The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

It's now official.

The Bridge City City Council adopted and levied municipal ad valorem taxes for the 2018 tax year at their regular meeting on Tuesday night.

The numbers are as follows:

• $.20897 per $100 valuation for the Debt Service Rate (Interest and Sinking)

• $.33803 per $100 valuation for Maintenance and Operations Rate

• $.54700 per $100 valuation for Total Tax Rate which is a 3.93 percent increase

James and Melissa Chatlosh requested their property at 6230 W. Roundbunch Rd. near Bessie Heights Road be disannexed from the city of Bridge City.

James said they have to get utility services from either the Orangefield Water Supply Corporation or services from Orange County and they get no services from Bridge City. He added that he wants to build a commercial metal building on his property, but he doesn't want any conflicts between Bridge City and the county.

Furthermore, James said when he calls the Bridge City Police Department to his property, "they look at you funny when they come out." He explained Bridge City police officers will say his property is in the county. Orange County deputy sheriffs will say his property is in the BCPD's jurisdiction. He said for insurance purposes, he needs to show the property is covered by police, fire and ambulance for insurance purposes.

Jerry Jones, Bridge City city manager, said OWSC has the utilities certification and Bridge City can't go into there. On the other hand, building permits are issued from the city of Bridge City.

City attorney Paul Fukuda said the OWSC is the exclusive provider.

"You're in our own ETJ (extra territorial jurisdiction) regardless," Jones said.

Councilman Kirk Roccaforte said James could "open up a big can of worms" with disannexing properties.

"It could create a whole lot more problems," he said.

Melissa asked in a worse case scenario if they call the Bridge City Police they would come out to their property in which the city council said yes. They are also covered by fire and ambulance services.

Jones said originally the road going out was annexed by the city. Later, 1,000 feet on both sides of the road were annexed.

Melissa said she couldn't find the legal description of their property at the Orange County Courthouse. Jones said he would look for that and meet with the Chatloshes.

Mayor David Rutledge said after a discussion with Jones a solution may be able to be worked out.

The disannexation was tabled to receive more information.

Lastly, Gary R. Traylor and Associates of Tyler was selected as professional service provider for the Community Development Block Grant- Disaster Recovery Project.