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Van Zandt County commissioners say they will work with cities on road priorities but can’t reallocate county road tax now
Summary
Residents and city representatives pressed the county to direct more of the special 10¢ road-and-bridge tax toward city streets; commissioners agreed to coordinate plans during the June budget process but said the tax, by law, funds county roads and the court lacks capacity to divert large sums without harming county-maintained roads.
Van Zandt County commissioners heard more than two hours of public comment and discussion Friday on whether some proceeds from the county’s special 10¢ road-and-bridge tax should be used to help repair city streets.
Residents and city representatives said they are paying into the special road tax but not seeing commensurate repairs. "So what we're asking for is, our money back," Ernie said during the meeting, summarizing city concerns about funds collected and roads left unaddressed. A resident who identified himself as Anthony told the court his road, No. 3505, had reverted from paved to dusty dirt and said the dust was affecting health: "My road's not getting fixed… My dogs are having trouble breathing."
The court and staff described limits on what the county can do with the 10¢ tax and on available materials and labor. A county operations speaker said crews used crushed concrete as a temporary surface because there was not enough material or budget to perform…
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