County Report: Commissioners approve budget, tax rate
This interview was recorded Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Henderson County Courthouse Annex.
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Henderson County Commissioners Court approved the tax rate and 2022 budget Tuesday morning. Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney discussed the budget and provided a COVID-19 update in this week's County Report.
I. Budget and Tax Rate (:28)
Tuesday, Henderson County Commissioners approved the 2022 budget of $46,723,499. They also approved the a tax rate of .446487 per $100 valuation.
That tax rate is .0156 -- or about a penny and a half -- lower than last year.
"We keep our rate flat and steady to better serve the public," said Judge McKinney.
Commissioners Court did look to add funding to law enforcement during this budget cycle.
"Not only investing in facilities but also investing in the personnel," said Judge McKinney.
The new budget calls for nearly $1.8 million in additional spending at the Sheriff's Office by adding two new investigators, two new deputies, and four jailors as well as increased pay for current employees.
The additional money is to help retain good officers in Henderson County and to make becoming a peace officer more attractive.
The County will also be investing money into the facility, particularly the jail.
"To have quality law enforcement, quality facilities, you have to make these investments," Judge McKinney said.
In addition, Commissioners approved adding a crime victims coordinator to the Henderson County District Attorney's Office.
II. COVID-19 Update (18:34)
COVID-19 statistics continue to go up across the board in the region that includes Henderson County. Testing, hospitalizations, and fatalities are all on the rise.
Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in our region went over 800 patients for the first time this past weekend. (Henderson County is part of Trauma Service Area G (TSA-G), which serves Tyler/Longview and includes about 968,000 people.)
"It's really never been higher," Judge McKinney said.
The one bright spot is that vaccinations have stayed steady with more than 1,000 shots given each week in Henderson County over the past six weeks.
12 Aug 2021
County Report -- COVID-19 Update
The following interview was recorded Wednesday, Aug. 11, at the Henderson County Courthouse Annex.
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This week's County Report with Judge Wade McKinney focuses on COVID-19.
I. Current Stats (:38)
As of this recording, there were 438 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in TSA-G. Henderson County is part of Trauma Service Area G (TSA-G), which serves Tyler/Longview and includes about 960,000 people.
Hospitalizations in the region have increased by 158 patients in the past six days. Prior to this, the fastest increase in hospitalizations in our region was a 141-patient jump in the 14 days from Dec. 24 to Jan. 7.
"When you look at the accelerated rate of hospitalizations across the region, it is arguably worse in that aspect than it ever has been," said Judge McKinney.
In addition to the COVID-19 surge, hospitals are also dealing with staffing shortages and an increase in non-COVID illnesses.
II. Emergency Management Committee (9:30)
The Henderson County Emergency Management Committee has been meeting weekly about COVID-19 issues. These meetings have at times included representatives from UT Health East Texas and State Rep. Keith Bell's office.
Judge McKinney said there is very little the County can do in direct response to the current surge.
"The Governor's Executive Order ties the hands of any local government or official from imposing restrictions of any type to help meet the needs of the pandemic," said Judge McKinney.
The Judge said the County can help by working with UT Health East Texas regarding personnel retention.
"To be sure that our hospital system here stays very strong," he said.
The County has also started working with the Hospital Authority Board to make sure there's a system in place for the County to be able to send some of the federal ARPA money to the hospital for personnel.
In addition, Fire Marshal Shane Renberg has been in contact with local VFDs to ensure they have access to masks and gloves.
III. Governor's Actions (16:30)
Gov. Greg Abbott did announce a series of actions this week aimed at COVID-19.
Using staffing agencies to find out-of-state medical personnel to help hospitals
Asking hospitals to voluntarily postpone elective medical procedures
Opening more antibody treatment centers
Increasing vaccine availability
IV. Vaccinations (21:04)
While the idea of COVID-19 vaccinations has become controversial, political and medical leaders around the state are urging Texans to get the vaccine.
During a NET Health press conference on Monday, officials from both UT Health East Texas and Christus Mother Francis both said that 95 percent of the COVID-19 patients in their hospitals were unvaccinated.
Here in Henderson County, there has been a jump in the number of people getting vaccinated with more than two thousand getting their shot in the past two weeks. That's at the highest level since March.
Judge McKinney said that vaccinations have become readily available. By far the favorite vaccination source in Henderson County is the local pharmacy.
9 Aug 2021
Changes Coming to Flood Insurance Pricing
FEMA is updating its National Flood Insurance Program pricing for the first time in 50 years, "so policyholders can make more informed decisions on the purchase of adequate insurance and on mitigation actions to protect against the perils of flooding."
To explain what that means, we talk with Henderson County Floodplain Administrator Joy Kimbrough.
Contact Henderson County, Texas
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