Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 36, Ed. 1 Wednesday, September 6, 1995 Page: 2 of 14
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Page 2A-Palacios Beacon-Wed., Sept. 6,1995
CONTEST
iodmk
mm
(Continfued From Page 1
1700N. Congress A
1495. The postcard must arrive no later than SepL i
Habitat Conservation Plan proposed for
Gulf Coast to protect endangered species
<\
v
lines are not eligible. Void where prohibited.
On Sept. 16. Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro will be
on Mustang Island beach where he will pick the winner Of tire
round-trip fortwo anytime in the next yearto anywhere Southwest
Airline flies. ' »
“This is one way to say ‘thank you’ to the volunteers who have
helped Texas beaches at the twice-a-year beach cleanups for (he
:_ -
last 10 years,” said Mauro.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USF&WS) is seeking
comments from the public on
a proposal designed to protect
private landowners interests
while enhancing endangered
species conservation on their
property within a 19-county
area on the Texas Gulf Coast.
An innovative Habitat Con-
servation Flan (HCP) devel-
oped by the Sam Houston Re-
source Conservation and De-
velopment, Area, Inc. (RDQ.
Wifh assistance from the
USF&WS, it would encourage
private landowners to under-
take prairie restoration actions
beneficial to . wildlife—includ-
ing two endangered species,
the Houston toad and the
Attwater’s prairie chicken—
but exempt participating prop-
1 erty t owners from any > addi-
tional provisions^ or liabilities
that are applicable under the
Endangered Species Act
I The RD&D has applied to
the USF&WS for a permit au-
thorizing 'incidental take’ of
the two endangered species for
landowners volunteering to
participate in prairie conserva-
tion. Counties included within
this program are: Matagorda,
Jackson, Aransas, Austin, Bra-
zoria, Calhoun, Chambers,
Colorado, Fort Bend, Galve-
ston, Goliad, Harris, Jefferson,
Liberty, Orange, Refugio,
Victoria, Waller and Wharton.
The HCP would identify
habitat restoration, enhance-
ment, or maintenance activities
for landowners who enter into
10-year Prairie Restoration
Agreements with RC&D.
Landowners would share the
costs of the improvements (if
any) with RC&D. which is
provide funds for these efforts.
Property owners carrying
out improvements and main-
taining baseline habitat would
be free to use or develop other
areas of their property even if
the use results in the
‘incidental take’ of an endan-
gered species or its habitat.
The proposed HCP does not
allow incidental take of base-
line habitat nor would it allow
any endangered species to be
shot, captured, or otherwise di-
rectly taken.
“Our objective with this
proposal is to provide incen-
tives to landowners volunteer-
ing to improve wildlife habitat
on their property,” said David
Hankla, Supervisor of the Ser-
vice’s Ecological Services Of-
fice in Clear Lake. “Property
owners would get a ‘safe har-
COUNTY-
(Continued From Page 1A)
CLEANUP _
(Continued From Page 1A)
cleaning up their parks, roadways, rivers and beaches in far-flung parts
of the world such as Romania, Peru, Brunei and Barbados—just to
name some of the more than 104 countries which will participate in
Clean Up the World,” Mauro said.
In 10 years of cleanups, a total of 147,534 volunteers have picked
up 3,004.8 tons of trash on Texas beaches. “The data collected by the
volunteers identifies problems, shows where improvements have been
made, and indicates a need to concentrate on inland sources of debris
as well as ocean dumping,” Mauro said.
“The county coordinators are the backbone that holds Adopt-Ar
Beach together and our volunteers are why this program works,”
Mauro said. “That and the support of our corporate sponsors—like
Philip Morris USA that has made a donation to the Texas Conservation
Fund on behalf on the program—make this all volunteer program
work.”
The ipth anniversary will be marked on Sept. 16 when Mauro plans
to return to the same Mustang Island beach where he first noticed the
marine debris problem. , ,
“Even though we have been picking up trash for ten yean, continu-
ing this effort is just as vital now as it was 10 years ago,” Mauro said.
Other developments growing out of the beach cleanup program
include an underwater cleanup, now in its fifth year, that involves
scuba divers. This year’s Project Deep Clean V will be on Saturday,
Sept 23 from 1-4 p.m. at tire Port Aransas jetties and includes prizes
in several categories, including the most fishing line gathered, the most
lead weight, the most unusual item and die diver who travels the
greatest distance to join in the cleanup.
For information about the cleanup and about area hotels that give
discounts for volunteers or about the airline-ticket drawing call (800)
85-BEACH.
CHANGE
(Continued From Page 1A)
dation of prosecution duties should provide “greater efficiency and
effectiveness.”
