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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 24364: CLOSING OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX OFFICE LOCATION IN PORT ARTHUR, REQUESTING REVERSAL (REQUSTED BY MAYOR BARTIE) P.R.No. 24364 05/30/25 ATT RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE NON-SUPPORT OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THE PROPOSED CLOSING OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX OFFICE LOCATION IN PORT ARTHUR; REQUESTING IMMEDIATE RECONSIDERATION AND REVERSAL THEREOF (REQUESTED BY MAYOR BARTIE) WHEREAS, Port Arthur, Texas is a corporate municipality located in southeast Texas in Jefferson County;and, WHEREAS,Jefferson County operates a fully functional sub-courthouse in Port Arthur,Texas for the purpose of easing the burden of accessing County services for the 60,000+ residents located in and about South County; and, WHEREAS, it has been publicly announced via news media that it is planned to close the Jefferson County Tax Office location in Port Arthur, Texas beginning June 2, 2025 and continuing through August 25,2025; and, WHEREAS, it is further indicated that the Beaumont, Mid-County, and Airport locations will be the offered alternatives for service during this period of closure;and, WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Port Arthur desires bring to the attention of Jefferson County officials and leadership its grave concerns regarding the proposed closure which include, the substantial burden which will be placed on residents in and about South County in accessing services,the ability of these location to provide adequate parking, to handle the volume of traffic, and inability of residents to reach these locations due to transportation challenges;and, WHEREAS,the City Council City of Port Arthur desires to request that Jefferson County officials and leadership reconsider the proposed plan to close the Jefferson County Tax Office location in Port Arthur and reverse its decision thereon; P.R.No.24364 05/30/25 ATT Page 2 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR,TEXAS: Section 1. That,the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct. Section 2. That, the City Council of the City of Port Arthur hereby brings to the attention of Jefferson County, Texas officials and leadership its non-support of the decision to close the Jefferson County Tax Office location in Port Arthur for the referenced period. Section 3. That, the City Council hereby requests County Judge, Jeff Branick, County Commissioners Brandon Willis, Cary Erickson, Michael Shane Sinegal, Everette "Bo" Alfred, and Tax Assessor-Collector, Kate Carroll,taking into account the 60,000+residents in and about South County,to immediately reconsider and reverse the decision, and plan, to close the Jefferson County Tax Office location in Port Arthur. Section 4. That, the City Manager provide an executed copy of this resolution to the Jefferson County officials and leadership named herein. Section 5. That,a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the minutes of the City Council. READ, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED this day of ,AD,2025,at a Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Councilmembers P.R.No.24364 05/30/25 ATT Page 3 NOES: Hon. Thurman Bill Bartie Mayor ATTEST: Sherri Bellard, TRMC,City Secretary APPROVED AST m• Roxann Pais Cotroneo,Esq. City Attorney APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: OP,01 Ron Burton,CP City Manag-