COMMISSIONERS’ COURT

SPECIAL MEETING

04.24.2017

 

 

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ATTESTATION

 

 

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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.