COMMISSIONERS’ COURT
SPECIAL MEETING
04.24.2017
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COMMISSIONERS’ COURT
SPECIAL MEETING
APRIL 24, 2017
The Titus County Commissioners’ Court, after notice
posted in the manner, form and contents as required by law, met in Special
Meeting on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in the Titus County Courtroom,
Room 205, located at 100 West 1st Street with the following members
present:
Brian P. Lee - County Judge
Al Riddle - Commissioner Precinct 1
Mike Fields - Commissioner Precinct 2
Dana Applewhite - Commissioner
Precinct 3
Jimmy Parker - Commissioner
Precinct 4
Joan Newman - County
Clerk
Sheryl Preddy - County
Treasurer
Tim Ingram - County Sheriff
Carl Johnson - County Auditor
PUBLIC ATTENDING
Larry McRae Craig Eudy
Danny Beard Janice R. Chism
Judy Kent Roger W. Ledbetter
Sue Evenwell Tim Dale
Mike Ahrens Justin Hargrove
Lanny Shultice Isabelle Smith
Sharon Hargrove Bascom Hargrove
Nigel Christopher Jill Tucker
Royce Camp Clint Bain
Jerry Clark Wesley McCollum
Christie Davis Carolyn Norman
Joyce Simpson
INVOCATION: Judge Brian Lee
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Judge Brian Lee
1. PUBLIC
COMMENTS AND/OR REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 551.042, TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS
There were none.
2. CONSIDER
AND POSSIBLY APPROVE MINUTES FROM APRIL 10, 2017 REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS’ COURT
Motion was made by Commissioner Parker and seconded by
Commissioner Applewhite to approve minutes from April 10, 2017 regular meeting
of the Commissioners’ Court. Motion
passed unanimously.
3. CONSIDER
AND POSSIBLY APPROVE MINUTES FROM APRIL 18, 2017 WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE
COMMISSIONERS’ COURT WITH THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEFS
Motion was made by Commissioner Fields and seconded by
Commissioner Parker to approve minutes from April 18, 2017 workshop meeting of
the Commissioners’ Court with the Volunteer Fire Chiefs. Motion passed unanimously.
4. UPDATE
FROM ROGER LEDBETTER, COUNTY ROAD ENGINEER
Roger Ledbetter apprised the Court that he is
beginning to get organized. He has moved
Philip Hoffman to the position of office manager. All fuel tanks have been eliminated and fuel
is to be purchased from Jackson Oil Company.
The county will no longer be giving away reclaimed asphalt to those that
live in the county. We are going to
start making our own material and will use Commissioner Fields’ yard as the
mixing area.
Due to the age of the equipment, there are issues
getting parts and most have to be fabricated.
One piece of equipment is from France and the hydraulic hose has to be
shipped from France. All of this means
longer down time. Some of the equipment is unsafe to operate. These issues need to be resolved. Mr. Ledbetter is working to create a better
preventive maintenance program. He is
not sure how the money is earmarked, if it is for material only or if it can be
used for equipment also. He wants to set
up a time to meet with the Commissioners and go over the equipment that is
needed.
5. CONSIDER
AND POSSIBLY APPROVE SUBDIVISION PLAN FOR THE EXPANSION OF SANDLIN RANCH NO. 2,
CR 2720 – PR 2724, PRECINCT 2 (COMMISSIONER FIELDS)
Commissioner Fields stated that the roads meet minimum
standards and that this is an expansion of a previously approved subdivision by
adding additional lots.
Motion was made by Commissioner Fields and seconded by
Commissioner Parker to approve subdivision plan for the expansion of Sandlin
Ranch No 2, CR 2720 – PR 2724, Precinct 2.
Motion passed unanimously. (SEE
ATTACHMENT 01)
6. DISCUSS
AND POSSIBLY TAKE ACTION ON FIRE PROTECTION OPTIONS FOR THE COUNTY
Both Commissioner Riddle and Commissioner Fields are
against increasing county taxpayers costs by more than a million dollars over a
five year period for fire protection as requested by the city. Commissioner Fields presented the Court with
an alternate proposal along with the history of Mt. Pleasant and Titus County
fire departments. (SEE
ATTACHMENT 02) Both Commissioner Riddle and Fields are in favor of
continuing the contract with the city but do not feel that it is economical for
the county to continue at the level the city is proposing.
Commissioner Applewhite feels that the county needs
the city’s help and thinks that we should reduce the proposal to four (4) men
for a start.
Commissioner Parker stated that as a volunteer firefighter,
he knows that we need to continue to work with the city. Over the next five (5) years, we need to work
toward having six (6) fire fighters on the ground at a cost of
$720,000.00.
