Madison County joins others in urging tech fee expansion

Fernando Castro with The Meteor

With advancing technology comes the cost to finance it, as many counties in the state are aware.

Madison County joined others this past Monday, Nov. 10, at its commissioners court meeting by approving a resolution directed at the 81st Texas Legislature to pass legislation reÂ-garding technology fees.

The resolution urges the legislature to expand the Justice Court Technology fee to all constitutional county courts, county courts of law and district courts. It also advises amending the current statute to specify that the funds collected be used solely for the purchase and advancement of technology within the county.

“Technology is getting so expensive,� said County Judge Art Henson. “We need to relieve the tax payer burden as much as we can and collect fees from those who use our system.�

Emergency Management coordinator Shelly Butts presented a brief report, including how busy the department is regarding reimbursement and debris assistance programs from hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

She also expressed satisfaction with the effectiveness of disaster recovery centers recently set up in Madisonville and Midway were.

In other action, commissioners voted to:

- approve setting spending restrictions for officials leaving office, also known as lame-duck officials.

- approve the pipeline agreement submitted by CML Exploration, LLC in regard to constructing, maintaining, laying, operating, and/or repairing pipelines utilized for the transportation of liquids or gaseous materials along the right of ways and/or across County Road 438, about 1450 feet south of where pavement ends on F.M. 1372 in Madison County.

- accept the resignation of Ruth Lynch Wakefield from the Keep Madison County Beautiful committee.