Highlights From South Padre Island

The 81st Session of the Texas Legislature was sluggish and slow and sauntered to a halt without addressing key pieces of legislation such as the continuation of the Texas Department of Transportation, making a Special Session imminent. When it came to county government, there was a silver lining: County officials could possibly have one more chance to address the under-evaluation of oil and gas properties.
Approximately 260 officials gathered at the South Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Annual Conference on South Padre Island June 8-11 passed a resolution designed especially for the Special Session, requesting “that Gov. Perry, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, and Speaker Straus support legislation in a Special Session to change or repeal Texas Tax Code Sec. 23.175 to bring all Texas taxpayers into an equitable position.” (See full resolution, Page ?.)
The comptroller’s current interpretation of Texas Tax Code Sec. 23.175 (market condition factor) uses the state severance tax revenue estimate methodology to estimate the future values of oil and gas properties, instead of a more appropriate market-based estimate.
Adjusting this flawed method of appraisal came within one step of going to the governor during the Regular Session, said Jim Allison, general counsel to the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas. Allison urged officials to take the new resolution to their home courts.
Officials responded in force, passing the resolution during commissioners court and sending copies to the capitol. However, Perry limited the Special Session to a quick few days in early July where lawmakers passed legislation to continue the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Insurance, and three other state agencies, and authorized the issuance of $2 billion in transportation bonds that were approved by Texas voters in 2007. Perry did not consider any other issues, meaning Texas counties will be dealing with the systematic under-evaluation of oil and gas properties for the next two years.
Allison encouraged commissioners courts to communicate to the public exactly why tax bills may increase with homeowners shouldering more of the tax burden, even if the county is bringing in the same amount of revenue as the previous year.
“Tell them it’s because of the State Legislature,” Allison urged.
As officials look back on the session and analyze legislation that could impact county government, they continue to look forward, developing budgets with dwindling dollars, planning for significant events such as the 2010 Census, and preparing their counties for seasonal challenges, such as potential hurricanes.
During the South Texas conference, Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas discussed the utilization of technology during times of crisis citing Hidalgo County’s “E-DALGO” as a prime example. E-DALGO is a wireless emergency notification system that uses text messaging to relay critical information in crisis situations. This particular technology uses “short message service” (SMS) communication which can be sent via cell phone. SMS technology stores and forwards messages when a radio frequency becomes available, whereas calls over telephone networks may not get through.
E-DALGO provides reliable communications when all other forms of communications are down, Salinas said. The system can blast a text message, entered into the system locally by one of the Hidalgo County Emergency Management staff, to more than 30,000 phones in less than a minute.
Hidalgo County emergency management officials can also specify users to receive the messages. For example, the system could be applied internally to notify employees of a bomb threat in a building, while sparing the general public from the message. The system can also be used during hurricanes, flooding, terrorist attacks, chemical spills, major fires, major road closures and school shootings.
When it comes to preparation, Gabriel Sanchez of the U.S. Census Bureau said federal officials are well into the planning stages of the 2010 Census.
The questionnaire is the shortest in Census history, Sanchez said, complete with 10 questions designed to take about 10 minutes.
“Census data directly affects how more than $300 billion per year in federal funding is allocated,” Sanchez said.
Officials gathered at the four-day conference discussed a host of other issues including land development financing, subdivision regulations, common probate problems and specialized districts.
Educational courses were complemented by social activities, with record numbers turning out for Host Court Night at a popular eatery, Louie’s Backyard, and at the closing Installation Banquet where the membership welcomed the 2009-2010 slate of officers: President Roger Galvan, Calhoun County commissioner; First Vice President J.D. Salinas, Hidalgo County judge; and Second Vice President Jerry Garza, Webb County commissioner. Officials gave 2008-2009 President Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, Hays County commissioner, a warm round of applause, thanking her for years of service to the 67-county region.
The 2010 South Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Conference will take place June 21-24 at the Embassy Suites San Marcos Hotel, Spa and Conference Center. County Progress will publish registration details as they become available.
Julie Anderson