Tuesday Is Last Day To Register To Vote In Nov. 8 Uniform Elections
Tuesday, Oct. 11, is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 8 Uniform Elections, per Texas laws, which Texas law requires eligible voters to register by the 30th day before Election Day.
Those who voted earlier in the year should already be registered to vote in their county, unless they’ve had a change of address since then.
On the Ballot
On the November ballot in Hopkins County will be the following state and US elections for US District 4 Representative, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller of Public Accounts, Commissioner of General Lane Office, Commissioner of Agriculture, Railroad Commissioner, Places 3 and 5 Supreme Court Justices, Place 9 Supreme Court Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 5 Judge and Place 6 member, State Board of Education District 12.
At the county level, the following will be determined by on Nov. 8: Judge, Court-at-Law Judge, District Clerk, County Clerk, Precincts 2 and 4 Commissioners, Precincts 1 and 2 Justices of the Peace, and Treasury.
Four local school districts also have called elections on Nov. 8, 2022. North Hopkins, Saltillo and Miller Grove ISD will also be holding school board elections, while Sulphur Springs ISD is holding a bond election.
How to Register To Vote
Those not already registered to vote who have an existing Texas Driver License or state identification card can register online when renewing, replacing or changing their contact information for either of these cards through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Follow the steps on the DPS web portal to update your driver license information, and you will be given the option to register to vote when renewing or updating your information.
Check Voter Registration Status
Texans who are not sure if they are registered to vote may go online to the Texas Secretary of State’s Am I Registered?’ portal to look up their voter registration record in the statewide voter registration database.
Voter registration in Texas is county-based, thus, the SOS encourages voters to contact the county voter registrar for specific questions regarding the status of their voter registration. In Hopkins County, Debbie Pogue Mitchell pulls double duty as not only the county’s tax assessor/collector but also the voter registrar. Mitchell’s office is located inside the Courthouse Annex on Jefferson Street, approximately 1 block from Hopkins County Courthouse.
Reporting Change of Address
Texans who have recently changed their name or moved can easily update their voter registration online through Texas.gov.
Click here to update voter registration information online.
Those doing so will, however, need their Voter Unique Identifier (VUID) to log in to the Texas.gov portal. Texans can find their VUID by visiting the Texas SOS My Voter Portal, then entering their name, county of residence, date of birth and ZIP code.
Team Tennis Falls in District Championship, Plays Jacksonville Tuesday in Bi-District Playoffs
Coach Tony Martinez and his teams hoped to come out on top in their de-facto district championship, but could only muster a few hard-fought wins.
Sulphur Springs won three matches against a stacked Pleasant Grove team.
“No two ways about it, just a better team,” Coach Martinez said about the Hawks. The team tennis coach knew his squads were in for a tough day, but wanted his players to salvage a few matches to make the score more respectable.
Not only did team tennis have to fight on every play, every ball, but three of the matches Tuesday went to 10-point tiebreakers in the third set.
The aforementioned six matches was what Coach Martinez was hoping to win against Pleasant Grove, but team tennis ended up winning just three matches Tuesday.
The coach mentioned Brodie Emmert, whose effort Tuesday was a prime example of the outing for Sulphur Springs. The Wildcat lost (6-1, 6-2), but Coach Martinez said watching his matches, and others for Sulphur Springs, onlookers could not tell if Emmert and his teammates were winning or losing due to their effort. Coach Martinez said a performance like that is pivotal for team tennis moving forward.
“That’s what I was hoping for,” the team tennis coach said, “to see our players grow that day, winning or losing. It was hard to tell if were winning or losing because we were playing points, and winning points.”
Another standout match came from Trynity Luckett, falling in a tiebreaker in girls’ singles.
Coach Martinez applauded his squads for their effort in the de-facto district championship, and says now his teams are locked-in come playoff time next week.
Even with the loss Tuesday, team tennis is still a playoff team and travels to Longview Tuesday for the Bi-District playoff. Coach Martinez and his squads are looking for the first ever trip to the second round of playoffs for Sulphur Springs.
Sulphur Springs team tennis takes on Jacksonville Tuesday in the first round of playoffs at 9:30 A.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Fatal ATV Crash Reported Thursday Night In Como
A fatal ATV crash was reported to have occurred Thursday night, Oct. 6, 2022, in Como, county officials reported.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Hopkins County EMS were dispatched at 11:19 p.m. Thursday to what was initially reported to EMS as a vehicle crash on County Road 2335 at County Road 2336 in Como, TX. Hopkins County, Brinker and Como firefighters were also dispatched at 11:31 p.m. to what officials learned was an ATV accident, according to dispatch reports.
