Shelby County Today

September 5, 2025 - Multiple fire departments responded to a fire at Nix Forest Industries in Timpson on Monday, September 1, 2025, located on State Highway 87 just outside Timpson. 

Since that time the State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate the source of the fire and they have confirmed they were requested to conduct an origin and cause investigation. The investigation is open and ongoing. 

According to the Timpson Fire Department, they received an emergency page at 8:57pm that night for a fire at the Nix sawmill. Upon arrival the fire department confirmed that there was a fire at the sawmill and firefighters remained on scene for several hours extinguishing the fire with the aid of Center Fire Department, Tenaha and Garrison Volunteer Fire Departments. 

The fire is currently under investigation, and more details will be released upon its completion.

September 3, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners discussed tax rate options and decided on a .6513 tax rate for 2025 during their meeting held August 27, 2025, and Consrable Precinct 5 vehicles were distributed to other agencies.

Debora Riley, Shelby County Tax Assessor-Collector, addressed the commissioners about tax rate options available for their consideration.

Commissioner Tom Bellmyer shared concerns the commissioners are having over Senate Bill 10 which is being considered by the state and he stated they need to be aware of how it could effect Shelby County.

Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison stated, “I pulled that up before I came in here and I looked at the legislature online and I believe it’s got a 75,000 population bracket, is that what you saw?”

Commissioner Bellmyer indicated that what is being proposed is for all counties.

“What got presented to the Senate, it was originally had for counties with population greater than 75,000. What got presented to the Senate is all counties. They eliminated the 75,000,” said Bellmyer.

Commissioner Bellmyer said he contacted Senator Robert Nichols office to find out if there would be a vote on that bill today, and he was informed there would not be a vote August 27, and they would actually be going back to committee on the issue.

“This could really effect our county and I honestly, I’m not sure if it goes back that it’s one of those September 1 take effects, so it’s kind of important how this shakes out,” said Commissioner Bellmyer.

Commissioner Roscoe McSwain wanted to explain it in more layman’s terms.

“The 3.5% the state allows us to collect now generated $467,000,” said McSwain. “If the 2.5% they’re going to lower it to have passed we’ll be able to collect around $310,000-$320,000. At the last minute, the same congressman or senator, state representative that’s pushing this issue made an amendment to go to 1% new revenue for all counties, all counties, no population difference.”

Commissioner McSwain said that means that this year the new revenue would instead be $130,000-$150,000 and the insurance for the county would get half of that amount.

“That means zero growth and if they don’t come up with another way to fund the counties in the future I hope there’s a back door here we don’t know there hanging around if they’re going to give us some kind of different leeway, they’re going to tie the hands of all cities and the counties,” said McSwain.

McSwain commented the county is unfortunate to not have a sales tax and he described large metropolitan areas like Dallas that have millions of dollars in sales tax to rely on. He suggested the possibility of a “back door” where the state would come back with sales tax for counties that don’t collect it.

“This here’s going to tie your hands to where it doesn’t matter what you are, the state says what you can and can’t do,” said McSwain. “It would be a shame to be five years down the road and say, ‘well, we can’t have county insurance for our employee no more,’ or ‘we’re cutting our labor by 20%,’ and that’s what will come, because you’ve got to take care of the ones that stay and somebody’s got to sacrifice.”

Commissioner Bellmyer said that it forces counties to have things like a sales tax, and he said that isn’t an avenue of discussion they want to travel.

Judge Harbison and Commissioner Bellmyer each said they have reached out to state officials, such as Senator Robert Nichols and staff members and suggested different things that could be done.

Judge Harbison said, “I told them we won’t be able to survive, we can get by this year and next year, but what are we going to do five years down the road?

Clint Porterfield stated their was a consensus in the meeting regarding a push to lower property taxes, which everyone would like to have.

“What the legislature is not providing us the alternative for the other side of the ledger, the government, the cities, the counties,” said Porterfield. “What is the alternative now when you can’t bring in that revenue that you’ve been bringing in just to fund the basics? Our budget is not a surplus budget to start with and now they just made our deficit that we will incur to balance a budget, exponentially larger.”

Judge Harbison commented, “That gets them votes whenever they say, ‘we’re cutting your property taxes.”

She further stated she doesn’t like property taxes either, but that Shelby County’s aren’t that high and the county government is “very frugal” with their budget.

Commissioner McSwain said that he has been thinking about the issue since the night before the meeting and speaking with the judge as well and he proposed a tactic that might afford the county a little bit of a “cushion.”

“What that cushion would do, if they do pass the 1% cap, next year our baseline would be a little bit higher, because we’re not talking about a lot of money we can do without a voter approval anyway,” said McSwain.

The proposed budget, according to McSwain, is $800,000.

“It don’t matter if it’s 2.5%, if they get that kicked down and go to 2.5%, you realize that’s still no money. $300,000 growth in a year is not very much,” said Commissioner McSwain. “It’s definitely not no room for no services, I mean you’ve got to keep your employees.” 

