News

Comptroller Glenn Hegar Distributes $1.3 Billion in Monthly Sales Tax Revenue to Local Governments
Clarendon bucked a two-month decline in sales tax revenues and set a new record when Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar delivered February allocations last week.

The city brought in $52,610.48 for the month, an increase of 7.02 percent over the same period in 2021 and an all-time high for February sales tax revenue. Clarendon now has received $90,252.04 for the calendar year to date, up 3.23 percent compared to one year ago.

Hedley’s sales tax revenue increased 55.39 percent to $1,836.40 for the month. Hedley’s year-to-date total is now $2,660.97, up 33.81 percent.

Howardwick was also up with an allocation of $2,142.63 for February, up 22.98 percent and pushing that city’s year-to-date figure up 19.54 percent from a year ago at $3,355.04.

Statewide, Hegar sent $1.3 billion in local sales tax allocations for February, 9.3 percent more than in February 2022.

These allocations are based on sales made in December by businesses that report tax monthly; October, November and December sales by quarterly filers; and 2022 sales by businesses that report tax annually.

The Brake Time convenience store at US 287 and Jefferson is looking for local residents wanting to release their artistic expressions with a new art contest.

Idea submissions are being accepted until February 28, and six winners will be selected, with the public’s help, to each paint a section of fence on the Brake Time property, roughly eight feet by 16 feet.

Brake Time officials say they are looking for something fun with a positive energy. Those interested are asked to bring a sketch of their idea to the store with their name and phone number. Submissions will be posted at the store and online.

Once the six winners have painted their sections of the fence, another round of judging will be opened. The winner of the second contest will get to paint the west side of the Brake Time building.

Artists must provide their own supplies. Visit the local Brake Time store with questions or for more information.

US Rep. Ronny Jackson last week along with Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-34) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Foreign Adversary Risk Management (FARM) Act to help protect America’s ag industry from malign foreign investors.

The bill would also bolster the US supply chain by reforming the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) – the governmental body that oversees the vetting process of foreign investment and acquisition of American companies. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced companion legislation in the US Senate.

“Today, America faces numerous threats to its national security, and the agricultural industry is no exception,” Jackson said. “Our adversaries, especially the Chinese Communist Party, continue to increase their presence in America’s food industry and agricultural supply chains.”

This bill will help to combat foreign investment into, and interference of, the American agriculture industry by modernizing the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to ensure that the US monitors this investment and understands the national security implications.

Specifically, this bill would reform CFIUS by: Ensuring CFIUS recognizes the agriculture industry and agriculture supply chains as critical infrastructure, Adds the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS, and Requires CFIUS to review any investment that could result in foreign control of any US ag business.

The Clarendon City Council continues to narrow its search for the next city administrator following interviews conducted last Thursday, January 26.

Meeting at Clarendon College’s Bairfield Activity Center, the council conducted virtual interviews with Brian Barboza – City Administrator at Knox City; Fred Ventresco – Town Administrator at Pine Tops, North Carolina; and Vance Lipsey – former Town Manager at Lake City, Colorado. The council also met in person with Terry Schilz – a District Manager for Southern Methodist University, who lives in Azle, Texas.

The council met again in called session Monday night and agreed to bring Barboza and Lipsey to Clarendon for in-person interviews at City Hall this Thursday, February 2, starting at 1 p.m.

Aldermen also agreed Monday night to hold a second virtual interview with Ventresco. That interview is scheduled to be held February 9 at the Bairfield Activity Center.

Dockery announced last spring his desire to retire as city administrator this April.

A Fort Worth man lost his life Friday night in a one-vehicle accident near Ashtola.

The Texas Department of Public Safety reports that John Albright, age 39, was driving a 1996 Buick Park Avenue at about 11:30 p.m. westbound on US-287 when the vehicle veered off the roadway and entered the north ditch.

The Buick traveled through the ditch and continued north. It struck the railroad tracks, vaulted over them, and landed on the north side of the tracks, where it caught fire. Albright was pronounced dead at the scene by Donley County Justice of the Peace Pat White.

The crash remains under investigation.

Two weeks into the filing period, few citizens have stepped forward to serve on the boards of six local governments that are scheduled to hold elections this spring.

The cities of Clarendon, Hedley, and Howardwick; the Clarendon and Hedley school districts; and the Donley County Hospital District have 17 positions available this year.

Howardwick led the candidate count as all three incumbents have filed for reelection – Mayor Tony Clemishire and Aldermen Johnny Floyd and Jada Murray.

Clarendon Alderman Eulaine McIntosh has also filed for reelection. The city has the mayor’s seat and two aldermen’s positions up.

At Clarendon ISD, Chrisi Tucek has filed for reelection to the Board of Trustees. Tucek’s and one other trustee positions are available.

Rose Lemley has filed to run again for her Place 1 position on the Donley County Hospital District Board of Directors. Place 2 and Place 3 are also up for election.

No candidates have formally filed to run at the City of Hedley, where three seats are up on the Board of Aldermen.

Hedley ISD has two full three-year terms and one unexpired term up this year, but the school had no official candidates at press time.

Filing began January 18 and continues through Friday, February 17. Elections will be May 6, 2023.