Shelby County Today

April 28, 2024 - Effective April 28, 2024 Until further notice

Due to a pump issue at Plant 2, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation  PWS  #2030034 to notify all customers on FM 1751, Hwy 103 E, 147 S,  Grapevine and Maxey Town Communities to boil their water prior to consumption (eg., washing hands/ face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. 

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes. 

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received the notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). 

You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.

(Update): Severe thunderstorms will be possible across much of the Four State Region this afternoon and tonight. Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threats, but a few tornadoes can't be ruled out. Also, locally heavy rainfall may result in flash flooding.

April 28, 2024 - Flood Watch In Effect Through Monday Evening

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, east Texas and northeast Texas.

Day One: Today and tonight: A line of showers and thunderstorms will move into extreme Southeast Oklahoma, Northeast Texas, and adjacent sections of Southwest Arkansas this morning, before eventually diminishing later this morning. Locally gusty winds and brief heavy rainfall will be possible with these storms this morning, but the remnants of these storms will help focus additional shower and thunderstorm development by mid and late afternoon during peak heating, especially with the arrival of a strong upper level disturbance from the west. Some of these storms will become severe, with damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes possible, with locally heavy rainfall likely moving over the same areas. Thus, the potential for flash flooding will increase late this afternoon over Northeast Texas, extreme Southeast Oklahoma, and Southwest Arkansas, with the severe and flash flood threats shifting east into Deep East Texas and North Louisiana tonight.

Days Two Through Seven: Monday through Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms containing heavy rainfall will continue to gradually spread east across Northcentral and Northeast Louisiana Monday morning, before diminishing by afternoon. The threat for flash flooding will continue over these areas Monday morning, before ending as the rains exit the area. While a respite in the rains is expected Monday night and Tuesday morning, additional scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible across East Texas and North Louisiana Tuesday afternoon, becoming more numerous Wednesday through Friday as weak upper level disturbances traverse the area. The potential for isolated strong storms can not be ruled out with the storms Thursday and Friday, ahead of a weak cold front that will move through the region.

Spotter Information Statement: Spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon and tonight across much of the Four State Region.

April 27, 2024 - As of 10:41am, a wind advisory remains in effect until 7am CDT Sunday.

• What: Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected.
• Where: Portions of north central and northwest Louisiana and east and northeast Texas.
• When: Until 7am CDT Sunday.
• Impacts: Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Secure outdoor objects.

Including the counties and parishes of Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Lincoln, Union, De Soto, Red River, Bienville, Jackson, Ouachita, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Caldwell, La Salle, Red River, Bowie, Franklin, Titus, Camp, Morris, Cass, Wood, Upshur, Marion, Smith, Gregg, Harrison, Cherokee, Rusk, Panola, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Angelina, San Augustine, and Sabine.

Including the cities of Homer, Martin, Grayson, Logansport, Nacogdoches, Pleasant Hill, Stonewall, Mineola, Quitman, Marshall, Naples, Ruston, Bernice, Mount Vernon, Lufkin, Henderson, Carthage, Gibsland, Linden, Colfax, Queen City, San Augustine, Clarks, Texarkana, Lone Star, Zwolle, Many, Natchitoches, Ringgold, Hemphill, Omaha, Big Sandy, Montgomery, Arcadia, Longview, Tyler, Jena, Pittsburg, Hughes Springs, Winnsboro, Springhill, Shreveport, Winnfield, Bossier City, Coushatta, Columbia, Gilmer, Jefferson, Center, Midway, Farmerville, Olla, Clarksville, Mansfield, Bogata, Mount Pleasant, Atlanta, Rusk, Monroe, Jacksonville, Dry Prong, Jonesboro, Pineland, Minden, Hawkins, Haynesville, and Daingerfield.

April 26, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners considered a property tax exemption during their meeting held Wednesday, April 24, 2024, and donated equipment for the Precinct 5 Constable’s office during their meeting held Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

The tax exemption being considered was for qualifying child-care facilities allowed under Senate Bill 1145 and Senate Joint Resolution 64 which was authorized with the passing of Proposition 2 in the 2023 Constitutional Election.
 
