[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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",[32,75],{"_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":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6656436,"mediaKeyId","5331670-bde111455c57c588e4f2566b9ad20953","parentId",5331670,"title","Liberty County orders hold on Dayton Lake Estates tax disbursements, asks county attorney to seek AG opinion","audioSeconds",695,"startMs",1027000,"endMs",1722000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331670-bde111455c57c588e4f2566b9ad20953&start=1027&end=1722","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331670-bde111455c57c588e4f2566b9ad20953/thumbnail_1027000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6656436/Liberty-County/Texas/Liberty-County-orders-hold-on-Dayton-Lake-Estates-tax-disbursements-asks-county-attorney-to-seek-AG-opinion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656436-cb22871d86a4ccfe50f40e28d9b8d8b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142660&Signature=TkD4frcZQ6-1Lq2dl73WxJzZk3eXLFoIjJriqbtePC79eE~cI5wzMhaPn3HpZIaIBRnRv5YlsaSaRPYzSRdWbIY5rDeaeDJE83KPyDcAxVZDERIIRCn34UmHE~aWt7a5amCwMbc3Tv-jyV3bPTGBVdeeWkvPVFZjKH5eB5GACyEgQLhFdnOidWq4G3nkz4gqwpTQWpQ3cOTLnP-e6ZIYqP9LoN7Y03-Xa0nlFOM8jpxW6B8xKKDFFM9CehaASYtTLPsXlLccHiy3RmobM-ZkZO9~pIz3w9Yki~qnzOYbxBOlmBh-CDhRr-9NgCmWSpKGKYJoIzxYPtG~b1903Arm5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Liberty County","date","2025-07-08T22:17:08Z","article","The Liberty County Commissioners Court voted in July 2025 to have the county tax assessor-collector hold tax collections for the City of Dayton Lake Estates until an appropriate city government structure is in place and to have the county attorney seek an opinion from the Texas Attorney General on the city's legal status and the county's authority to continue collections.

Why it matters: the county has withheld roughly $17,000 in tax distributions that taxpayers paid for the City of Dayton Lake Estates after the city failed to ratify its tax rate and provide required information for truth-in-taxation calculations. The court sought legal guidance before releasing additional funds or continuing collection services for 2025.

County staff explained that entities participating in consolidated tax collection must supply required budget and valuation information by Sept. 30 so the tax assessor can prepare truth-in-taxation notices and rate calculations. The assessor reported multiple attempts to obtain the city’s ratification and that certified mail was sent on Nov. 1 notifying the city that the county was holding funds. The county collected 2024 taxes but withheld disbursement pending ratification; those payments have remained undispersed since November and total about $17,000 according to the record.

County officials described a pattern of disorganization in Dayton Lake Estates, including unclear or unknown city-council membership and problems locating officials for water system and other operational matters. The tax assessor said the county does not have confidence in the city’s current governance or in who is cashing prior checks and therefore recommended withholding distribution and seeking legal advice.

The court's motion directed the tax assessor-collector to hold the city's tax collections until an appropriate city government structure is in place and directed the county attorney to request an Attorney General opinion on the status of Dayton Lake Estates and on the county's authority and obligations. The court indicated it will revisit collection and participation for tax year 2025 after receiving legal guidance.

Clarifying details:
- Amount being held: approximately $17,000 (taxes collected for 2024 but not disbursed).
- Certified notice: county sent certified mail on Nov. 1 informing the city of the hold.
- Statutory timing: entities must supply budget/truth-in-taxation information by Sept. 30 to avoid reverting to prior-year rates.
- Practical effect: county has withheld 2024 disbursements and is considering whether to continue consolidated collection for 2025 if the city fails to ratify and provide required documentation.

The court also instructed county staff to consult outside counsel (Bickerstaff) and to pursue an Attorney General opinion; members said they would withhold further distributions until the legal status and appropriate governance for Dayton Lake Estates are clarified. The motion passed by voice vote with a second recorded in the meeting minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Meeting July 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After prolonged nonresponse from Dayton Lake Estates officials, the Commissioners Court instructed the tax assessor-collector to hold tax collections for Dayton Lake Estates and directed the county attorney to request an opinion from the Texas Attorney General on the status and collection authority for the city.","taxTitle","Liberty County, Texas","taxId",69549,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656441,"Liberty County approves pension rate, grants, contractor payments and multiple contract renewals",1823,226000,2049000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331670-bde111455c57c588e4f2566b9ad20953&start=226&end=2049","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331670-bde111455c57c588e4f2566b9ad20953/thumbnail_226000.jpg","/articles/6656441/Liberty-County/Texas/Liberty-County-approves-pension-rate-grants-contractor-payments-and-multiple-contract-renewals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656441-8c139a8e12a7ee726e9b57d867dc8cba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142660&Signature=Nxkv~FaiKsMf7~E3fYCv35otCxtIxfql~nXVBehvxvXm2rfNBVZMY5u4tVwZ9WvLuuy5whgSQhxFOcMTThskfMfffGBtJZWkcOpVnlCfjUn6yDqxr48HsnTdKBSmcMK7tgS6wdZ9CYfsBhxm-G9NjaqU7DVrpYngu0JhKj5pkvMbv2LhkItLOJwFs3SV~h0gjP144xyarqZtvZF6Eo-hN2JITtOYWYdkyRzgObNMol7YimiPj6XKlP~xEyEAWzTvSTaT9VoTRj4MEV7w7Tj3mxhv2iz7s9kJ3oNCqJ7xACONTHEAneHnZXwGmbF8z10djAU~V4LD8oT5Na6HOLV4Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its July 2025 meeting, the Liberty County Commissioners Court approved a package of consent, budget and contract items including a continued elected official TCDRS contribution rate, multiple payments and draw requests for GLO Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects, a treasury management agreement with Prosperity Bank and the one-year extension of an asphalt overlay contract.

