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The Lavaca County Courthouse, Courthouse Annex, Tax Assessor-Collector and Agrilife Extension Office will be closed on Thursday, December 24, 2020 and Friday, December 25, 2020, in observance of Christmas. 
LavacaTX
  • LAVACA COUNTY COVID-19 REPORT -

    *Please note that case counts are subject to change at the time of forwarding. 

    **Arrows next to active case number reflect case counts trending upward, downward, or no-change from the previous report.
    Executive Order GA-29:

    At this time, Lavaca County does not meet the requirements to be exempt from the face-covering requirement of GA-29. In order to be exempt, Lavaca County must have 30 or fewer new COVID-19 cases during the previous 14-day period.

    Executive Order GA-32 


    On October 8, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-32 to reopen certain venues to 75% capacity and allow resumption of elective surgeries in certain counties. Counties that reside in Trauma Service Areas (TSAs) with high COVID-19 hospitalizations are excluded from these reopenings.

    Per the GA-32, areas with high hospitalizations means any Trauma Service Area that has had seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity exceeds 15 percent, until such time as the Trauma Service Area has seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity is 15 percent or less.

    A county within a TSA that has high hospitalizations may still reopen up to 75% if the county meets attestation parameters established under GA-32.

    GA-32 took effect on October 14, 2020.

    Above, these are the COVID-19 Total Cases for Lavaca and Surrounding Counties. 

    Lavaca County Emergency Management utilizes DSHS Public Health Region 8 for the Lavaca County daily COVID-19 Update. The data in this report is reported by DSHS, and may differ than what is reported locally.

    The intention of sharing the above graphic is to share where we are overall in comparison, to our neighboring counties in the overall total of COVID-19 Cases. 

    Please note that case counts are subject to change at the time of forwarding. 

    OPEN TEXAS (https://open.texas.gov/) - 

    Lavaca County Businesses may increase capacity up to 75% of occupancy for any business that is approved to open at 50%. 

    TABC has granted approval to Bars (51% red license holders) in Lavaca County per the GA-32 opt-in status, to open Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at 50% occupancy.

    Additional information for TABC License Holders may be found here: 
    https://www.tabc.texas.gov/coronavirus/

    Minimum Recommended Health Protocols 

    In accordance with Governor Abbott’s Executive Orders, the following are the minimum recommended health protocols for Texas. Review the categories to help you identify the most applicable protocol here:
    https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/opentexas.aspx

     

    Covid-19 Resources -

    Visit the Testing Sites Map online for testing locations near you.
    https://txdps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8bf7c6a436a64bfe9a5ce25be580e4ff

    View the Governor's Executive Orders issued:
    https://lrl.texas.gov/legeLeaders/governors/displayDocs.cfm?govdoctypeID=5&governorID=45

    Websites to help Texans during the COVID-19 Pandemic:

    The Governor’s Report to Open Texas.
    https://open.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/OpenTexas-Report.pdf

    Texas Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Page.
    https://www.texas.gov/covid19/

    The Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas and a list of guidelines, openings, and relevant dates.
    https://open.texas.gov/

    Texas Health and Human Services Family Violence Program.
    https://hhs.texas.gov/services/safety/family-violence-program

    Texas Health and Human Services Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
    https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-informationtexans/pandemic-ebt-p-ebt-due-covid-19

    Texas Health and Human Services Mental Health and Substance Use Resources.
    https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-substance-useresources

    One Star Foundation, Texas COVID Relief Fund.
    http://onestarfoundation.org/txcovidfund/

    Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Help for Texans.
    https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/texans.htm

    Essential Services.
    https://tdem.texas.gov/essentialservices/

    Help essential workers in Texas locate child care and support child care centers.
    https://frontlinechildcare.texas.gov/

    Special WIC Food Updates.
    https://texaswic.org/about-wic/special-wic-food-updates

    Comfort Food Care Packages (CFCP).
    https://www.txrestaurant.org/news/comfort-food-carepackages-feed-youth-and-families-need-and-stay-open

    Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
    https://www.cms.gov/

    Texas Health and Human Services.
    https://hhs.texas.gov/

    Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid.
    https://www.YourTexasBenefits.com

    To apply for unemployment benefits or to request payment
    https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services


    Why the huge jump in numbers?

    On September 21, 2020,  Lavaca County will show an additional number of COVID-19 cases. Of those, most are older cases identified by state health department staff through laboratory test reports in Texas Health Trace, the state’s COVID-19 case management system. Most of those older cases occurred in June and had not previously been reported to public health by health care providers. That did not cause a delay in notifying individuals of their test results.

    • Region 8 has identified a large number of electronically reported files in the Texas Health Trace system that will be added to the daily case count reports.  Some of these reports have been delayed due to issues with electronic reporting systems that have been identified and corrected by DSHS. 

    • Region 8 has reviewed the data in order to report accurate case counts. These cases have been reviewed to make sure that they are classified correctly, they are included the appropriate county’s case counts, and duplicate reports have been removed.

    • These cases have received public health follow-up through the Texas Health Trace system.  The majority of these cases are no longer considered active, meaning they are no longer thought to be able to spread COVID-19.

