The Hill County Commissioners Court met in a regular session Tuesday, March 10 and heard updates on delinquent tax collections and other county business.
Nicholas Goettsche of McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C. gave a presentation regarding delinquent tax collections in the county. The firm begins working to collect delinquent taxes for the county beginning July 1 of each year, and Goettsche said that Hill County has had excellent collection rates and is bringing in sufficient revenue to fund its operations.
He said that 97.5% of 2024 taxes have been collected, and the firm has collected 57% of delinquent taxes over the past eight months of collection efforts.
Hill County Extension Agent Zach Davis provided an update on the county’s feral hog reduction efforts. The county began its feral hog bounty program in 2014 to address the invasive hogs, which damage crops and property and create health and safety hazards.
Davis said that he has provided feral hog education to 1,763 individuals since 2016, including legal options for controlling hogs. Davis reported that in the 12 years he has been operating the program, over 13,842 hogs have been harvested. Hill County’s feral hog program is the longest running program in the area, he said.
The court approved the purchase of a new chip spreader after Precinct 1 Commissioner Jim Holcomb presented the request. Holcomb said that precincts 1 and 2 currently jointly own a chip spreader, which is the only one the county owns.
The commissioner said that the additional piece of equipment will free up personnel to address pressing needs and allow roads to be upgraded more quickly.
Holcomb said that he encumbered funds from last year’s budget for the down payment of $120,000, and the remainder of the $419,000 purchase price will be financed at 5.25% over a four-year period with Government Capital Corporation.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Larry Crumpton will purchase Precinct 1’s interest in the county’s current chip spreader.
Holcomb said that with the condition of roads in Precinct 1 and his plans for the upcoming year, chip spreading will be at the forefront of efforts to improve road conditions.
The court finalized an agreement with the City of Hillsboro that will allow Hill County Emergency Management Coordinator Chris Jackson to serve as the city’s emergency management coordinator. Commissioners approved the arrangement at their last meeting pending the city accepting the terms. The city will compensate the county for Jackson serving in the role, which is currently a duty assigned to the police chief.
Commissioners also accepted the donation of a light tower trailer from Trenton Silvey for Hill County Emergency Management. Jackson said that the department will only need to spend a minimal amount of money to make repairs and get the trailer operational.
Scott Estill of ANCO Insurance updated the court on the changes with the county’s insurance provider, Curative, that have created confusion for some employees. Estill reported that some Ascension specialists have been slow to transition to Curative’s new model, and ANCO has made its staff available to assist policyholders as negotiations continue.
Commissioners approved repairs to a door at the jail’s secure vehicle entry area, known as the sally port, in the amount of $6,323. The best quote from a reputable company came from Vortex Doors, which will perform the work. The funds will come from the “repairs” line item in the jail’s budget.
In other action, the court approved placing 30 mile-per-hour speed limit signs on HCR 1211, approved refinancing motorgraders purchased by Precinct 4 and approved a minor amendment to the previously approved Juvenile Justice and Youth Diversion Grant resolution.
The court’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be held Tuesday, March 24, at 8:30 a.m.
The Lakelander 