[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6351138,"mediaKeyId","2230981-db9e5b535f71e9a3e0bb4077a030a908","parentId",2230981,"title","Votes at a glance: Henderson County Commissioners Court actions and approvals","audioSeconds",1346,"startMs",354000,"endMs",1700000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230981-db9e5b535f71e9a3e0bb4077a030a908&start=354&end=1700","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230981-db9e5b535f71e9a3e0bb4077a030a908/thumbnail_354000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6351138/Henderson-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Henderson-County-Commissioners-Court-actions-and-approvals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351138-acb86e24d5bd742f6422a2edb66ec392/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171415&Signature=guppWSQGkhGQDQlNFa2rZuYy4ZHK-fuk3CVSPzoQ1u8gRdPBDPAnQ7YPUb6rHfDRSRFp3o6WB6C5Szjl3Q05vDeeZLUfepHwIEUjiC65LhfRt0jrx8eW-9Vy6OLbN8Swklgdy93-E-X9uDM4kXR8V54F0FixUlBncbg8KKWxeX6Iatjr02QJ7Y-vpxpbnUZl9r1wcwGYqRsTo-mw8xp9RM-IABB98eIbwAx3PSDpQBMBR~2AAUViE-cdZbMW32lSzVHUt~k-O7uAb0DJJ3D0xlLZ8QSaW2DTzde1M~1ASXB4nJRk-T6JXSl00IQx~H6vL0PHb2Z5faHxoquOMW5vjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Henderson County, Texas","date","2025-02-05T03:54:27Z","article","Below are the recorded motions, movers/seconders, and outcomes from the Henderson County Commissioners Court meeting.

- Minutes (Item 1): Motion to approve minutes of January 28, 2025 — Motion made by Commissioner Spidey; second by Commissioner Richardson. Vote recorded as 3‑1 (passes). The transcript does not identify which commissioner voted no.

- Refunds (Item 2): Approval of 12 refund checks totaling $79,973.27 from the Tax Assessor‑Collector — Motion made by Commissioner Richardson; second by Commissioner McCam. Passed unanimously by those present.

- Investment Policy (Item 4): Approve Henderson County Investment Policy for 2025 — Motion made by Commissioner Spivey; second by Commissioner Richardson. Passed unanimously by those present.

- Equipment Financing (Item 5): Approve financing (lease‑purchase) for two dump trucks and one haul truck for Road & Bridge Precinct 1 with Welch State Bank (total purchase $308,000; approximately $74,000 yearly) — Motion made by Commissioner Spivey; second recorded in backup as Commissioner Richardson/Richton. Passed unanimously by those present. County judge authorized to sign.

- Reinvestment Zone participation (Item 6): No action taken; item deferred so county attorneys can address questions (notably how a hospital parcel inside the proposed zone would be treated given an existing rebate arrangement).

- Henderson County Regional Fair Park Board reappointments (Item 7): Reappoint Alicia Mickelson, Charla Farrow, Wade Carter and Josh Chapel to two‑year terms ending 01/31/2027 — Motion made by Commissioner Richardson; second by Commissioner McCam. Passed unanimously by those present.

- Henderson County Historical Society appointments (Item 8): Approve appointment list as presented — Motion made by Commissioner Spivey; second by Commissioner Richardson. Passed unanimously by those present.

- LaRue Cemetery roadway work (Item 9): Approve performance of roadway work at LaRue Cemetery under Texas Health and Safety Code section 713.028 in Precinct 4 using county labor and state millings (no material cost to county) — Motion made by Commissioner Richardson; seconded by Commissioner Spivey. Passed unanimously by those present.

- Payroll and Accounts (Item 11): Approve payroll disbursements (biweekly #3) and accounts cash sheet for period ending December 2024 — Motions made and seconded by commissioners (see minutes). Passed unanimously by those present.

- Right‑of‑way permit (Item 13): Approve notice of proposed utility activity from Moore Station Water Supply Corporation to repair a leak at 9153 County Road 3603 — Motion made by Commissioner McCam; second by Commissioner Richardson. Passed unanimously by those present.

