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County roads abandoned after total ownership
Colorado County Commissioners approved the adoption of a $32 million tax abatement for a reinvestment zone at their Monday morning meeting Sept. 23 The zone would be known as the “Colorado County Reinvestment Zone-DWD” and will be located “as described and depicted” in the application by tax abatement agreement.
The agreement was made between Colorado County and Dallas Wholesale Distribution, LLC, and will be built in the next fiscal year.
According to a representative from DWD, LLC, the work would give “an estimated $32 million in improvements” to real estate that had already been set aside, with the closing schedule set for some time in November.
“The tax abatement agreement itself is straightforward,” said the representative. “It is depreciating ballots on this project and will most likely generate more revenue after the abatement period than before we are giving them or agreed to a 30% abatement percentage axing 70% of the cost.”
The DWD representative highlights that there may be pros and cons to the tax abatement, with the most obvious con being that “people do not particularly like it” if they do not qualify for the abatement on their own property.
“There are pros and cons to tax abatement,” said the representative for DWD. “It is advantageous to the county in that it does not calculate your tax rate calculations, and that is money that is a little more flexible because you are not penalized on it, it is not subject to the cap, so it is a little bit more available. You can spend it on anything you want. But of course, you would budget and show that in your budget.”
Even though the reinvestment zone is named as the “Colorado County Reinvestment Zone-DWD,” the zone is located wholly within Columbus.
Two proclamations were also made by commissioners, one recognizing National 4-H week and the other recognizing September as National Emergency Preparedness Month.
The week of October 6-12 was recognized as National 4-H week in Texas, with commissioners commending the 4-H Youth Development Program of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Commissioners also proclaimed September as National Emergency Preparedness Month, and recognized Charles “Chuck” Rogers, Emergency Management Coordinator for Colorado County, for his work and dedication to emergency preparedness throughout the county.
Commissioners additional ly approved the abandonment of a handful or portions of county roads after a petition was requested by the landowners.
Anthony Prihoda and Debbie Prihoda, the two landowners in question, requested that the changes be made to the limits or existence of certain roads after their attorney, Ronnie Collins, spoke to council members highlighting the Prihoda’s ownership of the tracts and acreage on the roads requested.
“This road was dedicated years ago when the subdivision plot was created,” said Collins. “Since that time, no improvements have ever been made on these roads. As far as we know, Mr. Prohota, over the years, has been acquiring ownership of the tracks that are on both sides, and so he is now asking the Commissioners Court to approve abandoning those roads and so that he can continue on with the plans for development of that property, as required by the transportation code.”
The next Commissioner’s court meeting will be held at the Colorado County Courthouse on Monday, Oct. 14 at 9:00 a.m.
