The Commissioners Court met in regular session on Monday, June 26, where they addressed their weekly agenda.
After each Commissioner looked through the bills and addressed any concerns they unanimously approved to audit and settle all accounts against the county and direct their payments. The county had total bills of $87,049.94 and hospital and medical bills that totaled $153,331.84.
Agrilife agent Bubba Lamolinare was not in attendance and his monthly report was tabled until the next meeting.
County insurance consultant Charlie Waits was in attendance to introduce Stephen Rainbolt of National Family Care Life. Waits said the county will using a different Cafeteria plan starting in November and National Family Care Life will be carrying the plan for the county. Rainbolt went over some of the new features for the new flex card, including being able to roll over any unused funds from the previous year. The new plan will have a maximum $2,600 contribution per year and it will be payroll deductible starting with the November payroll. Other “do’s and don’t” were also discussed. The new plan was unanimously approved by the Court.
Brad Woosley was also in attendance to discuss the affairs of with the Yoakum County Appraisal District. He informed the court that Chief Deputy JoAnn Dobson will be retiring at the end of the year and the board was in the process of looking for a new Chief Deputy. Woosley went on to say it usually takes about three years to get certified as a Chief Deputy. He said interviews had started for the handful of applicants, but said they are encouraging more applications. He also noted insurance premiums will be going up for the three people who are employed with the Appraisal District by $300 per employee. Woosley concluded by informing the Court they will be kept up to date on finding a new Chief Deputy.
Sheriff David Bryant addressed the Court asking their permission to purchase a new computer for his Plains office. He said his main computer had crashed and he needed another one that could handle the data base. Bryant said a new one would cost just over $1,900. The court unanimously approved his request.
A request to increase the fee for dumping trash at the County Landfill was approved. It was explained to the Court that there has been a problem with out of county people using the county dump to discard their refuse. County residents were being charged $20 per ton and out of county residents were being charged $30 per ton. To solve the problem of trying to distinguish between county and noncounty residents they would just have an across the board $30 per ton fee for everyone. The Commissioners unanimously approved the increase.
A bid of $1,501 from Macky McWhirter was also unanimously approved for Lot 1, Wilmeth Subdivision located on Section 428. This land is adjacent to the Precinct #3 barn on the Lovington highway. Precinct #3 Commissioner Tommy Box said this was land that was not being used. “And the best thing is that will get back on the tax roll,” Box said.
The Court also unanimously approved one road crossing permit for Walsh Petroleum in Precinct #3.
There were no line item transfers, one request from the library to disposal of a computer related item, and no Soil Conservation request.
Commissioner Ray Marion informed the Court the completion date on the new Denver City Community Building has been pushed back due to roof damage from the April hail storm. He also noted a new project manager was in place and construction was moving much faster.
Following the completion of all items the Commissioners had a work session concerning the new budget.
Commissioners Woody Lindsey, Ray Marion, Tommy Box, and Tim Addison along with County Judge Jim Barron were all in attendance.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, July 3, at 10 am in the County Courthouse.