Jefferson County Commissioners Court members said they need more information before they can decide on issuing a blanket permit for placing Federal Emergency Management Agency RVs in areas below base flood elevation.

The resolution before the commission was to approve issuing a blanket permit for placement was tabled.

County Judge Jeff Branick said there have been no delays with the county’s Environmental Control department issuing the permits. The delay is with FEMA wanting more information from property owners.

Ronda Conlin, director of Environmental Control, said there are two issues with permitting. One is property owners aren’t completing their information fully.

Another issue is with homes, such as two single-family residences, sharing one septic system, which is out of compliance with state rules.

“I think we’re processing quickly enough,” she said. “I don’t think we need blanketing permits.”

She said the office issued 263 renovation permits; 10 mobile home permits are just now arriving and 65 permits are waiting on FEMA.

Brent Weaver, Precinct 2 commissioner, said FEMA inspectors missed a large portion of his precinct while canvassing there and his office is trying to figure out which properties were missed.

He added that he appreciates the work being done by the county’s engineering department and Environmental Control.

“Harvey hit Aug. 29 and it’s now Christmas. We shouldn’t have to wait any longer,” Weaver said.

In other county business, the commissioners received and filed an order levying taxes for the Port of Port Arthur Navigation District for improvement bonds.

The Port authorized the issuance of the bonds not to exceed $60.15 million after voters approved it in an election a year ago.

Branick said this is Phase II of the bond project and it will be used for infrastructure improvements, such as improvements to the docks.

The commissioners also received and filed an amended tax abatement agreement between Jefferson County and Golden Pass LNG for three liquefied natural gas. LNG trains are used to turn the gas to liquids for safe transport.

Both parties originally entered into a tax abatement agreement on June 22, 2015 to abate some property taxes on a new plant facility to be constructed in Sabine Pass.

Circumstances beyond the owner’s control due to waiting on permits from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Tropical Storm Harvey delayed construction, which might cause Golden Pass to lose the intended benefits under the original agreement.

The new agreement for Train 1 reads: The term of the abatement schedule, shall be 100 percent per year beginning Jan. 1, 2020 and terminate on Dec. 31, 2029, unless sooner terminated pursuant to other provisions of this agreement. Should the owner not begin the construction of the project by Dec. 31, 2019, this agreement shall be null and void.

Likewise, the agreement for Train 2 shall begin on Jan. 1, 2021 and terminate on Dec. 31, 2030. The agreement will be null and void if construction does not begin by Dec. 31, 2020.

The agreement for Train 3 shall begin on shall begin on Jan. 1, 2022 and terminate on Dec. 31, 2031. The agreement will be null and void if construction does not begin by Dec. 31, 2021.

The commission approved Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southeast Texas to use property at the Jack Brooks Regional Airport for a Santa Fun Run 5K charity event to raise money for programs that help neglected and abused children.

Check-in is from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Dec. 16. The Fun Run is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the celebration is from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

There is no registration fee. To register or sponsor a participant go to http://wizathon.com/casafunrun.

For more information, contact Bonnie Spotts at 409-832-2272 or bspotts@casasetx.org.