Upon arrival, one patient who had been on an all-terrain vehicle was reported to be deceased, according to sheriff’s office reports.
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace BJ Teer pronounced 26-year-old Carson Hicks dead at 11:30 p.m. Oct. 6, 2022.
Officials remained at the crash site until 1:22 a.m. Oct. 7, 2022, according to dispatch reports.
No additional details about the fatal ATV crash had been released by HCSO Friday morning, Oct. 7, 2022.
Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Asks For A Smile
The Hopkins County Health Care (HCHC) Foundation is asking that friends of the Foundation and members of the Hopkins County community take time to share a smile. The smile in question is Amazon Smile, which is a program Amazon uses to allow customers to designate a charitable organization as the recipient of a portion of the purchase price paid for certain items on their site.
The HCHC Foundation joined the program approximately six years ago. Since then over $700 has been received thanks to individuals naming HCHC Foundation as their chosen recipient. The program is easy to participate in and costs nothing to the Amazon customer.
All a person needs to do is shop through smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com. Once on smile.amazon.com or the app, be sure to denote the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation as the beneficiary. Go to Account & Lists then Your Account dropdown. Click on Amazon Smile. From there a charity (Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, please) may be designated or changed. If using the app, select Change Your Charity under Settings.
Purchase of certain products will generate a donation of 0.5% of the sale to the HCHC Foundation. That costs nothing extra to the Amazon customer but will mean the world to the Foundation, allowing it to do even more to promote health care initiatives in Hopkins County.
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is celebrating its 25th Anniversary during 2022. It is an IRS designated 501 (c) 3 non-profit. For more information or to donate, contact Kayla Price, Executive Director, at 903-438-4799 or [email protected].
Youth Accused Of Truck Stop Robbery, At Least 3 Others Sentenced In District Court
The youth accused of a truck stop robbery and at least 3 others were sentenced in district court in Hopkins County over the last week.
Charles Orin Lee Nash was sentenced Friday, Sept. 30, to 20 years in prison for the aggravated robbery at Love’s Travel Stop. Nash was accused of displaying a black pistol during the robbery at Love’s at 9:33 a.m. Dec. 3, 2021. The 18-year-old Sulphur Springs man left the store with approximately 35 cartons of cigarettes and was picked up in a reddish maroon colored Chevrolet Colorado pickup driven by 22-year-old Cass Hunter Sullivan of Caddo Mills.
The truck fled west onto Interstate 30. Local authorities did not immediately locate the suspect or vehicle. By midday Dec. 3, authorities had had obtained and released surveillance images of both the suspect and truck he was reported to have left Love’s in. Tipsters were encouraged to call Crime Stoppers with any information related to the case. One tip resulted in location of a suspect and officials obtaining an arrest warrant. Both Nash and Sullivan were in custody at 8 p.m. that night.
Nash was charged with aggravated robbery and served with a warrant for accident involving damage to a vehicle. He and Sullivan were both indicted during the Dec. 29, 2021 Grand Jury session on one aggravated robbery charge each. Nash has remained in custody since his arrest on Dec. 3, 2021.
He appeared in the 8th Judicial District Court last Friday, and was sentenced during the 9 a.m. court session to 20 years in prison for the December 2021 aggravated robbery, according to the District Attorney’s Office an court records.
Manuel Xum-Tziguin pled guilty Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, to a June 2, 2022 unauthorized use of a vehicle charge. He received a 5-year deferred sentence and ordered to pay restitution to the victim.
The 37-year-old Dallas man was a passenger in a vehicle that had been reported stolen from the Dallas area on June 1, 2022. Deputies were alerted the stolen vehicle was entering Hopkins County, located and stopped it at 3:52 p.m. June 2, 2022, at mile marker 116 on Interstate 30 east. Xum-Tziguin and 21-year-old Kenssy Liliana Perdomo-Vega were arrested for unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Xum-Tziguin, who jail records show is also known by Miguel Xam, Michael Xum and Manuel Xum-Tziquim, was indicted during the August 2022 grand jury session on the stolen vehicle charge. The Dallas man remained in Hopkins County jail until after his sentencing Sept. 29, 2022, in lieu of the $75,000 bond set on the charge.
Perdomo-Vega was released July 15, 2022, on bond on the UUV charge. She was also indicted on the charge during the August 2022 grand jury session.
