Llano Commissioners approve $12.8 million bond issue, look to budget
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By Phil Reynolds
The Highlander
Llano County Commissioners approved a $12.8 million bond issue Monday, June 27, but the bonds won’t cost taxpayers a nickel.
That’s because the bonds are actually being issued by a private company, not by the county. But the money will be used to add to health care facilities in Llano and Gillespie counties, so by law the company must get approval from commissioners in both counties before the bonds can be sold.
Crawford Health Facilities Development Corp., of Crawford, Texas, will add to two senior care facilities in Llano County and one near Fredericksburg, said Chris Sayers, representing the company.
“There is no liability whatsoever to the county,” Sayers said. He said the bonds are classed as “taxable” because income from the bonds is subject to income tax.
County Judge Mary Cunningham pointed out that only 17 percent of county residents are under the age of 17, the lowest county percentage in the state.
“Obviously, we’re a candidate for senior care,” she said.
Dian Ray
Dian Ray, Llano County Library System director for 35 years will be retiring in September. Her resignation was accepted by the court during Monday's meeting.
Commissioners agreed with Precinct 4 Commissioner Pete Jones that the county should recognize Ray’s service, but didn’t discuss what form that recognition should take.
2016-2017 Budget
Commissioners expect to begin working on the 2017 budget next week.
A preliminary budget proposal was on Monday’s commissioners court agenda for discussion, but Cunningham said she hadn’t quite finished her draft of the new budget. She said she expects to finish it later this week, and will ask commissioners to meet in a budget workshop as early as next week.
The county’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30; the county must have a budget in place by the end of August, but Cunningham said she wants to have one ready for hearings in July.
She said the upcoming budget proposal will not differ significantly from the county’s current budget.
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