County proposes no change to tax rate

At a Special Meeting of the Grimes County Commissioners Court Wednesday, Aug. 25, commissioners approved a tax rate of $0.526933 per $100 valuation with a record vote. County Judge Joe Fauth reminded the court that this tax rate is unchanged from the rate approved one year ago for the 2020 budget, which was the first tax rate reduction in approximately 10 years.

Wheelchair van extended

Commissioners also approved extending the contract with the Brazos Transit District to Aug. 31, 2023, for use of the wheelchair accessible van and transportation services and authorized the county judge as signatory. It was noted that Grimes Coun ty funds the insurance and registration on the van used by Grimes County residents in need of transportation to doctor appointments and grocery shopping.

Constitutional Amendment election approved

Commissioners approved the Order of Election as requested by Elections Administrator Lucy Ybarra for the Constitutional Amendment Election on November 2, 2021. Early voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning Monday, Oct. 18 through Friday, Oct. 29. See related article.

Applications for ballots by mail shall be mailed to Lucy Ybarra, 100 S. Main Street, Anderson, Texas 77830, and must be received no later than the close of business on Friday, Oct. 22.

Commissioners also approved election judges for the Democrat and Republican parties for the 2021-2022 year.

According to Ybarra, out of Grimes County’s 14 precincts, Democrats have vacancies in four precincts, Iola, Courtney, Keith and Singleton. It was noted that while it has been a struggle in the past to have both parties represented working elections, at present there are “clear party lines” and representation by each party except where the vacancies were noted.

Other court action:

•Approved Consent Agenda items which included budget amendments and/or lineitem transfers.

•Approved a Letter of Intent for County vehicle purchases to be effective Oct. 1.

•Received County Auditor Jessi Murphy’s report on the internal audit of the Grimes County Clerk’s financial records.