collector reported the 2015 Total Market Value for the county was $6.9 billion, the Taxable Value was $5.6 billion, the Taxable Value was $5.6 billion, minus the Tax Ceilings of $397.8 million for a Total Taxable Value of $5.2 billion. The 2015 Farm to Market Total Market Value was $6.9 billion, the Taxable Value was $5.2 billion, the Taxable Rolling Stock was 14.8 billion, and the Taxable Value was $5.2 billion minus the Tax Ceiling of $397.7 million for a Total Taxable Value of $4.8 billion. The 2015 effective and rollback tax rates approved. The effective tax rate was .53841 per $100. the rollback tax rate was .57952 per $100 and a debt rate of 0 per $100.

The court approved the county contributing to a consulting group study for a new hospital after a task force was formed and completed a market analysis that recognized a need for a hospital in the county. City Manager Dr. Shawn Oubre explained how the Orange City Council approved the study three weeks ago and how they have gained signatures and letters of support for the venture thanks to Precinct 2 Commissioner Barry Burton. Oubre said the city didn’t want to wait for the group to start because they were afraid of losing the hospital to another community. They are also seeking outside investments and support from Nonprofit Organizations. The study will cost $36,000 and take 90 days to complete. The group will give a presentation of its findings. NewLife Healthcare of Austin is the consulting group conducting the study. One of the purposes of the study is to obtain federal funds and ascertaining how much it will cost. Oubre cited the hospitals in Liberty County and in Winnie as examples of the work NewLife has done. It is hoped a new hospital

complete and the city is only waiting on the copies to be made. Pre-bids for additional street work projects will start on August 5 with an award of the bid on August 11. The additional parts for the

splash pad should arrive on August 5. The 12-inch water line on FM 408 plans are nearly complete. Plans for the water towner on FM 408 are nearly complete too. Councilman Mike Reed asked Jones he was told the

Cow Bayou Swing Bridge would be completed by the middle of August. Jones said he was in a boat this weekend and he looked at the bridge. He said he doesn’t see how it will be completed by mid August and expects it to take another month.

Councilwoman Tammi Fisette thanked some longtime city employees for their years of service including Bridge City Police Officer Bob Barker who is working his last week with BC TAX RATE Page 2A

Dwayne DuBois, ready to tackle new season as he returns home Jennifer Clarke For The Record

B

ridge City High School is changing the face of its football pro-

gram. After a statewide search for a football coach, Dwayne DuBois, previously of Hardin-Jefferson, is starting the new season invested in the kids and community. Coach DuBois coaches on and off the field, and he wants to see his athletes become good citizens. “I may not see the results of our work for fifteen to twenty years, but we teach the kids they have 365 chances to win. Each day they should make the choice to be their best as athletes, big brothers, sons, employees and students of good character,” DuBois says. Returning to his alma mater gives him the opportunity to give back to the community that invested in him. He has lived in Bridge City most of his life and he and his wife, Cristal DuBois, are thankful for the “easy transition because it is like returning home.” Both Dwayne and Cristal DuBois are Bridge City High School graduates. DuBois was on the football team, and Cristal, a high achiever, enjoyed her time with the Strutters. They are happy to return to the Bridge City community where they “had a great experience.” The move has also been easier for their children due to family being near and time spent with community little league in the past. DuBois is clear about his priorities, “I put God first, then family, then football.” It is exciting to start any new season, but coaching is more than just about football. Dwayne and Cristal DuBois are

COUNTY BUSINESS Page 2A

aware of the opportunity to impact the lives of their students. Coach DuBois carries his coaching over to instilling values of hard work and citizenship in his athletes. Each week, he chooses an

idea that is important for the growth of his students such as: responsibility, accountability, and integrity; he continues this throughout the year. “It is important that the students learn the value of hard work,” and he wants his athletes to be tough on the field. But he wants them to be athletes of class and character, and “while we may knock you down on the field, we will help you back up.” He enforces the “grind” that is football, and seeks to help develop athletes as good sportsmen and productive citizens. Of course the coach is seeking the district championship, and he looks forward to working hard with the Cardinals on the field. DuBois and his wife work together focusing on guiding students by forming real connections. In many cases,

school activities are “central to the community,” says Cristal, and sports, especially football “is powerful and useful as a motivator.” She believes in “building camaraderie with families.” Teamwork is important, and getting “parents involved and making memories” are vital components of their program. As Coach DuBois suggests, “it is important to build together, the kids, coaches, parents, fans, and community.” The varsity team has gone canoeing at Village Creek. They have scavenger hunts and kickball tournaments planned in the future. And all of these activities provide an opportunity for the kids to participate in “good, clean fun” while promoting community outreach and team cohesion, two of the coach’s top priorities. These activities also give the younger students something to look forward to. Cristal is also planning a “senior retreat including the moms that will consist of games, activities and prizes.” They are focused on “changing a generation.” Notably, coaches often have great influence in the life of a student, and sometimes extra-curricular activities, like football, can inspire reluctant students to achieve. “Football is our way to connect to the kids, but we consider it a year-long investment, not just during the season,” says Cristal. According to her, “being there, showing the kids we care and really love them every day of the year” is necessary for success. Coach DuBois and the Cardinals began practice on Monday, August 3, and they have a busy season and year ahead. But he is not too busy to give attention to the community that supports his team. “Bridge City is a special place. The people here are invested in the lives of the students, and that tradition of excellence extends beyond football to the entire community.” On August 8, 2015, at 1 p.m. at Bridge City High School, Coach and Mrs. DuBois will hold an informational meeting open to the public that allows everyone to ask questions and learn more about football and their program. No registration is necessary.

OC Appraisal District completes property appraisals David Ball

For The Record

It’s been a typical busy summer season for the Orange County Appraisal District, according to Chief Appraiser Michael Cedars. “The last few months we’ve mailed out the notifications of the appraised values,” he said. “They’re notified of any change, and if so, for how much. We mail them to every-

body. If the value went up last year, they’ll (the taxpayers) will want to catch it.” Contrary to popular belief, Cedars said the OCAD has very little to do with taxes. He said they appraise the market value of 75,000 parcels in Orange County. In fact, the OCAD has already turned their attention to the 2016 tax year. It’s been 36 years since State Rep. Wayne Peveto of Orange

got his tax-appraisal bill passed, known as The Peveto Bill, which revolutionized the tax-appraisal process across the state in 1979. Peveto’s bill created the appraisal districts that operate in every county of the state. Before, each county could perform it’s own appraisals, as well as each city, school district and any other special district, such as drainage districts, according to a prior ar-

ticle in The Record. “It’s tough with a small office. Everyone is afraid the market value will change. People invest their savings into a property which is the biggest thing in their lives and they want it to increase in value,” he said. The OCAD appraises all of the properties themselves with the exception of industry and mineral properties in which the firm of Pritchard and Ab-

bott does the appraisals. There are five real property appraisers and personal property appraisers in the OCAD office. They are all licensed by the state. Cedars said there are many offices where the appraisers don’t have the Real Property Assessors designation. It’s the OCAD’s duty to turn over the assessments to the Orange County Tax-Assessor’s office. There, the tax

rates as decided by the commissioners court are applied to the values and the notices are sent out in October. This year has been a “pretty typical” year for protests, Cedars said. There have been 2,000 protests with 300 of them going before the Appraisal Review Board. The values were certified by July 21. The ARB is a separate entity

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