KingWm #LibertyMatters

This La Grange ISD School Board meeting was a crowded one.  The discussion on books continued this week with several people signing up to make comments.  Also, there was a lengthy library update that was very informational.  The school board also discussed the sale of financial bonds, chose a new auditor and considered many other matters.

Commissioners Court was poised to grant a variance to a 15-lot subdivision, eliminating the plat requirement, when a couple timely questions drew attention to the flawed subdivision platting procedure.  Don’t miss this very important 13 minute discussion.  State law requires a plat for all subdivisions, with few exceptions, yet our County continuously grants variances for large subdivisions withou...

It was another very routine meeting, but there was a little discussion on elections and various grant funds.  The most interesting part was probably the questions Commissioner McBroom asked about the Round Top traffic stops in the Sheriff’s Office report.  It may seem innocuous at first glance, but I think there may be more questions regarding the nature of these private security agreements in the...

Again, courtesy of Jeff Parker.  Unfortunately, we did not get our recording of the last school board meeting when the book issue erupted in controversy, but we did get this most recent one.  I have not listened to the entire recording, but I listened to all the public comments in the beginning, and they are well worth your time.  As this book controversy unfolds, check back here for more recordin...

Courtesy of Jeff Parker:  LGISD “Budget Workshop” meeting 3/18/24 to discuss taking out a “Maintenance Tax Note”, which would be a loan of $2,000,000 at 4.75% for 15 years. The purpose of the note is to tackle maintenance and construction projects “now” rather than at the rate of the yearly amount budgeted for capital outlay -- approximately $285,000 per year. The money to pay principal and intere...

At 67 minutes in length, it was a bit of a marathon (lol), but it could have been the most routine meeting ever.

The Court should not cede the power of the purse. In this special session, the Grant Specialist, the Sheriff & Commissioner Brossman have alleged that the Sheriff alone will have full discretion to use SB22 grant funds to increase salaries, and obligate future budgets to cover those increases, without the consent of the Court.  To do otherwise would be to “defund the police”.  They said the Co...

Today in Commissioners Court, there was a little more discussion than normal.  There was a brief EMS report and most other matters were routine, except for the hangar lease and the budget stuff.  After a lengthy closed session and comments in open court, the hangar lease was acknowledged.  There was quite a bit of informative discussion on 2023 budget amendments and ending fund balances.  It looks...

The Fayette County [Texas] Republican Party held its third and final candidate forum of the 2024 primary season on 2/17/2024 in La Grange, Texas.  We hear from candidates for County Republican Party Chair,  County Attorney, District 85 State House Representative and US Congressional District 10.  The House Rep race was the main event but the crowd was clearly pleased with Jared Lovelace.  The othe...

It was another brief Thursday morning meeting.  There was a nice update on some matters affecting the recycling center and a little discussion about ambulances.  The only other substantive discussion revolved around the attempted assignment of an old airport hangar lease that may have expired and that is in serious need of being updated.  The matter was tabled so more research could be done to det...

The Fayette County [Texas] Republican Party held its second candidate forum of the 2024 primary season on 2/4/2024 in Ellinger, Texas.  We hear from candidates for County Republican Party Chair, Constable of Precinct 2 and for County Attorney.  We had mostly new questions and the candidates did a fantastic job.  Don't miss this excellent opportunity to learn about who is running in this year's pri...

The Fayette County [Texas] Republican Party held its first candidate forum of the 2024 primary season on 1/28/2024 in Schulenburg, Texas.  We hear from candidates for Constable (Precincts 3 & 4), for County Attorney and County Republican Party Chair.

It was a short afternoon meeting today.  There was some informative discussion about subdivision & flood regulations, specifically related to variances granted, but the main event was the lengthy & informative discussion related to the proposed changes to the personnel policy manual.  I think the matter has been resolved, but I don’t know if everyone got what they wanted.  The bottom line?...

The Fayette County Republic Women held their January meeting today and the room was filled nearly to capacity.  Ms. Kimberley’s legislative report is always fantastic, but the main attraction was definitely the candidate forum.  This is our first opportunity to hear from candidates this primary season and the highlight, in my opinion, was the Fayette County Attorney’s race.   It was the only race...

With limited discussion related to EMS license renewal, airport runway improvements and grant matters, the most newsworthy item of the first meeting of the new year was the public comments by candidate for County Attorney, Mark Elvig.  He questioned the process for making additions to the county personnel policy manual.  Specifically, a rule was adopted by the Commissioners Court late in 2022 in r...

The last meeting of the year was another short one, and contentious too.  The subject of salaries came up again with agenda items on raises for dispatchers and the permitting and inspections department.  Raises for dispatchers was approved without objection, but when the discussion turned (@23m) to permitting and inspections (subdivisions & development), the fireworks began, and some were clea...

Commissioners Court updated and adopted its policy on tax abatements today.  The action makes it possible to accept applications for tax abatements to promote economic growth.  A specific project has not yet been proposed [it’s coming], but there was a healthy discussion about policy (@0:04:30).  Also today, the AgriLife extension office gave their annual presentation on their educational activiti...

That is the first Commissioners Court meeting I have missed in I don't know how long, but duty called.  I had to send a staffer (Willie LOL) to record the meeting for us.  All I know is the tax abatement hearing was deferred until the first November meeting and that the meeting was less than 46 minutes long.  Other than that, I will be listening and learning like the rest of you.

An open forum was held to discuss the proposed constitutional amendments.  Fortunately, subject matter expert Andrew McVeigh, the Executive Director of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, was able to provide valuable insight.  It was a fabulous discussion and a smashing success.  The election is on 11/7/2023, be informed.

Before the official meeting began, Fayette County resident Jared Lovelace, candidate for U.S. Representative, Texas' 10th Congressional District, challenging Rep. Michael McCall, was given the opportunity to tell us about himself.

This is the Party’s 4th quarterly meeting.  We wanted to have an open forum and the chosen topic was the proposed constitutional amendments.  Fortunately, subject matter expert Andrew McVeigh, the Executive Director of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, was able to provide valuable insight.  It was a fabulous discussion and a smashing success.  As a bonus, learn about Fayette County resident Jared...

The Fayette County Republican Women’s Legislative Chair, Kimberley Rutledge gives a fantastic and detailed legislative update.  It is only 14 minutes long, be informed.

The Fayette County Republican Women invited Dr. Ron Seivert, with the Texas A&M University School of Government, to discuss what Republicans need to do to win in 2024.  While I didn’t agree with everything he said, he was an interesting and intelligent person with a ton of interesting experience.  Also, don’t miss the brief but fantastic legislative update from Kimberley Rutledge.

Inter-local agreements, burn ban, public hearing on tax abatement set, EMS updates, GLO Hazard Mitigation Grant method of distribution and more. #10.  Consider and take appropriate action in setting a date, time, and place for a Public Hearing, at which members of the public are given the opportunity to be heard, regarding the proposed adoption of Guidelines and Criteria Governing Tax Abatement Ag...

FaCoTx Com Court 9/14/2023 - Public Response by William Bernsen