Published: August 10, 2009 11:06 pm      

County rejects adding fee to vehicle registration

The Walker County Commissioners Court struck down a potential move to charge motorists an additional fee for vehicle registration during a regular session on Monday at the courthouse.

The court’s voting against the fee saves residents from having to pay $1.50 each time they register or renew their vehicles.

According to Transportation Code Sec. 502.173, the county has the right to charge an additional “Child Safety Fee” of up to $1.50 per vehicle registered in the county. However, the fee is optional and the decision of whether or not to adopt it is left up to the county.

Under the guidelines, the fee may only be used to fund pre-approved programs for schools in the county such as school crossing-guard programs or programs the county is authorized by law to provide, including those that are designed to enhance child safety, health or nutrition.

Yet with a proposed property tax increase already on the table, the commissioners expressed skepticism at placing more financial strain on already burdened taxpayers in a weak economy.

“To put this in perspective, you talk about ad valorem — there’s a lot of people who are exempt from that, i.e. over 65 and veterans,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Tim Paulsel said. “But this would impact every vehicle, no matter what your age or preference. I can’t see doing this.”

After discussion, the court unanimously voted not to adopt the additional tax, providing a bit of relief for many residents who are already cutting costs at home to grapple with the current recession.

“It looks like if we’re going to raise taxes, and put an extra tax on (vehicle registration), that’s an extra tax on the taxpayers, even if it’s $1.50 per person,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Robert E. Autrey said. “It would just be an additional tax.”

In other action Monday, the court:

• Approved minutes for Aug. 3, 2009

• Approved monthly tax collection report for July 2009

• Discussed law updates affecting the Vehicle Registration Department

• Discussed Internet registration update for Vehicle Registratin Department

• Approved additional fuel for the remainder of the year for the Precinct 3 Constable’s Office in the amount of $400

• Approved Title III funds in the amount of $1,296 to install/program 800 Mhz radios for Dodge Volunteer Fire Department

• Approved the purchase of radar for Precinct 4 Constable’s Office in the amount of $2,265

• Approved bill paying in the amount of $1,329,393.85

• Approved claims/invoice submitted for payment

• Discussed financial information for month ended June 30, 2009

• Approved training for Planning & Development staff for 911 Dispatch and Mapping Conference, Hazardous Materials course and Environmental Field Analysis Course

• Approved Specifications and solicitation for Invitation to Bid #C2360-010 for Roof Repairs at the Justice Center

• Approved furnishings for the Walker County H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas in the amount of $34,556.51

• Approved Preventative Maintenance Agreement with Mustang Cat for Generator at the Justice Center for the period 10/1/2009 through 9/30/2010

• Approved Preventative Maintenance Agreement with Mustang Cat for Generator at the Storm Shelter for the period 10/1/2009 through 9/30/2010

• Approved renewal and price increase for Bid #C2360-8-004 for Bread Products for the Jail to Bimbo Bakeries for the period Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010

• Approved renewal, decrease and approval of freight rates for Bid #C2360-7-001 for Asphalts, Oils and Emulsions and renewal for Bid #C2360-7-010 for Asphaltic Concrete Patching for the period Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010

• Approved renewal with Denisa Loveday for the period Oct.1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010, at the same prices, terms and conditions as the original contract

• Approved renewal Bid #C2360-9-005 for Mowing Right-of-Way for Road & Bridge Precinct #1 to Don Yates, Inc. for the period Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010

• Approved renewal Bid # C2360-7-004 for Limestone to Frost Crushed Stone Company for the period Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010

• Approved renewal of Bid #C2360-7-002 / Caliche; Bid #C2360-7-004 / Limestone; Bid #C2360-7-006 / Cement Stabilized Sand; Bid #C2360-7-009 / Rip Rap; Bid #C2360-7-013 / Select Material and Bid #C2360-7-025 / Volcanic Ash to Grisham Construction for the period Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010

• Approved renewal Bid #C2360-8-016 for Mowing Weigh Station Area to J.R.’s Turf Specialists for the period Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010

• Approved renewal with Janell Bachmeyer for the period Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 201,0 at the same prices, terms and conditions as the original contract

• Approved renewal for pit run material to John W. O’Banion for Road & Bridge Precinct #1 for the period Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010

• Approved renewal Bid #C2360-8-009 for Towing to Johnson’s Towing Services for the period Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010

• Approved renewal for Bid #C2360-7-011 for Crushed Concrete Base to K.C. Crushed Concrete for the period October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010

• Approved renewal for Janitorial Contract with L & M Cleaning Service for SPU Palestine office for the period September 1, 2009 through August 31, 2010

• Approved renewal for Bid #C2360-7-004 / Limestone; Bid #C2360-7-005 / Aggregate; Bid #C2360-7-006 / Cement Stabilized Sand; Bid #C2360-7-007 / Hot Mix/Cold Laid; Bid #C2360-7-008 / Hot Mix; Bid #C2360-7-009 / Rip Rap & Bid #C2360-7-010 / Asphaltic Concrete Patching Material & Bid #C2360-7-012 / Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) to Pavers Supply for the period October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010

• Approved renewal Bid #C2360-9-005 for Mowing Right-of-Way for Road & Bridge Precinct #3 to Ronnie White for the period October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010

• Approved renewal Bid #C2360-9-005 for Mowing Right-of-Way for Road & Bridge Precinct #2 to Roy Lee Walker for the period October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010

• Approved renewal for base material to Turner O’Banion for Road & Bridge Precinct #2 for the period October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010

• Approved renewal and price increase for Bid #C2360-7-005 for Aggregate for Surface Treatment to Texas Industries, Inc. for the period October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010

• Approved declaring inventoried and non-inventoried items surplus – Linda McKenzie

• Approved Department of Information Resources Contract #DIR-SDD-1010 for Software License, Information Technology Products and Services with ACS Enterprise Solutions, Inc. for County Clerk’s office for the period August 8, 2009 through June 08, 2010

• Approved temporary office space for Department of State Health Services Nurse

• Approved the appointment of Nick Gann to the Emergency Service District #1 as a fire commissioner

• Approved Letter of Agreement First Amendment with Small Business Development for capital credit from electric cooperatives in the amount of $1,280.57

• Approved reappointments to the Tri-County MHMR Services Board of Trustees

• Approved resolution 2009-23 “Preserve America Community Designation”

• Took a record vote, unanimously in favor to place on the agenda of a future meeting as an action item a proposal to adopt a rate of $0.577, a rate that exceeds the effective tax rate of $0.557, and schedule two public hearings on the proposal; the first public hearing to be held on Aug. 24 at 9 a.m., and the second public hearing to be held on Aug. 31 at 5:30 p.m.