Citizens Comment Against Possible Fairgrounds Change; Commissioners Finalize Budget Preparations

In addition to their regular business on Tuesday, Aug. 27, Limestone County commissioners heard from several citizens who had heard of a possible change in management at the County Fairgrounds.
More than 20 people came to the usually sparsely populated Commissioners Court meeting, and four used the public comments portion of the meeting to express frustration about the possible loss of Arena Director Tara Hill and maintenance supervisor Kevin Straten in the shift of control from the county to the Fair Association Board.
Longtime supporters of the county fairgrounds Penny and Arnold Gray both spoke about concerns about the future of the fairgrounds facilities without continued county involvement.
“Government money needs to be expended for the best use for the most people of the constituents that are using it,” Penny Gray said. “I foresee that if we lease out the showbarn to the fair board or any other entity, that the county is shirking their responsibility. It will leave the youth of this county open to not having use of the facility. The people on the fair board are volunteers and they all have full-time jobs.”
Other concerns included county-owned equipment and property at the fairgrounds not receiving sufficient maintenance and upkeep; the question of who would take on responsibility for the insurance; vandalism; loss of experienced help onsite; etc.
Although County Judge Richard Duncan could not respond directly to citizens' comments, he used the Judge’s Comments portion at the end of the meeting to address claims about the fairgrounds. However, nearly all attendees who spoke or showed up in support of the fairgrounds had left during the court’s executive session, before Duncan’s statement on the matter.
“What happened at the Limestone County Showbarn was blown so out of proportion, simply because someone posted a letter out there,” Duncan said, referring to a post announcing the change in management plans on the “What’s Happening in Limestone County” Facebook page over the weekend. “This is something that has only been talked about as a way to try to save money for the citizens of Limestone County. We don’t want to do away with some programs, but on the same token, we can’t continue like we are. We want the people of Limestone County to know that we are going to look at it very strongly in every way we can to make sure we’re doing the right thing.”
Commissioners took action on various matters related to the upcoming fiscal year, holding a brief budget workshop in which Duncan stated he intends to work a dollar raise for dispatchers into the budget on top of the 3% cost of living raise all county employees will receive.
In speaking with Tax Assessor-Collector Stacy Hall and County Auditor Natasha Goodman, commissioners chose Sept. 3 at 9 a.m. for a public hearing on the proposed tax rate and the adoption of the budget, ahead of their regular meeting on Sept. 10 where the tax rate could be adopted. The tax rate that will be adopted does not have to match the proposed rate, but it cannot exceed the proposed rate.
Commissioners also authorized the Auditor’s Office to publish the elected officials’ salaries and approved the salaries set by district judges for the 77th and 88th district court reporters.
As part of the continued process of establishing a PACE program in Limestone County, commissioners held a public hearing for citizens to voice support or concerns, but no one stepped forward. (PACE is an assessment-based financing program that allows commercial property owners to secure long-term financing for energy and water-efficient improvements to their facilities.)
As such, the court then approved a professional services agreement with the Texas PACE Authority to administer the Limestone County PACE program, which Chief Operating Officer Dub Taylor reiterated comes at no cost to the county.
Lance Phillips explained the Alamo Letter Project, a statewide effort to install “Victory or Death” plaques in counties across Texas, commemorating the famous letter from Alamo commander Colonel William B. Travis to Sam Houston on Feb. 28, 1836.
“That letter kind of sets out what makes Texas, Texas,” Phillips said. “Having family that died in the Alamo and others that provided powder and shot weapons in the Texas revolution, it’s very near and dear to my heart.”
He explained the plaque has been paid for by donations and installation would come at no cost to the county. He said he hopes to mount the plaque in a block of limestone for the county’s namesake. The court approved the project, and Phillips noted a plaque-reveal and dedication is tentatively planned for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8, at a site not yet determined but somewhere on courthouse grounds.
Commissioners also approved the Texans Feeding Texans grant program that serves senior citizens in the county.
In other business, the court:

• Approved the consent agenda;
• Took no action on the county burn ban (in remains ON);
• Approved the safety report and monthly operation reports;
• Approved an Interlocal Agreement with Madison County (for housing inmates in the Limestone County Jail);
• Approved the 2025 Sheriffs’ and Constanles’ Fees (with no change to last year’s figures); and
• Approved several budget transfers:

1. 668 - District Attorney - moving $1,500 to purchase shelving units;
2. 674 - Road & Bridge - moving $3,500 to purchase shop uniforms;
3. 675 - Facility Management - moving $3,000 to repair a sally port door; and
4. 676- Treasurer’s Office - moving $2,301 to purchase office chairs and cover additional postage costs.

A special Commissioners' Court meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, in the county courthouse. The meetings are open to the public but also available for live-streaming or later playback on YouTube (search: Limestone County Commissioners Court).
The agenda and relevant attachments are also available online at
https://limestonecotx.portal.civicclerk.com/ .