Judge Ransom looks back at 2023
As we approach the end of 2023, it is appropriate to pause and reflect on what we’ve accomplished and where we are going. Cass County has a rich heritage and a bright future! The year 2023 will soon be part of that history.
This year saw several key accomplishments for our county. Cass County participated in the Northeast Texas Regional Alliance where representatives from Northeast Texas traveled to Austin in February to speak with legislators about a myriad of issues during Texas’ 88th Legislative Session.
One key issue being proposed is Marvin Nichols Reservoir which Cass County Judge and Commissioners Court formally opposed through a resolution opposing the reservoir. A feasibility study was included in legislation forcing the Texas Water Development Board to take a close look at the proposal and receive public input from citizens. Cass County was able to support public libraries in Atlanta, Linden, and Hughes Springs with literacy grants for the first time.
Cass County also commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and recognized Cass County native John O’Neal Rucker, the last American casualty of the war with a special recognition ceremony at the historic courthouse.
This year Cass County held a series of public hearings to discuss and receive input on several proposals including county-wide voting, a county assistance district, and the addition of an early voting location in Hughes Springs.
Texas Secretary of State approved Cass County for county-wide voting and an early voting location was added in Hughes Springs but voters ultimately rejected the assistance district which would have collected a 1.75% sales tax in the unincorporated areas of the county to help fund county roads and infrastructure. Cass County, along with the cities of Atlanta, Hughes Springs, Linden, and Queen City were recognized by the Texas Municipal League (TML) annual conference with an innovation award for their partnership in an economic development consortium.
Cass County also joined the National Association of Counties (NACo) and attended their national conference which was held in Austin this year. The Texas delegation was pleased to elect Wise County Judge J.D. Clark as NACo’s 2nd Vice President.
Cass County also applied for and received $300,000 in grant funding from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to staff the County Veterans Services office and provide direct financial support to veterans needing financial assistance.
In July the county was able to restore a foundational document from 1846 which documented the preemption certificate land grants of early Cass County settlers.
In October the county hosted a National Night Out with Justice of the Peace Barbara McMillon coordinating the event which has become a community open house at the Cass County Justice Center. Also, in October came the news that Cass County was awarded over $50,000 in grants for the Sheriff ’s office.
This year also saw continued growth as the county was approved for more new affordable housing construction through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) HOME program. In the last two years, the county has seen an investment of more than $2 million in state funding back to the county by building a total of 16 new homes in the county.
Cass County was also able to leverage $35,000 in grant funding to partner with ArkLaTex Tire Processing to properly dispose of thousands of old tires through a county-wide tire cleanup program.
Later in the year, Texas Tech University School of Law and the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) also inducted Judge Travis Ransom into the Texas Judicial Academy as a Fellow. Cass County expedited and approved multiple applications to use county rights of way (ROW) for broadband expansion through the Rural Development Opportunity Fund (RDOF) which is installing fiber both in the ground and via aerial pole attachments as part of a once-in-a-generation broadband build-out.
Cass County continues to work with the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) as well as local and regional providers to improve and increase accessibility for rural broadband internet for Cass County citizens. It is a top priority as we look for more in 2024!