Why it matters: the package affects the county's pension funding strategy, ongoing disaster-recovery and home-rehab contracts funded through the Texas General Land Office (GLO) CDBG programs, and routine county operations (banking and road resurfacing) that carry multi-year budget and operational implications.

The court voted to keep the higher elected TCDRS (Texas County & District Retirement System) contribution rate at 17.52% with a group term life flat rate of 0.27%, a policy the court has used in recent years to support the plan's funded ratio. The court also approved a set of standard online treasury-management service agreements to continue using Prosperity Bank as the county depository and to enable services such as remote deposit and ACH origination.

On GLO-funded projects, the court approved a payment request of $21,374.20 to Gradworx (invoice E171-002) for work on a countywide master plan under GLO CDBG contract 24065014E171 and approved a draw request (draw request number 9) totaling $718,374.20, which combined an LJ Engineering invoice (about $696,950) and the Gradworx invoice. The packet included an LGA status memo and associated invoices.

The court approved a time-extension amendment to GLO contract 20066013C095 for the housing buyout program; the amendment extends the contract period but does not add funds. Separately, the court approved exercising the renewal option on the county asphalt overlay contract (ITD number 2411) for one additional year to Sept. 9, 2026, with the incumbent contractor, Bulk Materials Asphalt Construction LLC.

Other administrative approvals included:
- Acceptance of a veterans assistance grant budget ($15,000) from the Texas Veterans Commission to continue client services (mortgage, utilities, rent) and funding for a client intake specialist and related supplies; the award will be used under the same budget structure carried from 2025 into 2026.
- A reimbursement policy action to reimburse up to $100 for a washed $10 bill processed at the Cleveland tax office.
- Approval of a resolution to request Texas Department of Transportation approval to designate a portion of Highway 321 South as the Richard William Memorial Highway; the county will seek TxDOT review and rely on donations to cover sign costs and, if installed, will maintain the sign.
- Purchase of hull-and-protection insurance for county watercraft through McGriff Insurance Services for policy term beginning July 13, 2025.
- Allocation of Senate Bill 22 rural salary assistance funds in the district attorney's office to specific employees (state money restricted to salaries).

The court also approved appointments to a review and evaluation committee for the proposed new jail project; the committee membership approved at the meeting includes Catherine McCarty, Dwayne Gott, Chief Billy Knox, Sheriff (name as in record), Nathan Green (fire marshal) and County Attorney Matthew Poston. The court noted potential conflicts if commissioners serve on a committee that will later vote on final contract terms and adjusted membership accordingly.

Votes at a glance:
- TCDRS rate (17.52% elected rate, group term 0.27%): approved (motion carried)
- Prosperity Bank treasury-management agreements: approved (motion carried)
- Payment to Gradworx, invoice E171-002, $21,374.20: approved (motion carried)
- Draw request No. 9 (GLO mid-mod contract 24069014E171) — total $718,374.20: approved (motion carried)
- GLO contract 20066013C095 time-extension for housing buyout (no additional funds): approved (motion carried)
- Asphalt overlay contract renewal to 09/09/2026 (Bulk Materials Asphalt Construction LLC): approved (motion carried)
- Veterans assistance grant budget, $15,000: approved (motion carried)
- Hull-and-protection insurance for watercraft: approved (motion carried)
- DA SB22 salary allotments (state funds directed to specified DA staff): approved (motion carried)
- Appointments to jail review/evaluation committee: approved (motion carried)
- Reimbursement up to $100 for washed bill at Cleveland tax office: approved (motion carried)
- Resolution to TxDOT for Richard William Memorial Highway: approved (motion carried)
- Annexation petition (city of Dayton roads): approved (motion carried)

The court recognized that some items (for example, the GLO contract amendments and draw requests) are part of ongoing federally and state-funded recovery and housing programs and that invoices and status memos are on file in the meeting packet. Several motions carried by voice vote with no roll-call roll presented in the minutes.","At its July 2025 meeting, the Liberty County Commissioners Court approved a higher elected TCDRS contribution rate, multiple contractor payments and draw requests for GLO CDBG projects, several standard bank and insurance agreements, and a series of other budget and contract items.","actionData","errors"]

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Liberty County orders hold on Dayton Lake Estates tax disbursements, asks county attorney to seek AG opinion

Liberty County approves pension rate, grants, contractor payments and multiple contract renewals