First meeting held to discuss tax for courthouse

A meeting was held at the DeAnn volunteer fire deptartment Tuesday night to give out as much information as possible to the citizens of that area about the sunset tax proposal that will be on the ballot on March 3, according to Hempstead county justices of the peace. This was the first of a series of meetings to inform and answer questions on this matter. Hempstead County Judge Jerry Crane spoke to the DeAnn citizens who gathered to show interest. The quorum court has scheduled a special election that will ask the voters of Hempstead County to grant a one cent sales tax for use and purpose of converting the former Farmers Bank and Trust buliding into a new courthouse, and provide funds for the removal of the current courthouse if deemed necessary. Those who spoke out on the issue were in favor of the increase to help the county get out of a facility that is causing health problems for county employees. That is besides the fact that the facility in general is in horrible shape,according to JP Herb Griffin, along with the rest of the JP’s.It was pointed out that the previous Farmer’s buliding that will house the new courthouse and employees was purchased by the county for what Griffin called a fire sale cost of $1,500,000.They said the current courthouse has served the county for over 80 years. It will take up to $2.7 million to convert the new building to a courthouse, according to a personal report by Griffin. Something has to be done and we have to “act now” was mentioned several times. There was also concern that a law suit could be brought against the county do to the hazzardous health conditions caused by black mold and asbestos in the current facility. Estimates to remove the building run as high as $2,500,000. The meeting also highlighted the fact that they will move as little as possible from the old courthouse to the new. Treasurer Ed Darling said the one cent increase will generate $240,000 per month. Over a 24 month period that will yield $5,760,000 . Griffin said the estimated revenue and expenses are ” very comparable. ” It was also brought to attention by attending citizen Richard Read that the quorum court members have been left to correct a problem they didnt cause. But no one wanted any blamed placed on anyone. Read also took the opportunity to speak in favor of the county going “wet” to help solve some financial problems. He was soon guided back to issue at hand, though he was shown a bit of support on the matter. 
Crane said they want to be very open and honest about everything in this entire process. Hope is the county seat, since its move from Washington in 1936. Research into the cost of building a new courthouse showed a figure of around$ 7,000,000. The meetings will be Jan. 28th at Hempstead Hall, Jan. 30th at Spring Hill, Feb. 3rd at the Fulton Community center,  Feb. 4th at Bingen Community Center, Feb. 11th McNab Community center,  Feb.13th at Southeast Fire Station, Feb. 18th at the Blevins City Hall, and Feb.25th at the Washington Fire Station. The usual start time is 6 pm.