Dale Spurgin

The Board of Trustees of the Merkel Independent School District ordered a bond election to be held on November 4, 2025. The proposition on the ballot will ask voters to authorize the issuance of up to $20,000,000 in bonds for the design, construction, rehabilitation, renovation, expansion, improvement, acquisition, and equipment of school facilities, including a new middle school. The order specifies the election day procedures, polling locations, early voting details, and the official proposition language. It also includes information on estimated interest rates, tax implications, and outstanding debt obligations.

The Commissioners Court of Jones County will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year and vote on the 2025 tax rates. The budget will raise more property taxes than the previous year. The increase base pay for eligible County Employees and Elected Officials will be a 4.0% cost of living increase, in addition to a longevity schedule. The County Judge and Attorney state supplements are also increasing.

The Jones County Commissioners' Court convened to review and approve the Treasurer's report, ensuring compliance with Texas Local Government Code Section 114.026(c). The court examined and compared the Treasurer's report, which included a statement of fund balances for the month ending November 30, 2017, detailing cash and asset custody.

The Jones County Commissioners' Court convened to review and approve the Treasurer's report, ensuring compliance with Section 114.026 of the Texas Local Government Code. The court examined the report, verified its accuracy, and officially approved it in the meeting minutes. The approved report detailed the cash and other assets under the custody of the Jones County Treasurer.

The meeting involved the adoption of a property tax rate, with a decrease noted. The adopted tax rate is $0.694718, which is effectively a 0.00% increase. The Maintenance and Operation (M&O) tax rate is set at $0.622760 per $100 valuation, and the Interest and Sinking (I&S) tax rate is $0.071958 per $100 valuation. The Maintenance of Public Roads tax rate is $0.00 per $100 valuation, as is the Farm to Market Road or Flood Control tax rate.