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County conveys 60x60 tower site to TxDOT, transfers remainder back to private owners to enable Iron Ore Hill radio tower upgrade
Summary
Harrison County approved an easement, a 60x60 warranty deed to TxDOT for a new Iron Ore Hill radio tower footprint, and conveyed the remaining 5-acre parcel back to Jason and Amy Wheaton; the court said TxDOT will build and fund the tower to support upgraded radio equipment. Motions passed 5-0.
Harrison County Commissioners Court on Aug. 13 approved a package of land transactions designed to allow construction of a new TxDOT Iron Ore Hill radio tower.
County staff explained the existing tower at FM 449 is outdated and cannot safely support new equipment or climbers. County officials said TxDOT agreed to build and pay for the facilities if it obtains ownership of a 60-by-60-foot tract. The county will convey that 60-by-60 site to TxDOT by warranty deed, grant a permanent easement across county and private lands for access, and convey the remainder of the five-acre parcel back to the private grantors.
A county official said the arrangement is a “horse trade”: the county will convey a small tract to TxDOT so the state can own the tower footprint and pay for construction, and the remaining land will be returned to the private owners. The court also noted that returning the remainder to the private owners puts it back on the tax roll.
All three related items — the permanent easement across the site, the 60x60 warranty deed to TxDOT, and the warranty deed to Jason and Amy Wheaton for the remaining parcel (less the tower footprint) — were approved by unanimous votes.
Why it matters: County officials said the existing tower could not safely accommodate new radio equipment or climbers, and partnering with TxDOT allows the county to upgrade its radio system without shouldering construction costs. Returning the remainder of the tract to private owners produces property-tax revenue for the county, officials added.
Next steps: With deeds and easements approved, staff said construction work can proceed once TxDOT finalizes its work plan and contractors are scheduled.