- Budget amendments (Item 14): Approve 2024 budget amendments related to payroll accruals and other adjustments — Motion made by Commissioner Spivey; second by Commissioner Richland. Passed unanimously by those present.

- Payment of bills (Item 15): Approve FY2024 bills ($85,803.64) and FY2025 bills ($159,889.54) — FY2024 motion made by Commissioner Richardson; second by Commissioner Spivey (passed unanimously). FY2025 motion made by Commissioner Rietzen; second by Commissioner Spivey (passed unanimously).

- Adjourn (Item 18): Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Spivey; second by Commissioner McCam. Meeting adjourned at 09:48.

Where the transcript omitted specific roll‑call votes, outcomes are recorded as described in the minutes or as “passed unanimously by those present.”","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 4, 2025 - Henderson County Commissioners Court","oneSentenceSummary","A summary of motions and formal actions taken by the Henderson County Commissioners Court during the meeting, including approvals of minutes, refunds, investment policy, equipment financing, reappointments, cemetery work, payroll and bill payments; one economic development participation agreement was deferred for legal review.","taxTitle","taxId",51035,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6351144,"Commissioners table decision on Athens tax reinvestment zone participation pending legal clarifications",652,1528000,2180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230981-db9e5b535f71e9a3e0bb4077a030a908&start=1528&end=2180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230981-db9e5b535f71e9a3e0bb4077a030a908/thumbnail_1528000.jpg","/articles/6351144/Henderson-County/Texas/Commissioners-table-decision-on-Athens-tax-reinvestment-zone-participation-pending-legal-clarifications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351144-d349a3fa43d27f6458d070fe3ee8a60b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171415&Signature=e80T3KZeRDAW62RzM87WaCXnTIZG9CuVuDU7J3haRJRxiaoZbXGwdZcQSJysrbPLZFldAUVmn0y9CKhHXCsmlPPFMdeXCvzRJ-Tk-n29~nAtKWVXCgNM5omSuDjgFkwNURHfH5EGlYRQooOE592W~rdKmtWb10JQ18hjcgJNTYn5vAidbMJKii-zeZ7cJ8~FRG9HMVNVCsohDaeEZ5yo7-6WCMxoH0luj5EcsGodwYLtPXcyKclR6kP8lVXclsJjwFYQSFjmhL6MoyHVHdCQFZviC9RUEiFF99YdHeSEgI4qKyptf2GIOvqwGBZdJ~HTrZ9iZJjVAKzd6bCLcneDoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henderson County Commissioners Court declined to take action on a proposed participation agreement joining the City of Athens’ recently created Tax Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ), asking county attorneys to clarify development and tax‑rebate details before the court signs an agreement.

County and city representatives described a draft agreement that would direct 35% of county property tax revenue above a designated base year into a reinvestment fund for 15 years for public works and infrastructure in the TIRZ area; the city’s portion in the draft is 50%. The draft excludes new single‑family residential construction from the rebate calculation but allows public projects, infrastructure and development incentives within the zone.

Presenters told the court the agreement protects the county by requiring county payments into the TIRZ fund only to be made from taxes actually collected; delinquent or refunded taxes would be deducted or offset before the county contributes. The draft also allows the county to vote on any later changes to the zone rather than being automatically bound if the zone boundaries change.

County staff noted one unresolved complication: hospital property located inside the proposed zone appears in the draft, and the county currently has a separate reimbursement or rebate agreement with that hospital. Officials said the inclusion could reduce future county receipts for the hospital parcel unless the agreement language explicitly addresses it. The court asked staff and attorneys to clarify whether that property can or should be excluded or otherwise handled before the county signs the TIRZ participation agreement.

Athens‑area representatives present reviewed draft terms and explained that attachment A to the agreement contains the zone map. The court heard that some of the northeastern portions of the zone lack water and sewer infrastructure, which reinvestment money would be intended to serve to encourage development.

Because of the outstanding questions, the court decided not to approve the agreement at the meeting and directed attorneys to answer the outstanding issues. No vote to approve the participation agreement was taken; the matter will return to the court after legal review.

The discussion also noted that if the court approves the county’s participation, the commission would later appoint a county representative to serve as a voting member on the TIRZ board for two‑year terms.

