HOWE’S HAPPENINGS Our weekly, local Motherhood contributor took the week off, we will miss her and look forward to her next article. However, we have a new contributor this week in a new column, and some previous contributors back in rotation!
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Thursday, July 17, 2025
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Planning and Zoning Commission Welcomes a New Member; City Council Discusses New Developments
This week I would like to thank our advertising contributors for supporting this publication, if you never stop to look at the ads, take the time, we have some fantastic local businesses who care The NRP Group Multi-Family Project at Ponderosa Point about our commu- Karla McDonald Mayor regarding Archie nity! Ashley Husbands The City Council had all Sutton were, “Mr. Sutton The county taxes article is finally here! I am thankful we have local politicians both in Howe and in the County who patiently sit down with us to contribute to our writings. If you would like to see a topic covered in the County or City, please email the editor at ashley@ howeenterprise.com EDITOR’S NOTE—This column is reserved as an editorial column and may not necessarily reflect the policy of this publication.
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Opinion/Lifestyle
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Local Church Info
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Patriot Pony
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This Tuesday, the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council had their monthly meetings. The Planning and Zoning Commission discussed the Preliminary Plat for the Hilltop Ranch development and passed the motion unanimously. The Preliminary and Final Plat for the Bethel Baptist Church Division was unanimously passed.
members present at the meeting this week. Mayor Karla McDonald conducted her monthly “Mayor Brag Moment”, a time in which citizens and employees are recognized for good deeds within the community. A citizen, a local police officer and a Public Works employee were recognized for their actions- Archie Sutton, Officer Terry McFadden and Justin Johnson. The comments from the
has been very gracious in volunteering his time and knowledge as he has installed a new camera and sound system here at Summit Gardens. We believe this upgrade will benefit both the Citizens and the City and we greatly appreciate Mr. Sutton’s time and energy into this project.” Officer Terry McFadden was recognized by the Mayor, who stated, “On June 24, 2025, City Administrator Monte Walk-
Photo Credit: Karla McDonald er reported to me that Officer McFadden discovered a major leak on Hwy 5; this leak was off the road and into the trees. Officer McFadden potentially saved the City of Howe a large financial burden through his vigilance and quick action to report the water break. Additionally, on July 1, 2025, Chief Jake Sullivan reported to me that he received a positive review from one of our citizens, regarding Officer McFadden. Citizens and the City of Howe
benefited by Officer McFadden’s vigilance and quick action to stop criminal trespassing from an illegal dumper at Glenbrook Apartments. The Citizen reported they have been battling this problem for years to no avail and Officer McFadden’s efforts to resolve these issues has positively affected citizens living in this apartment complex. Furthermore, the citizen expressed Officer McFadden’s behavior as being professional and having a courteous de (Continued on Page 6)
County Commissioner Josh Marr Explains Taxes and Plans for the Future Ashley Husbands For this article we sat down with Grayson County Commissioner Josh Marr to discuss how taxes in the County work and ideas for lowering property taxes that the County is considering. This is an informative article and is comprised entirely of direct quotes from Josh Marr after he was asked to explain generally how taxes work, common misconceptions, and plans for the future in Grayson County. “The property tax, right
now, is the only tax money that comes in to provide all the services to the County. The County is not here to make a profit off the taxes that you pay, they’re here to take your tax dollars, turn around to services being- whether it’s at the jail to hold criminals instead of letting all the criminals run loose around the County. Yes, there’s a lot of small misdemeanor stuff that goes on, where they just get let back out when they are not being a hazard to society- just had a bad day, bad night, etc. Mental health is on the increase. Also, indigent
defense- some people who get in trouble don’t have the money to pay for a lawyer, every taxpayer pays for that lawyer to represent that person, by the Constitution. If someone dies and does not have a family or know who their relatives are, they are cremated and buried and the taxpayers pay for that. Everything that comes through the courts, the judges, the detention officers who run the jail, the Sherriff and the Deputies who go on patrol, the health department, dog catchers, county clerks, district clerks, the
treasurer, the auditors, the number on there, whatevdevelopment services etc. er your property value is all of these services need to with the tax rate on thatbe paid and it all comes you obtain that and so from your property tax. you are writing a check to The County has a property Grayson County Tax Aptax of .31 percent, so 31 praiser. A lot of people cents plus a little bit per believe all this money is $100 valuation. Citizens going to the County, but it are paying that amount is not, the County is only after any exemptions they getting 31 cents out of may have such as a home- every $100 valuation of stead exemption, ag exwhat you are writing. A emptions etc. I think one of standard if you live in a the biggest misconceptions city, it is usually the counwith property taxes- you ty college is the lowest, get a postcard in the mail then the County, the City every year from the Gray- and then the school disson County Tax Assessor trict. If you don’t live in Collector, which is one of the city, you could live in the departments you pay a watershed, like Choc for. You just see a final (Continued on Page 7)