Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 106, No. 40, Ed. 1 Wednesday, October 2, 2013 Page: 2 of 10
ten pages : ill.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Page 2 - Palacios Beacon - Wed., October 2, 2013
DEADLINE 5 P.M. FRIDAY
PISD seeks voter approval of $8-million
bond initiative in November election
BY RYAN WEST
Palacios Beacon Editor
After budgeting a deficit for the past
three years, Palacios ISD will turn to the
voters to approve an $8-million bond is-
sue on this November’s ballot in an ef-
fort to cash in on provision to save the
district and its taxpayers money.
Back in 1993, the Texas legislature
began a process known as recapture,
requiring ‘property wealthy’ school dis-
tricts to send in a portion of their prop-
erty tax revenues to the state for distribu-
tion to less wealthy districts.
PISD falls into the category of Chapter
41, a property wealthy district. The dis-
tinction doesn’t mean that the PISD tax-
payers are wealthy, but that the appraised
property wealth of individuals and busi-
HOME
nesses is above a level set by the Legisla-
ture. School finance formulas are used to
calculate the percent of the District’s tax
revenue is then recaptured by the State.
Herbert Ressler, PISD Assistant Su-
perintednent of Business, noted that for
the 2012-13 year, Palacios ISD’s recap-
ture figure was approximately 35%.
The issuance of the $8-million bond
comes into play regarding a provision
in the law that exempts funds raised
through a schoolhouse bond issue from
recapture.
“Using bond funds is a way to help
stretch our budget and save money for
the taxpayers,” said Ressler.
Ressler gave the example, that if the
district were to use recapturable prop-
erty tax revenue (called ‘maintenance
and operations’ revenue) to purchase
a $100,000 bus, it
(Continued From Page 1)
repair existing homes. Once these 10 homes are built the
City anticipates requesting funding for an additional 10
and so on. Thus far there is not a deadline for applicants.
Applications can be requested from City Secretary Keri
Berger at City Hall located at 311 Henderson Ave.
Income Limit/ Requirements
All individuals age 18 and older are required to submit
income verification.
The income requirements have changed and are as
follows: number of people, household income limit: 1
person, $21,720; 2 people, $24,780; 3 people, $30,960; 4
people, $30,960; 5 people, $33,480; 6 people, $35,940; 7
people, $38,400; 8 people, $40,920.
Applicant must provide copy of warranty deed or proof
of ownership and property taxes must be paid to date to all
taxing entities: city, county, school, etc.
Applicants must provide proof of occupancy: drivers’
license or utility bill with name and physical address and
provide all social security cards for all members of the
household.
The Process
The selection process will be performed independently
by Grant Works using official guidelines and scoring criteria
established by the TDHCA. A special committee formed by
Grant Works will review, grade and prioritize the applicants.
A New Beginning
GrantWorks is recognized as the largest provider of
HOME services in Texas and has completed over 2,500
similar HOME proj ects f or lower income and elderly Texans.
This grant is 100-percent funded by TDHCA unlike the
6 homes completed earlier this year; the City of Palacios
did not have to commit to a monetary match.
This is the same HOME program the city and the Palacios
Housing Authority each were awarded $500,000 grants in
2003 and each completed nine homes, some completely
rebuilt into 3-bedroom homes. The city first participated
in the program in 1998 when it received a $208,000 grant
and rehabbed seven sub-standard homes.
would have to col-
lect approximately
$155,000 in tax rev-
enue.
However, ac-
cording to Ressler,
should the district
use proceeds from
the sale of bonds to
purchase the bus, it
would only need to
raise $100,00.
A prime example, Ressler noted, was
the $850,000 roofing project PISD com-
pleted during the summer that was paid
for with bond funds. Had the district used
general fund money, a total of $1.3-mil-
lion in tax revenue would have had to be
collected.
By using bonds, the taxers of PISD
saved over $457,000 in taxes by using
bond proceeds rather than tax revenue.
There are however, stipulations on
what can be paid for with bond money,
such as capital outlay expenses (vehi-
cles, major roof - building repairs, furni-
ture and fixtures for buildings and tech-
nology expenses, including computers.
On the flip side, bond money cannot be
used for operational expenses - payroll-
or consumable expenses - classroom or
office supplies.
Ressler stated the bonds would be
sold as needed in lots of approximately
$2-million, with each sale paid back in
short terms of 2-3 years.
“We anticipate having the proceeds
from each sale last as long as its payment
term,” said Ressler, “so that the district
does not ‘double up’ on payments”.
In the end, the bond decision will lie
in the hands of the voters come this No-
vember.
