[{"_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",[32,75,86],{"_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":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6462396,"mediaKeyId","5809627-dd30fcfde14e0821773dc8811960df7d","parentId",5809627,"title","Poteet resident calls county enforcement of dumpster rules a violation of rights during public comment","audioSeconds",360,"startMs",355000,"endMs",715000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809627-dd30fcfde14e0821773dc8811960df7d&start=355&end=715","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809627-dd30fcfde14e0821773dc8811960df7d/thumbnail_355000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462396/Atascosa-County/Texas/Poteet-resident-calls-county-enforcement-of-dumpster-rules-a-violation-of-rights-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462396-b28c06717a243bc91be14f70f6dfa404/orig.mp4?Expires=1773608242&Signature=ZzQ6EpkdjMJN3jRdqQgHufcJbqAoe0TDioA2hzejvOqG3FoT2VL2lSMvqOfZ~7dc8SiL5SDfSxTzxmuC4z~3Fq-49x4a2a6sccXGdRcPnRLgXL9joj0OUdOT7qHlJteD2Y5Bic0yGxispGFy69QUhLn1VaOnILkL0muTA6Nw~J9C-lGttqMh46v6pNZPPZq0DZvHP9rQ5an6iF2sADLQFhlH-Drf~NOTY97IkimwA8a810e95IBZbns8ofDK0wsOgZ~eunhloyO5dDOVnKOIgmhLjsEnbHo8DQUN1OunvdLaVPcLtz-SfaS5C1Uv0SbHDJsghBkvGK0SOuwyKi1LHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Atascosa County","date","2025-09-22T15:32:45.397Z","article","During the Sept. 22 Atascosa County Commissioners Court public-comment period, resident Steve Bullard of 84 Brandywine Drive in Poteet told the court he believed county rules restricting placement of a dumpster on his rural property violated his constitutional civil rights.

Bullard said he recently sustained severe burns and is recovering; he said he is trying to clean up his property and wants to place a dumpster to remove debris. Bullard said he lives in the county (not inside a city) and objected to what he described as a county rule prohibiting his use of a dumpster. He said he has medical issues (burns, heart problems, leukemia) and that the enforcement threatened his ability to clean the property. Bullard identified himself as a Vietnam veteran and said he intended to speak with Commissioner Mark Gillespie after the meeting.

The presiding officer told Bullard that court rules do not permit answers during public comments and invited him to meet with his commissioner after the meeting. No formal action or response was taken on the record during the meeting.

What was on the record: Bullard asked the court to either allow his dumpster or to have county staff take his trash; he said he felt county officials were violating the same laws he was being held to. He repeated concerns about crime and past losses and said he would discuss the matter with Commissioner Gillespie after the meeting. The court did not debate or act on the matter during the session; staff advised the resident to meet with the commissioner for follow-up.

No agenda item was opened to change county code or enforcement at this meeting; Bullard's comment was recorded as public comment only.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Atascosa County Commissioners Court","oneSentenceSummary","Steve Bullard, a Vietnam veteran and Atascosa County resident, told commissioners during public comment that county restrictions on placement of a dumpster on his property violate his civil rights and asked the court to accept his trash if enforcement prevents him from cleaning his property.","taxTitle","Atascosa County, Texas","taxId",69397,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6462401,"Votes at a glance: Atascosa County commissioners approve contracts, personnel, plats, and other routine business",0,1580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809627-dd30fcfde14e0821773dc8811960df7d&start=1580&end=1580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809627-dd30fcfde14e0821773dc8811960df7d/thumbnail_1580000.jpg","/articles/6462401/Atascosa-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Atascosa-County-commissioners-approve-contracts-personnel-plats-and-other-routine-business","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462401-bbad8532c91da12591e778cb3187da2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773608242&Signature=EIOGhWmv8R3POV2Q5wlVqsPRzUSQu2rJeDgVapj0-75ok-CHGvqZaYQrRlz27meT~SkDAOe8s13vsP0dCcI79Mi2eUCaYmsnfAoTp34Qp~SFeuAb5UutbglEqA0en1DMbGSiiYGaOApIOMru8OB2mw6MTdyQRN6P2uH8QcNNWhlbP2kEAND~XZxLNK02esyU1cFk76yWXskbf2fM79fNjApy2NbIu6xOYnIAx356aDOmrUFnUbhmjOiSn54XLcvGhFZAAjsAqKrVXwqsKL9x01YIYZnQmPqEge4YHXGDM9Pfk3uAY7c52ppEcVx7Az6B9S~1jN0W-jxo39P6DMCRQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Atascosa County Commissioners Court on Sept. 22, 2025, approved a range of routine but formal actions by recorded or voice vote. Many items were acted on with little debate; the court approved motions by unanimous or near-unanimous margins with Commissioner Riley absent.

