Commissioners Court Briefs
County hears presentation on major Olney development plan Young County commissioners heard a detailed presentation on March 23 on a proposed development plan tied to a tax reinvestment zone that Olney officials say could bring new housing, jobs, and long-term economic growth to the city.
Olney Mayor Rue Rogers and Olney Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Tom Parker attended the meeting as county officials received an overview of the proposal and its potential impact on the community.
Attorney David Earl presented the plan, explaining that it centers on a 247-acre development area that would include housing construction, industrial expansion, and downtown revitalization. The project would operate through a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, or TIRZ, a tool created by the state of Texas that allows increased property tax revenue generated by new development to be reinvested into infrastructure and related improvements.
Mr. Earl told Commissioners the project could result in more than $50 million in private investment in the Olney area. The development plan calls for the construction of more than 100 single-family homes along with duplex housing, and expansion of industrial buildings and improvements aimed at encouraging new businesses downtown.
City and TIRZ officials have said one goal of the project is to address the lack of housing options that can make it difficult for workers to live in Olney rather than commuting from surrounding communities.
Mr. Earl said the proposal also includes a housing affordability component designed to help employees of local institutions such as the city, county and hospital purchase homes in the community.
The TIRZ would capture new property tax revenue created by the development while leaving existing tax revenue unchanged for participating entities. Over time, supporters say, the project could significantly expand the tax base for both the city and the county.
Commissioners asked how much land included in the development area currently lies outside the city limits. The presentation indicated that much of the property would be voluntarily annexed into the city of Olney if the project proceeds.
The presentation was informational only, and commissioners are expected to consider whether the county will formally participate in the project at a future meeting.
County approves resolution seeking grant for additional Olney polling site Young County commissioners approved a resolution March 23 authorizing a grant application that could create an additional polling location in Olney.
County officials said the proposal is intended to improve access to voting and prevent scheduling conflicts that have affected elections in the past.
The grant application seeks funding through a Homeland Security program to convert part of the Olney annex building into a location that could be used for voting. The space would likely serve as a secondary site rather than the county’s primary polling location in the city.
County Judge Win Graham said the proposal was prompted by an issue during a previous election when the county’s use of the Olney Civic Center conflicted with the city’s scheduling needs. That conflict resulted in early voting being shortened by a week.
The resolution states that providing an additional polling location would help ensure citizens have greater access to the voting process and strengthen election operations within the county.
Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution authorizing the county judge to submit the grant application and accept the funds if they are awarded.
Commissioners support countywide celebration for America’s 250th anniversary Young County commissioners voted March 23 to support a countywide Independence Day celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The court approved a proclamation encouraging residents from communities across the county, including Olney, Graham, Newcastle and others, to gather July 4 at the Young County Courthouse for a series of commemorative events.
Event organizer David Pratt told commissioners the celebration will include a community prayer service, a military honors ceremony and a parade. The event is intended to recognize veterans and celebrate the nation’s founding while bringing communities throughout Young County together.
Mr. Pratt said the anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought for the nation’s independence and those who have defended the country throughout its history.
Commissioners unanimously approved the proclamation supporting the event.
Commissioners approve headstone request at historic cemetery
Young County commissioners approved a request on March 23 allowing a family to place a headstone at the William T. Johnson Cemetery, the historic black cemetery in Graham that has been closed to burials since the 1950s.
The cemetery contains several historic burial sites, though many of the graves are unmarked or their occupants are unknown.
County officials said the request was reviewed by the cemetery preservation committee, which supported allowing the marker to be installed along the back fence line of the cemetery.
Commissioners discussed how such requests should be handled in the future and noted that only a small number of graves in the cemetery are known with certainty.
The court approved the request, which officials said may establish a general location for similar markers if other families later seek to recognize relatives believed to be buried at the site.