The Yoakum County Commissioners Court met in regular session on Monday, January 13, where they addressed their weekly agenda.
Several items were on the agenda including a decision to construct a new public swimming pool in Denver City to replace the current pool. This item had been discussed at previous meetings. Dave Beverage from Sunbelt Pools was present to show the Commissioners the plans for the new pool and to answer questions.
Some of the highlights of the new pool will be a zero entry at the shallow end, a new water slide, a high dive, and two climbing walls. The demolition of the old pool will start in four to six weeks and the completion date will not be until next fall. One question asked was why this time of starting in the spring instead of waiting until next fall so the pool could be used this summer. Commissioner Woody Lindsey said he felt like the pool had been put off too long and he was ready to get it done. Commissioner Ray Marion agreed.
The price for the construction will be $1.9 million.
Moving into the agenda and following the prayer by Commissioner Marion and the pledges to both the US and Texas flags the Commissioners 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 $77,358.80 and Medical facility bills that totaled $278,114.54. Also approved was the part time payroll and incentive pay to Andria Carter and Jonna Lindsey-Marion.
County Treasurer Darla Welch was in attendance to present her monthly report on the county funds. She reported the beginning balance for the month of December was 50,377,144.02 and the ending balance was $51,888,290.04.
Tax/Assessor Collector Jan Parrish reported her department had collected $1,691,016.96 during the month of December. Both reports were unanimously approved.
The Court also acknowledged completion of 55½ continuing education hours for Parrish.
Moving on in the agenda the Court acknowledged the receipt of monthly reports from the County Clerk, the District Clerk, Precinct #1 Justice of Peace, and the Sheriff’s department.
The Commissioners also set the holidays for 2020 and approved all full-time salaries as reflected in the budget.
They also approved part time salary maximum rates. Commissioner Tim Addison made a motion to increase the hourly rate for road hands from $15 per hour to $16 and Commissioner Tommy Box made a motion to increase the senior citizen bus driver from $11 per hour to $12 per hour. Both motions along with other hourly salaries were unanimously approved.
Commissioner Lindsey made a motion to make a position adjustment for one of his crew from Maintenance to Maintenance One which included a salary adjustment.
Still addressing salary adjustments, a motion was made and unanimously approved to pass an order placing all officers on Salary Basis for 2020.
A short discussion was held to discuss compensation for serving on the Grand Jury and the Petit Jury. Currently the rates are $15 for reporting, $40 for jury service, and $40 for jury service after the first day. A motion was made and unanimously approved to leave these rates the same.
Commissioners also unanimously approved a rate of .57½ per mile for out of county travel.
The Court unanimously acknowledged a 2019 Certificate of Completion of 20 hours of continuing education for District Clerk Sandra Roblez and County Clerk Summer Lovelace.
Moving on in the agenda the Court unanimously approved the deputation of Anais Verdugo as corrections/communications officer at the sheriff’s department.
The Court also unanimously approved several donations. These included a $1,000 donation from Ben Dyck to the Yoakum County Sheriff’s department; a $2,500 donation to the Plains Library for the summer reading program from the Yoakum County Connection Watermelon Roundup; and a $2,500 donation to the Cecil Bickley Library in Denver City for the summer reading program from the Yoakum County Connection Watermelon Roundup.
There were no road crossing permit applications, no request for the disposal of county equipment, no line item transfers, and one Soil Conservation request from Dwayne Canada in Sections 245 and 280 which are located in Precinct #3.
Commissioners Woody Lindsey, Ray Marion, Tommy Box, and Tim Addison along with Judge Jim Barron were all in attendance.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 20, starting at 10 am.
