At their regular meeting on September 14, County Commissioners adopted a budget for Blanco County, ratified a tax increase of $26,901, and set the tax rate for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

Commissioners set the effective tax rate at 0.3419 of which 0.0654 is for debt service and 0.29210 is for maintenance and operations. The homestead exemption was set at 1% of the appraised value with a minimum exemption of $5,000. Tax payers will get payment discounts of 3% for payments made in October, 2% for payments made in November and 1% for payments made in December of this year. Sheriff’s and constable’s fees for the coming fiscal year were maintained at the present levels.

Judge Guthrie was authorized to sign a service agreement with Motorola to maintain County communications equipment. The case management programs for Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 will be replaced and made compatible with other County and District programs using $9,195 of Judge Carter’s technology funds. By upgrading these programs, it is hoped to save having to hire additional clerks to maintain records of citations.

The County “Meals on Wheels” program was certified by the Commissioners and re-authorized in the amount of $2800. This action was necessary in order for the program to apply for additional State funds and to pursue other financial support.

The Court retired to executive session to consult with its attorney concerning procedures relating to requests for public information. When the Court reconvened it was announced that the law firm of Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP of Austin, Texas, would initiate and complete the representation of Blanco County, including elected officials, appointed officials, and employees, regarding the pending request for public information submitted by J. Ray (Tex) Riley, dated September 7, 2010.

Mr. Riley is requesting detailed information concerning the replacement of County Court House windows subsequent to hailstorm damage and information regarding the building and financing of the new County Annex and Jail facilities.

Judge Guthrie was authorized to sign a service agreement with Motorola to maintain County communications equipment. The case management programs for Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 will be replaced and made compatible with other County and District programs using $9,195 of Judge Carter’s technology funds. By upgrading these programs, it is hoped to save having to hire additional clerks to maintain records of citations.

The County “Meals on Wheels” program was certified by the Commissioners and re-authorized in the amount of $2800. This action was necessary in order for the program to apply for additional State funds and to pursue other financial support.

The Court retired to executive session to consult with its attorney concerning procedures relating to requests for public information. When the Court reconvened it was announced that the law firm of Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP of Austin, Texas, would initiate and complete the representation of Blanco County, including elected officials, appointed officials, and employees, regarding the pending request for public information submitted by J. Ray (Tex) Riley, dated September 7, 2010.

Mr. Riley is requesting detailed information concerning the replacement of County Court House windows subsequent to hailstorm damage and information regarding the building and financing of the new County Annex and Jail facilities.