Selected approvals and outcomes (motions, movers, seconds, and outcomes):

- Archive/dedicated fund budget: Court approved a dedicated archives budget line of $240,000 as required for expenditure authority. Motion by Commissioner Gillespie; seconded by Commissioner Bowen; carried 3-0 on voice vote with Commissioner Riley absent.

- Group life and AD&D insurance renewal: Approved renewal of the county's group life and accidental death & dismemberment policy with Hartford, comprising a two-year renewal (10/1/2025 through 2027) at the same rates as expiring. Presenter: Lee Ricks, Ricks Insurance. Motion carried (moved by Commissioner Veil/Gillespie; seconded by Commissioner Bowen).

- Tree removal at Ag Extension Office: Auditor Tracy Barrera asked the court to approve an expense of $7,000 to remove three ash trees at the Ag Extension property; court approved pending county attorney review and authorized the judge to sign related documents. Motion by Commissioner Gillespie; second by Commissioner Bowen; carried 3-0 (Riley absent).

- Indigent health care optional services: Approved keeping optional services the same as the prior year for fiscal 2025-26. Presenter: Lisa Akers. Motion by Commissioner Pavelic; second by Commissioner Bowen; carried 3-0.

- Contract for electronic poll books: Approved a contract with KnowInk LLC (presented by elections administrator Kathy Seider) for electronic poll-book software and services, subject to county-attorney review. Commissioners noted neighboring jurisdictions use the vendor; motion carried 3-0.

- Sheriff department personnel actions: Multiple hires and promotions were approved, including a new jail nurse, promotions to sergeant and corporal jailer positions and other position changes presented by Sheriff Jake Garrett. All personnel items carried on voice vote (motions by various commissioners; carried 3-0, Riley absent).

- Animal-control interlocal with City of Jourdanton/Jordan: The court voted to rescind a termination notice and continue an amended interlocal agreement for animal-control services with the City of Jordan (effective Oct. 1, 2025) to give the city more time to complete its facility and ACO arrangements. Motion by Commissioner Gillespie; second by Commissioner Pavelic; carried 3-0.

- Rural development / plats and permits: The court approved several final plats and certificates of exception recommended by the county's rural development staff (final plat approvals for Kestersen Addition, Brass Hollow Addition, Shell Acres subdivision; exceptions on County Road 331; a road board permit for McCoy Water Supply on Shell Road), and approved a replat public hearing and subsequent action; motions carried by voice vote with Riley absent.

- Minutes and administrative items: Court approved July 2025 minutes, sheriff fees for 2026, continuing education certifications and payroll/invoice approvals as presented.

What the court said: Most items were described by staff with short presentations and the county attorney's review noted for contracts. Commissioners generally thanked staff and moved items with minimal discussion.

