2024 Was Year of Significance

By Gloria Way

    2024 was a year that saw the resurgence of the 45^th President of the United States of America win election in November to become the 47^th President of the United States of America. It seems apparent that a cloud of conservatism has enveloped the nation to “put America first”.  Americans are tired of out-of-control federal spending, sky high prices for food, fuel, and housing. Americans are tired of funding wars overseas that seem to have no end in sight, and allowing illegal immigrants stampeding into American with no accountability, and draining the financial resources of border cities and states to take care of their needs. Americans seem to seek financial stability, the ability to live the “American Dream”, and feel safe in their communities.

  Here in Chambers County, 2024 was a year that was significant to its residents as well. Citizens continued to seek relief from property taxes. In reality, the property tax rate has gone down. But, the appraisal value of both residential and commercial properties have increased where the savings from a property tax rate cut is nonexistent. Elected officials tout cutting taxes while taxpayers are paying more than ever before due to ever increasing appraisal values. Because of the increased appraisal values, the county’s and other taxing entities’ coffers are increasing. And as a result, residents of Chambers County want more property tax relief and financial transparency and accountability from its elected officials.

  The top story for 2024 for Chambers County has to be the groundbreaking of the new jail/justice center in August. It is located in Anahuac. It is a $175million project financed by a “P3” which is a public, private project financed by a third party and the county paying “rent” annually. After the loan has been fully financed, the county will own the facilities. When the jail/justice center was first discussed seven years ago, the estimated cost was $85million. Delaying the project cost the county $90million. This project was not brought to the voters of Chambers County. It was approved by an unanimous vote of Commissioners Court.

  Another financial hit upon the citizens of the county was the unanimous vote of Commissioners Court to finance another Certificates of Obligation (CO) to the tune of $56million. This CO will be a 40-year note at 4.5% interest. Certificates of Obligation was created by the state of Texas to allow counties to raise money without a vote of the citizens. Its intent was to help counties pay for immediate needs after emergency situations and disasters. Unfortunately, the statute has been vaguely written to allow for funding projects that have nothing to do with immediate needs or recovery from emergency situations and/or disasters. Again, a vote of the populace is not required.

  The two above-mentioned projects were approved without a public vote. Citizens of the county feel “left out” of significant financial decisions affecting the entire county. Thus, people are asking for more financial transparency and accountability. Adding insult to injury, the county judge who is also the budget director for the county, chose to not hold public budget workshops to determine the county’s 2025 budget. In the past, public budget workshops were held throughout the summer months to create a budget to be approved by Commissioners’ Court in September. As a result, a committee of four or five people reviewed the budget requests from all the county department heads and determined without public input which department gets what.  A public hearing is then set for approval while the budget has been predetermined.

  Anahuac was rocked to its core when three residents from prominent local families were arrested for sexual assault of a child and other nefarious charges. All three defendants pleaded out and only two had to register as lifetime sex offenders.

  Winnie, Texas became the home for food distribution and numerous social services for southeast Texas Catholic Charities. They are located in what was previously known as The Vine and St. Vincent de Paul charities on SH 124. Its mission is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.

  In my opinion, the most important lesson learned in 2024, is that elections matter. Your vote matters. On the national level, state, county, and local, if you advocate change, you must vote.