JUDGE: What’s happening around Milam County
There’s lots happening in Milam County so I thought I would take some time this week to update everyone on a few of the things going on here with the county.
The 2024 Budget is complete and online for everyone to have to look through. We started preparing this in February and worked hard to keep spending as low as possible and create alternative methods to fund the county government with a three-year plan to eventually get the tax rate as close the No-New-Revenue Rate as possible.
Eighty percent of the budget is lined out for roads, law enforcement, emergency management and other items that go directly to the safety and security of the people of Milam County. This year’s budget took a big step towards getting Milam County back on good footing where all that is concerned with the aim of maintaining things rather than simply continuing to apply an annual Band-Aid to what ails the county. This year was a big dose of the solution with the years to come being about building on the footholds we established this year.
The Milam County 4-H held their annual banquet last weekend and is currently in the process of signing up for the 2023-2024 school year. Sign-ups kicked off a few weeks ago with a very well attended event in the Annex spaces. 4-H is a tremendous way for your kids to build themselves into the kind of folks we need in our communities. Most people think of 4-H as just about Agriculture, but it’s so much more. There’s photography, cooking and nutrition, Consumer Decision Making, STEM, Rocketry, water conservation, robotics, shooting sports and public speaking just to name a few. By the way, our Milam County Consumer Decision Making Team won State and is headed to Nationals in Denver this coming January.
The skills and experiences that kids get from 4-H creates an atmosphere that sees many 4-Hers in the top ten of their high school classes and succeed in college, or stay right here at home and work in fields they have learned about in 4-H. They have more confidence and learn the life skills they need to succeed in whatever endeavor they choose. So, if your children aren’t involved in 4-H, come on out and give it a try. It’s not just for farmers kids! Give Micah, or Josh or Carolyn a call down at the AgriLife office at (254) 605-0226. And thanks to them for allowing me to help present the Gold Star Awards at the banquet. I was very honored to be a part of this event.
Saturday was the annual Milam County Ruck & Ride. Ruckers (those of us who walked the seven-mile route) and Riders (those who motorcycled from Rockdale to Cameron) enjoyed the nice weather and the comradery as we paid tribute to those who have given their lives while serving us all. This list of honorees grows with time; this year’s list includes MSG Charles Price III (USA), 2LT Darryn Andrews (USA), SGT Chris Wilson (TPWD), and SGT Josh Clouse (CPD). It was indeed an honor to walk the route with the honorees’ families and our special guest leader, Earl Granville.
If you don’t know Earl’s story, look it up. Thanks also to Matt Klatt as he has organized the bike riders for many years and has given Mrs. Price a ride each year. Also, thanks to the Cameron VFW, Post 2010 for hosting the event and the awesome pancake breakfast. If you haven’t tried the food at the VFW, you’re missing out. We hope to see this event grow to show our love and respect for our fallen heroes.
Lastly, this week also saw some new jobs open up in the county in the HR section of the county website at milamcounty.net. There are many positions available such as in the County Clerk’s office, The Probation Department, the Sheriff’s office (patrol and mental health), the HR Coordinator’s position, Road & Bridge Equipment Operators, Health Department, and in the County Auditor’s Office. If you’re looking for a place to work and are interested in working in a government office, now is the time to put in an application.
These are by no means an all-inclusive list of what’s going on, just sort of the icing on the cake. You can find more in your local newspapers, on the local radio stations, or with local area service organizations. Get involved and be a part of our community here in Milam County. See you soon.