U.S. Army's Special Operations to Train in Southern Tom Green County

An eight-week Realistic Military Training was approved at Commissioners court on Tuesday morning. The training will take place in between Tom Green and Schleicher Counties from July 15 to  Sept. 15. The training is to include special operations forces from different branches of the Department of Defense.  The San Angelo Police Department will also be invited to participate in the training.

“We feel Texans are supportive of the military, and understand that your state provides the variety of terrain needed for this type of training,” said Tom Mead, US Army Special Operations Command. “During the training period citizens may notice nighttime air traffic, and increased military presence in mixed uniforms.”

Mead said that the Remote Military Training camp will coordinate with local law enforcement and residents to curb noise complaints that could arise from the faux combat training initiated. Medics will be on site for any emergency that may arise, and Shannon Medical Center will be used if needed.  The RMT training is estimated to stimulate Tom Green county's economy approximately $150,000 from about 60 deployed Special Ops troops.

“Military has become part of our DNA here in San Angelo, it is not out of the ordinary to see men and women in uniform throughout the community,” said Judge Steve Floyd. “We are glad to provide the US Army a place to provide important, special training.”

Opposing Texas Senate Bill to Lower Property Tax Threshold

Citing the need for more local control. Judge Floyd expressed his opposition to a Texas legislature bill sponsored by Sen. Paul Bettencourt of Harris County. If enacted into law,the proposal would lower the state's threshold of the annual property tax levy increase that subjects local governments to rollback petitions from 8 percent to 4 percent. It also expands the list of government entities that must hold a tax ratification election if their levy increases beyond the rollback level, according to Fitch Ratings. Texas law currently requires such election only of school districts but, under the just-introduced SB 182, would include all local taxing agencies.

Floyd said that even during the benign budget cycle last year, the appraisal values could have kicked in at the proposed lower, 4 percent threshold, forcing the county to spend money on a general election to approve the tax rate. The court passed a resolution expressing opposition to the Republican bill.

God vs. Nature

In other topics before the court, references to God were erased from a county policy.

A revision in vocabulary to the Catastrophic Event Payroll Policy was requested by Commissioner Ralph Holescher. The policy used the verbiage “In the act of God” to describe hurricanes, tornados, or any naturally occurring weather condition that creates a state of emergency.  

“I don’t really consider tornados and hurricanes to be an act of God, they are more an act of nature,” said Commissioner Ralph Holescher.

“The insurance companies define it that way, everyone knows what it means,” Commissioner Bill Ford retorted.

“I actually pulled this particular policy from a FEMA handbook, where the verbiage was used describing emergency states created by weather, as “an act of God”," said Spieker.

After some discussion, a motion to change the verbiage was made, and carried. The word God was omitted and replaced with "nature".

Fair Housing

The Commissioners Court also declared April "Fair Housing Month".

“This is a fundamental concept and should be available to every American who needs it. “ Judge Steve Floyd said.

Vet Center Moved

The Veterans Services Center located in the Turner building has made their move over to the Texas Workforce Commission building on Henry O’ Flipper St. Renovations on the Turner building will commence, with a projected completion date of Dec. 7 this year.

Keyes Building Rehab

The Judge Edd B. Keyes building continues to get a face lift. Contractors ran into a couple of problem areas, regarding the restrooms on the first floor, and requested more funds and time to correct the problem. As with any building that was constructed in 1947, a snag or two was expected while updating this historic site. The motion to approve funds and lengthen the deadline for completion was approved. The Judge Edd B. Keyes building is now slated for completion just after Christmas this year, on Dec.28.