Tax rate, budget hearings set by County

OANEWS@OAOA.COM

The Ector County Commissioner’s Court on Tuesday set public hearings on both the tax rate and the proposed budget but also got an earful from a couple of citizens who oppose data centers.

JoAnna Keese sparred with County Judge Dustin Fawcett and some commissioners during the public comment session of the meeting.

Another speaker told the court not “to sell out and bow down you are elected to protect us” to a lot of applause from the gallery.

Commissioner Mike Gardner said he doesn’t disagree that data centers could be a problem and also said he is not for tax abatements to lure data centers here but backed up Fawcett’s comments that the county does not have the authority to tell landowners what they can do with their property.

Keese told the court they were being secretive and that she knows land in Ector County is already cleared for a data center and that the project is “not just in talks.”

Keese also argued with Commissioner Billy Hall after he scolded her for asking questions but interrupting constantly while commissioners tried to respond.

Fawcett repeatedly told her the county has no ordinance- making authority and said public meetings would be held prior to the county making any agreements with any data centers.

Keese said the public comment period Tuesday was the most information she has been given about data centers. She urged them to be sure and hold public meetings and to get all agreements in writing with data centers.

On Tuesday the court also:

>> Approved 5-0 a donation of $1,488 from PDQ Recycling, Inc., to the Ector County Sheriff’s Office.

>> Approved 5-0 a donation of a pool table from Gene

Burns to the Northside Senior Citizens Center.

>> Approved 5-0 the General Resolution and 2026 General Elections Services Contract between Ector County, the City of Odessa, the Ector County Appraisal District, and the Ector County Utility District (ECUD), to conduct the General Election on Nov. 3 and a General Runoff Election, if necessary, on Dec. 12.

>> Approved the 2025-2026 Proposed Tax Rate.

>> See COUNTY Page 5A

>> From Page 1A >> Scheduled the public hearing for the 2026-2027 Tax Rate at the regularly scheduled Commissioners’ Court meeting at 10 a.m. Aug. 25. Commissioners also agreed to a night meeting on the same topic at 6 p.m. Aug. 24.

>> Scheduled the public hearing for the 20262027 budget at the regularly scheduled meeting at 10 a.m. Aug. 25. Commissioners also agreed to a night meeting on the same topic at 6 p.m. Aug. 24.

>> Approved 5-0 the Invitation for Bid Specifications for Vent Hood Steam Cleaning-IFB No. 2026-REQ-133.

>> Approved 5-0 the bid package for Ector County American Rescue Plan Act 3rd Street Water Line Improvements Contract No. ARP-TX-21-175.

>> Tabled a proposal and Fleet Contract by and between Ector County, Texas, and Motive Technologies, Inc., regarding a proposal for change in GPS/Camera and Fleet Fuel Vendor Government Fleet Services.

>> Approved 5-0 accepting a grant award from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for $10,000 for the “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” program.

>> Approved 5-0 Amendment No. 01 to the Texas Department of Transportation Airport Project Participation Agreement.

>> Tabled approval of the Master Employer Services Agreement by and between Ector County, Texas, and American Fidelity as the Voluntary Supplemental Benefits Provider along with Administration of the IRS Section 125, including the Medical Flexible Spending Account for Ector County employees, and maintain existing payroll deductions for AFLAC current active policies.

>> Approved an extension of the current medical/dental plan for 3 months effective October 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026, with a premium change/increase.

>> Approved the Just Appraised SAAS Services.

>> Approved 5-0 a Notice to Proceed to Pharr & Company for the Renovation and Construction Services for Ector County Coliseum Buildings B & C Renovation Project.

>> Approved 5-0 establishment of an owner contingency in an amount not to exceed $400,000 for the Renovation and Construction Services for Ector County Coliseum Buildings B & C project to address items including, but not limited to unforeseen conditions, owner-requested changes, and other project-related expenses.

>> Approved 5-0 hiring an Assistant District Attorney at a Step 212-22 due to qualifying skills and experience associated with this position.

>> Approved 5-0 a step increase for the Health Department Epidemiologist from a Step 6 to a Step 9.

>> Approved 5-0 reclassifying seven (7) Deputy II positions to Deputy I positions in the Sheriff’s Department.

>> Denied 5-0 the Imposition of Optional Child Safety Fees on all motor vehicles registered in Ector County. The Child Safety Fee, Section 502.403, Texas Government Code, may not exceed $1.50 and revenue must be used for school crossing guard services; remaining funds must be used for programs to enhance child safety, health, or nutrition, including child abuse intervention and prevention, and drug and alcohol abuse prevention, among other purposes.

>> Approved 5-0 the Ector County Abatement of Public Nuisance Policies & Procedures and the Junked Vehicle Abatement Procedures.

>> Approved 5-0 a Subdivision Plat Application for Plumanearly Subdivision, 6th Filing, a Replat of Lot 11 less the West 100 feet and all of Lot 12, Block 13, Plumanearly Subdivision, 1st Filing, Precinct #1.

>> Approved 5-0 a Subdivision Plat Application for Pleasant Farms Subdivision, 10th Filing, a Replat of the West 435.4-feet of Lot 3, Block 6, Pleasant Farms Subdivision, 1st Filing, Precinct #4.

>> Approved 5-0 an MHRC Development Proposal Application to serve 7056 W. 16th Street, Precinct #1.

>> Approved 5-0 changing E. Pondview Street and S. Cuspid Avenue from a twoway stop sign to a four-way stop sign.