Published: May 11, 2009 09:26 pm      

County gives partial approval to city services

By Janet Jacobs

Daily Sun





Navarro County Commissioners agreed to a cost-sharing deal on ambulance service and economic development with the City of Corsicana, and tentatively to an increase on fire, library and animal shelter services, but balked at paying part of the Northrop Grumman property or an industrial park just off Highway 31.

The city had asked the county for a $10,000 annual increase in fire, library and animal shelter services, for a total of $30,000. There’s no proposed increase in the ambulance services, which costs the county $350,000 a year. The economic development office, which consists of Lee McCleary, costs the county about $68,311 a year, which is half the director’s salary and benefits.

What pulled the commissioners up short was the cost-sharing on the city’s two economic development projects, Northrop Grumman and the industrial park. In 2007, the city borrowed $703,700 with a no-interest loan from the state to buy part of the Navarro Center for Northrop Grumman’s Corsicana offices. The high-tech defense contractor put in the office with the agreement that it would create 47 jobs with salaries of at least $38,000 a year in Corsicana.

The city has asked the county to pick up half the cost of those loan payments, or about $18,000 a year. The county did not agree to participate this year, and commissioners were clear that if the money isn’t available, the county won’t help in 2010, either.

Half the payment on the industrial park property is $66,500 a year. That property consists of 189 acres east of Corsicana just off Texas Highway 31.

The proposal was made by Corsicana City Manager Connie Standridge, who said the city needed to know May 1 if the county won’t be participating in the ambulance service in 2010.

The commissioners were quick to say that the ambulance service was welcomed, and while they tentatively agreed with the increase in costs for the other services, they were wary of the two economic development projects.

Commissioner David “Butch” Warren, precinct 3, said his idea of economic development is good roads.

“People want to come into Navarro County and they’re scared away by the condition of the roads,” he said.

County Judge H.M. Davenport pointed out that the county won’t know what kinds of funds it will have for its 2010 budget until July, when the tax rolls are certified.

James Olsen, precinct 4 commissioner, reminded the court that the volunteer fire departments have asked for more help in 2010, also.

“On the $30,000, make it contingent,” Olsen said. “I know it’s minimal, but it’s not to the people who have already asked for money.”

If the county participates to the full extent of the city’s requests, it would total $607,811, or $114,500 more than in 2009.

—————

Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com