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Newton County court approves retirement rates, flood insurance, grants and easement purchase
Summary
The court approved leaving retirement contribution rates unchanged for 2026, reinstated flood insurance to close a FEMA grant, authorized intent-to-apply for several grants (airport RAMP, Humanities, home-delivered meals), and approved a $5,000 easement purchase for a bridge project.
Newton County commissioners approved multiple routine but consequential items during the meeting, including retirement system rates, flood insurance reinstatement required by FEMA, grant applications and a small easement purchase needed for a bridge replacement project.
On the retirement plan, the court voted to maintain the Texas County & District Retirement System employer rate at 8.67% and the employee deposit rate at 7% for plan year 2026. Commissioner White moved the motion and Commissioner Hopson seconded.
Per federal emergency management requirements to close out DR-4266, the court approved buying flood insurance on the Dville subcourthouse and the Precinct 4 maintenance barn; staff said annual premiums would be a little over $3,000. The court also approved intent to apply for a FY26 RAMP airport grant (up to 90% reimbursement, $100,000 cap) to replace runway lights, upgrade conduit and install a new beacon; commissioners noted operational outages and the need to meet Texas Aviation Department inspections.
Small grants and local programs received approval to pursue funding: the court authorized applying for a Humanities Texas rural grant of up to $2,500 (no match) to support the Newton County History Center and approved applying for a Texas Department of Agriculture home-delivered meal grant to support the county nutrition program (award amount not specified in discussion).
The court approved buying a $5,000 easement from Three Tree Southern Growth LLC (managed by Manuli Forest Management) necessary for the Bridgewood replacement on County Road 4095; construction is expected to begin March 2026. Commissioners also approved a budget amendment moving roughly $84,573.37 in auction proceeds into precinct equipment and building repair accounts, authorized advertising for road-and-bridge material bids, and confirmed payment of bills totaling roughly $260,372 across funds.
