County tax rate hearing Tuesday at county annex

By Linda Perkins

Anvil Herald reporter

Medina County will observe the Labor Day holiday Monday, September 7, with County offices closed. The regular commissioners court meeting has been moved from Monday to 9 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8 at the Courthouse Annex.

Commissioners met Mon., Aug. 24 with County Judge Keith Lutz presiding and all commissioners present.

Public Hearings

Two public hearings are scheduled, beginning at 9 a.m. on Sept. 8 to receive public comment on the proposed 2026 Medina County tax rate as well as a proposed Precinct 2 Special Road Tax rate. 

Subdivisions

Commissioners on Monday approved an Order approving the 2026-27 Annual Service and Assessment Plan Update by Municap Inc., for Public Improvement Districts (PIDs) in Legacy Hills, Tally Ho, Viera, and The Woodlands subdivisions.

The court also agreed to issue a letter of determination to Francis and Cheri Haby acknowledging that the division of three acres located on County Road 271 in Pct. 2 falls within the exception to state-required platting requirements.

Commissioners considered an application to vacate and replat Lot 12 of Medina Lake Ranchettes Subdivision, in Pct. 1 on CR 270, to determine whether the revision affects the public interest or property of any type and authorize the appropriate notice requirements.

The court approved the request, dividing the single tract into two separate tracts.

After discussing whether the court has the authority to waive the required 30-day notice posting requirements requested by broker of the property Vance Reynolds, commissioners took no action on the request.

  “We need to follow the process. We need to come back in two weeks after investigating this further,” said Judge Lutz.

“This is about notice requirements,” commented Assistant District Attorney Maggy Swyers, legal advisor to the court. “I don’t think the County can waive notice requirements.”

After considering an application to vacate and replat Lot 4-A of San Antonio Trust Subdivision, located in Pct. 3 on CR 5719, commissioners determined the revision does not affect a public interest or property of any type and authorized the appropriate notice requirements.

Speed Limit Reduction

Judge Lutz suspended the regular session for a public hearing on an order to reduce the speed limit on CR 520 in Pct. 3 from 60 mph to 40 mph. The court approved the order after the regular session resumed. 

Agreements and Contracts

Commissioners sanctioned an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Natalia Independent School District to provide campus security for the 2026-2027 school year, assigning two licensed peace officers from the Medina County Sheriff’s Office to serve as school resource officers at Natalia ISD campuses.

The court accepted and awarded sealed bids received for the following services and materials: precinct paving and hauling services, precinct hauling services, countywide fuels and paving oils. However, the court rejected bids for precinct materials and approved a new bidding process for those materials.

Commissioners voted to post a public notice for sealed bids for Depository and Subdepository contracts.

Treasurer’s Report

Commissioners approved Medina County Treasurer Debra Graff’s report of Accounts Payable totaling $1,193,993.19, as well as the Disbursement of Funds for utilities, fuel and dental claims totaling $106,663.72. 

Further Business

In other business before the court, commissioners:

• set the Elected Officials’ salaries for Fiscal Year 2026-2027;

• accepted the resignation of Kristy Ivy from the Hill Country Regional Public Defender Office Oversight Board;

• appointed Danny Lawler, commissioner Pct. 4 and Amy Clark, director of Medina County Indigent Defense and Pre-trial Services, to the Hill Country Regional Public Defender Office Oversight Board; and

• authorized a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox from Medina County Auditor’s Office to be declared as salvage and sold at auction, and authorized transfer of a 2018 Ford F-150 pickup from the County Environmental Health Group to Pct. 4.