    Why arent y'all reporting the same thing as the State Dashboard?

    Lavaca County Data is obtained from DSHS Public Health Region 8, and there is a discrepancy between DSHS PHR 8, and the Texas DSHS Dashboard. Here's why:

    The Texas DSHS Dashboard is now reporting COVID-19 related fatalities numbers based on death certificate data where COVID-19 is listed as the cause of death. Previously, they were reporting these numbers based on the reports received directly from local and regional health departments.

    This change in reporting results in a discrepancy between the number of fatalities on the DSHS Dashboard and the number from DSHS PHR 8.

    DSHS switching to COVID-19 fatalities data using death certificate data does not change how a health department (regional or local) investigates or determines the case classification for a COVID-19 associated death.

    DSHS PHR 8, case investigations include obtaining Lab Reports, Medical Records, etc to confirm the individuals in question, who have passed away cause of death can, for certain, be attributed to COVID-19.

    Therefore, LCEM will report the info vetted by DSHS Public Health Region 8, as submitted, and relied upon to make sure you have the most accurate information relevant to and for Lavaca County.

    Again, numbers on the statewide dashboard, are based on death certificate data where COVID-19 is listed as the cause of death, however, DSHS PHR 8, will continue to do their case investigations, to verify that each death reported, can be attributed to COVID-19. Once investigations are completed, the information from DHSH PHR 8, will be reflected in the LCEM Covid-19 Report.

    COVID-19 Resources -

    https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
    https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/opentexas.aspx
    COVID-19 questions from the public can be directed to Email: coronavirus@dshs.texas.gov
    Phone 2-1-1 Option 6. 2-1-1 is open to the public 24/7 to answer questions about COVID-19 symptoms, and related resources are online at http://www.211.org/services/covid19. There are two additional ways to connect: people can text “211Help” to 484848, or visit www.211texas.org to webchat with a Community Resource Specialist.

    COVID-19 Testing Sites -

    Need a test? Follow these steps
    Visit: covidtest.tdem.texas.gov
    Site search: Enter your zip code
    Select: Locate the nearest test site and follow directions to register.

    Registration for mobile testing sites is now available at https://Texas.curativeinc.com/welcome. For walk-up sites, registration can be completed on-site. For more information on additional test sites statewide, visit https://txcovidtest.org.

    Slow the Spread -

    Since March 13, 2020, the messaging from Lavaca County Emergency Management remains the same. We need your help to stop the spread of this virus within Lavaca County therefore, it is imperative that we continue to do the following:
    • Wear a cloth face covering (over the nose and mouth)
    • Practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
    • If soap and water are not available, use a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    • Stay home when you are sick.
    • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
    • Stay at home and stop the spread of coronavirus

  • NOTICE ABOUT 2020 TAX RATES

    Property Tax Rates in County of Lavaca

    This notice concerns the 2020 property tax rates for County of Lavaca. This notice provides information about two tax rates used in adopting the current tax year's tax rate. The no-new-revenue tax rate would impose the same amount of taxes as last year if you compare properties taxed in both years. In most cases, the voter-approval tax rate is the highest tax rate a taxing unit can adopt without holding an election. In each case, these rates are calculated by dividing the total amount of taxes by the current taxable value with adjustments as required by state law. The rates are given per $100 of property value.

    This year's no-new-revenue tax rate:                                                                                             $0.6016

    This year's total voter-approval tax rate:                                                                                      $0.6115

    To see the full calculations please visit https://www.co.lavaca.tx.us/page/lavaca.County.Assessor.Collector for a copy of the Tax Rate Calculation Worksheets.

     

    Unencumbered Fund Balances

     

    The following estimated balances will be left in the taxing unit's accounts at the end of the fiscal year. These balances are not encumbered by corresponding debt obligation.

    Type of Fund                                                                                                               Balance
    General Fund (M&O)                                                                                                   11,741,397
    0

    Current Year Debt Service

    The following amounts are for long-term debts that are secured by property taxes. These amounts will be paid from upcoming property tax revenues (or additional sales tax revenues, if applicable).

    Description of Debt           Principal or Contract                      Interest to be Paid from  Other Amounts to be        Total 
    Payment to be Paid from      Property Taxes Paid from Property Taxes Paid Payment
    Property Taxes

     

     

    Total required for 2020 debt service                                                                                                   0
    -Amount (if any) paid from funds listed in unencumbered funds                                                          0
    -Amount (if any) paid from other resources
    -Excess collections last year                                                                                                                 1.267
    =Total to be paid from taxes in 2020                                                                                                    -1.267
    + Amount added in anticipation that the taxing unit will collect only
    100.00% of its taxes in 2020
    =Total debt levy                                                                                                                               -1,267

     

    This notice contains a summary of the no-new-revenue and voter-approval calculations as certified by Deborah A. Sevcik, Tax Assessor-Collector on August 03, 2020.

There is no Burn Ban for Lavaca County at this time.  Please notify dispatch at 361-798-2121 before burning. View the order lifting restrictions on outdoor burning here.
There are No County Road Closures at this time.
Visit the TxDOT Project Tracker to view current and future state highway projects.