Public Hearings & Notices

Posted 7.12.23


PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of Notice: 7/13/2023

Kaufman County, 100 West Mulberry, Kaufman, Texas 75142, (469) 376-4140

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Kaufman County.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about 8/2/023 Kaufman County will submit a request to the Texas Department of Agriculture - Office of Rural Affairs (TDA-ORA) for the release of Texas Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383), as amended, to undertake a project known as Street Improvements CDV21-0039, for the purpose of Administrative and Engineering Fees and Services and to reconstruct approximately one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five linear feet (1,795 LF) of roadway utilizing four thousand one hundred nine square yards (4,109 SY) of crushed base material and prime coat, HMAC pavement, three thousand five hundred ninety linear feet (,3590 LF) ditch grading, culvert installation, and all associated appurtenances on Valentine Drive between Lake Shore Drive and Lady Bird Drive, which is located approximately two (2) miles southeast of the hamlet Tolosa, TX, in the far southern portion of Kaufman County, Texas. Kaufman County has been awarded $350,000 in grant funds and shall contribute $17,500 in match funds.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Kaufman County has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Kaufman County Courthouse, 100 West Mulberry, Kaufman, Texas 75142, and may be examined or copied weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A digital copy of the ERR may be obtained by contacting Jakie Allen, County Judge via email pcorder@kaufmancounty.net and jakie.allen@kaufmancounty.net or (469) 376-4140.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Office of the County Judge. Comments may also be submitted via email to pcorder@kaufmancounty.net and jakie.allen@kaufmancounty.net. All comments received by 8/1/2023 will be considered by Kaufman County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

Kaufman County certifies to TDA-ORA that Jakie Allen in their capacity as County Judge consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. TDA-ORA approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows Kaufman County to use HUD program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

TDA-ORA will accept objections to its release of funds and Kaufman County’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of Kaufman County approved by TDA-ORA (b) Kaufman County has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs, or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by TDA-ORA; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Annessa Lewis, Environmental Review Specialist of The Texas Department of Agriculture - Office of Rural Affairs, via email at CDBG_EnvReview@TexasAgriculture.gov. Potential objectors should contact TDA-ORA to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Jakie Allen, County Judge

AVISO DE CONSTATACIÓN DE IMPACTO SIGNIFICATIVO Y AVISO DE INTENCIÓN DE SOLICITUD DELIBERACIÓN DE FONDOS

Fecha de notificación: 7/13/2023

Kaufman County, 100 West Mulberry, Kaufman, Texas 75142, (469) 376-4140

Estos avisos deberán satisfacer dos requisitos de procedimiento distintos pero relacionados con las actividades que deberá llevar a cabo el Condado de Kaufman.

SOLICITUD DE LIBERACION DE FONDOS

En o cerca del 8/2/2023, el Condado de Kaufman presentará una solicitud al Departamento de Agricultura de Texas - Oficina de Asuntos Rurales (TDA-ORA) para la liberación de fondos de Texas Community Development Block Grant bajo el Título I de la Ley de Vivienda y Ley de Desarrollo Comunitario de 1974 (PL 93-383), según enmendada, para llevar a cabo el proyecto conocido como Mejoras en las calles CDV21-0039 con el propósito de Servicios y tarifas de administración e ingeniería; y para reconstruir aproximadamente mil setecientos noventa y cinco pies lineales (1,795 LF) de carretera utilizando cuatro mil ciento nueve yardas cuadradas (4,109 SY) de material base triturado y capa de primera, pavimento HMAC, tres mil quinientos noventa pies lineales (, 3590 LF) nivelación de zanjas, instalación de alcantarillas y todos los accesorios asociados en Valentine Drive entre Lake Shore Drive y Lady Bird Drive, que se encuentra aproximadamente a dos (2) millas al sureste de la aldea Tolosa, TX, en la parte sur del condado de Kaufman, Texas. El Condado de Kaufman recibió fundos de subvención por el monto de $350,000 y contribuirá con el monto de $17,500.

CONCLUSIÓN DE IMPACTO SIGNIFICATIVO

El Condado de Kaufman ha determinado que el proyecto no tendrá un impacto significativo en el ambiente ambiente. Por lo tanto, no es necesaria una Declaración de Impacto Ambiental bajo la Ley de Política Ambiental Nacional de 1969 (NEPA, por sus siglas en inglés). Un Expediente de Revisión Ambiental (ERR, por sus siglas en inglés) que contiene información adicional del proyecto está disponible en la el Condado de Kaufman, de Kaufman, 100 West Mulberry, Kaufman, Texas 75142, y puede ser revisado o reproducido de lunes a viernes de 8:00 am a 5:00pm. Puede obtener una copia digital del ERR comunicándose con Jakie Allen, County Judge vía correo electrónico pcorder@kaufmancounty.net y jakie.allen@kaufmancounty.net o (469) 376-4140.

COMENTARIOS DEL PÚBLICO

Cualquier individuo, grupo o agencia puede enviar comentarios escritos sobre el ERR a la Oficina del County Judge. Los comentarios también pueden enviarse por correo electrónico a pcorder@kaufmancounty.net y jakie.allen@kaufmancounty.net. Todos los comentarios recibidos hasta 8/1/2023 serán considerados por el Condado de Kaufman antes de autorizar la presentación de una solicitud de liberación de fondos. Los comentarios deben especificar a qué Aviso se dirigen.

