Burn ban, employee salary info highlight regular, budget sessions of Commissioners Court





During Monday’s regular meeting of Atascosa County Commissioners, highlight items on the agenda would be a burn ban and data concerning county employees.

After the public comments phase, Atascosa County Fire Marshall, Chuck Garris, requested that the county put in force a burn ban beginning with it being published in the Pleasanton Express on Wednesday, August 15 and it passed.

Conferring with County Judge Diana Bautista after the meeting, detailed information was given regarding how Atascosa County employees’ salaries compare with adjoining Wilson and Medina Counties. A chart developed from information obtained, showed that Atascosa County, overall, pays employees less than the amount paid in the comparable (population-wise) adjoining counties of Medina and Wilson.

“Relating to Atascosa, Medina and Wilson Counties – Medina and Wilson County tax rates have always been lower than Atascosa County from what I’m aware of, since I came into office.” said Judge Bautista, continuing, “At this point, I can not tell you what our tax rate will be for the new budget season. We’re all working on it, right now. Wilson County, as you and I both know, has Eagle Ford Shale activity going on. Medina County – I don’t know what influx of businesses may or may not have arrived in that county because of the Eagle Ford. What we both have to stop and remember, Mr. Zabava, is that Medina County borders Frio County (oil rich). One thing I did not mention yesterday, since you and I are having this conversation now, is that there is a company locating in Kerr County that is hoping to be able to provide some sort of supplies, I believe tanks for the oil industry. These tanks could be used for businesses in the Eagle Ford play. But, they have chosen to locate in Kerr County. My understanding is that the business owner along with one of the Kerr County Commissioners and a representative from AACOG came to our county, approximately, two to three weeks ago and met with Commissioner Bill Carroll. The provider from Kerr County wanted to have a better idea of what was going on in this area (Atascosa County). My understanding is that they were amazed at the amount of activity here.”

Commissioner Bill Carroll said, “This firm deals in storage tanks for oil field sites, normally, of the 400 to 500 barrel variety. A firm rep, after looking around and seeing what’s happening around here, may have thought that the Kerr County location might be the wrong spot. They provide tanks to some of the big oil companies presently,and have locations in the Permian Basin, the Panhandle and, I believe, somewhere in the Midwest, I believe, in Kansas.”

Questioned about an interesting item he brought up on the agenda at the Monday meeting concerning the southeast corner of IH37 and SH97, he responded, “This was to discuss and/or take appropriate action concerning Meuth Commercial Park preliminary plat. There are two parcels of that property, on the corner, considered for development. One is for a large truck stop and that other, possibly, a four-story hotel.”



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