The court’s action at the meeting was to take no action and allow county legal staff to resolve the outstanding items in the draft agreement.","Henderson County Commissioners discussed a proposed participation agreement with the City of Athens for a Tax Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) that would commit 35% of county incremental tax revenue for 15 years but asked county attorneys to resolve questions — notably whether hospital property in the zone would be rebated — before taking action.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6351148,"Henderson County court adopts resolution opposing elimination of countywide polling places",774,484000,1258000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230981-db9e5b535f71e9a3e0bb4077a030a908&start=484&end=1258","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230981-db9e5b535f71e9a3e0bb4077a030a908/thumbnail_484000.jpg","/articles/6351148/Henderson-County/Texas/Henderson-County-court-adopts-resolution-opposing-elimination-of-countywide-polling-places","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351148-3ef686df81107442d33ec751dfbc4993/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171415&Signature=fKgFTLY3SEZczbED8-tLDwYgqAVv9M~YoBj5MCDX5jFJIJ3SpIt2wQpJmZDsR~9Vt0iAtBKGB2lI~R0oyi5M~yqcRtXKYXtw0qUD5lCRpZGUsCYYilFaJYO4GgOVxZViamlHbf8zy-K0HMxxIVuVJC9yzQc7QBZ-IUXv4RwXPOvd6YmZB1wx0Oc0Jq0D2aFT~qv0~TrYq0dWnJbwAvKjXrU~5hpzbZHN9tTsh2lI25noFg0bCLQkyZvkipcNEb8tHFgK1uRMxv6YMI-y5WSYVaKe5TjzHF3NcWcEVkMyyfLkBs4~aNZLMpjkTHR4scIQcCDt9yg124R2V8sCNp2TaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henderson County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution opposing proposed changes in the Texas Legislature that would eliminate countywide polling places, electronic poll books and electronic ballot‑marking devices.

The vote, taken during the court's regular meeting, directs county officials to oppose legislation that would require a return to precinct‑based polling and would bar the county's current use of electronic poll books and electronic ballot‑marking devices.

County election staff and several commissioners told the court the countywide vote‑center model has reduced confusion about where residents can vote and shortened processing time. The county currently operates 17 vote centers on Election Day, they said; under a return to strict precinct voting those centers would need to be replaced with about 30 precinct sites, increasing staffing and equipment needs. County staff said poll workers are paid $12.50 an hour and that many current workers are older — estimated in the mid‑60s to 80s — making recruitment a continuing challenge.

“Our county likes that. It works for our voters,” said Miss Lutke, who presented the resolution and identified her regional role with election administrators. Lutke said there are at least four bills pending in the Legislature that would affect electronic poll books, electronic marking devices and countywide polling place options and that the county should formally declare its opposition now.

The resolution text, read to the court, cites the Texas Election Code (section cited in the drafted resolution as 31 0 1 4) as the statutory authorization for electronic poll books and notes that certification of equipment by the secretary of state is required annually. The resolution argues countywide voting reduces provisional ballots and helps voters who commute across county lines or who travel long distances within Henderson County, which the resolution described as a geographically long rural county where many residents commute for work.

Commissioner McCam made the motion to approve the resolution; Commissioner Richardson seconded. The motion passed unanimously by those present.

The court did not provide specific projections of how many voters would be affected if the Legislature changes law, and the resolution frames the county's position as opposition to the pending bills rather than a request for specific legislative language. The county clerk and election staff will retain the resolution on record and, as the resolution states, may use it when representing the county’s position to the Legislature.

Court members thanked Lutke and noted regional election administrators and several other counties are prepared to support the resolution at the state level. The court recorded the action as an approved resolution opposing elimination of countywide polling places and related electronic equipment.

The court moved on to other business after the vote; no additional action on election policy was taken at the meeting.","The Henderson County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution opposing proposed Texas legislation that would eliminate countywide polling places, electronic poll books and electronic ballot‑marking devices, citing voter convenience and operational strain if the county returned to precinct‑based voting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Henderson County Commissioners Court actions and approvals

Commissioners table decision on Athens tax reinvestment zone participation pending legal clarifications

Henderson County court adopts resolution opposing elimination of countywide polling places