Property tax numbers figures approved and voting locations selected

It’s that time of year again in which the Orange County Commissioners’ Court certified property tax values and determined early voting locations, dates and times.

Here are the property tax figures that were presented in commissioners' court on Tuesday morning.

Octavia Guzman, interim tax assessor-collector, said at the meeting the 2024 Orange County taxable value is $8,769,549,099; up $506,933,866 from last year’s taxable value. The 2024 Orange County No New Revenue rate is .496546.

The commissioners also approved the following early voting times, dates and locations as follow:

·         Orange Public Library (main early voting location), 2250 N. Fifth St., Orange, Texas.

·         Mauriceville Community Center, 7441 Cohenour Rd., Orange, Texas.

·         Orange County Airport, 2640 S. Hwy. 87, Orange, Texas.

·         Raymond Gould Community Center, 385 Claiborne St., Vidor, Texas.

·         October 21-25, Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

·         October 26, Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

·         October 27, Sunday, from 1 p.m.  to 7 p.m.

·         October 28 – November 1, Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Johnny Trahan, Precinct 1 commissioner, said the present voting locations are a “good move” because residents won’t go to the wrong locations to vote. County Judge John Gothia agreed and said it promotes better voter turnout.

The commissioners approved a fee rate increase for the expo center for audio visual equipment use from $75 to $175.

Also approved was Orange County’s participation in the Clean Water Act Nonpoint Source Grant program meaning sections of the county will receive federal assistance to help cover costs in wastewater repairs.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agency said they have identified human sources of pollution for septic systems, to bring them up to code. The grant limit is $158,000 to repair the systems.

Kirk Guidry, county maintenance director, said electrical repairs assessments from the Texas Department of Transportation are underway for the Cow Bayou Swing Bridge in Bridge City. Guidry added things are moving slowly, but surely.

Lastly, the commissioners approved an early hiring of a misdemeanor prosecutor under the district attorney’s office current budget. Longtime District Attorney John Kimbrough is retiring at the end of the year and Assistant District Attorney Krispen Walker was elected to the top office and will take over in January 2025, leaving a vacancy for misdemeanor prosecutor. Along with the approval of the action, the sheriff’s office reported an increase of population of 287 inmates in the county jail.