Vidor Mayor Robert Viator successfully urged the Orange City Council to oppose the county spending money on building a highway called “The Vidor Loop.”
Viator said citizens in cities pay full county taxes but do not get as many services. If the county needs to pay for the proposed loop, city residents will pay even more in county property taxes, he said.
Orange County for several years has been considering getting financing to help pay for a farm-to-market road known as Loop 299. The 6.5 mile loop is proposed to link FM 105, or Main Street in Vidor, to Interstate 10 at the north and south sides.
The Texas Department of Transportation has had the loop on a list of proposed projects for nearly 30 years, but the state has never fully funded the construction.
Six years ago, TxDOT presented a proposal for the county to spend local money with a private company to build the loop. Business and residential development along the new highway would bring in more tax income, which could be used to pay back the bond loans for the loop, according to arguments in favor of the project. In addition, TxDOT will pay the county money based on how many motorists use the loop.
Mayor Viator said the county’s indebtedness would hurt local entities from being able to borrow money for their projects. He said Vidor schools need to be replaced and the school district will need a bond issue. But if the county has a large tax increase to pay for the loop, citizens will not want to pay for school improvements.
“If a loop is going to be constructed, make sure TxDOT pays for it,” Viator said.
Vidor City Council in September passed a resolution opposing county money being spent on the loop.
District 2 Councilor Dr. Wayne Guidry said he thinks the city is getting into someone else’s business. City residents also vote for a county commission to represent them on county decisions, he said.
Orange City Manager Dr. Shawn Oubre said the city has been in contact with county officials; so they will not be surprised about the resolution.
Precinct 2 County Commissioner Owen Burton, along with Jessica Hill, director of the Orange County Economic Development Corporation, attended the meeting.
Burton said the loop will not be a toll road, but will have a payback for use. A final vote is still weeks away. “We’re not at a point to make a decision,” he said.
He added that if the payments will hurt the county, “we’re not going to do it.”
Orange Mayor Jimmy Sims said the Orange council is not making a decision for the county by passing the resolution. “This is protecting our citizens,” he said.
Local resident Sharon Odegar spoke against the county’s plan for the loop. She questioned how the county cannot afford to give pay raises for employees but can get money for the loop. In addition, she said the loop will go through wetlands and cause more flooding on the west side of the county. She said the loop will also upset the wetlands ecosystem.
The Orange council approved the resolution. Councilors Essie Bellfield and Annette Pernell were absent.
Mayor Sims said Bellfield’s daughter passed away and he offered prayers for the family.
In other news, Patricia Anderson (above), who started working with the city of Orange in 1981 as a lifeguard, is the new city secretary. The Orange City Council unanimously approved her new position Tuesday. She is replacing Rhonda Haskins, who has retired.
Anderson has been deputy city secretary since 1999 and has served as interim city secretary in the past.
City Manager Dr. Shawn Oubre recommended her for the position. Anderson has a bachelor’s degree from Lamar University and has worked at several jobs with the city. The city secretary oversees vital records for city, state and federal documents. In addition, the position is in charge of keeping minutes of all council meetings and posting meeting agendas. The city secretary also handles city elections.
In other business, the council approved a change in the expenditures of federal Community Development Block Grant money. Money will be moved to replace playground equipment at Ridgemont Park.
The council voted to pay $5,000 to the Orange County Economic Development Corporation and appointed Jay Trahan to represent the city during the county corporation’s meetings. Trahan is the city of Orange economic development director. Orange is the only city in the county with its own economic development program.
David Meaux, who has been on the city EDC board of directors, presented a letter of resignation to the council. Trahan said Meaux’s term was ending October 1. Meaux did not give a reason for resigning.
City Council will appoint another citizen to the EDC board. People may apply for the appointment by completing and submitting an application form. The forms are available on the city’s website or at city hall.
The police department will be getting three new Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs. The city is paying $97,305 for the vehicles through the Houston-Galveston regional cooperative bidding process. Another $27,468 will be spent on equipment through the Silsbee Fleet Group.
The council approved a change order for the construction of an addition to No. 2 Fire Station on Allie Payne Road. Public Works Director Jim Wolf said the contractor had found asbestos insulation within the cinder blocks of the station, which was built in 1979. Asbestos remediation will be done on the area of the wall being cut for the addition at an extra cost of $15,746. The total cost is now $142,764.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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