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The Fayette County Record
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Published 9 months ago
Last updated 9 months ago
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Round Top Courthouse Again the Center of A Dispute

By Andy Behlen

The dispute over the Round Top Precinct Courthouse cropped up again at the Round Top Town Council meeting last Thursday, Aug. 21.

On the agenda for that meeting was a resolution to set rental rates for the building, which the Town refers to as the Round Top Town Hall.

“This is not about renting the square, this is just about renting this building,” said Mayor Judith Vincent.

Vincent proposed three rate schedules: a standard rate of $150 for a half-day or $300 for a full day, a “limited” rate of $100 for a half-day or $200 for a full day for Round Top residents, businesses and certain local civic organizations, and a government rate of $0 for governmental or quasigovernmental organizations such as LCRA and the local electrical cooperatives.

The local organizations subject to the “limited” rate are the Cummins Creek Wildlife Management Association, North Central Fayette County Wildlife Management Coop, RT-C ISD Parent’s Club, Round Top Area Chamber of Commerce, Round Top Area Historical Society, Round Top Cannoneer’Corps, Round Top Do Your Duty Club, Round Top Family Library, Round Top Festival Institute, Round Top International Film Festival, Round Top Texas Lions Club, Round Top Rifle Association and the Round Top – Warrenton Volunteer Fire Department.

“For those groups that are truly Round Top nonprofits, I just can’t see them paying $100 to have a normal meeting,” said Alderman Melody Nagel. “I know its related to cost. You have to clean, there’s A/C, and electric. If you’re having it for seven hours, I can see you’d spend about $100. I just feel like that’s a little high. I’d like to go lower than that.”

Vincent said she believes the rates are reasonable. She said some renters have overloaded the circuits, and the Town has had to hire an electrician to work on the building.

“There has been damage to the property from organizations who use the property,” Vincent said. “Not intentional damage. Accidents happen. Things happen from wear and tear.”

At that point, an audience

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