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Commissioners (from left) Mickey Barker and Greg Anglin discuss the Texas Parks and Wildlife boat agreement, which allows watercraft owners to register in Hopkins County/ Staff photo by Taylor Nye
The Hopkins County Commissioners Court renewed boat licensing and approved a plat request, among other items of business.
The court convened on Aug. 24 at 9 a.m. Commissioner Pct. 4 Wade Bartley was not present. The group unanimously approved the previous court’s meeting minutes.
The court then heard reports from the AgriLife extension office [see related story “County health shows decline in 2020”].
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we have the best extension office in the state of Texas barring none,” County Judge Robert Newsom stated.
The court then considered Department of Motor Vehicles optional fees. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, since 2014 counties may charge up to a $1 additional fee for license or registration renewal that is put into a child safety fund, which is used to pay for school crossing guard programs or for other county programs that promote child safety, health or nutrition.
Newsom clarified the county had this fee in place in 2019, and assessor-collector Debbie Pogue Mitchell stated this was correct. The court unanimously voted to keep the fee in place.
The group then considered a plat request for a one-acre parcel of land located at approximately County Road 4766 and CR 4772. Commissioner Pct. 3 Joe Price stated he had investigated the piece of land and he felt it was appropriate for plat approval. Surveyor Ray Lacey appeared in court to say he would appreciate it if the plat request was approved. The group unanimously approved the request.
The court then heard a proposal to accept a grant from the Statewide Victim Notification System (SAVNS). According to the office of the state attorney general, the SAVNS provides victims of crime with access to information and notification about changes in offender status online, so they can view it 24-hours a day. The court unanimously approved the measure.
The court then heard a proposal to undergo a boat agreement between the county and Texas Parks and Wildlife. Commissioner Pct. 1 Mickey Barker clarified to the News-Telegram this is a measure so citizens of Hopkins County can register their watercraft in the county, rather than having to travel to other counties to register. The measure has been in place since 2015, according to Newsom.
“I think it’s incredibly appreciated,” Pogue Mitchell said. The court unanimously approved the agreement.
With no further business, the court adjourned at 9:33 a.m.