Government - page 3

Looking for some fun and friendly competition? The Orange Public Library hosts Game Night from 4:00 – 6:30 pm every Thursday.

Explore the library’s diverse collection of classic board games, intense card battles, strategic tabletop adventures, and video games, or bring your favorite game to showcase your skills and challenge your friends. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or a casual player, there’s something for everyone.

This program is free to anyone who would like to attend. There is no need to register—just drop in whenever you like and come and go as you please.

For more information, call the library at 409-883-1086.

Orange County Judge John Gothia has announced that the East Roundbunch Road swing bridge will remain closed to vehicular traffic for an additional two and a half to three weeks. This update follows a briefing provided to the Commissioners Court by County Engineer Corey Oldbury regarding the status of the bridge, which connects vehicular traffic across Cow Bayou.

The East Roundbunch Road bridge, jointly managed by Orange County and the Texas Department of Transportation, is currently non-operational due to a required control panel replacement. The bridge, which uses manual controls on an electrical system to swing open for boat and barge traffic as required by federal marine laws, will stay open to allow marine navigation while repairs are pending. Consequently, all road traffic for cars and trucks remains halted.

Judge Gothia indicated that the new control panel, which costs $14,000 excluding installation, is expected to arrive within the next two weeks. The installation will be carried out by specialized technicians. The bridge, originally installed in 1961, was acquired as a used structure and has since served as a crucial shortcut between Bridge City and FM 1006, also known as Chemical Row, facilitating access to the industrial area that employs thousands.

The City of Orange will host a public hearing to discuss the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2025. This hearing will take place on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, located at the Orange Public Library, 220 N. 5th Street in Orange.

The proposed budget will increase revenue from property taxes by $377,966, a 4.04% increase compared to last year’s budget. Of this amount, $270,648 will come from new property added to the tax roll this year.

All interested residents and stakeholders are invited to attend the hearing to present their views and participate in the discussion. The City Council values the input of the community and encourages public participation in the budget adoption process.

For those unable to attend in person, written comments are also welcomed. Written submissions may be mailed or delivered to the Director of Finance at City Hall, located at 812 N. 16th Street, or mailed to PO Box 520, Orange, Texas 77631-0520, before the meeting date.

Recent sales tax data from the Texas Comptroller’s Office reveals significant variances in revenue collections across Orange County and its cities. While some local entities have seen an increase in sales tax revenues for June compared to last year, the City of Orange continues to experience a notable decline.

For the first eight months of the year, Orange’s sales tax collections have dropped nearly 24 percent compared to the same period last year. In June alone, the city collected $655,490, a decrease of 41 percent from the $1.11 million collected in June 2023.

Orange County, which has a 0.5 percent sales tax, also saw a decrease in monthly collections for June, receiving $733,264, down 19.33 percent from $911,544 in June 2023. However, year-to-date figures remain positive for the county, with $5.77 million collected, a 5.85 percent increase over the $5.45 million collected in the same period last year.

Despite these challenges, other local entities reported mixed but largely positive results:

• Bridge City collected $215,600 in June, marking a 2.3 percent increase from $210,742 in June 2023. Year-to-date collections are up 9.72 percent, totaling $1.65 million compared to $1.5 million last year.
• Pinehurst experienced steady growth, reporting $58,628 in June, a 3.87 percent increase from $56,444 in June 2023. Year-to-date, Pinehurst has seen an 8.47 percent increase, with collections reaching $479,200 compared to $441,757 last year.
• Vidor saw a slight decline in monthly sales tax collections, with $371,071 in June, a 2.84 percent decrease from the $389,918 collected in June 2023. Nevertheless, year-to-date collections have risen by 3.61 percent, totaling $2.56 million compared to $2.475 million last year.
• West Orange reported a 3.43 percent increase in June collections, receiving $151,566 compared to $147,506 last year. Year-to-date, the city’s revenue is up 9.14 percent, reaching $1.08 million, compared to $993,443 in 2023.
• Little Cypress Fire and Rescue Department (Orange County Emergency Services District No. 3), the only special district with a sales tax, collected $34,888 in June. The district’s year-to-date total is $220,999, reflecting a 7.88 percent increase from the $204,844 collected in the same period last year.

These figures underscore the dynamic nature of local sales tax revenues across Orange County. As the City of Orange navigates its revenue shortfalls, neighboring communities continue to show resilience and growth.

The City of Orange is excited to announce plans for the extensive renovation of Levingston Park, with the support of Golden Triangle Polymers (GTP). As part of the city’s ongoing efforts to enhance local green spaces, Levingston Park will be transformed into a nature park, providing residents and visitors with an oasis of tranquility and natural beauty.

Levingston Park, a 25-acre area nestled along Adams Bayou and accessible from Border Street, is surrounded by Orange, The Cove, and West Orange neighborhoods. Named after Samuel Levingston, the founder of Levingston Shipyard Co., the park features a historical marker, a small playground, a bench, and a covered pavilion. The park’s landscape is adorned with Pecan, Sweet Gum, and Live Oak trees, making it a hidden gem within the community.

According to Public Works Director Adam Jack, the renovation project is made possible through a partnership with GTP, which plans to install pipelines across the property. The funds from this agreement will be allocated to the park’s transformation, which is estimated to cost nearly $1 million. Planned enhancements include a walking track, estimated at $125,000, and the installation of restrooms, budgeted at $260,000.

The Master Plan for Levingston Park includes exciting additions aimed at attracting wildlife enthusiasts and families. City officials have researched the various bird species that frequent the park, noting that approximately 400 types of birds migrate through the Orange area. The park’s rich biodiversity, including a notable population of butterflies, makes it a prime location for nature observation and educational activities.

Heather Betancourth of GTP stated that construction of the pipelines will begin shortly, with completion expected by the end of the year. The project will be further supported by collaborations with the Texas Master Naturalists, Orange County Master Gardeners, the Golden Triangle Audubon Society, the Native Plant Society of Texas, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Shangri La Botanical Gardens, and the Center for Resiliency at Lamar University.

This collaborative effort underscores the City of Orange’s commitment to preserving and enhancing natural spaces for public enjoyment. The renovation of Levingston Park is poised to create a vibrant, community-centered space that celebrates the area’s natural beauty and rich history.