Newton County court approves multiple contracts, extends disaster declaration and calls election to create Emergency Services District

Newton County commissioners on Aug. 13 approved a slate of administrative items, including contract actions, an extension of a disaster declaration, and an order to call an election to create Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 6.

Contracts and procurement: The court authorized requests for bids for road-and-bridge materials and approved a contract between Newton County and Windream Communications for services related to the county history center. It also authorized the county judge to sign multiple contract amendments tied to the county’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) portfolio; staff read several grant contract numbers aloud and the court authorized the signings.

Disaster declaration: The court approved an extension of the county’s Declaration of Disaster for flooding events that occurred on April 10 and April 26, 2024.

Emergency Services District and election order: The court reviewed and approved an order calling an election to confirm creation of Newton County Emergency Services District No. 6. The order, as read at the meeting, set the initial tax rate on the formation order at zero (the court described plans to pursue a future sales tax in 2025 rather than levy a property tax for start-up funding). Commissioners discussed overlap with neighboring jurisdictions and potential impacts on other entities that provide emergency services, then voted to call the election.

Bills and administrative updates: The court also received an update on outside audits and grants, and approved a set of bills across county funds (road and bridge, general, record preservation, solid-waste, library and other funds).

Provenance: Actions and approvals discussed SEG 1727–SEG 2071.