New to Polk County: Getting Settled

Electricity

Your provider depends on the address, not the town name. Ask the seller or landlord which one serves the meter.

• Livingston Municipal Electric System: Customers inside the Livingston city limits, and only there. 936-327-4311
• Sam Houston Electric Cooperative: Much of rural Polk County — the co-op's territory covers parts of ten counties. 936-327-5711
• Entergy Texas: Parts of Polk County outside both the city system and the co-op's territory. Entergy is also the wholesale supplier behind the Livingston city system, which does not make you an Entergy customer. 800-968-8243

Inside Livingston city limits, the city bills electricity, water, sewer and garbage together. Sign up at Livingston City Hall, 200 West Church Street.

Water, gas and internet

• Water: Fifty-four separate community water systems serve Polk County. That is not a mistake in the counting — it is what a county of lake subdivisions looks like. The provider’s name is on the seller’s water bill.
• Natural gas: Natural gas reaches seven places in Polk County and no further. Everywhere else is propane, which is a delivered fuel rather than a regulated utility and is not covered here.
• Internet: Coverage in this county changes street by street, so the honest answer is a lookup rather than a list. Check an address on the FCC National Broadband Map.

Full provider list: Utilities.

Trash

Polk County contracts Republic Services to run the county landfill and five citizens collection stations. The landfill takes anything a station will not; the stations are for household bags, near where you live, cash only.

Collection station locations and hours: Trash and Recycling. Inside some city limits and subdivisions, trash pickup comes with the water or city bill; ask the provider.

Driver license and vehicle

• Driver license: new residents must get a Texas license from the Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving to Texas. Offices are appointment only. Local office: Livingston Driver License Office, 1737 N Washington Avenue, Livingston, TX 77351, 936-327-6806. More: Driver license.
• Vehicle registration: you have 30 days after moving to Texas to register your vehicle. The vehicle must pass a Texas inspection first. Register with the Polk County Tax Assessor-Collector: 416 N. Washington Ave, Livingston; sub-offices in Corrigan and Onalaska. (936) 327-6801.

Voting

Register to vote at your new address at least 30 days before an election. Apply through VoteTexas.gov.

Upcoming elections and polling places: Elections.

Schools

Six school districts serve Polk County. Which one serves a home depends on the address; call the district to confirm before you buy or enroll.

Homestead exemption

If you own the home and live in it, apply for a residence homestead exemption with Polk Central Appraisal District. The form is Texas Comptroller Form 50-114. The general deadline is before May 1. Details: Property taxes, explained.

Getting settled checklist

• Electric service in my name
• Water service in my name
• Gas or propane set up
• Internet ordered
• Trash pickup or station plan
• Texas driver license (within 90 days)
• Vehicle inspected and registered (within 30 days)
• Registered to vote at my new address
• School enrollment done, if needed
• Homestead exemption filed