PEDAL
(Continued From Page 1)
(Continued From Page 1)
your valid registration card
to the office) and be a Texas
resident.
Exemptions
If you are voting by mail, you
do not have to submit a photo
ID, if you have a documented
disability and Affidavits are
available for voters who have
a consistent religious objection
to being photographed.
■ MasterCard]
AMASON
Air Conditioning
(361) 552-Aiw/{5665)
Fax - (361) 552-7284
a mason ai r, com
Jayson Amason
2139 w. Main
Port Lavaca. TX 77979
Where there's a WILL, there's a way!
Do you have a Will? Between half and two-third of American adults do not. A Will helps
ensure that whatever personal belonging and assets you own will go to family or benefi-
ciaries that you designate. If you do not nave a Will, a court decides who gels your assets.
With a Will, you can appoint a guardian of your minor children decide who will inherit
your money and who will inherit your property. You may also take advantage of the tax
benefits that a Will offers.
Put your mind at ease, and create a Will during our ONE-TIME SPECIAL.
For s550.00, The Chau Law Firm, P.C. will draft: a living will, HIPPA release, power of
attorneys, and instructions for burial remains. You qualify tor this special if your estate is
worth less than s500,000. A minimum S2G0.00 retainer is required, with the remainder due
on November 16,2013.
What to do:
1) Contact our offices for a packet to be sent to you
2) Fill out the packet and return it to us with all the paperwork signed and filled out with the retainer paid
3) Save November 16,2013 in your calendar!
We will take care of the rest! Do not miss this opportunity to put your mind at ease regard-
ing yourfuture and the future of your loved ones!
Please request to speak to either Jonathon or Loren
The Chau Law Firm, P.C.
723 Main Street, Suite 1015
Houston, Texas 77002
281-880-7982 (Phone)
281-764-6799 (Fax)
Or email us at jenniferchaulaw@gmail.com
J
MAX, First State Bank of Louise, OXEA, HEB, Port of Pala-
cios, Lagasse Marine, Subway and Lowe’s .
“More than 150 volunteers serving as corner marshals on
the ride, hosting rest stops, putting up signs along the route
etc. will make it all happen.” said Debbie Morris. Among the
groups helping at rest stops and working to clean up will be
the Palacios FFA, Palacios 4-H, Round Up 4-H, Tidehaven
FFA & Cheerleaders, Palacios Junior High School Cheer-
leaders, Palacios Jr. High Student Council, Cape Carancahua
Cuties and Matagorda Regional Hospital.
For information, or to volunteer to assist with the Pedal Pa-
lacios Bike Ride you can call the Palacios Chamber of Com-
merce (361) 972-2615.
VOTE
Collector’s office at the County
Courthouse in Bay City. Voter
registration application cards
are available at the branch tax
office in the County Annex on
Commerce Street in Palacios.
Requests for mail ballots
are being accepted now until
Oct. 25.
Early voting will be from
Oct. 21- Nov.l from 8a.m.-
5p.m.
Mailed ballots must be
received by Nov. 5.
Photo ID Required
The new and somewhat
controverial Voter ID Law
requiring a voter to furnish
one of several State issued
photo IDs. The following
photo ID is required when
voting in person:
• Texas driver license issued
by the Texas Department of
Public Safety (DPS)
• Texas Election
Identification Certificate
issued by DPS
• Texas personal
identification card issued by
DPS
• Texas concealed handgun
license issued by DPS
• United States military
identification card containing
your photograph
• United States citizenship
certificate containing your
photograph
• United States passport
If you do not have any
of these you may apply for
an Election Identification
Certificate at the local driver
license offices: Bay City; 510
Ave. F or Port Lavaca; 201 W.
Austin St.
Necessary documentation
verifying U.S. citizenship,
proof of identity, also be
eligible to vote in Texas (bring
(Continued From Page 1)
Upon completion of the
$1.5-billion seamless pipe
plant, anticipated mid-2016,
these employees with have
the necessary experience to
maneuver into management
positions.
The positions are as follows:
Operator, CNC Mechanical
Maintenance Technician,
CNC Electrical Maintenance
Technician, Crane Technician,
Pipe Yard Helpers and Rollers.
For more information
regarding position
requirements and testing
contact and Employment
Counselor at Workforce
Solutions-Bay City at 979-
245-4808.