Christopher Shane Freeman received a 10-year deferred sentence on a 2022 tampering with evidence charge and a 2018 evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge. He will be going to a long-term residential faith-based rehabilitation facility, according to court reports.
Deputies stopped a Toyota f-Runner at 2:19 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022, on Gaskins Street in Como because the driver failed to stop at a designated stopping point at a highway intersection. After deciding it was too hot to wait for a K9 to conduct a sniff search around the vehicle, the driver agreed to let deputies search it. Deputies took passenger Freeman into custody for investigation of drug paraphernalia after stepping on a glass pipe of the kind used to smoke methamphetamine that’d been on the ground under the passenger’s side door. A review of dashcam video showed Freeman making furtive movement after getting out of the vehicle and the pipe falling to the ground, resulting in a tampering with evidence charge, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
The 48-year-old Brashear man was jailed July 31, 2022-Aug. 1, 2022, then released on a $2,000 bond on the tampering with evidence charge. He was indicted on the tampering charge during the September grand jury session.
On Aug. 4, 2022, Freeman was served with warrants for violation of probation on a June 15, 2018 evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge and remained in the county jail until his release Oct. 4, 2022 as well as surety off bond on the tampering with evidence charge. He was indicted during the June 26, 2018 grand jury session on the evading arrest charge.
Breunta Rhashod Hill appeared in court Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, for sentencing; he was slated to appear to go into custody on a possession of 4 grams but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance charge. Hill was sentenced to 10 years in prison on the controlled substance charge, a conviction with a deadly weapon finding, according to the DA’s Office.
The 42-year-old Dallas man was stopped Jan. 10, 2022, by police for a traffic violation. He was allegedly found to be in possession of approximately 149 grams of cocaine and a handgun during the traffic stop. Hill spent the night in Hopkins County jail, then was released the next day on a $30,000 bond on the controlled substance charge and a $40,000 bond on the firearm charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Hill, who jail records show is also known by Brelinta Daniels, Tata Daniels and Tay, was returned to Hopkins County jail on May 28, 2022. He remained there until June 14, 2022, for bond forfeiture on a controlled substance charge as well as the firearm charge; his new bond was twice the original bonds.
The Dallas man was taken to the county jail after being sentenced on the controlled substance charge on Oct. 5, 2022.
Vender Wright Named 2022 Ms. Texas Senior Classic
Venda “Vender” Wright recently was named 2022 Ms. Texas Senior Classic in Tyler, making her at least the third Hopkins County resident to earn the state title. The pageant winner is excited for the new adventures that being the pageant winner will afford her, and plans to use it to help lift others spirits.
Wright not only won the title of Ms. Texas Senior Classic, but also received recognition at state for her Philosophy of Life. Also recognized during the 2022 pageant were competitors Stella Bagley, the very first Ms. Hopkins County Senior 2010, and Kylene Claypool, the 2022 Ms. Hopkins County Senior.
Those ladies earning lop ratings at their local pageant advance to the state contest. Wright earned the right to advance by winning the Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic pageant in 2019.
She was very much aware of the Ms. Senior Classic pageant hosted annually in Hopkins County and was excited the year she turned 60, because that meant she too was finally eligible to compete in the fun she saw so many other ladies enjoying as contestants. And, in 2019, she want the whole enchilada as far as the local pageant is concerned.
“Whenever we have competed in the Ms. Hopkins County Senior Queen for Sulphur Springs, Texas, we have a chance go and compete for this,” Wright said of the Ms. Texas Senior Classic pageant.
She did advance to state, eligible to compete at that level for the past four years. Wright finished as second runner up for the Ms. Texas Senior Classic title in 2021, and at the end of September 2022 came home with a new crown and title.
“Always believe in yourself. Always your dream go for it. No matter what, we may fall or whatever. Still, go forth. We’ll succeed,” Wright said. “Don’t give up in any kind of way. Don’t talk negative. Anybody who’s negative, get them out of your way … and say I’m going for it and, yes, it will be.”
The Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant contestants met in Tyler Thursday, to get acquainted and get a good night’s rest. On Friday, they registered and soon began competing, first in a judges interview. They rested for a short time, then hit it hard to be ready for the pageant. Wright said while the work was hard, it was a blast.
The pageant consists of four phases: philosophy of life, judges interview, evening gown and talent competitions, with different judges for each.
“It was fun, so much fun. That’s the most important part. It’s a sisterhood. We gather together each year to have fun. We pray — everything, learn our routines,” Wright said of the preparation for the talent portion of the Ms. Texas Senior pageant. “It comes fast and it ends fast.”
