There was a very brief Commissioners Court meeting Tuesday morning with only six agenda items for consideration. The Court approved continuing participation in the County Choice Silver Program for Orange County Retirees. County Judge Brint Carlton said the approval was just a formality since the decision was really made back in the summer during budget meetings. Carlton reminded that the Court approved the program in the summer, but the actual fees were not made available until this month. There was a 5.7 to 5.8 percent increase in the cost, but Carlton indicated the Commissioners Court had budgeted for closer to a ten percent increase. The program approved will see about a $26 increase for each retiree.
The Commissioners approved paying the weekly bills during the meeting. Included in the total of $727,584.77 was over $400,000 to the Texas Association of Counties to cover group medical, dental, life, and retiree insurance for those under the age of 65.
A request for $90,000 in Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds was approved by the Commissioners. The HOT funds will be used to help promote the 2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Tournament to be held June 15-17, 2017 on the Sabine River.
Ida Schossow of the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce stated the fishing tournaments being held in the area have greatly benefitted the local economy including the recent Bass Champs Tournament. Schossow told the Commissioners that there were over 500 hotel rooms booked during that tournament. There were also a number of surveys done by visitors which helps determine the amount of money spent on food, gasoline, and other items during the tournament. She thanked the court for its support of such tourism events in the Orange area.
The appointments of Robbie Hood and Dan Mohon to the board of directors for the Orange County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) were approved by the Court. Hood and Mohon were appointed to represent the City of Pinehurst on the EDC.
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