By Dawn Burleigh

dawn.burleigh@orangeleader.com

 

Orange County Commissioners Court will hold a Public Workshop at 9 a.m. Tuesday regarding the proposed Loop 299 Project in the Commissioners Courtroom of the Orange County Administration Building located at 123 South 6th Street in Orange.

John Crew and Scott Young are scheduled to give a presentation on the proposed project.

In County Judge Stephen ‘Brint’ Carlton’s State of the County editorial in January 2016, he wrote, “The proposed Loop 299 in the Vidor area to improve transportation and open new areas for economic development.”

The project has been discussed many times for over 20 years.

The court is not scheduled to make a decision on the project, as it is not listed on the agenda for the 2 p.m. Regular Court session on Tuesday.

The court will discuss and possibly take action regarding a vote to set salaries, expenses and other allowances for all elected county and prescient officers.

During the Aug. 30 meeting, the court approved to give all elected officials a raise expect for the county judge, the sheriff, and County Judge at Law 1 and 2. County Judge at Law’s salary are set by the state.

County Judge Carlton and Commissioner Jody Crump voted against the item. It passed with a 3-2 vote.

The vote on Tuesday will be the final vote.

The salaries can be changed between now and the final vote, but cannot exceed the rates approved by the court on Aug. 30, 2016

According to Carlton, the changes would increase the expenses between $108,000 – $110,000 for the 2016/2017 fiscal budget.

Retiree health insurance benefits for employees not yet retired will be discussed again.