The Yoakum County Commissioners Court met in regular session on Monday where once again the Denver City Community Building took center stage.
At the last meeting Commissioners were presented with five bids for the construction of the new Community Building. These bids ranged from a high bid of $2,862,970 from Butler Construction of Lubbock to the lowest bid of $2,030,000 that came from WR Construction, also of Lubbock. The other bids were for $2,387,980, $2,230,000, and $2,113,000.
After some additional discussions the Commissioners awarded the bid to WR Construction at a total price of $2,044,700. Rick Alexander of WR Construction was on hand to answer any additional questions from the Court.
Alexander informed the Commissioners the estimated time from the beginning to the end would be 300 days. He went on to say that after subcontractors had been contacted the work should begin in three to four weeks.
After the motion was made to approve the low bid the vote was 3-1 to approve WR Construction with Precinct #3 Ty Earl Powell casting the lone vote against the construction. Commissioner Woody Lindsey was not in attendance.
“I’m sticking to my guns and voting against this proposal,” Powell said. “I want to make it clear I have nothing against the new Community building or anything against WR Construction, I just feel like with the state of our local economy I don’t feel like the timing is right.”
Oxy Petroleum had previously presented a check of $1 million to Precinct #3 Commissioner Ray Marion that will be used toward the construction of the new facility.
In other business addressed on the agenda the Court acknowledged the receipt of unclaimed property capital credits from the state comptroller. This total was $2,791.23.
Tax Assessor/Collector Jan Parrish was also in attendance where she presented the certified appraisal roll. According to Parrish the total taxable certified values for Yoakum County is $1,759,259, 722 with 72,353 accounts. For the Yoakum County FC & LR the total taxable value is $1,755,732,953 with 72,353 accounts.
The Court also acknowledged receipt of the 2016 Tax Year Certified Collection Rate from Parrish which she estimated should be 100%.
The Court also acknowledged memorials for Lela Warren from Aaron and Karen Wilson and also from David Hager.
County Treasurer Barbara Wright also requested $945.92 in funds to cover the salary of a part/full time employee after Frances Seymour retires. Her request was unanimously approved.
Sheriff Don Corzine was also present seeking approving the deputations of Jason Fann, Peace Officer, and Irma Perez-Sowell as a Peace Officer Communications and Corrections Officer for the Yoakum County Sheriff’s office. This motion was also unanimously approved.
Corzine also informed the court he has elevated Sheriff-elect David Bryant to be the chief deputy following the retirement of Jerry Howard. County Judge Jim Barron said this promotion would be on next weeks’ agenda.
Also on the agenda was to discuss Veterans Service Office resumes. Judge Barron noted there were 10 applicants for the position. Precinct #4 Commissioner Tim Addison informed the court he would like an additional week to review the applicants and made a motion to table this item. It was unanimously approved.
There was no disposal of county equipment request, no line-item transfers, and no Soil Conservation request.
In auditing and settling all accounts against the County the Court approved to pay $27,202.48 from the General Fund, $865.92 from Precinct #1, $132.49 from Precinct #2, $27,825.20 from Precinct #3, $8,097.28 from Precinct #4, $29.99 to the Justice Court, $9,281.00 to Juvenile Probation/TJPCA, $575.55 to the Law Library, and $2,842.74 to the Landfill for a grand total of $76,852.65.
In medically related items $69,872.23 was paid to the hospital fund, $8,964.78 to West Texas Medical Center, $2,417.18 to the Plains Clinic, $284.85 to the Plains Life Style for a grand total of hospital bills of $81,539.04.
Other medically related bills included $6,094.20 to the Dialysis Center, and $3,956.73 to Dispro for an overall total of $91,589.97 of medically related bills.
Commissioners Ray Marion, Ty Earl Powell, and Tim Addison along County Judge Jim Barron were all in attendance. Commissioner Woody Lindsey was once again serving on the Grand Jury.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, August 8 at 10 am in the County Courthouse.