Schlitterbahn Corpus construction underway
PORT ARANSAS: Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi
waterparkis slatedto open in summer of 2014. Construction
on North Padre Island is in the early stages of moving around
dirt as enthusiasm beams from soon be general manager
Stan Hulse. “It’s a massive project,” stated Hulse and “It’s
fascinating to watch. ” The park is being built on the grounds
of Padre Isles Country Club; nine of the 18hole golf course,
more specifically, is the area of the future water park. New to
Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi is that Padre Isles Country Club
members will have the opportunity to purchase year-round
season passes as part of their memberships. Schlitterbahn
is a 34-year old , family owned company with water parks
in New Braunfels, Galveston, South Padre Island and in
Kansas City. - Port Aransas South Jetty
'Cat fight' at City Council
YOAKUM: ‘ Cat fight’ occurred by local citizens during
a city council meeting over changing Animal Control
Article 4-23. This agenda item, by the request of Andrea
and David Aselin, wanted council to change verbiage in the
city ordinance regarding the restraining of cats. According
to Andrea Aselin, “Cats are meant to roam free and you just
can’t restrain them like you can most other pets. Signifying
the importance of this ordinance, other Yoakum resident
Don Bowe, indicated cats are coming onto his property and
making a mess in the sand box where his grandson plays
and in his vegetable garden. The ‘cat fight’ resulted in the
ordinance remaining as is.- Yoakum Herald-Times
BAE-Sealy laysoff 140
SEALY: BAE Systems facility announced earlier this
month the company will cut roughly 140 positions by the
end of this year. Analysis of current and future workloads in
the defense industrial environment and the current economy
resulted in the reduction. “Everybody in Sealy is aware of
the cuts in military spending. It shouldn’t surprise us that
they have to continue to lay people off at that facility,” said
Sealy City Manager Chris Coffman. This announcement
came approximately three years after BAE announced plans
to cut more than 1,000 positions at the Sealy facility after
the FMTV government contract was lost.- The Sealy News
'In Kind' rather than fund matching
GONZALES: County commissioners approved
a resolution for a waiver on the local matching fund
participation on a federal county road and bridge program.
A project to repair the bridge on County Road 360A at
Rocky Creek is included in the currently-approved proj ects
by the Texas Transportation Commission Minute Order.
Instead of fund matching the commissioners agreedtoan ‘in
kind’ contribution of structural improvement work on two
bridges that have already been repaired. The participation
ratio for these types of projects typically are 80-percent
federal, 10-percent state and 10-percent local entity.-77z£
Gonzales Inquirer
Armed robbery on Friday the 13th
NAVASOTA: Friday the 13 turnedfearful as a convenience
store clerk at the Budget Food Mart in Navasota was robbed
at gunpoint. The robber fled with money from the register
and was not found by area police despite having searched
for hours after the incident. Arrests have not been made
but the video surveillance have assisted the investigators
with leads. - The Navasota Examiner
Come visit historic downtown Pleasanton!
Live Entertainment
^SOUTHBOUND,
Kids’Activities
j*——■■ MMUMmnn—Sat., October 12 10 am-5 pm
’I®®* ( Darla Pesek
ie visa msioric uowmown rieasanion:
■nt A
Artwalk
Art • Dining
Shopping • Hotels
Vendors, Artisans, Musicians needed!
www.discoverpleasantontx.com
dish
AUTHORIZED
RETAILER
800-315-3973
MORE WAYS TO WATCH.
MORE WAYS TO SAVE.
HOPPER
UPSRAtW
PREMIUMS
■ eti iKOwthS1
INSTALLATION
in » RtWHS
HD FOR LIFE
l.lMPVmftlfAIIJI'
ORDER
NOW
s19£
Fat IS HOTtlH
with Kft* SMART PACK
iJET""--11———- 13
To Benefit: BREAD of LIFE
With a+minimum donation of $7 Checks made payable to; Bread of Li f^
Saturday, October 12th
dam to 3pm
Main Street Car Wash
113 Main @ 2nd St.
The BREAD of LIFE is a food ministry providing meals to anyone
in Palacios, Texas who needs them.
Sponsored by:
Prime Parts • Little Stars Day Care • The Point • Porter's Ace Hardware • Subway
• Sonic Drive Inn • Main Street Car Wash • Mosier Services
Friday,
October 11th
& Saturday,
October 12th
6th St. & South Bay Blvd.
for Palacios Chamber Foundation Scholarship Fund
1st-$ 3,000 • 2nd $1,750 • 3rd- $500
For more information or to obtain copy of rules and regulations call
Virginia Chipman - 361-872-2359 or visit www.palacioschamber.com
• 10 am to €> pm
To register call 361-972-2615 or go to
www.palacioschamber.com or palcoc@tisd.net
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
West, Ryan G. Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 106, No. 40, Ed. 1 Wednesday, October 2, 2013, newspaper, October 2, 2013; Palacios, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth774132/m1/2/: accessed May 14, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Palacios Library.