She said it’s so much fun to be a part of the pageant that contestants forget about how tiring it is and just have fun among friends.
“I will never forget it. It changes your whole entire life. It changes it all. It’s amazing. We are queens. We are all queens. My it just does something to you,” Wright said of her experiences competing in and serving as a Ms. Senior Classic queen.
The weekend concludes with a Sunday morning breakfast, where they talk with the queen, who takes her walk and share. She said the roses and trophy were beautiful. She’s looking forward to participating in the Rose Parade in Tyler, along with some of the other contestants. She also plans to get a list of upcoming activities from Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce so she can represent ladies age 60 and older across the state as Ms. Texas Senior Classic 2022 at the different functions, festivals and activities over the course of the year. She said she’s looking forward to traveling a little bit around the area some too to be involved in events in other cities and counties as well.
“Whatever they send towards me, hey, lets go!” Wright said.
Wright said the pageant was fun, but they sure missed their friend Sherry Macauley, who has been part of the pageant for 16 years but was unable to compete or take part in the 2022 pageant because of health reasons. So, before Wright sang during her turn in the talent competition, she dedicated the song to Sherry, and dedicated the pageant to her.
Several other ladies with several years of involvement in the pageant last week took the pageant to Sherry Macaulty, letting her know how much they missed her sweet spirit. At Macauley’s home, they began as if starting the pageant over, then announced a special award. They recognized Macauley for always bringing laughter and joy to the pageant, and cheering for everyone. They presented her with a “Rappin’ Granny G” crown, sash, spray of flowers and trophy.
“It was so precious,” Wright said. “She is such a beautiful person. We love her so much.”
Although she wears the crown and sash, Wright said she also shares the state title shares with the residents at local nursing facilities. Last week, when she visited Carriage House, the facility she frequents most often, she did so with her roses, sash and crown.
“I told them what went on and we sang. They were so happy,” Wright said. “It was for them too.”
A woman with a servant’s heart, Wright will still be doing plenty of volunteer work around the Sulphur Springs community, especially at local nursing homes.
“I love my nursing homes. That’s my pick right there,” Wright said “We are out here to serve. That’s what we are. We are all servants. Everything that happens, we are still servants.”
Not even COVID could stopped her from lifting up the people in local nursing facilities, including singing for residents. She and staff at the facilities simply fond thought outside the box to come up with creative ways to do so during the pandemic.
“I said let’s go and do the singing, but lets do it outside. So everybody got to wear their masks and then we still went and had a ball,” Wright said. “I am so glad the Lord put that on my mind like that.”
Information From an English Class at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
PERSONAL INSTRUCTION
English Instructor Ken Haley helps his students with some personal instruction during his class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
What Drought Conditions Mean For Trees
By Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hopkins County, [email protected]
The anticipation of drought can bring many thoughts to mind from water shortages to increased wildfire risk. But what do drought conditions mean for our trees? Drought is defined by a relatively long duration with substantially below-normal precipitation, usually occurring over a large area, and Texas is no stranger to drought.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, in 2011, one of the state’s worst drought years, more than 80% of Texas experienced exceptional drought conditions. This drought killed an estimated 300 million trees, 5.6 million being urban shade trees. According to experts at Texas A&M Forest Service, tree fatalities occur during a drought because drought is a significant stress to trees.
A stress is anything that reduces the capacity of the tree to function efficiently and grow vigorously, Stresses are things that can affect growth, nutrient uptake, the ability of the tree to photosynthesize and ultimately the ability of the tree to defend itself against environmental conditions and pathogens. These include excessive heat or cold, predation from animals, and insects and diseases – a number of different things.
Drought alone may not kill your trees, though it could be the tipping domino of tree mortality and should be cause for concern.
Most trees usually die from a combination of different stresses. One of the biggest stresses we see in Texas is drought. When that happens, stresses build up and secondary pests or diseases can establish in trees. Secondary pests and diseases are those that attack a tree that is already stressed by something else, such as a drought or winter storm. Hypoxylon and most boring insects are considered secondary pests and diseases, with the exception of the emerald ash borer, which attacks both healthy and stressed ash trees.When a tree is already stressed these types of insects and diseases will increase — not only during the time of drought, but for years after a drought or other large stressor event has ended.
So, what happens to trees during a drought? Ultimately, the lack of water causes trees to photosynthesize less, or make less food, which leads to a lack of nutrients needed to survive.
