| Commissioners Court
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday heard from three people opposed to the incorporation of Dike as a city, approved equipment for Precinct 3 and resolutions showing support for three potential housing developments in Sulphur Springs.
Citizens Comments
During the citizens comments portion of the Feb. 27 Commissioners Court meeting, Allen Elmore and Joe Elmore, and David Willhite spoke for the record about their disapproval of the proposal on May 6 ballots for some Dike residents ,which would incorporate a small portion of the rural Dike community.
First, Allen Elmore said he was dissatisfied with the method in which the notice of the election was posted. He said he does not follow that source, so he was late learning about it. He said there should be a better way to communicate with county residents.
Allen Elmore, a County Road 3562 resident, said his property is about half of a mile from the area proposed for incorporation and, thus, will not be allowed to vote May 6 in the Dike incorporation election.
Joe Elmore, who lives on County Road 3520, about a half mile from the proposed area of incorporation, believes everyone in the Dike area should get to vote, not just those within the area outlined for incorporation. He said potential annexation of additional surrounding areas of Dike was mentioned in a meeting held over the weekend.
County Judge Robert Newsom recommended that those proposing annexation following incorporation, if the measure passes on May 6, 2023, consult with a lawyer. Laws regarding annexation have changed in recent years which would require residents to before an area can be annexed into a city.
David Willhite asked how the area that is included in the proposed incorporated area was selected. He noted that he has 15 acres. He lives on one side of the property. A portion of the other side of the property is within the proposed incorporation. He said it’s his understanding that he won’t be able to vote in the special Dike election, and doesn’t feel that is fair.
“I am not accustomed to someone telling me what I can do and not do on my property, within the law. I do not like a handful telling me what to do. The land is tied up. How did it get on the list?” Willhite asked.
The Dike resident said those in favor of incorporation seem to be those opposed to the solar facility being constructed on leased private land in the Dike community. Those individuals seem to be under the impression that the solar developers will just pick up and leave the area if Dike is incorporated.
That’d be like asking a superhighway to leave Dallas.
He said if any of his land is to be included in the incorporation election, whether pasture or residences, he feels he should get a say about it. He does not like and does not believe it is fair for a handful of people to be able to tell him and other Dike residents and property owners what they can and can’t do with their property.
Housing Development
The Commissioners Court approved three resolutions showing support for proposed housing developments in Sulphur Springs.
Essentially, Newsom said, Kelly Garrett and Dan Allgeier asked the Commissioners Court to pass a resolution saying additional housing is needed, which will allow the developers to apply for competitive housing tax credits of 9% from Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Allgeier proposes an 'affordable rental housing development' at 600 and 601 Woodlawn street to be called Trinity Oaks.
Garrett is proposing two “affordable rental housing” units. One is proposed to be located about 1,450 feet east of Interstate 30 east at Texas Street to be called Legacy Trails of Sulphur Springs. The other is proposed to be located about 1,410 feet east of I-30 at Texas Street to be called Westwind of Sulphur Springs.
County officials said it’s their understanding that the intent is for the Texas Street units to be two large apartment complexes, two to three stories each, similar to The Reserve at Sulphur Springs, which were completed and open in recent months, as housing for lower income senior citizens.
Final plat
Hopkins County Commissioners Court tabled a request for approval of a final plat for Lot 1, 1 acre in Jenkins Addition.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price said he’d spoken to the applicant, who seemed to have “all of his stuff together,” but Monday morning was the first time he’d seen the plat which was presented for final approval.
The applicant did not attend the meeting so court members agreed more information is needed and questions need to be clarified to determine whether all subdivision regulations have been met. The property as is does not appear to meet other exemptions for platting of the property in the subdivision.
Equipment purchase
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley received approval to purchase a John Deere 6105 E Tractor with Tiger Side Boom. Bartley did not have to go out for bids for the equipment because it is offered through BuyBoard, a cooperative that has already bid the product.
Financing for the $159,736.50 tractor and boom, delivered two days before the ice storm, is expected to be presented for approval of the Commissioners Court during their next meeting: County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook reported.
Budget Amendments
Aulsbrook also presented for court approval budget amendments for funds received from insurance claims.
She said the sheriff ’s office received $15,407.03 for repair and maintenance of a vehicle. The county also received a $55,294.49 insurance payment, with $4,647.68 for Precinct 1 to repair one backhoe and $30,108 to repair another, and $20,538.81 for Precinct 4 for a tank.
The Commissioners Court approved all insurance payments to be moved into the appropriate budget as designated by the auditor.
Technology contract
The Commissioners Court also agree for the annual maintenance and software agreement with i3 Verticals and NetData. Aulsbrook said the project costs $10,000, and was discussed by Ryan Humphries from NetData during a prior court work session. Approval was requested so the company can get started on the project The system the county is currently using for 'jury summonings' will no longer be upgraded nor will there be any maintenance on it, if needed. The District Clerk likes the web jury program, which the company will continue working on and adding things to it. It will be used by all court systems in the county, including district and justice of the peace courts. If the program is in place by April 1, the amount the county previously paid last year for maintenance will be prorated to reflect the change.
Donation
Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley reported the Salvation Army has donated a used industrial size ice machine to the county. The unit is to be housed at the county fire station on Texas Street, but any Hopkins County volunteer fire department or office can access it. The unit has a 600 pound bin.
Endsley said one long term goal of the department is to obtain an icebox of the kind you see at grocery and convenience stores, where ice can be bagged and stored until collected by a department for use. The Reinforcement Foundation plans to purchase the icebox to be located at the fire station as soon as the group raises enough funding.
The Commissioners Court agreed to accept the donation, which Endsley said was brought to and installed at the county fire station a couple of weeks ago.