Como updates on tax rate, street grant application

Hopkins County

COMO—Como city council met on Sept. 10 for a regular session to discuss the tax rate, code enforcement and a proposal from new Sulphur Springs company NextLink for an internet tower, among other business.

After an opening prayer and pledges to the American and Texas flags, Como Mayor Darla Henry read in the minutes of the Aug. 13 council meeting.

The council discussed the community development block grant program. Como has announced their intentions to apply for $350,000 to repair or replace city streets, according to their unanimously passed resolution.

The council voted unanimously to maintain the city’s tax rate at 40 cents per $100, the same rate from 2018.

The council discussed a proposal from Sulphur Springs company NextLink to place an internet tower.

On Aug. 20, NextLink, formerly of Hudson Oaks, Texas, broke ground after a major relocation to Sulphur Springs’ Heritage business park.

Water Operations Manager Chris Vaughn delivered a maintenance report. This included monthly water testing for dissolved oxygen, pH balance and chlorine as well as bacteriological testing.

Vaughn reported that the city had mowed and weeded the city baseball field and city hall, and performed a controlled burn as Brinker Volunteer Fire Department supervised. Street signs on Main and Lafayette streets were repaired, Vaughn reported.

Code Enforcement Officer Andy Lowen delivered a code enforcement report, which also included updates about the progression of the new city of Como fire department.

Some code enforcement work Lowen did during the month of August included writing letters for tall grass, patrolling town and assisting the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals on a call, according to Lowen’s report.

Lowen’s labor on the fire department this month has included cleaning the fire department building and creating an inventory. Lowen also worked with paperwork for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to get the Como police department recertified, according to his report.

“We try to be as transparent as possible,” Henry told the News-Telegram. “That’s why we put it [city documents] all out there available for everyone. We know we’re the trustees of people’s money, and we try to be deserving of that trust.”