More COVID-19 closings, cancellations

It goes on.

Or, to be more accurate, it doesn’t go on.

More Rockdale, and Milam County organizations, entities and offices have altered their schedules due to the COVID-19 situation.

Those include the court system, the Milam Appraisal District (AD), Milam County Tax Office and Rockdale’s Earth Day activities.

In fact, a good rule of thumb to go by is if you haven’t heard an update on something scheduled during the month of April, it has probably been canceled or postponed.

(Exception: The Central Texas Food Bank distribution in Rockdale set for April 16 will still be held in the KC Hall parking lot under the guidelines listed in the story above.)

EARTH DAY—With high school students making up a key portion of Earth Day volunteer activities—and schools closed until at least the first week in May—the April 22 Earth Day event will now “take new forms throughout the year,” according to Dave Melton, organizer.

“Committee members are strategizing how to promote and find participants with the community for certain activities,” he said.

One idea already proposed is for “quarantine teams,” families or small groups which could take on projects and share video or photos on Facebook.

“Our hope is that initiatives such as ‘Movies at the Kay’ can take place later in the year,” he added.

COURTS—COVID-19 has already affected the justice system, but plans are in the works to have some action during the month.

Prosecutor Bill Torrey told The Reporter that the March grand jury session was canceled but, as of now, the April 16 session will go ahead with some changes.

“We usually hold in the jury deliberation room but we’re going to hold this one in the 20th District Courtroom so everyone can spread out,” he said.

Torrey said to the extent there are court deadlines involved, such as Child Protective Services cases, which normally must be concluded in 18 months, Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered during the current emergency time frame, deadlines will be extended, tolled, until 30 days after the cessation of the emergency period.

Rockdale Municipal Court Judge Jerry Waggoner said procedures in his court are being moved to a later date.

“We are not holding court, but we are answering the phone and emails and are processing the regular mail,” Waggoner said.

TAX OFFICE—Tax Collector Sherry Mueck said, until further notice, tax offices in Rockdale (One-Stop Center) and Cameron are closed.

“Staff will be on hand at the Cameron location to answer phones (254-697-7000) and process mail Tuesdays and Thursdays only, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. She said all mail will be held in quarantine for up to 48 hours before being processed.

Taxes may be paid online at www.milamcounty.net or www.milamad.org, or by phone. You may pay by phone Tuesdays or Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The tax office won’t process vehicle registrations or title transfers.

For those whose vehicle registration expires in April, the governor has issued a waiver from the requirement allowing vehicle owners to take no action until the emergency period has passed.

Then they will have 60 days to get the vehicle inspected and complete the registration process.

However, those who have already obtained passing vehicle inspection may choose instead to go online and complete vehicle registration renewal at https://renew.txdmv.gov/.

APPRAISAL DISTRICT—Milam Appraisal District (AD) Chief Appraiser Dyann White said while the AD has closed its doors, office staffers continue to answer phones, fax emails and other correspondence from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.

White said she has grant ed a 30-day extension for business personal property exemptions with the new deadline now May 15.

A rendition form is available on the AD website www. milamad.org, under the “forms” tab.

She said there are currently no waivers or extensions pertaining to this year’s ad valorem tax year. “We must continue with appraisals as required by law,” she said.

For questions call the AD at 254-697-6638, fax 254- 697-8059 or email dwhite@ milamad.org.