Formal votes and related documentation for each approved item will be reflected in the official minutes and in any contract or personnel records.","Atascosa County Commissioners Court passed a slate of routine motions Sept. 22, including insurance renewal, contracts for electronic poll books, personnel hires and promotions, various subdivision plats and interlocal animal-control actions.",{"_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":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6462405,"Atascosa County adopts 2026 budget, keeps overall tax rate unchanged; commissioners ratify tax increase tied to new property value",882,722000,1604000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809627-dd30fcfde14e0821773dc8811960df7d&start=722&end=1604","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809627-dd30fcfde14e0821773dc8811960df7d/thumbnail_722000.jpg","/articles/6462405/Atascosa-County/Texas/Atascosa-County-adopts-2026-budget-keeps-overall-tax-rate-unchanged-commissioners-ratify-tax-increase-tied-to-new-property-value","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462405-54c88d6ed5e17bd199cd24b120bb1668/orig.mp4?Expires=1773608242&Signature=bDrtGmP7BMkX~vGxFc0LZilKlF~arh7QDB4wdqS02aZhDmH-dk3r0rw3VVjXF0zgD2wg1IO2kk-NpufUHsMU5cBaGj4qXMdl8RvUat~DFfeKfebF6sNhxImc21CDKf5Xb8x6X4Ew8dXx2lj7W6R54GSYUZlrFjezjFl2-IKvY-rVWvs~cOSUQRhrOLiyu0HINKoE-6AItSN0XUQkX3o1PZ2rKGBGmtmTgkH43N5Z-89KWtiwn7JAATUad6qI-XuCh2BA8Lhd3azeUYwjtE3TDogHJ2IYbSr5tUv2JgapRWe6wPIc-DCi3lIsyC-bahTiGRdrdkcG0ldtibNZUv0U1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Atascosa County Commissioners Court on Sept. 22, 2025, adopted the county's fiscal year 2026 budget, approved the 2025 property-tax rates and ratified a property-tax increase tied to new property values while maintaining the county's overall tax rate.

The court opened public hearings required by state law and read a taxpayer-impact statement required under recent changes to the Texas Government Code. The county identified a median (medium) valued homestead of $228,700; the court said estimated property taxes for that homestead under the proposed budget would be about $1,105, roughly a $1 difference from the no-new-revenue comparison cited in the statement.

The courtroom then voted on the budget and associated tax items. Commissioner Mark Gillespie moved to adopt the Atascosa County 2026 budget \"as presented.\" The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pavelic and carried on a record vote with Commissioners Gillespie, Bowen, Pavelic and County Judge Willdan Piccout voting in favor and Commissioner Riley absent.

On the tax items, the court:
- Ratified a property-tax increase reflected in the 2026 budget (the court said the increase results from added taxable value in the county, not an increase in the tax rate). Motion by Commissioner Gillespie, second by Commissioner Bowen; carried 4-0 (Riley absent).
- Set the Atascosa County 2025 general property-tax rate at 0.387476 per $100 of assessed value. Motion by Commissioner Gillespie; second by Commissioner Pavelic; carried 4-0 (Riley absent).
- Set the Farm-to-Market and lateral road rate at 0.072867. Motion by Commissioner Gillespie; second by Commissioner Bowen; carried 4-0 (Riley absent).
- Set the debt service rate at 0.000000. Motion by Commissioner Gillespie; second by Commissioner Pavelic; carried 4-0 (Riley absent).
- Adopted the total 2025 property-tax rate at 0.482888, the same total rate the court said it had used the prior two years. Motion by Commissioner Gillespie; second by Commissioner Bowen; carried 4-0 (Riley absent).

Why it matters: Court members explained that the county is collecting more in taxes this year because of growth in taxable value (new businesses, homes and property entering the tax roll), not because of a higher tax rate. The county also said the legislative change to notice and taxpayer-impact requirements (referenced during the meeting as changes to the Texas Government Code) took effect Sept. 1, 2025 and required the court to present a taxpayer impact statement during the budget process.

During the public hearing on the budget, Cassandra Cortez and Mary Cardenas, representing county libraries, requested increases in library funding: a $500 rise in the library conference fund (from $10,500 to $11,000) and an increase to per-library allocations; court members said those requests arrived after earlier budget workshops and may be considered in future budget work but were unlikely to be funded in the current adoption.

County officials thanked auditors and staff for preparing the budget. The judge and commissioners said the county's reserves have grown in recent years and characterized that change as improving fiscal stability heading into FY2026.

Actions recorded in this item are formal, recorded votes and will be reflected in the county's minutes and tax filings; the court stated the budget applies to the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2026.","Atascosa County Commissioners Court on Sept. 22 adopted the county's 2026 budget, set the 2025 tax rates (general, farm-to-market/lateral, debt and total) and ratified a property-tax increase attributable to new property value while keeping the tax rate the same.","actionData","errors"]

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Poteet resident calls county enforcement of dumpster rules a violation of rights during public comment

Votes at a glance: Atascosa County commissioners approve contracts, personnel, plats, and other routine business

Atascosa County adopts 2026 budget, keeps overall tax rate unchanged; commissioners ratify tax increase tied to new property value