“Most counties are not adopting this tax exemption until somebody applies,” said Judge Harbison. “We have had an application and catch two it is, they can't qualify this year unless we do it by the 30th of this month.” 

Judge Harbison said she sent it to County Attorney John Price to look at it and research it. 

The Crayon Box has applied and there are several requirements they have to meet.

“The qualifying child care facility has to participate in the Texas Workforce Commission Rising Star program and I have certification that they do,” said Judge Harbison. “They have to have at least 20% of the total number of children enrolled in the facility. They have to receive subsidized child care services.” 

Judge Harbison confirmed for Commissioner Bellmyer, The Crayon Box exceeds the 20%, with 89 children enrolled and 32 of those receiving childcare assistance.

The abatement states the percentage tax exemptioon adopted by the governing body cannot be less than 50%. Price confirmed it could be greater, but not less than 50%.

“The daycare facilities in our county are few and far between, good daycare facilities and from what I understand this one is a good daycare,” said Blackwell.

Commissioner Lout move to approve the property tax exemption. Commissioner Bellmyer seconded the motion and it carried.

Commissioner Bellmyer then moved to approve the resolution adopting a property tax exemption for qualifying child-care facilities at 50%. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lout and it carried.

The commissioners considered a donation of equipment by the City of Timpson to benefit the Precinct 5, Deputy Constable.

“This is a mobile in-car printer for the deputy constable to write citations and give out tickets and court dates for the deputy criminal trespass and things like that and the city of Timpson is going to be purchasing it,” said Judge Harbison.

Commissioner Bellmyer confirmed it means the constable would be performing traffic stops and he commented that he looks forward to reports on that.

Judge Harbison said she would to Constable Tipton now that his office will be performing traffic stops, a racial profiling report would need to be provided.

Commissioner Bellmyer moved to approve the City of Timpson making a donation to support the deputy constable. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith, and the motion carried.

The commissioners approved a property proclamation declaring April 28 through May 5 as Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Program Week. 

The proclamation reads as follows:
WHEREAS, fertile soil and clean water provide us with our daily sustenance, and
WHEREAS, effective conservation practices have helped provide us a rich standard of living, and
WHEREAS, our security depends upon healthy soil and clean water, and 
WHEREAS, stewardship calls for each person to help conserve these precious resources,
Therefore, I, do hereby proclaim the week of April 28- May 5, 2024 as
Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week.

Commissioner Smith moved to approve the proclamation, and it was seconded by Commissioner Lout. The motion carried.
 
During the meeting Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, reported making the final payment on the Master Plan for the Historic Courthouse in the amount of $9 ,000.

Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, mentioned having a lot of tree expense due to a hail storm. $10,000 this week and an additional $6,000 expected in the following week.

Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, said they would be doing the exact same thing in his precinct.

A part for the heating system at the Sheriff’s Department was reported at a cost of $4,800.

Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, referenced a bill for signs in his precinct which he has not yet received. Blackwell agreed to hold the check and not pay yet.

Two bills from SWEPCO, one for the active courthouse, and another for the Historic Courthouse were just received the night before the meeting and were added to the bills at $3,437.79.

A motion by Commissioner Bellmyer to approve and pay weekly expenses was seconded by Commissioner Lout. The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 9:58am.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Pay weekly expenses.
2. Current Payroll.
3. Property Tax Exemption for qualifying Child-Care Facilities allowed under Senate Bill 1145 and Senate Joint Resolution 64 authorized with passing of Proposition 2 in the 2023 Constitutional Election.
4. Resolution Adopting a Property Tax Exemption for Qualifying Child-Care Facilities.
5. Donation of equipment by the City of Timpson to benefit the Precinct 5, Deputy Constable.
6. Proclamation declaring April 28th – May 5th, 2024 as Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week.
7. Adjourn