City of Copperas Cove officials, Coryell County discuss legislative priorities

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

With the start of the 89th session of the Texas legislature several weeks away, local governments have begun discussing their priorities for the upcoming session. 

During its Dec. 3 meeting, the Copperas Cove city council heard from City Manager Ryan Haverlah on the issues the city is facing that future legislation could likely impact. 

Havlerah included a presentation that outlined the city’s legislative policy, which states that the City of Copperas Cove will “oppose any legislation or rulemaking viewed as detrimental to the City’s goals; or that is contrary to the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; or that mandates increased costs or loss of revenues; or that would diminish the fundamental authority of the City.”

At the top of the list is financial relief related to the loss of revenue due to the 100 percent disabled veterans property tax exemption. 

Altogether, there are 1,978 properties that are 100 percent exempted from property taxes in the City of Copperas Cove, which adds up to $3 million in tax revenue exempted. This equates to 14.5 cents on the city’s property tax rate. 

Second on the priority list is the creation of the Central Texas Water Authority, which if created, will involve regional participation by area cities and counties. This water authority would help secure water rights and also help with water infrastructure needs as the area grows. 

The city’s priorities also support the continuation of economic development programs within the state, restoration of municipal annexation authority and extraterritorial jurisdiction, changing the certification of property tax valuations from July 25 to July 1, restoring local authority to manage City property tax rates, and also providing mental health resources via public safety services. 

During the legislative session, the City or any firm working on behalf of the City will provide quarterly reports to the council on legislative activities.  

The council ended up approving a resolution of giving their support for the city’s legislative policy. This policy authorizes the Mayor, City Manager, and Department Directors with the City Manager’s approval to sign letters of support and opposition so long as the topic is addressed and authorized through the policy.

Coryell County is likewise looking ahead to the next legislative session. 

During the Dec. 10 meeting of the Coryell County commissioners court, County Judge Roger Miller named what he saw as the top issues for the county as a whole. 

As with the City of Copperas Cove, Miller stated that addressing the disabled veterans tax exemption reimbursement was “very critical” to our county. 

Second to that – and a matter for local school districts to address – is the impact of school vouchers, especially on the smaller, rural districts. 

“The legislative body as a whole tends to get in a battle with what I call the ‘big five’ counties, and then the other 249 counties just become collateral damage,” Miller told the commissioners. “I’m concerned with the language of the bills that were considered in the last legislative session, as well as what’s being discussed to be presented in this legislative session. It could potentially have a devastating impact on small, rural school districts, and there is no language in any of the bills that I’ve seen up to this point that would protect 1A and 2A schools. If they were to lose five or six kids under the school voucher program, that really affects number of teachers that are employed, the amount of classroom space, and then really, what is that reimbursement revenue stream?”

Another item of focus was school security.

Miller also stated protecting the County’s water rights was vital, but “I don’t think we’ll get anywhere with that whatsoever.”

Commissioner Scott Weddle said that the disabled veterans tax exemption reimbursement house bill was certainly on his list. 

“I’ve talked with (Rep. Shelby) Slawson every time I see her, saying ‘Keep that alive.’ Because that is a direct impact on the county. That is a perfect one for every one of us to lobby and push for.”

There was no formal action taken on the discussion, but any resolution that would be submitted would go before the court before the county moves forward on that.