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142 Years, Number 32 Bellville, Texas 77418, Thursday, August 6, 2020 USPS-49-200 - Single Copy $1.25

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For the first time in years, the actual boundaries of the City of Bellville have grown.

It is small growth but growth still the same.

During the Tuesday, July 21 meeting, the Bellville City Council approved the annexation of a 5.36-acre recreational vehicle park at FM 2429 and Highway 36.

The property had been in the City of Bellville’s extra territorial jurisdiction, and during the June meeting the council unanimous approved an RV park for that location if the developer/owner agreed to be annexed into the city.

Mirza Baig, president of the company, agreed with the annexation during the June meeting.

In the ETJ, the property

already had water, police protection, fire protection and solid waste collection.

By being annexed inside the city, it will now have sewer and gas, plus the appraisal district will be able to collect property taxes on behalf of the City of Bellville.

Before the unanimous vote, Alderman Wayne Browning asked City Attorney for a clarification. Smith said, “It is a request you all (the city council) made during the last meeting when you approved the permit for RV park that was within the ETJ.”

Browning asked Smith if he had reviewed it and Smith said, “Yes, this is very simple.”

In other action items the city council unanimously

Bellville annexes new RV park approved the following:

• Approved a resolution designating GrantWorks, Inc. the Administrative Service Provider for the 2020 Community Development Block Mitigation Grant.

Chief Financial Officer Cathy Ezell made the recommendation for GrantWorks saying she has had good working relationship with GrantWorks in the past, and said she also recommends the company because of the expertise in these types of grants.

The City of Bellville had sought request for proposals and Ezell said they received two. The other came from BKD CPA’s and Advisors.

GrantWorks did have a higher fee at $240,000 while

BKD was at $230,000 for a $3 million grant. If the city received a $10 million grant, GrantWorks would have a fee of $800,00 compared to $266,000 for BKD.

Ezell said that GrantWorks will also help the city navigate through environmental issues which was not provided for by BKD.

“If we need environmental services, GrantWorks will cover it,” she said.

Jackson also pointed out that the city will not being paying any of the fees. “The city doesn’t pay the fees,” he said. “It comes out of the grant.”

Ezell said the grant range if from $3 million up to $100 million.

Bellville will provide a

Bellville FFA member Gabby Eskew finished fifth at the State Prepared Speaking Competition.

This event requires a student to present a six to eight minute speech on a topic related to Agriculture.

Eskew chose the topic of “Food Waste in the United States.”

This year the contest was held virtually to better enable contestants to stay safe and still be able to compete.

Students recorded their speeches and then logged on to a live zoom for questions over their speech.

Eskew’s journey began by being District champion and qualifying for the Area contest.

She then qualified for the State semi-finals before finally finishing fifth against 12 of the best speakers in the State.

Eskew is the third individual

FFA’s Eskew fifthin state competition

from Bellville FFA to finish in the top ten at the State Speaking event, with Brenda Schumann winning the National FFA Speaking Contest in 1996.

GABBY ESKEWBellville FFA

While neither passed by a unanimous votes the Austin County Commissioners Court set the 2020-21 proposed salaries for elected officials and set the 2020-21 Voter Approval Rate at 8 percent due to the State Declared COVID-19 Disaster on July 27.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Bobby Rinn opposed both motions while Precinct 1’s Mark Lamp, Precinct 3’s Randy Reichardt and Precinct 4’s Chip Reed all voted in favor.

The proposed salaries for elected officials is 3 percent

Commissioners OK voter approval rateacross the board, and Rinn said these are hard times to be considering that type of raise, and said he would not be in favor of it.

Reichardt said that the commissioners court can approve less than this, but it cannot approve anything above a 3 percent once it’s approved and published.

The Voter Approval Rate at 8 percent brought similar discussion.

Austin County Judge Tim Lapham said that last year the state put a 3 and 1/2 percent cap on what used to be known as the rollback

rate, but is now the Voter Approval Rate.

If there is a designated disaster, then they can go up to 8 percent, and the COVID-19 pandemic is considered to be a qualifying disaster.

