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COLUMBUS — Colorado County Commissioners Court, during the Monday, Aug. 10 meeting, appointed previous Justice of the Peace candidate Rodney Meyer to fill the Precinct 3 vacancy following Donald Clark’s suspension.
The county also scheduled public hearings for its proposed tax rate and budget for the 20262027 fiscal year for Monday, Sept. 8, at 9 a.m. The hearings will be conducted at the start of Commissioners Court in the County Courtroom 106 at the Colorado County Courthouse, 400 Spring St., Columbus.
Justice of the Peace
Meyer, a Columbus native, lost the Republican nomination and seat for Colorado County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace to Judge Billy Hefner in the recent March election. Meyer is currently retired but had a 29-year career in law enforcement. Meyer thanked the court for the opportunity.
“Judge Meyer to-be will continue all the duties and all the responsibilit ies of Justice of the Peace Pct. 3 for the temporary period the current justice is suspended,” Colorado County Judge Ty Prause said.
The Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace position became vacant after the State Commission on Judicial Conduct suspended Clark with pay July 2 following his being indicted for three official misconduct misdemeanors over a week prior.
“Such suspension (will) remain in effect until the charges set forth in the indictments are dismissed, Judge Clark is acquitted of all charges in the Indictments, or upon further order(s) of the Commission,” the order read.
Tax rate
The court decided to propose the voter-approval tax rate of $0.466417 per $100 of property value for the upcoming fiscal year, a decrease of 0.32% from last year’s rate of $0.464918. The voter-approval tax rate is the highest tax rate a taxing entity can adopt without holding an election.
The 2026 average homestead taxable value in the county is $199,388, so the proposed rate would incur an increase of $82.64, or 9.75%, in taxes for the year.
The proposed budget will raise more total property taxes than last year’s budget by $1,320.451 or 7.39%, and of that amount $649,336 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year Regarding personnel, the proposed budget includes a 4% raise for all employees, the addition of an EMS administrative assistant, another mental health deputy, and potentially more bailiffs.
According to the county clerk’s office, the proposed budget has yet to be officially filed but will be available before the public hearing. The public will be able to view the proposed budget at the county clerk’s office at the Colorado County Annex, 318 Spring St., Columbus, or on the county’s website at co.colorado.tx.us/.
Other business
The court approved a budget amendment to accommodate the new deputy treasurer position. The position was originally filled in February, and officials discussed the need for continued funding through the county’s general fund.
The court raised its civil service fees for the Colorado County Sheriff’s Office and constables, effective Jan. 1, after hearing from Deputy Nancy Gorman. Gorman said the raise would match neighboring counties and help compensate staff overtime.
The court approved an almost 15-acre preliminary plat for Big Easy Ranch near Columbus for the future development of 15 cabins.
