Commissioners Court Meets October 31; Hear Report from Yoakum County Agrilife Agent Bubba Lamolinare

by Eric

 

The Commissioners Court met in regular session on Monday, October 31, where they addressed their weekly agenda.

Michael Vaughn of Computer Transition Services, Inc., was in attendance to update the court on county computer related items. He first addressed the web security system in place for the county and strongly suggested changing to the Barracuda web security system. The total cost for the installation and license will be $6,000. A motion was made and unanimously approved to change the web security system.

Vaughn also talked to the Court concerning replacing the county server. He told the Commissioners the current server was okay and could take on more data, but next year it would need to be replaced. He strongly encouraged the Commissioners to upgrade the system this year in order to save anticipated additional cost with MicroSoft. A motion to upgrade the server was unanimously approved.

Zack Holbrooks with South Plains Health District was also in attendance to provide information on septic systems and increased fees starting January, 2017. Holbrooks informed the Court the old fees for residential septic tanks installation was $140 and for commercial the cost was $250. He said the new rates for everyone, residential and commercial, would be a flat fee of $350 effective January 1, 2017.

Yoakum County Agrilife Agent Bubba Lamolinare was also in attendance to give his monthly report. Since he was unable to attend a meeting in September his report included both September and October. His big project for September was the Watermelon Roundup. He informed the Commissioners that almost $4,000 was raised through the sale of watermelons at the Roundup and a gun raffle. These funds will be used to help pay entry fees for those 4H students in various events throughout the year.bubba

Lamolinare also told the Commissioners he was more involved in the Family and Consumer side of 4H. He said many of his members had entries in strawberry jams and salsa at the South Plains Fair and everyone received ribbons with several receiving 1st and 2nd place ribbons.

And in his last item he said he had been involved in an internet based Ag radio show. He noted the show is prerecorded and played at a later date. He also said he had purchased rabbits for some of his 4H students to show at the Yoakum County Stock Show in February.

A consultant and a demolition representative were at the meeting to discuss the demolition of the old Civic Center building in Denver City. After some discussions took place it was agreed to table this item until next week. The County and the City of Denver City have each put aside $500,000 in their current budget for this project. The two entities have joint ownership of the facility, which at one time served DCISD as an elementary school.

In the next item the Commissioners unanimously approved a 2017 Resolution for the Indigent Defense Grant Program. The Texas Indigent Defense Commission provides financial and technical support to counties to develop and maintain quality, cost-effective indigent defense systems that meet the needs of local communities and the requirements of the Constitution and state law.

The Court also unanimously approved renewal rates for retiree medical and prescription benefits. The new premiums have increased from $199 to $228.85.

Next on the agenda Commissioner Ray Marion read a letter of resignation from Yoakum County Hospital Board member Dennis Harrison. Mr. Harrison was appointed to this board back in 1993 and has served for 23 years.

“I would personally like to thank Dennis for his many years of dedicated service to the hospital board,” Marion said. County Judge Jim Barron added, “He definitely had the best attendance record. He was very dedicated to the hospital and has been instrumental in the growth of our hospital. I would like to echo Ray’s comments and thank Dennis for his service over the last 23 years.”

Immediately after accepting the letter of resignation the Court unanimously approved the appointment of Jim Brown to replace Harrison.

There were no request for the disposal of county equipment, four line item transfers, and one soil conservation request from Commissioner Ty Earl Powell for Stanley Ashburn on Section 400.

Commissioner Woody Lindsey and Commissioner Marion both stated work at the new Denver City Community Center has resumed. Marion said the architect and construction manager have met to discuss details on raising the pad at the site.

In auditing and settling all accounts against the County the court approved to pay all bills and direct their payments.

Commissioners Woody Lindsey, Ray Marion, Ty Earl Powell, and Tim Addison along with Judge Jim Barron were all in attendance.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, November 7, in the County Courthouse starting at 10 am.

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