Reis agrees with the task force findings. “By spending more time
with single-county consolidated offenses, we should be in a position
to wqrk moreclpsel}yvith law enferceipent”
“We will also have a broader view of each defendant s cnmmal^ nas t^en reoucea oy *zd,uuu _provide the information. <
profile and be able suggest more informed action to the Courts, and Commissioners’ Court bud- ^miccionep?’ Court n-nuirwi
Reis added. “WeTl appear not only in Judge Jo Ann Ottis’ and get hiS&en reduced by Almost % on Commissior
Judge Loy Sneary’s courts, but before each court of the justices of $20,000. Sneary said that many
the peace as well.” departments found ways to cut
The change will allow County Attorney Melissa Abshier to their budgets by as much as
spend more time in civil matters as directed by Commissioner’s 40%.
Court. The law further directs the county attorney to handle cases to
protect children and victims of family violence.
Additionally, if the district attorney requests, the county attorney
may assist in criminal matters.
The law continues current rules that make it illegal, for the district
attorney to practice private law. “We take the view that this office
is staffed by hard-working career prosecutors,” said Reis.
According to Reis, Hanna will become an assistant district attor-
ney, joining Assistant District Attorney Carla Post. Additionally,
two support personnel will move from the county attorney’s office.
Reis explained that present handling of misdemeanor and juve-
nile matters will be reviewed and changed only as needed.
Reis said that there are no personnel changes being made.
“We have been revising duties and responsibilities and will re-
work them as necessary,” he said.
“We’re excited about the changes and look forward to develop-
ing an excellent operation for county-wide criminal prosecution.”
bor’ guarantee that they will
not be subject to restrictions
later on if their management
results in attracting endangered
species to their land.”
The Sam Houston Resource
Conservation and Development
Area, Inc. Is a non-profit or-
ganization representing local
governments trod interests with
the goal of helping citizens
care for and protect their natu-
ral resources in a way that will
improve the area’s economy,
environment and living stan-
dards.
To comment on this pro
posal or receive additional in-:'
formation contact: Field Su-
pervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife,
Service, Clear Lake ES Field
Office, 17629 El Camino Real,
Suite 211, Houston, Tx 77058,
or call (713) 286-8282. Writ-
ten comments should be re-
ceived on or before Sept. 11. >■;
IH5
Property Tax Rates in
CUT Iff
Thu notice coocwnr-
1995
- property ux raeee for
CITT OF PALACIOS
presents information sbout three ux rates. Last year's ux tale ia the actual rate the taxing unit uacd to
determine property taxes tut year. This year's ifftaHMUx rate would impose the same total taxes u
last year if you compare properties used in both years. This year's rollback tut rate is the highest Ux
rate the using unit onset before taxpayers can suit ux rollback procedures. In each case these rates
are found by dividing the total amount of uses by the ux base (the tout value of usable property) with
adjustments u required by state law. The rates rue given per *100 of property value.
Last ygai'i tax rata:
lax lot’s operating taxes S„
Last year’s debt Uxes J.
Lax year's tout uxes S.
Lax year's ux bare S .
Last yo^s total ux rate t.
3M.1LI
1W,
TIT
■ Ilf.
fiwr
(.7 118.406.
Jim
state of our county,” said
Sneary. “The paired down re-
quests by department heads this
year was indicative of their
awareness of the situation. We
are fortunate in our county that
department heads and their em-
ployees are pulling together for
the good of Matagorda County.
This attitude is what the public
expects and is entitled to.”
The 1996 budget will indi-
cate some belt tightening in
some areas. The county com-
missioners have cut their
precinct budget by $206,000.
The county courthouse budget
has been reduced by $25,000 '
NEWLocation
Lacy Lowery
Bookkeeping & Tax Service
456 Commerce s
BL
(directly across from The Palacios Beacon)
as of Sept. 1st
“Although there are a number
of significant reductions, there
will be no reduction in services
to our citizens.” said the county
judge.
While most employees will
receive a small cost of living in-
crease, this will be the third year
in a row that there will not be an
increase in pay for elected offi-
cials.
“Just as each and every fam-
ily and business in our county
must live within their means, so
must government and we at the
county level take this responsi-
bility very seriously,” remarked
Sneary. “While we might like to
do more and take on new pro-
jects and implement new pro-
grams, the reality is that we
must do what is necessary to
live within our means.”
To deal with the budget chal-
lenge, Sneary invited the
C.E.O.’s and budget officers of
the coupty’s top ten tax payers
to a workshop to gain input and
knowledge on how private in-
dustry deals with declining rev-
enues. He said it was interesting
to note that out of over 50,000
tax bills issued each year, those
ten tax payers pay 80% of the
taxes collected by the county.
‘Together with the assistance
of these professionals and the
knowledge and experience we
hdve gained here at Commis-
sioners’ Court and the County
Auditor’s office, we were able
to balance the 1996 budget
without an increase in ad val-
orem taxes,” commented
Sneary. “This year’s budget
took us closer to our goal of
“performance based” budget-
ing.”
Sneary commended the
County Commissioners who he
said sat through approximately
90 hours of budget workshops.
