Hi there,
I started PolkTX to make it easier to follow what’s happening in Polk County, Texas, and why it matters. Here you’ll find local stories, useful updates, and a closer look at the people and decisions shaping our community.
This is the first PolkTX Insider. It comes every other Sunday, and every item links to the full record.
🗳️ ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOV. 3
Polls are open 7 AM–7 PM at any of 12 countywide vote centers. Bring a photo ID. Vote centers and the sample ballot: polktx.com/elections
🏛️ THE COUNTY IS SPENDING $8.3 MILLION OF ITS SAVINGS
On Oct. 27, Commissioners Court approved an $8,285,883 plan to draw on General Fund reserves: $1.3 million to house inmates out of county, Sheriff’s Office and jail projects, $900,000 for restoration projects, and $1.1–1.4 million for each of the four Road & Bridge precincts.
What it means for you: the county started this budget year with about $20.6 million in reserves, and staff say it stays above the Court’s 35% safety target after this. Only half of the road money was approved for now. The other half may come back in January, after the new county judge takes office. Each contract still returns to the Court before it’s paid.
Also on Oct. 27:
- Grant: $135,406.80 in Homeland Security money for mobile fingerprint devices and a Sheriff’s Office drone.
- RV parks: county rules now cover parks with 3 or more RVs (it was 2).
- Schedule: the Nov. 24 meeting moves to Nov. 20.
From Oct. 13:
- Jail doors: $291,332.76 to replace the jail’s door control system, paid from surplus.
- Flock cameras: $45,000 approved from surplus, held until Flock’s grace period ends. The whole story on the county’s license plate cameras: polktx.com/alpr
- Subdivision rules: a proposal would require 100 ft of road frontage per new lot. Public hearing Friday, Nov. 20, 10 AM. If you own land you may split, this one’s for you.
- Tabled: two dispatch radio upgrades (about $684K together), waiting on quotes.
Both recaps (from the county’s recordings; written minutes aren’t posted yet): polktx.com/meetings/polk-county-commissioners-court/recaps
🔥 BURN BAN EXTENDED 30 DAYS
The county order signed Oct. 30 runs through about Nov. 29. Onalaska and Corrigan have their own bans too.
What it means for you: no brush piles or trash burning. Cooking on an enclosed, above-ground grill in a cleared area is still OK. Breaking a county burn ban is a Class C misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $500. Livingston bans outdoor burning inside city limits year-round, rain or not.
Current status for each town: polktx.com/burn-ban
📍 POLK PICK: THE NASKILA RESORT RISING IN LEGGETT
The biggest construction project in the county is on US 59 in Leggett. The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe broke ground in June on the Naskila Casino Resort: 685,000 square feet on 95 acres. Phase 1, a gaming floor, restaurants, a food hall and about 35,000 sq ft of event space, is set for late 2028. A 366-room hotel and pool come later, on a schedule the tribe hasn’t set. The tribe hasn’t released a cost. The temporary casino stays open on the same site meanwhile.
More: polktx.com/whats-coming
🏗️ WHAT’S COMING
- McAlister’s Deli, Livingston: listed as “Coming Soon” on the chain’s website. No opening date yet.
- The Oyster Mar y Tierra, 930 US 59 Loop N, Livingston: a $350,500 renovation turning the building into a restaurant. Its state liquor license has been active since July, and it’s hiring now. Already applied? Its Facebook page says to come in for an open interview today, Sunday, Nov. 1, 11 AM–7 PM, no need to wait for a call: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587418199610 No opening date has been announced.
Everything being built: polktx.com/whats-coming
📅 NOVEMBER
- Nov. 2: Food Truck Monday
- Nov. 5: Diva Night
- Nov. 7: Warrior Wrestling, “Where Worlds Collide,” American Legion Post 312, 6 PM. Veterans get in free with ID.
- Nov. 11: Livingston Junior High Veterans Day ceremony, 3 PM, for veterans and LJH families. Pre-registration is requested.
- Nov. 14: Livingston Trade Days and the Lake Livingston Farmer’s Market Trail
- Nov. 20: Pink Friday and Main Street Sip & Shop
- Nov. 21: Forever Nevermore book launch, reading and dinner
Thanksgiving meals and Veterans Day: polktx.com/thanksgiving · All events: polktx.com/events
❓ ONE QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE OF?
Tap one. Your click is your vote, and it takes you to that section.
- County decisions and meetings: polktx.com/meetings
- Things to do: polktx.com/events
- New businesses and construction: polktx.com/whats-coming
Results in the next issue.
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— Walter, PolkTX