The Johnson County Commissioners Court approved a petition on Friday that calls for a Nov. 3 local option election in Rio Vista.
The election calls for the legal sale of liquor within city limits for off-premise consumption.
November’s election will mark the seventh opportunity for Rio Vista voters to weigh in on the matter.
The measure failed in four earlier elections, and passed in two. Judges voided both of the successful elections based on illegal votes and signatures.
Commissioner John Matthews said the court has no choice but to call the election so long as the petition calling for it is determined to be valid.
Commissioners recently decided to hold Rio Vista responsible for the full costs of any option elections involving alcohol.
Commissioners billed Rio Vista $4,469.67 in July for the city’s last option election, which occurred in May.
County Road 316
Commissioners denied a request to close 224 feet of County Road 316 and fence that portion off. The road dead ends into Lake Alvarado.
Several residents said motorists driving through attempting to access the lake pose a hazard to neighborhood children.
They also complained about gas company trucks driving through yards because they are unable to otherwise turn around at the street’s dead end.
Other residents feared that closure of the road and a gate would hamper access to emergency vehicles, mail carriers and garbage trucks.
Several said they do not want to pay for maintenance of the affected stretch of road, which they would be required to do if commissioners closed the road.
Others raised concerns about easement access to adjacent properties and the lake.
County Attorney Bill Moore recommended that council members deny the request for now given pending litigation with some of the residents over easement access matters.
Commissioner Don Beeson said the court may reconsider the request after such matters have been resolved.
Computer project tabled
Commissioners tabled a decision to hire Forrester Research Group for $120,000.
The company proposed doing a complete analysis of all county computer equipment to maximize usage, identify possible cost savings, and identify future needs. County Judge Roger Harmon said commissioners would need more time to study the proposal and discuss the matter before making a decision on such a costly project.
Tax rate
No one spoke during a public hearing on the proposed property tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year. A second public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14.
Commissioners will vote on the proposed rate and the budget on Sept. 28.
Both events will occur at 9 a.m. in the Johnson County Courthouse. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
Commissioners have proposed a tax rate a 35.3379 cents per $100 of property value. The current rate is 35.998 per $100.
Commissioners also voted to lease 3.13 acres of county-owned land at 247 Elk Drive in Burleson to Chesapeake Energy, who will drill for gas on the property.
The lease agreement requires Chesapeake to pay the county $2,500 per acre and a 25 percent royalty on gas collected.
Johnson County
Seventh Rio Vista liquor election set
Commissioners call for Rio Vista option election
- Johnson County
-
-
Stage 2 drought plan still in place
Johnson County Special Utility District will keep its Stage 2 drought plan in place despite this week’s rain.
-
Tuesday marks property tax payment deadline
Johnson County Tax Assessor Scott Porter said that Tuesday is the deadline to pay 2011 property taxes without penalties or interest.
-
Drought no more
April showers arrived a couple of months early, bringing much needed rain to Johnson County rivers and lakes.
-
Number of sex offenders increases
Now might be a good time to talk with your children about stranger danger. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released an updated list of the country’s sex offenders this week. The survey showed 747,408 registered sex offenders.
-
Council approves trash truck purchases
City plans to switch trash collection from a manual to an automated system should begin in about six months, Cleburne Assistant City Manager David Esquivel said Tuesday night.
-
Rain related incidents mild, Cleburne rescue workers say
Heavy rainfall Tuesday and Wednesday spurred several calls to the Cleburne police and fire departments, but resulted in no serious injuries or damage, officials said.
-
Finishing touches
-
Vendor delays payment for county EOC work
A sub-contractor that helped build the Emergency Operation Center awaits payment from a construction company that claims it’s having financial trouble.
-
Head Start seeks help to replace stolen, damaged property
Officials with Cleburne’s Head Start school seek donations to help fund an end-of-school-year party for students.
-
Carnegie announces cast for ‘The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940’
Director Dick Helmcamp, retired CHS band director, recently announced the cast for the Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players’ upcoming production of “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.” The show, set in 1940 in Chappaqua, N.Y., is a who-dun-it with a twist. Think Agatha Christie on steroids.
- More Johnson County Headlines
-
Stage 2 drought plan still in place