Plants generate their own food through photosynthesis, and one of the key components of photosynthesis is water, Water is necessary for the chemical reactions that create sugars. It’s also necessary to help move the needed materials around in the tree and, finally, to utilize those materials. Without water, a tree cannot generate sugars and cannot utilize those sugars necessary for tree growth. When this happens, trees will start to show physical symptoms from the lack of nutrients, usually through their leaves.
The things to look for on your tree are leaves dropping or wilting, small or malformed leaves, yellowing of the leaves and browning tips of the leaves, Some species, like junipers, may totally brown out, losing all of their leaves.
Just because leaves begin to fall from your tree, does not mean the tree is dead. For small trees, you can simply use your thumb nail and scrape some of the smaller twigs – if there is still green underneath, then the tree is not dead. Within a few weeks, it may leaf back out. If you are concerned your tree is dead, contact a certified arborist for a professional opinion.
The most helpful way to reduce stress to your tree during drought conditions is to give supplemental water, though the amount and how often you water will depend on your specific tree and area. Watering is going to depend on the tree; the size, species and age of the tree as well as the soils you have in your area, If you have established trees that are well-adapted to your location, it’s very likely that they might not need supplemental water at all but is important to monitor them to look for signs of stress.
If you begin to see signs of stress in your trees and the ground under your trees is extremely dry, it’s time to begin watering. To test the dryness of the soil, you can take a long screwdriver and stick it in the ground. If the screwdriver doesn’t go easily 6 to 8 inches into the soil, it’s time to water. Start by watering the area around the canopy of the tree, not just at the base of the tree and not just around the edge of the dripline but water the entire area underneath the canopy of the tree until the point where you have water start pooling and running off the surface. A good guideline for the amount of water your tree needs is 2 to 3 gallons per 1 inch trunk diameter..
A general rule of thumb for newly planted trees during the heat of the summer is to water them up to three times per week in the absence of precipitation. Though, you want to make sure the soil is not completely saturated with water at all times.
Larger, established trees may not need much water at all but extremely high temperatures and lack of precipitation may warrant watering them every couple of weeks.
When watering your trees, adhere to any water use restrictions you may have in your area and try to maximize the water you do give.
The most important thing is to avoid watering during the heat of the day, because much more water is going to be lost in evaporation, Either early in the morning or later in the evening is the best time to water.
An easy tip for watering trees during a drought is to try and mimic what a typical summer looks like for your trees, watering every 10 days to two weeks and knowing that it’s okay to not be on a set schedule – just like normal summer rain.
Another way you can help your trees manage drought stress is by mulching. Mulch is an easy and inexpensive option to help your trees because it conserves water, regulates soil temperatures, reduces competition from other plants and improves soil health.
In general, apply a layer of mulch no more than 2 to 3 inches deep, In reality, the entire area under the canopy could be mulched, but mulching out several feet around the base of the tree, being sure not to let the mulch touch the base of the trunk, will held.
During times of drought, be extremely cautious not to add additional stresses to your tree, making them more susceptible to secondary insects and diseases. First, do not prune your trees unless absolutely necessary.
What you’re trying to do is reduce stress to the tree, so pruning, even when you have to, is adding stress because you are wounding the tree, If you’re pruning out live branches or live leaf areas of the tree, you’re removing food and the site where the tree’s root growth hormone is developed, affecting root growth and further stressing the tree at a time when it’s already too stressed. The exception to pruning trees during drought is a completely dead branch or one that is a hazard to its surroundings. Another common mistake that can be harmful to your trees during a drought is putting out fertilizer. Just generally applying fertilizers without knowing if there is a deficiency is a really bad idea. If there is not a nutrient deficiency then it’s not going to help anything, and it can actually hurt things and make the tree worse.
During the summer heat, and especially when experiencing drought conditions, it is important to monitoring your trees for stress symptoms and adding supplemental water when necessary.
Trees provide an enormous value to us in our landscape. Keeping trees, especially near our homes, can help to reduce overall energy bills, keep us healthier and provide shade for the house. If we lose those trees, we potentially lose benefits that have taken decades to accumulate.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected]
Coming Up
- Dairy Outreach Program Area Training — October 26, 2022. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Southwest Dairy Museum. $10. Register by calling 903-885.3443.
- Pesticide Private Applicator CEU — November 2, 2022. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. $30. Register by calling 903-885-3443.
City Council Addresses Oncor Rate Change Request, Sewer Main Expansion Contract
Sulphur Springs City Council this week made short order of the regular meeting agenda, addressing all items — including an Oncor rate change request, amendment to the police budget and a community facilities contract for a sewer main expansion, and heard the monthly manager’s report — in just 17 minutes.