Mount Pleasant Fire Chief McRae told the Court that operationally,
the city needs four fire fighters at each station on each eight hour shift in
order for them to send four fire fighters and a shift supervisor on duty to
respond to county calls. A minimum of
four fire fighters have to remain in the city in case they receive a call. That will still depend on the number of
volunteers and their equipment.
Comments were also heard from Volunteer Fire Chief
Jerry Clark and Wesley McCollum who encouraged the Court to work with the city
and to make a five or 10 year contract so that the volunteer fire fighters
could have a plan.
Motion was made by Commissioner Riddle and seconded by
Judge Lee to amend the contract with the city to add $180,000.00 annually to
total contract price and add three (3) additional fire fighters with no further
adjustment to contract. Motion failed with
Commissioner Fields, Commissioner Parker and Judge Lee voting nay.
Motion was made by Commissioner Parker and seconded by
Judge Lee to fund three (3) fire fighters immediately at a cost of $180,000.00
and add three (3) additional fire fighters next year for a total of six (6) at
a cost of $180,000.00 and amend the contract with the city that they will
supply a minimum guarantee of five (5) people total. Motion passed three to two with Commissioner
Riddle and Commissioner Applewhite voting nay.
7. CONSIDER
AND POSSIBLY APPROVE BOND FOR COUNTY ROAD ENGINEER, ROGER LEDBETTER
Motion was made by Commissioner
Fields and seconded by Commissioner Applewhite to approve a $20,000.00 bond for
County Road Engineer, Roger Ledbetter.
Motion passed unanimously. (SEE
ATTACHMENT 03)
8. CONSIDER
AND POSSIBLY APPROVE THE ADDITION OF A ONE TON SPLIT AIR CONDITIONER TO THE
RIDDLE STREET BUILDING FOR COOLING OF THE SERVER ROOM TO BE PAID FOR BY
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
Motion was made by Commissioner Parker and seconded by
Commissioner Fields to approve the addition of a one ton split air conditioner
to the Riddle Street building for cooling of the server room to be paid for by Workforce
Solutions. Motion passed unanimously.
9. CONSIDER
AND POSSIBLY APPROVE WAIVING THE FEE TO THE COUNTY PARK FOR BOY SCOUTS FROM
OMAHA AND NAPLES ON MAY 13, 2017 (COMMISSIONER FIELDS)
Motion was made by Commissioner Fields and seconded by
Commissioner Applewhite to approve waiving the fee to the County Park for Boy
Scouts from Omaha and Naples on May 13, 2017.
Motion passed unanimously.
Judge Lee told the Commissioners to be considering
what they wanted to do with the County Park as it was coming up at the next
Commissioners’ Court meeting since Luminant cannot find anyone to work at the
park.
10. CONSIDER
AND POSSIBLY APPROVE TRAVEL AND SEMINARS FOR TITUS COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND ELECTED
OFFICIALS
Motion was made by Commissioner Riddle and seconded by
Commissioner Fields to approve travel and seminars for Titus County employees
and elected officials. Motion passed
unanimously. (SEE
ATTACHMENT 04)
11. APPROVE
ORAL AND WRITTEN REPORTS OF COUNTY OFFICIALS
Motion was made by Commissioner Parker and seconded by
Commissioner Applewhite to approve oral and written reports of county officials. Motion passed unanimously. (SEE
ATTACHMENT 05)
12. CONSIDER
AND POSSIBLY APPROVE TREASURER’S REPORT
Motion was made by Commissioner Parker and seconded by
Commissioner Applewhite to approve treasurer’s report. Motion passed unanimously. (SEE
ATTACHMENT 06)
13. APPROVE
BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Motion was made by Commissioner Fields and seconded by
Commissioner Riddle to approve budget amendments #14 through 22. Motion passed unanimously. (SEE
ATTACHMENT 07)
14. SIGN PAY
ORDERS AND APPROVE PAYMENTS
Motion was made by Commissioner Parker and seconded by
Commissioner Applewhite to sign pay orders and approve payments. Motion passed unanimously. (SEE
ATTACHMENT 08)
15. CLOSING
COMMENTS BY COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, IF ANY
Christie Davis reminded the Court that there would be
a TAC (Texas Association of Counties) meeting on job descriptions from 9:00
a.m. to 11:30 a.m. next Thursday, May 4th. It is a requirement by FMLA that each
department have a job description on their employees.
Judge Lee thanked everyone for their comments
regarding fire protection and hopes that the city will work with us on the
proposal that was approved today. He
will keep the Court posted on the outcome.
Judge Lee read a thank you from Jill Tucker
acknowledging condolence on the death of her husband.
ADJOURN:
Motion was made at 10:50 a.m. to adjourn by Commissioner Fields and seconded by Commissioner Applewhite. Motion passed unanimously.