News

Local school board trustees met last week, adopting proposed tax rates for the new fiscal year for Jacksboro ISD, Bryson ISD and Perrin-Whitt CISD.

JISD set a total tax rate of $1.126900 per $100 valuation, keeping the current rate. The district adopted a 4.5% increase to its maintenance and operations budget; debt services decreased by 4% and total expenditures decreased by 1.5%.

Average market value of homes in JISD at $136,990 could yield $364.45 less in taxes per home annually versus last year’s average at $132,341. 

The city of Jacksboro will take steps to alleviate water runoff on McCombs and South Church Street, starting with surveying the area to determine elevation levels, or shooting the grade. City officials held a town hall meeting Tuesday, Aug. 12 along with residents, city council members and engineers to determine next steps.

The Jacksboro City Council voted on the tax rate for the next fiscal year, opting to maintain the current rate as city staff continues to balance the proposed budget. 

Council took a record vote on a tax rate of $0.695901 per $100 valuation, insisting they did not want to raise the tax rate this year. Still, City Manager Mike Smith said the city may need to at least consider a no new revenue rate of $0.698844 per $100 valuation to balance the new budget, an increase of 0.3%. 

Jack County commissioners approved the proposed tax rate increase and final budget for fiscal year 2025-2026, taking effect Oct. 1.

The court adopted a property tax rate increase Monday, Aug. 25 following a public hearing, setting the rate at $0.442043 per $100 valuation. 

The court also made changes to the proposed budget before adopting it Monday. The FY 2025-2026 budget will raise $242,170.72 more in property tax revenue, an increase of 3.49%. Revenue from new property added to the tax roll this year was calculated at $24,127.

Officer James Henry returns to the Jacksboro Police Department after being sworn into duty Monday, Aug. 25 at City Hall.

For 15 years, Henry owned his own video production business, and before then, he was a U.S. Marine infantryman for four years. He heard the call to become a law enforcement officer five years ago and began his career at JPD, where he was promoted to school resource officer for Jacksboro ISD and eventually sergeant before leaving the department. 

A 42-year-old man is dead following an accidental drowning at 11:55 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 17 at Lost Creek Reservoir.

Jacksboro resident Larry Miller, Jr. was swimming at Lake Jacksboro when he and his cousin decided to swim from one dock to another across a cove on the lake. 

According to Jacksboro Police Chief Jerry Penny, Miller’s cousin swam ahead and reached the other dock first. When he turned around a witness on the other side alerted Miller’s cousin to what had happened.

Jack County commissioners will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25 at the courthouse to present the fiscal year 2025-2026 proposed budget and tax rate.

Commissioners proposed a rate of $0.442043 per $100 valuation. The proposed rate was more than the no new revenue rate, which would have raised the same amount of property tax revenue from the existing properties in both the 2024 and 2025 taxing years. 

With Jack County Constable Clyde Watson out of work for the foreseeable future, county commissioners added a part time deputy constable position to help process and serve cases through the constable’s office.

While Watson was out on medical leave following complications from surgery, elected officials and members of the courthouse staff came together for a word of prayer before commissioners court Monday, Aug. 4, asking for Watson’s healthy recovery and return. 

City of Jacksboro is conducting a survey to see just how the local community uses the Twin Lakes Activity Center to determine the future of the facility.

Located at Lost Creek Reservoir, the former National Guard Armory can be rented for events like reunions, birthday parties or anniversaries, and is equipped with workout rooms and an indoor basketball court. The activity center averages about six to eight members each day.

Bryson City Council considered options for current wastewater treatment and future growth as existing facilities were in need of rehabilitation to process wastewater effectively and efficiently.

The treatment facility has been mostly unupdated since 1939 when the Imhoff tank, which processes wastewater, was installed. Three small lagoons were also added to process wastewater and released as irrigation.