Lapham said, “If we approve it, it doesn’t mean we are going to do it. It’s a ceiling.”

The motion passed 3-1 with Rinn again opposing.

The commissioners then went into a lengthy budget workshop, and listed to several elected officials or representatives of their

departments.Lapham said revenues

are projected to fall about $86,563 short of the proposed budget being considered, but it was pointed out that last year there was a $136,000 difference.

County Auditor Billy Doherty said, “I see you lowered some revenues. Looking at the year-to-date revenues ... if it wasn’t for all the grants we’re getting we would probably be at a deficit for the year.”

Most of the discussion centered on a request from Justice of the Peace Precinct

3 “““““ Drake to make the Constable 3 position a fulltime-post.

Drake said, “We see more people in our court room than in any court in the State of Texas,” and said that a fulltime position would improve safety in the court.

“I think it would be prudent for the commissioners court to provide this for the justice system. Not only for my safety, but for the safety of our clerks. From a personal standpoint, I think we are overdue on this.”

Reichardt said that in (See RATE, 2A)

(See ANNEX, 2A)

The Austin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the burglary of the Fuel Maxx store on Highway 159 East of Bellville.

About 2:30 a.m. on July 26 two men broke into the store by prying open the back door.

The suspects stole cash, cigarettes and other items including Lotto tickets.

One suspect was wearing a dark jacket with a grey hood and pants.

The other suspect appeared to be wearing shorts and a yellow and black hoodie. Security cameras captured images of the suspects.

The suspects fled from the store on foot. Deputies believe they were driving a light colored, silver or white 4 door car that was seen near the store during the early morning hours.

S.O. investigatingFuel Maxx burglary

Austin County Sheriff Jack Brandes said anyone who recognizes the thieves or who has information about the Sunday morning burglary should contact Austin County Crimestoppers 979-865-2949.

Crimestoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to the identity and arrests of criminals. Callers remain anonymous.

• Kenneth Robert Blum• CTAC Wilfred E.

Emshoff, USNR (Ret.)• Sydell Mae (Goebel)

Swearingen

Photo By Tatum RoweSTORM DODGERS - - An early morning thunderstorm dumped 3.5 inches of rain on Bellville Saturday, but the skies cleared for the Bellville Farmers and Artisan Market at the Bishop’s Pavilion adjacent to the Chesley Park. After the storm moved on, it turned out to be a pretty Saturday, but late Sunday afternoon another severe thunderstorm crashed through Bellville, knocking out power at several locations and keeping city crews busy restoring electricity, and cleaning up debris. It brought another inch of rain, and reports of a possible twister in the West End area.

After much consideration, the Austin County Fair Association committees have determined to not have the following events for this year’s Fair: the Country Store, all Home Economics exhibits (youth and adult departments) and the Country Auction.

In a press release, the

Fair cancels home ec events, country store, country auction

(See FAIR, 6B)

Photo By Tatum RoweFULL-MASK DRILLS - - The Bellville Brahmas may not be completely suited up, but they are masked up as they began preseason drills this past Monday at the football stadium. Head Football Coach Grady Rowe was expecting 100 players at the high school level this season. See story, Page 1B.

County active coronavirus cases at 83

While the big number is how many confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus have hit since March, the more telling number could be how many active cases are in Austin County.

As of Monday evening, the number of active cases in the county stood at 83 – an increase of 10 over the previous week.

On Monday, the Texas Department of Health Services reported that Austin County has had 213 confirmed cases since the pandemic hit, with 127 recoveries. It is also reporting three deaths. That figure was at four last week, which continues to demonstrate the confusion in reporting.

Last week, the county had 193 confirmed cases with 120 recoveries.

Austin County remains the lowest in number of confirmed cases while being compared to adjacent counties.

(See CASES, 6B)

Strange days indeed. See Sidelines - - Page 1B

Brahma football team, Brahmanette volleyball team begin preseason drills. - - Page 1B

Bellville LL All-Star photos - - Page 1B

BISD announces free and reduced meals guidelines

- - Page 2A

BMC opening orthopaedic and sports medicine clinic

- - Page 3A

1920 in The Times - - Page 3A