He also commended County
Auditor Ellen Dodd, her assis-
tant, Coy Ramsey, and her entire
staff who worked many hours to
Com-
IP
Commissioners’
Court believe that we are chal-
lenged as county government to
do more with less and I am con-
fident that with this proposed
1996 budget we have laid the
groundwork for that attitude to
prevail and prepare for the fu-
ture which no doubt will be
equally challenging,” Sneary
said.
Subscribe To The
PALACIOS BEACON
Only $18.00 Yr. In County
P. 0. Box 817, Palacios, lx. 77465
This year’s effective tax rate:
Lax year’s adjusted taxes
(after subtracting taxes on fox property)
♦ This year's adjusted tax base
(after subtracting value of new property)
- This year’s effective tax rale
1.03 • maximum rate unless unit publishes
notices and hoids heeling
♦Ueiffl..
67,776,368.
.60966
/*100
.62797
/tlOO
IMs year’s rollback tax rate:
lax year’s adjusted operating uses
(after subtracting axes on lex property
and adjusting for transferred function) I.
* This year's adjusted tax base S.
* This year's effective operating rale S.
x 1.08 • this year’s maximum operating rate $.
+ This year’s debt rale $
* This year's rollback rate $.
/J100
-s.Uai.
moo
/1100
.7*248
/*100
A bapikU diftrta or city Ibki coikca tb* additional salts lax to reduce pnfmty taxes,
Including one that collects the Uajbr On first lime Ibis year, mm! insert the
fottoukng lines
Saks ax adjustment me S_-M348_/ppp
Rollback lax rate
JL
.turn
ted fadaoceawB be left In the unffe property tax accauals at Ike end of the Heed year. These balances
Type oT Property Tax Pond
KAUTE8AXCE 6 OPKUTIOX
mnn 6 sixkiac
SctMdula B
1998 Debt Sarvfea
The artk plaai to pay the folowlne amounts for loatesm debts diet a
tn pfM frrr *■»—«■
95,400.00
264,790.00
t secured by prapenyu
m I
m
I
K‘i
'I-
•-M
rV.
#1
xW
1981 Sanitary Landfill . 45,000.00
1988 Oalaaga lepraveaanf 18,000.00
Tun
,16,675.00
32,101.25
Toad leqokod fa 1995 debt eenioe
- Amount Of any) paid from fends lined la Schedule A
- ErsoesB coinrUone leal year
• Thai Is be paid lent taxes tat 1995
♦ Amount added In anddpadoo diet the uni w«
miaaosi. 100 W of maxes In 1995
- Tool Debt Levy
Schndulo C
■xpactad Hnvatwn trow Additional Inina Tax
(for hoepasi dhnfcte. cum seed counties vd* addXond sake lex to reduce property tease)
In akdetteg he egecdse end soObadt tax teas, the uni
XadWonal sake and use
kxacoaot
.61,675.00
50,101.25
111,776.25
111,776.25
111,776.25
111,776.25
d that k will ncehte *_
aPorOo—tyt the county has excluded any at
a horn tide amount X expected sales tax revenue.
58.644.30
doncorwBbcdhitdxned
dm a aiammuy afaxud effective and n
rftidftiaii ra ai oma.
808118 mil
k tax talcs'
4
n Impact a copy of the fttfl
28. 1995
HMED ME!
4 MAN I
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1
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL
HOMEOWNERS IN MATAGORDA COUNTY
Farmers Insurance Group is now offering homeowners policies in
your area which includes Windstorm, Hurricane and
Hall coverage.
Combining these coverages with your homeowners policy may be
a substantial savings to you.
If you would like more Information, please give ue a call at
1-800-870-5268
Homer Brown Insurance *3606 John Stockbeuer Dr. • Victoria
g It is quite obvious when one
g reads Will Rogers’ writings
jja that he always chided govem-
g ment for practicing far more
politics than concern for the welfare of the people. More than once he
warns the government: “When it comes down to a showdown, Washing-
ton must never forget who rules - the people”.
“We are a nation that runs in spite, and not on account of our
government. Lord, the money we do spend on government, and it’s
not a bit better than the gpvemment that we got for one-third the
money twenty years ago. Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Trea-
sury with nothing - and that was the closest our country has ever
been to being even. America is the only consecutively losing big
business in the world that keeps on losing, and still keeps going’.
Will is shown here with actor Slim Summerville, in a movie still from
the 1935 movie “Life Begins at 40”.
It’s the PEOPLE that make AMERICA GREAT...
and it’s the PEOPLE at our bank that make us different.
Experience that difference yourself. I
The City State Bank
of Palacios
Member FDIC j
459 Main • 972-2585
^Th> quoit# ot Win Byrt * '**^**lj%&
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West, Nicholas M. Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 36, Ed. 1 Wednesday, September 6, 1995, newspaper, September 6, 1995; Palacios, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth725286/m1/2/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Palacios Library.