Commissioners’ Court held a public hearing Monday morning to hear comments on whether to create a Transportation Reinvestment Zone or TRZ for the proposed FM 299 in the Vidor area. Maps of the contemplated TRZ were available showing three possible zones that could be used separately or all together. County Judge Carl Thibodeaux explained the criteria for the TRZ is to establish areas for the development of the new road which will help pay for the initial investment to build the road. Thibodeaux has indicated that although he is in favor of the loop, he is not in favor of the county having to take responsibility of paying back a $40 million loan just to build a loop. The Court must wait 30 days after closing the public hearing before taking any action on the TRZ. Public opinion on the proposed Vidor Loop or FM 299 was mixed during the public hearing in the Commissioners’ Court. Citizens voiced support for the Transportation Reinvestment Zone to be created by the loop and others were very much against it. Robert Viator, Jr. who serves on the Vidor City Council does not believe the investment will be worthwhile to Orange County. Viator stated after establishing the reinvestment zone and possible tax abatements to certain businesses the county would be locked into tax revenues that would limit future commissioners’ courts. Real Estate broker Jimmy Smith thinks Vidor is booming now and the loop will boost the tax revenues for the Vidor area and all of Orange County predicting with the pipeline coming to Orange County that there could be 20,000 new homes in the near future on that end of the county. Commissioners heard the public comments concerning the proposed FM 299 and the establishment of a TRZ for the Vidor Loop. Commissioner Jody Crump who requested the public hearing was pleased with the citizens’ input. Crump said there positive and negative comments, but from those comments the court heard Monday in this public hearing the court can make decision when the matter comes up as an agenda item possibly at the December 29 meeting. Commissioner David Dubose asked several questions of Duane Gordy who is involved in establishing the Transportation Reinvestment Zone around the proposed loop in Vidor. Dubose also felt the hearing went well it was a fact gathering opportunity for the county and the commissioners. A bunch of questions were asked, a bunch of answers were given, and Dubose added they will see what happens. Gordy admitted that many of the numbers for return on investment need revision, and Gordy told the commissioners he will take to a week or 2 to rework the numbers and get to the court with the new figures. No action was taken Monday since it was just a public hearing. During the commissioners’ regular meeting Monday afternoon they approved paying bills amounting to about $375,000 and approved accepting a bid for purchasing delinquent county property on Crepe Myrtle in Bridge City for $2,350. Tax Assessor-Collector Lynda Gunstream presented her report of October collections of taxes for the county and gave a reminder that Texas is going to one sticker for vehicle wind shields in 2015. More information is available at the Tax Office at the courthouse or at www.TwoStepsOneSticker.com. -Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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