Yoakum Co. Commissioners Court Met on Dec 31, New DA Investigator

by Eric

The Yoakum County Commissioners Court met on Monday, December 31, where they addressed their weekly agenda.

First, on the agenda, the Court moved to audit and settle all accounts against the County and direct their payments. After looking over the bills and addressing any concerns a motion was made and unanimously approved to pay County bills that totaled $200,963.51 and Medical facility bills that totaled $249,399.85. They also approved the payment of part-time salaries.

Moving into the agenda County Auditor Darinda McWhirter requested expenditures from the equipment line item for the purchase of a computer. Her request of $4,685.96 for the purchase of two computers was unanimously approved.

Robert Whitfield of the Sheriff’s department was also in attendance requesting expenditures from equipment line also for a computer. The Court unanimously approved up to $2,750 which would include the software for the computer as well as the computer. Commissioners also unanimously approved the recommendation of Whitfield to revisit and rescind housing agreement with Ector County for the housing of their inmates in the Yoakum County facility.

In the next two items, the Court unanimously approved awarding bids for the purchase of gravel, hot and cold mix, as well as the purchase of Unleaded and Diesel Fuel for all County Departments for the calendar year 2019.
Commissioners also unanimously approved Whitfield’s recommendation to change the speed limit of County Road 390 (Light Plant road) to 50 mph from State Highway 214 to County Road 325 (Crawford Road). This is the roadway from east Broadway extended east to CR 325.

The next three items dealt with items from CDA Bill Helwig. These included taking action for allocation of additional funds for payment of 2018 overrun for office operation, payment of final Soto trial expenses, including travel/meal cost that is more than 69 days, and authority to liquate and sell a white Suburban and a black Tahoe. Helwig also informed the Court his current investigator, Wes Moore, will be leaving his office to join the Denver City Police Department. He also noted he had hired a replacement, Lorenzo Mancilla, a Brownfield PD Sargent to be effective January 25, 2019.

And in his final request, Helwig said plans are in place for the disposal/use of a stage platform used in the Soto trial.

There two road crossing requests in Precinct #1, two computer related items to be disposed of, 32-line item request, and no Soil Conservation request.
Commissioners Woody Lindsey, Ray Marion, Tommy Box, and Tim Addison, as well as County Judge Jim Barron, were all in attendance. The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 7, starting at 10 am.

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