Cass County Connect

County Government in Texas is a unique system that disaggregates power among local elected officials that have no direct authority over one another. In short, it is a huge exercise in getting along with others. The County Clerk, District Clerk, County Treasurer, all four County Commissioners, Justices of the Peace, Constables, District Attorney, County Court At Law Judge, District Judge, and Sheriff are all elected officials. The one county official that is not elected is the County Auditor, who is appointed by the District Judge. This ensures checks and balances in county government. This process was laid out in our Texas Constitution. Our unifying vision is for Cass County to be the example rural Texas county for innovation, transparency, and accessibility. As we complete the budget this year and look forward to the next fiscal year beginning in October, it’s nice to look back at some of the things we’ve accomplished over the last two years.

• Implemented a Property Fraud Alert Program to protect and inform land owners of potential fraudulent transactions related to their property records.

• Received Approval for County Wide Voting and added a new early voting location in Hughes Springs to improve voter turnout and access to polling locations across the county.

• Completed the relocation of the Tax Assessor-Collector Office to the Law Enforcement & Justice Center; saving the county thousands of dollars by consolidating county office space under one roof.

• Relocated the Texas A&M AgrilLife Extension office to more functional facility in Atlanta with classroom space and kitchen; negotiated with the State to add a full time Family and Community Health Agent funded by the state.

• Preserved a foundational historic document for Cass County from October of 1846 which documented the preemption certificate land grants of early Cass County settlers.

• Created & Funded a Literacy Grant Program for area libraries which has been used to support summer reading programs, home school activities, and special collection projects in our public libraries. This program is funded with non-tax revenue through the comptroller’s unclaimed capital credits fund.

• Improved financial position and transparency; revised the County investment policy for maximum return on investment, received clean audit from external audit firm, passed a balanced budget, reduced debt, lowered the tax rate by four cents, and now maintain a ten month operating reserve.

• Earned a Transparency Star from the Texas Comptroller for Financial Transparency in County Government.

• Applied for and received Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) grant for direct financial support to veterans in need totaling $600,000.

• Utilized the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) homes program to construct 20 new houses for low income Cass County residents totaling over $2-million in state funding invested in Cass County. (More than any other county in the state.)

• Created a 10-year land management plan for county owned properties; focused on alternative revenue streams to alleviate property tax burden.

• Increased funding to rural fire departments.

• County staff updated the County’s Emergency Management Plan and disaster mitigation plans, saving the county over $120,000 and ensuring the county is eligible for state and federal reimbursements and assistance when disaster strikes.

• Applied for and received over $525k in State Grant funding for law enforcement salary and equipment. Multiple law enforcement grants were applied for and received. This allowed the county to recruit and retain quality personnel while also updating equipment and at no cost to local taxpayers.

• Created Tire Cleanup Program in FY24 which leveraged $35k in grant funding to dispose of old tires in the county.

• Increased annual funding allocation to Road and Bridge by almost 20% annually; created and funded a transportation trust fund to generate additional revenue for road and bridge fund without increasing taxes.

• Worked with stakeholders on broadband expansion in Cass County. Expedited the approval of over 100 applications to dig in county rights of way for the express purpose of installing broadband fiberoptic lines.

• Created Cass County Economic Development Consortium with the Cities of Atlanta, Avinger, Hughes Springs, Linden, and Hughes Springs; was awarded an innovation award by the Texas Municipal League in 2023.

• Joined as a voting member of Tex-21, a transportation advocacy group, positioning Cass County for the future with a seat at the table on statewide transportation developments.

• Continued active participation with the I-69 Alliance to stay informed on the development and impact of future Interstate 69 through Texas and beyond.

• Appointed a voting member to the Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET-RMA) to keep Cass County informed on regional transportation development.

• Joined the National Association of Counties (NaCO) to get better support and information on federal funding programs.

• Supported the application and installation of three Texas Historic Markers and sent volunteer representatives to the Texas Historic Commission Real Places Conference.

• Partnered with Lonestar Legal Aid to provide a kiosk in the Cass County Justice Center to help those in need of legal support.

• Partnered with Texas A&M University-Texarkana to provide 33% discount on tuition for full time employees of Cass County; encouraging employees to seek higher education.

While our needs will always outpace our resources, we are working to do the most with what we have. Cass County strives to be the example rural Texas county for innovation, transparency, and accessibility. Our actions follow that overarching vision statement which support our strategic goals and objectives. Cass County has a rich heritage and a bright future.

The Only Constant Is Change

I’ve asked a lot of questions over the last two years and haven’t always liked the answer. We aren’t doing everything right. We aren’t doing everything wrong either! Each day brings its own challenges but we face them head on and make every decision with what is best for the citizens of Cass County in mind. Smalltown, USA is experiencing a revival of sorts. Many value the slower pace of life and genuine neighborliness that comes with being a part of a small community. In a post COVID world, many people nationwide are fleeing the crime and chaos of urban areas for the sanctity and sanity of Smalltown, USA. We have seen an influx of new residents moving to Cass County over the last two years. We’ve also seen an increase in new construction in both the residential and commercial and industrial segments. We don’t live in a static environment. It is a dynamic, ever changing community. With growth, brings opportunities and challenges. We want Cass County to be a place you are proud to live in and call home.

Upcoming Events

October 5th, 10am to 2pm, Fall Maker’s Market and Steven Smith Memorial Cruise Night in Downtown Atlanta, Texas.

The Caddo Wildflower Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Mary Dougherty Senior Citizens Center, 507 S. Kaufman St., Linden. Meetings are open to the public and start with a potluck before ending with a native plants/flowers raffle.