WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS DISTRIBUTE 2023-24 SCHOOL LAND REVENUE
Washington County Commissioners today (Tuesday) approved the 2023-24 school lands report and disbursed over $400,000 combined to Brenham and Burton ISDs.
The money comes by way of revenue from mineral rights, farming and hunting leases from Washington County’s school land in Tom Green County. It goes into the school districts’ general funds and is allocated based on their average daily attendance.
Brenham ISD is receiving $372,100, while Burton ISD is getting $47,404.
County Treasurer Peggy Kramer said the revenue is less than what the two districts received last year, at $695,096 for Brenham ISD and $81,547 for Burton ISD. She said the reduction is due to an increase in expenses from taxes, attorney fees and advertising for hunting and grazing. The reduction was partially offset because of an increase in interest received and in collections for hunting and grazing.
According to letters addressed to the Brenham and Burton ISD superintendents that were included in the agenda packet for today’s meeting, the county is requesting a portion of funding back, to be used for continued improvements to the land in Tom Green County. The requested amounts were $70,377 for Brenham ISD and $8,965 for Burton ISD.
Commissioner Kirk Hanath said there have been discussions with the Tom Green County Commissioners Court regarding the potential property acquisition of about 5 acres along a roadway that is “creating some problems for the county.” He said the matter will be taken back to Tom Green County Commissioners to see if there is a possibility of moving forward, and that “the ball is in their court”, but he believes it would be in Tom Green County’s “best interest” to acquire a section of the property from Washington County.
Also at today’s meeting, commissioners:
- Approved an agreement between the county and Baylor Scott & White, pertaining to EMS transport rates for patients on the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan. Hanath said this relates to the reimbursement the county receives from insurance companies through the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process, and is meant to streamline that process to allow the county to receive funding more quickly.
- Conditionally approved a memorandum of understanding between the county and the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation (BVEDC) regarding marketing, regional outreach, and collective business and economic development goals. The approval was conditional based on obtaining new documents that reflect the BVEDC’s recent change to a new name, the Greater Brazos Partnership.
- Directed the auditor to conduct an audit of the asset seizure and forfeiture accounts of the 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
- Approved the county’s 2025 holiday schedule.
- Received the quarterly reports from EMS and Economic Development, along with monthly reports from the auditor and treasurer.
Is there a reason why we don’t sell that property and use the proceeds to benefit our current school campuses?
Serious question, how much does the county have to pay to advertise for hunting and grazing? I could make 1 phone call and within an hour have my property leased for both.