While presenting his monthly report to the City Council during the Oct. 4 meeting, City Manager Marc Maxwell noted that City Finance Director Lesa Smith would not be presenting a monthly revenues and expenditures report. However, during the next regular meeting on Nov. 1, Smith is scheduled to give a year end tally of expenditures and revenues.
Oncor Rate Change Proposal
Maxwell also recommended the City Council pass Resolution No. 1314, which denies Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC’s requested rate change within the city.
The city is part of a consortium of cities that work together regarding the Oncor utility rates, usually through an attorney. Maxwell represents the city on the Steering Committee. The group agreed the amount was too high, so the group has been negotiating with Oncor regarding the matter. They have not reached an agreement with Oncor.
“Oncor filed a rate case. We’ve put an extension on that giving it 60-90 days. That time is coming up and we need to either approve the rate or deny them. We need to deny them, and then, this will ultimately be decided either at the Utilities Commission or by some agreed settlement,” Maxwell told the City Council.
Place 1 City Councilman Jay Julian made a motion, which Place 2 Councilman Harold Nash seconded, to approve the document denying the requested proposed rate change. The motion was unanimously approved by the City Council.
Asset Forfeiture Fund
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson asked the City Council to consider amending the department’s asset forfeiture budget by an additional $35,000. That, he noted, would be in addition to the $20,000 the City Council approved late last month as part of the 2022-2023 City of Sulphur Springs budget.
The asset forfeiture fund, consisting of csh and liquidation of forfeited property from narcotic-related enforcement, is currently very healthy, with a balance of $296,092.64 as of Oct. 4, 2022. He asked that the City Council allow the additional $35,000 to be take from the fund to increase SSPD’s budget to $55,000.
He explained that the department is looking to upgrade and trade in issued duty pistols in order to transition from Glock 22 .40-caliber to the glock G45 9mm pistol, which will have a mounted optic sight (a red dot). This would increase the accuracy of officers over traditional iron sights, should a situation arise in which an officer has to fire his or her duty weapon. Many agencies are transitioning to this configuration to increase accuracy and officer confidence. The approximate total cost of the transition will be roughly $35,000. He asked that the $35,000 be pulled from the asset forfeiture fund to allow SSPD to transition to the G45 pistol with mounted optic sights. While the money is available in the account, state law requires the governing body to accept a law enforcement department asset forfeiture budget.
Nash made a motion, which Place 7 Councilman John Sellers seconded, to amend the SSPD asset forfeiture budget by $35,000 to $55,000 to allow for the conversion to the Glock G45 pistols as duty weapons. The council unanimously approved the motion granting the increased budget.
Sewer Extension Contract
Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski recommended approving the proposed community facilities contract from Town Branch Living LLC. Niewiadomski explained that Don Roundtree with Town Branch Living LLC proposes extending approximately 1050 feet of 6-inch sewer main and manholes from Reservoir Street to Craig Street to promote development of currently vacant land in that area.
“Bulkley Properties LLC is the primary property that the sewer main will be crossing so that they can develop their project at Tate and Craig Street. The cost of this will be paid for by the developer,” Niewiadomski said.
Water is currently available along Reservoir, Booker, Craig and Tate streets. In the past, sewer availability for properties in that area has been a stumbling block for development.
Properties in the area that could benefit from the sewer main extension are zoned multifamily, which could allow anything from single family residential development to apartments.
A Community Facilities Contract requires submittal and approval of engineering plans for sewer improvements, including easements. The city engineer has reviewed the plans and deemed the size of the proposed sewer main adequate for that type of development.
A bond or irrevocable letter of credit for the cost of the public improvements is needed, along with an inspection fee of 1.75% of those costs. Those have been submitted and approved by the city engineer
This would bring sewer from Reservoir up to Craig Street. City Council approval is required for the sewer project to be accepted as a public main.
Niewiadomski recommended the contract be approved. Place 5 City Councilman Gary Spraggins made the formal motion, which Place 3 Councilman Oscar Aguilar seconded, approving the community facilities contract with Town Branch Living LLC to extend the sewer main, at the cost to the developer.
Other Business
Sulphur Springs Mayor Doug Moore noted that there were no items resulting from the 30 minute executive session which preceded the regular 7 p.m. council meeting on Oct. 4. The agenda called for deliberations with Ashoka Street regarding economic development and consultation with an attorney, but no action was required.
After verifying that no one had signed up to speak during public forum, the meeting was adjourned Tuesday night.