CERTIFICACIÓN AMBIENTAL

El Condado de Kaufman certifica a la TDA-ORA que Jakie Allen en su capacidad como County Judge da su consentimiento a aceptar la jurisdicción de las cortes federales si una acción legal fuera iniciada para hacer cumplir responsabilidades relacionadas al proceso de revisión ambiental y que estas responsabilidades se satisfagan. La aprobación de la certificación por parte de TDA-ORA satisface sus responsabilidades bajo NEPA, y las leyes y autoridades relacionadas, y permite que el Condado de Kaufman utilice los fondos del Programa HUD.

OBJECIONES A LA LIBERACIÓN DE FONDOS

TDA-ORA aceptará objeciones a su liberación de fondos y la certificación por parte de el Condado de Kaufman por un período de quince días a partir de la fecha anticipada de recibo o la fecha en que en efecto se reciba la solicitud de liberación de fondos (lo que ocurra más tarde) solamente si estas se basan en una de las siguientes posibles razones: (a) la certificación no fue firmada por el Oficial Certificador de el Condado de Kaufman aprobado por TDA-ORA (b) el Condado de Kaufman omitió un paso o no tomó una decisión o determinación que es requisito de la reglamentación de HUD en 24 CFR Parte 58; (c) el beneficiario de la subvención u otros participantes en el proceso de desarrollo comprometieron fondos, incurrieron en gastos o llevaron a cabo actividades no autorizadas por 24 CFR Parte 58 antes de que TDA-ORA; o (d) otra agencia federal actuando de acuerdo con 40 CFR Parte 1504 sometió una determinación de que el proyecto no es satisfactorio desde el punto de vista de calidad ambiental. Las objeciones deben prepararse y someterse de acuerdo con los requisitos procesales (24 CFR Parte 58, Sección 58.76) y se dirigirá a Annessa Lewis, Especialista en Revisión Ambiental del Departamento de Agricultura de Texas - Oficina de Asuntos Rurales, por correo electrónico a CDBG_EnvReview@TexasAgriculture.gov. Los posibles objetores deben comunicarse con TDA-ORA para verificar el último día real del período de objeción.

Jakie Allen, County Judge

Read full document HERE:

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Public Hearing Regarding No Thru Trucks

Kaufman County, Texas 

Pursuant to the Texas Transportation Code 251.151; 251.152; 251.1575; and 251.161, the Kaufman County Commissioners' Court will hold a public hearing on April 11, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners Court Meeting room, located at 100 N. Washington, Kaufman, Texas 75142 to receive input from the public regarding not allowing thru trucks on the below-listed county roads, in the unincorporated area of Kaufman County Precinct 4, and placing "No Thru Trucks" signs on the following county roads: 

County Road - No Thru Truck Sign -                    Alt Route 

County Road 4037                                                  Highway 175 or FM 2860 

VICTOR                                                                     Highway 175 

ARMADILLO                                                             Highway 175

The Commissioners' Court may take action on this matter immediately following the public hearing. All persons interested in participating may appear. 

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Archived

November 8, 2022

Notice of Public Hearing - Kaufman County 

The Kaufman County Commissioner’s Court will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioner’s Court Meeting room, located at 100 N. Washington St., Kaufman, Texas 75142; to receive input regarding establishing the Kaufman County Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program. For more information, please click on the link below prior to the meeting.

PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY (PACE) PROGRAM


November 22, 2022

 Notice is hereby given that a meeting of Kaufman County Commissioners Court will be held on November 22, 2022, at Kaufman County Commissioners Courtroom for the purpose of considering and taking action on all matters on the agenda for the meeting, including approval of an agreement with the law firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP as special counsel to perform all legal services necessary to collect delinquent property taxes and authorizing the execution of such agreement.

            The agreement to be considered is necessary for the delinquent taxes owed to Kaufman County to be collected in the most effective manner.  The County desires that such delinquent tax, penalties and interest be collected as provided in the Texas Tax Code.

            The Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP firm is fully qualified to provide this representation, being the largest delinquent tax collection law firm in the State of Texas, as well as the United States and having been engaged in this specialized legal service for more than 40 years.  In addition, the Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson, LLP firm possesses infrastructure and technology, such as call center technology, that the County does not currently possess.

Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP has represented County for the past 37 years with competence and professionalism, in the collection of delinquent property taxes, beginning on May 1, 1985.

The specialized legal services required by this agreement cannot be adequately performed by the attorneys and supporting personnel of the County due to the high cost of implementing the appropriate infrastructure and technology and employing sufficient in- house attorneys and staff with the level of experience and competence necessary to perform these activities.

Linebarger will be compensated on a contingent fee basis as provided in the Texas Tax Code Sections 6.30, 33.07, 33.08, 33.11, and 33.48.   These Texas Tax Code sections specifically provide for an additional penalty on delinquent taxes to compensate collection attorneys.  A contract to pay inside or outside attorneys on an hourly basis would represent an additional cost to the County.  

Entering into the proposed agreement is in the best interests of the residents of the County because the delinquent taxes will be professionally and competently collected without the additional costs to the County of implementing infrastructure and technology, and employing in-house personnel or paying outside counsel on an hourly fee basis which would otherwise be required.