Travis County Commissioners Court
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 (Agenda)
Item 1
>> number 1 1.
approve proclamation recognizing the retirement of nelda wells spears Travis County tax assessor/collector.
nelda, a reference was made for you trying to get into a retirement frame of mind.
>> [laughter] I told them that your lack of promptness anding punctuality today had nothing to do with retirement.
you were probably caught in traffic.
>> it was pretty bad.
>> congested somewhere.
>> it was pretty bad.
I am going with it.
>> [laughter]
>> thank you.
thank you.
>> [laughter]
>> let me read it.
it reads whereas throughout her entire career, nelda wells spearce demonstrated her leadership position allowed her the opportunity to serve the people in a special way.
whereas nelda is retiring from Travis County after over 25 years of faithful, forthright and dedicated service.
in 1987, nelda became chief deputy of the Travis County tax office, appointed to fill the unexpired term of the previous tax assessor, and we don't say that cecilia burke but we know that, and rerejected in 1990, 1992, 2000, 2004, 2008.
and and whereas her career of a tax assessor collector, she settled for nothing less than priority environment.
customer service, optal mall pick calresponsibility and greater employee education and training.
whereas under her great leadership the tax office collected property taxes for 107 jurisdictionses including city of Austin, Austin inner faith, Austin independent school district.
Austin community college, Travis County, and travis central health care district to name a few.
registered and collected fees for 836,000 vehicles and transferred 2,004 vehicle titles and served as Travis County's voter registrar and maintained voter records for 569,000 voters and we want the registered voters to use that today, right?
>> yes.
>> whereas in 2007, nelda's tax office was are recognized for best practice awards in customer service by the Texas association of counties and in technology by computer world.
whereas we have all greatly benefited from nelda's wisdom, experience, and hard work, are indebted to her for her outstanding service and wish to express our deep appreciation and gratitude and whereas nelda has demonstrated -- has decided to retire and spend more time with her loving family, become even more involved with church and community, and perhaps select a hobby or two that would encourage her to relax and smell the roses.
therefore be it resolved that we as members of the Travis County Commissioners court proclaim November 9, 2011, that is tomorrow, as nelda wells spears day in Travis County Texas and ask all residents in Travis County to join us as we show our appreciation for her outstanding work and dedicated service to Travis County and be it also resolved we extend best wishes to nelda for a restful and enjoyable retirement and success in all future endeavors.
and I move approval.
>> second.
>> ms. Spears.
>> I am happy to say I knew you before you became such a prominent elected official in Travis County.
I won't say how far back.
>> lease don't.
>> [laughter]
>> and I will say it to learn a few days ago, that I am actually a few years younger than you are.
>> yes, just a bit.
>> I always used you -- viewed you as sort of a mentor of mine.
>> [laughter]
>> thank you.
>> thanks or going along with that, too by the way.
>> okay.
>> thank you very much.
>> judge.
>> I would like to a that the relationship you and I have had, the things you have worked out with us, the promptness that we have sent you to respond to especially the folks out there that have to -- taxes.
it has been overwhelming and tremendous.
I am going to miss you, because that outreach that you have demonstrated, from your department is an outreach that really concerns about the taxpayers of Travis County.
it means a lot to them and of course it means a lot to us to know we have the kind of representative that you -- representation that you have demonstrated over the years of being involved with the community.
it does mean a lot to a lot of folks and I just want to let you know that, that the folks are going to miss you.
I know I am.
but of course.
>> I hope I am not going to pass away.
>> [laughter]
>> well, I tell you what, the judge said -- no, we are all going to pass away, now.
>> [laughter] but I am --
>> not soon, I hope.
>> let me say to you this, though, really.
thank you for your service.
I know you will stay busy doing a lot of different things but thank you for your service and hopefully we can continue in that same direction that you have kind of set forth for whoever takes your place in the future.
thank you very much for what you do.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
>> anybody else have a few comments to make?
let the other court members go first at bay.
>> I want to say thank you for your long service.
I am a little afraid that after you are no longer in this office, that you have become such an icon, when somebodial else sees this name as a stamp tax assessor, they will think it's a sham.
we will miss you.
thank you for your work.
>> and thank you so much for the public service you have given this community.
you have really opened the doors to understanding the tax process, along with your staff, to be very welcoming to folks who are not familiar with all of the little inner workings of taxes, and so thank you so much for doing that as well, for the entire community, and you deserve going off and doing some other things.
but thank you so much.
>> thank you.
>> yes,s thises the county auditor.
everybody probably knows that nelda's office is the one that collects all of the property taxes that we use, and when thing are going well, you don't know they are out there there.
but we audit that office and through nelda's term -- and I have been here a long time as well -- they have always done a very professional job.
have been sensitive to taxpayers, helping them pay but also making sure that the process is fair.
wonderful fiscal responsibility and that's the leadership of nelda and her people.
we are going to miss her dearly.
thank you.
>> and a totallal how much goes into that office?
>> several billion.
>> lots of money.
>> okay.
now some of your managers and colleagues have have come down today.
they may want to say a word or two.
as county judge, I waive nelda's prohibition against speaking in court on her -- since she is on her way out, we can take that liberty.
>> [laughter]
>> any comments?
is there a big going away party after hours between now and the end of the year?
>> I don't know.
>> I know there is a big celebration tomorrow at 11 street station.
>> eleven street station.
>> starting at 5:30.
the law keeps me from giving a real big valuable gift to you, nelda, so I will give you a pat on the back tomorrow.
I will check with the county attorney, just in case.
>> [laughter]
>> thank you.
>> all those in favor?
this passes by unanimous vote.
and nelda was as quiet when I met her years and years ago as she is today.
some people just never change.
>> quiet.
>> feel free to come down during citizen's communication.
>> [laughter]
>> [applause]
>> thank you.
>> should we come up front for a picture, or are you okay?
that's my judge.
>> good to see you.
>> do you want us to come front for a picture?
it may be worth something one day.
it may not be worth anything today.
>> [laughter]
>> [indiscernible]
>> [laughter]
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
