Attorney Jacob Lederle spoke to Stephens County Commissioners last Monday about changes which were made to the county’s tax abatement guidelines.
Lederle, an attorney with Wetsel, Carmichael, Allen and Lederle, of Sweetwater, was hired in April to review and negotiate Chapter 312 tax abatement agreements the county may enter into with any renewable energy companies.
The Breckenridge ISD school board approved the use of local funding through a budget amendment for the purchase of the Raptor Visitor Management System and Emergency Management Software. The program will help in emergency situations within the district as well as with vetting visitors who are sex offenders, have custody matters or are in a custom banned list created by the district.
After three years with the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce, Carrie Holson will be resigning from her position as executive director. Her last day was Friday, Oct. 8.
Holson sent an email to chamber members last Thursday announcing her resignation, stating that she had been offered a job position in Albany, where she currently lives.
“It has been a pleasure serving the chamber and Breckenridge businesses, and I have appreciated the support shown by so many over the past three years,” Holson wrote in the email.
During last Tuesday’s City Commissioners meeting, City Manager Erika McComis discussed possible personal leave incentives for city of Breckenridge employees who receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
McComis said the topic was brought up during a recent city manager luncheon.
Stephens County has designated $200,000 of their American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to go to four local entities. Commissioners approved the orders during last Monday’s meeting.
Stephens County Commissioners voted to enter into a new inmate healthcare service contract with Stephens Memorial Hospital during last Monday’s meeting. The agreement would not only continue to provide mandated medical services to incarcerated inmates, but also shift funds, which were being paid to an outside entity, to a local provider.
The new agreement will begin Jan. 1, 2022. According to the health services agreement, SMH will provide medical, basic dental and basic mental health services to inmates who are in official custody of the jail.
Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Colton Buckley is looking to introduce the heads of agencies within the city and county through a leadership gathering, and later establish a committee of representatives in the community to tackle issues together.
The EDC director and Breckenridge City Manager Erika McComis said they are shooting for a leadership gathering once a month to speak on issues and how the entities can update each other and work together. Ultimately, Buckley said he wants to turn this meeting into a listening session with the community.
The deadline to register to vote in the November Constitutional Amendment Election is approaching at the beginning of October. There are eight constitutional amendments which will appear on the ballot in Stephens County, but no other local ballot issues.
The office of the Texas Secretary of State decided the order of constitutional amendments which will appear on the November election ballot Thursday, July 29. Deputy Secretary of State Joe Esparza drew the ballot order in July for the eight proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution.
During a recent board meeting, Breckenridge ISD provided insight into an issue that is currently affecting the district: a lack of substitute teachers.
BISD Superintendent, Bryan Allen, discussed the problem at last Monday’s meeting. Since Sept. 1, there have been zero days that the district has not had an unfilled substitute teacher position, according to Allen.
On Tuesday, Oct. 5, the Breckenridge Police Department, along with the city of Breckenridge, will host a National Night Out event. The NNO Block Party will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Stephens County Law Enforcement Center, located at 210 E. Dyer Street, in Breckenridge.
Breckenridge City Manager Erika McComis said the purpose of the event is for the children in the community to get to know and build trust with the first responders.