During the meeting Commissioner McSwain clarified that in two to three weeks from the meeting the commissioners could choose a rate lower than he proposes, but that they could not go above the proposed rate at that time. Commissioner McSwain moved to propose a tax rate of .6513 which is .5882 general and .0631 to Road and Bridge, and Commissioner Bellmyer seconded his motion. It carried.

A public hearing will be scheduled for September 17.

The court continues to be frustrated over elevator upgrade and modernization that was approved June 19, 2024, to be done by American Elevator Technologies, Inc., following a presentation by company representative Michael Williford and a $50,000 investment the county has made in that company.

The company was added to the agenda for the August 27, 2025 meeting; however, a representative was not present.

“I did get an email from a John Suarez and that licensing and regulation form that we’ve been needing where they approve this modification, they received it and it was approved on July 7, 2025, and it was submitted June 16, 2025,” said Judge Harbison.

Judge Harbison said company paperwork says they have submitted the plans to vendors and once they have their final drawing it’s then estimated to take two to three weeks from the vendors then they can seek approval from the manufacturer.

John Price, County Attorney, commented he had been advised by the company months ago that they would be forthcoming with work on the project once it was licensed.

The commissioners approved the transfer of two Constable Precinct 5 vehicles, an SUV and pickup truck, to the Shelby County District Attorney’s office and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.

“When those vehicles were procured back from (former) Constable 5, I believe the white Tahoe is at the Sheriff’s Office,” said Judge Harbison. 

She also questioned Sheriff Gerald Corbell that he had the Tahoe worked on and that the vehicle had decals for the Sheriff’s Department had been added to the Tahoe. 

Judge Harbison commented that Luciana Barr, Emergency Management Coordinator, needs a vehicle with four-wheel drive for the next time there is a weather event in Shelby County.

Judge Harbison confirmed with District Attorney Karren Price and Commissioner Bellmyer that the new truck for the Constable Precinct 5 office went to the District Attorney’s office.

“Mr. Porterfield and I talked last week and he said, ‘you know, if we’re going to permanently assign those vehicles to those departments we might need to just do it since those vehicles were bought for specific purposes,’” said Judge Harbison.

For clarity, Judge Harbison confirmed that the Tahoe originally acquired from DeSoto Parish is at the Sheriff’s Department and the new Ford pickup truck is at the District Attorney’s office and she asked the court if they would like to record or approve that transfer.

“We need to realize that those vehicles were purchased for the deputy constable. We do not have a deputy constable at this time and we haven’t even discussed looking at working on a deputy constable,” said Judge Harbison.

Commissioner Bellmyer shared that in discussion with Mayor Debra Smith she would like to know the path forward, because he said they still would like to have a deputy constable in Timpson.

Judge Harbison confirmed the agreement between the City of Timpson and Shelby County expires in October and she said it would need to be looked at again in September to then decide what to do.

Commissioner Bellmyer offered that when that conversation happens in September and they enter into that agreement once again with the City of Timpson, there would still need to be a vehicle for that deputy constable and be mindful if the City of Timpson would provide that vehicle.

Commissioner Bellmyer moved to transfer the vehicles and after hearing no second, Judge Harbison seconded the motion. 

During discussion, Clint Porterfield had a question involving the vehicles, “On what approval were these vehicles obtained and decaled before Commissioners’ Court approval?”

“None that I know of, I didn’t speak to anyone,” said Judge Harbison.

Commissioner Bellmyer believed the truck was still plain and not decaled. 

DA Karren Price stated the truck is decaled and provided an explanation.

“It is decaled and the reason for that, Mr. Porterfield, is that state law requires if you have exempt plates on your vehicle you decal it,” said Price.

Porterfield reiterated, “that’s not the question, the question was why were these vehicles obtained by the departments they’re in and proceeded to be worked on and decaled before Commissioners’ Court approval?”

Price responded, “so there was no discussion, when I was here in executive session about decaling.”

Porterfield interrupted, and advised that decisions can’t be made in executive session. Judge Harbison agreed that it’s true that decisions can’t be made in executive session.

Price retorted, “let me just say I was trying to follow state law first for highway travel, as far as the decaling goes.”

Porterfield questioned, “on what authority was the vehicle detained before it was decaled?”

Price said, “the state of Texas, transportation code, sir.”

Porterfield asked twice, “they gave you approval to get the truck?”

Price responded, “Mr. Porterfield, I don’t answer to you, I will answer this court.”

Porterfield asked again, “Did Commissioners’ Court give you approval to get the truck?”

Price answered, “No… didn’t talk to them about decaling.”

Commissioner McSwain said he was covering for the sheriff “a little bit.”

“I do know the sheriff was asked and request at different times we’d been watching that Tahoe sit at the [Center] Fire Department for a year and we had been requesting it be gone,” said McSwain. “He didn’t just go get the car.”

Commissioner McSwain stated he was disappointed they are in the situation involving the constable’s office with the vehicles and the mayor of Timpson hasn’t been spoken with and that a decision hasn’t been made.

