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Van Zandt County authorizes up to $10,000 retainer to begin forming County Assistance District
Summary
Commissioners authorized a retainer with Allison Bass McGee LLP (capped at $10,000) to begin technical and legal steps toward forming a County Assistance District and placing a 2¢ sales‑tax proposal before affected voters in November; commissioners debated precinct‑based vs. countywide scope and board authority.
Van Zandt County Commissioners Court voted to retain Allison Bass McGee LLP to begin legal and technical work to form a County Assistance District (CAD) that would allow a 2‑cent sales‑tax increase in non‑municipal areas to fund roads, bridges and first responder needs. The court attached a $10,000 cap to the retainer and required any anticipated expenditures beyond that amount to return to the commissioners court for approval.
During discussion, commissioners debated whether the CAD should be formed on a precinct basis or countywide and how local ESD (emergency services district) ballots and carve‑outs would interact with the CAD boundary. County staff emphasized the technical nature of the work — mapping non‑municipal areas and ensuring ballot language and procedures comply with state law — and warned that omissions in the formation process can invalidate an otherwise successful vote.
The retainer was presented as an initial, targeted expense to prepare required materials and to place the question before voters in November if the court proceeds. Commissioners noted state limits on sales tax rates (total sales tax cannot exceed 8.25%) and discussed governance options for the potential CAD, including precinct boards to advise allocations. The court directed the county judge to execute the retainer under the $10,000 cap and to return with any additional spending requests.
