WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS DEFER HOT PAYMENTS FOR 90 DAYS

  

Washington County Commissioners voted to temporarily defer Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) payments for local hoteliers at their teleconference meeting today (Tuesday).

Commissioners unanimously approved a 90 day deferral of HOT payments to allow hoteliers a larger window to make monthly tax reports and payments, and to use funds typically used for payments for other purposes.

County Judge John Durrenberger said the matter was brought up to commissioners by several hotel owners in the county, and acknowledged their cash flow has been “getting pretty skimpy”.

Commissioner Candice Bullock noted that the City of Brenham also approved a motion to extend HOT reporting and payment deadlines at the council’s meeting March 26^th.  Durrenberger said it is “only fair” to make the exception for county hoteliers, too.

Also at today’s meeting, commissioners approved County Engineer Ross McCall’s presentation of the 2018 and 2019 road reports.  McCall said the reports are the first step in applying for grants through the 2020 Texas County Transportation Infrastructure Fund (CTIF) Grant Program, administered by TxDOT.

McCall at last week’s commissioners court meeting said work on Hohenwalde School Road and Old Mill Creek Road will be done through the grant program, and cannot be done until the county is approved for a grant.  He said the damage on those roads calls for much more than just routine maintenance, as they have been heavily damaged by oil traffic.

According to TxDOT’s website, applications for grants will be accepted April 27^th through May 27^th, with an estimated $250 million in grant funds available.  Commissioner Joy Fuchs said grants will likely be awarded in late June.

Commissioners also:

• Authorized county department heads as elected officials to follow the Families First Coronavirus Response Act as it pertains to employees with the use of administrative leave. The act requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.
• Approved the naming of the new Road and Bridge facility as “Washington County Engineering and Development Services”. Commissioner Don Koester said the new building is “the future of Washington County”.
• Held a public hearing in connection with the county’s application for funds from the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program for gas system improvements. No comments were made.