“We should be making that decision first. I’m not going to vote to buy another vehicle, I don’t care if we have 10 deputies. I’m done with that,” said Commissioner McSwain. “I didn’t vote for the deputy to start with, so I’m not advocating for it, but I definitely sure can’t vote to buy another $50-$60-$70,000 vehicle in October if we decide to go down this road, continue down this road. I’m all for transferring these two vehicles out and being done with that whole situation.”

McSwain said they really should be discussing refunding Timpson their money.

“This cart is way before the horses, we should have done dissolved that or made decision to go forward, I can’t make that decision. I probably should say I’m not going to support that decision,” said Commissioner McSwain.

Porterfield said he put the item on the agenda mainly because of what they were purchased for and with what funds.

“Those vehicles were purchased with General Fund funds, they were assigned to Constable 5 and they were insured under the department of Constable 5,” said Porterfield. “For insurance purposes and asset recording I’d like to see some action just for the accounting of those and the proper recording of their expenses into the departments they’re in.”

Commissioner McSwain reiterated that more action needs to be taken than just transferring the vehicles. 

The court then voted with all in favor of transferring the Ford truck to the District Attorney’s office and the Tahoe to the Sheriff’s Department.

During the Commissioners’ Court Reports portion of the meeting, Richard Lundie addressed the court and suggested that after Judge Harbison seconded the motion on the Constable 5 vehicles, that was to bring it to the floor for discussion and that a commissioner needed to second the initial motion after the discussion. Lundie suggested the court verify and look it up. 

John Price, County Attorney, confirmed for the court that Judge Harbison is a voting member of the court and he believed it was proper.

“If the court wishes to do so, you can ask for a second to resolve that particular question and then revoke that,” said County Attorney Price.

Judge Harbison then asked if the any of the commissioners could like to volunteer a second on agenda item number 8 and Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded the motion and the vote carried once again.

During that same portion of the meeting, Sheriff Corbell sought to provide transparency on the Constable 5 Tahoe. He thought that the Constable 5 office made the statement that they could no longer use that vehicle.

“It was parked in an effort at the fire department here in Center with an agreement that a fire department employee would strip it down and transfer all the emergency equipment, radios etc., into one of their existing vehicles that they used,” said Sheriff Corbell. “That being the case, we had no idea even where that vehicle was located until we were approached by another county employee and told where it was parked.”

The vehicle had been at the location for several months and Sheriff Corbell said an assessment on the vehicle was performed to determine what was needed to fix it. Sheriff Corbell explained that what they originally believed to be a salvage vehicle was able to be repaired.

“We rebuilt the front end, we serviced the transmission, fixed a water leak in front of the motor and we’re driving it, and everybody was well aware of what we were doing and we were encouraged to see if we could possibly use it, because it was very evident Precinct 5 was not interested in it,” said Sheriff Corbell.

Sheriff Corbell said he wanted to make it clear they don’t indiscriminately seize other people’s vehicles.

“I also would like to be transparent Sheriff. After the vehicle was moved to the Sheriff’s Department you came to my office and asked what was the status of your office using that vehicle and I gave you my suggestion and that was to come to Commissioners’ Court and receive approval to use the vehicle. That didn’t happen until today,” said Porterfield.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:44am.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Weekly expenses. 
2. Current payroll. 
3. Bond for John Pope, Constable Pct 5. 
4. 2025 proposed tax rate of .6513 (General of .5882; and Road and Bridge of .0631), Public Hearing set for September 17, 2025.
5. Transfer of Constable 5 vehicles to Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.
6. Resolution authorizing the Shelby County Sheriff to enter into a Multiple-Use Agreement with TXDOT for the installation and operation of ALPR cameras on the TXDOT right-of-way.
7. Advertise for bids for road maintenance materials for Shelby County for Fiscal Year Ending 2026.
8. Pct 4 to place on auction a pasture and brush fire fighting skid.
9. Adjourn 10:44.

August 29, 2025 - Update: U.S. 84 just west of the caution light at Chalk Street in downtown Joaquin. In addition, the intersection of Highway 7 and FM 139 are under water. If you have to be on the road this morning, please, slow down, and never drive through standing water. TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN!

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There is a large tree down blocking Highway 7 East just east of Joaquin VFD Station #2 as of 8:20am.

Efforts are underway to clear the road but it will take some time.

Please choose an alternate route this morning!

August 28, 2025 - By order of a Presidential Proclamation and in Honor of the Victims in Minneapolis, Minnesota, please lower your U.S. Flags and all other flags flying with it to half-staff immediately until sunset, Sunday, August 31, 2025. If you have an outdoor flag that cannot be lowered, respect can be shown by tying a black ribbon or cord to the top of the mast. 

Read the Proclamation here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/08/honoring-the-victims-of-the-tragedy-in-minneapolis-minnesota/ 

Larry E. Hume
VFW Post 8904 Adjutant
Gold Legacy Life Member
chiefhume95@gmail.com
936-332-0349