County to get proactive about subdivisions, landfills in 2020

With the first days of 2020 upon us, Jack County officials are already planning for the future.

In his continued proactive approach since taking office a year ago, County Judge Keith Umphress is focusing on steering the county in different ways.

“All of our actions will be in the best interest of the residents of Jack County,” Umphress said. 

With the success of the 2019-20 budget talks, which began in May, the county is already starting to discuss the 2020-21 budget.

“We’re already talking to department heads about the budget year,” Umphress said. “We’re trying to get folks to plan ahead and shop now. If we shop now, we’re more likely to get some aggressive bids on stuff like trucks. Don’t take what’s out there. When you plan a year or so out, you will be saving money.”

Umphress said commissioners will also begin focusing attention on a subdivision ordinance. With development starting to come in from Parker and Wise County regularly, the judge said the county needs to take a proactive position.

The county will be meeting later this month with Bob Bass, of Bass and Associates out of Austin, the county’s legal team, to discuss putting together an ordinance on subdivisions. Umphress said they will be taking the best parts of Parker and Wise County ordinances to put together theirs.

For the full story, see the Wednesday, Jan. 8, edition of the Jacksboro Herald-Gazette.