Stephens County Commissioners approve tax rate, new budget
At their regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 22, the Stephens County Commissioners approved the new tax rate and budget for the upcoming year.
The commissioners held hearings for the fiscal year 2023 county budget and the 2022 tax rate. No citizens asked to speak during the hearing times, so the hearings were closed and the commissioners voted to approve the budget and the tax rate.
Click here to see a copy of the budget. Click here to see more information about the tax rate.
Burn Ban
The commissioners also took no action on the county-wide burn ban, leaving in place the disaster declaration that prohibits all outdoor burning.
The declaration was originally declared on July 12 due to extreme drought conditions in the county. It was renewed on July 18 and Aug. 9. Click here to read the declaration.
Although there was some rain earlier this week, most of the county still remains in the “Extreme Drought” stage, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Humane Society
Stacey Donaldson with the Stephens County Humane Society hands out the organization’s financial records at the Stephens County Commissioners meeting on Monday. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Kathy O’Shields and Stacey Donaldson with the Stephens County Humane Society spoke to the commissioners about the issues with stray and abandoned animals in the county. The organization receives money from the county to help with the housing of animals that are picked up in the county. O’Shields and Donaldson provided the commissioners with copies of the Humane Society’s financial records, including the vet bills for the animals specifically from the county.
O’Shields explained that communities around the country are experiencing similar problems. Many people got pets during the COVID-19 pandemic and various lockdowns, and now that most restrictions have been lifted, they no longer have time to take care of the pets. So, many dogs are being given to animal shelters, O’Shields said.
In Stephens County, the City of Breckenridge animal shelter is not accepting puppies, so local residents are dumping them in the rural areas, she said.
“We are in a predicament of not knowing what to do, how to do, anymore,” O’Shields told the commissioners. “You know, I’ve been doing this 25 years, and I’ve never faced what we’re facing right now. And I think other groups are in the same boat.”
Stephens County Judge Roach thanked O’Shields and Donaldson for the information.
Other business
The County Commissioners also approved the following:
- An order of appointment for election judges and alternate judges
- The hiring of Beth Slate with B-Greener Industrial Cleaners to have the county yard distributor truck cleaned
- Opting out of renewing the contract with Otis Elevator Company
Cutline, top photo: The Stephens County Commissioners Court met Monday, Aug. 22, and approved the new tax rate and budget for the upcoming year. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
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