BEAUMONT — Tropical Storm Harvey disaster victims are getting a break from Jefferson County.

Allison Nathan Getz, tax assessor-collector, said it this is so important to her office, she put the announcement on tax statements. The announcement was made at the regular meeting of the Jefferson County Commissioners Court on Monday afternoon.

Getz announced the 2017 Jefferson County tax bills, according to their website. The tax office collects for 28 jurisdictions that include the county, cities, school districts and special districts located throughout Jefferson County.

The 2017 tax levy for all 28 jurisdictions is $536,126. There are 151,026 different accounts on the tax roll.

“Everyone is notified. They fill out a form with proof of damages. Just like taxpayers who are over age 65 or who are disabled,” she said. “It’s important Jefferson County shows we care about our citizens.”

In accordance with Section 31.032 of the Property Tax Code, taxpayers who sustained property damage as a result of a declared natural disaster may be eligible to split their property tax payments into four equal interest free installments, to be paid by Jan. 31, May 31 and July 31.

Getz said they accept payments at all of their offices in Beaumont, Port Arthur and Mid-County. Taxpayers may also mail their payments or use the website.

2017 taxes become delinquent on Feb. 1, 2018. All property owners are reminded that failure to receive a tax bill does not affect the accrual of taxes, penalty or interest.

The commissioners also approved a lease between the county and Beaumont Dream Center and Harbor House Foundation for the property at 3890 FM 3514, formerly known as the Al Price Juvenile Detention Center.

As previously reported, an organization that spoke with the Jefferson County Commissioners Court roughly a month before Tropical Storm Harvey.

Mike Conner, a spokesman with Beaumont Dream Center, spoke at a workshop before the regular meeting of commissioners court on Oct. 9. He last spoke to them in late July.

Plans are to develop the correctional facility that has been vacant for several years into a state of the art recovery center. The work will be done through their Los Angeles Dream Center.

Beaumont Dream Center is asking for free utilities for the first six months so they can develop systems. Currently, it cost the county $60,000 a year for utilities at Al Price. Utilities are $8,000 per month with the building empty. They are also asking for a 30-year lease.

The commissioners also approved an interlocal agreement with the Nederland Economic Development Corporations and a lease agreement for the construction of Judice’s Restaurant of the Airport Development Infrastructure Improvements. The restaurant will be houses in a development named The Landing at the Jack Brooks Regional Airport.

A professional service agreement with The LaBiche Architectural Group, Inc. for water infiltration investigation of the Jefferson County Health and Adult Probation Building was approved with an estimated cost of $10,685.

A prior test revealed leaking was the windows. The next test will see if the walls are also leaking.

Lastly, the commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with Bexar County to establish terms and conditions in which Jefferson County will provide detentions services for Bexar County at the downtown jail.