Yoakum County Commissioners Court Meets Monday, January 16; Addresses several reports and agreements

by Eric

 

Several reports and agreements were heard and discussed during the Commissioners Court held on Monday, January 16.

Among those reports were to review the court minutes from July, August, September, and October. It was not an action item and all Commissioners along with Judge Jim Barron acknowledged they had reviewed the minutes.

In their next item the Court unanimously approved to audit and settle all accounts against the county and direct their payments. Total county bills were $508,118.35, which included $274,048.59 to WR Construction. Total hospital and medical bills were $221,812.72.

In the absence of Treasurer Barbara Wright, Yvonne Droogsma was in attendance to present the treasurer’s report. She reported a beginning December balance of $41,758,317.19 and an ending balance of $42,326,661.57.

Because of the computer system being down last week, the Court had tabled receipts from the County Clerk’s office. That report was heard and acknowledged during Monday’s session.

The Court also unanimously approved two bonds for County Tax Assessor/Collector Jan Parrish. Upon the approval from the court both bonds will then be forwarded to the Governor’s office by the County Clerk’s office.

Deputations for positions within the tax assessor/collectors office were also unanimously approved as well deputations for all the county sheriff’s deputies, reserve officers, and communication personnel.

Various Yoakum County Boards and Committees were also discussed. It was agreed to table appointments to the County Welfare and Hospital Boards until next week, but those appointed to the Historical Commission and Child Welfare board were unanimously approved. The two tabled appointments will be discussed at the meeting next week.

2016 Certificates of Completion of 20 hours of continuing education for County Clerk Debbie Rushing and District Clerk Sandra Roblez were also acknowledged by the Court.

Sheriff David Bryant was also present to seek approval on an inmate agreement with the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Department and Yoakum County Sheriff’s Department. Bryant noted this is an annual agreement with Lubbock County to house possible Yoakum County inmates should the need arise. The daily cost to Yoakum County is $65 per day per inmate.

Sheriff Bryant also took time to introduce his new Chief Deputy Raymond Weber who joined the Sheriff’s Department after January 1. Weber is a past Sheriff of Hockley County.

Robert Whitfield, of the Yoakum County Sheriff’s Department, was in attendance seeking a resolution authorizing the YCSO to apply for a grant for the purchase of body cameras for the seven deputies. He explained since Bryant or Weber would not be on regular daily stops or daily calls they would not need the body camera. The grant would be a 20% matching grant with a total cost of $3,388.

“Basically we are requesting the body cameras to cover areas that are not covered with our dash cameras,” Whitfield said. “When an officer gets out of his vehicle for a house search or other angles not covered by the dash camera the body camera, which will be attached to the front of an officer’s shirt, can pick up these areas. It can also hold the officer accountable for his actions while on duty.”

The Court unanimously approved his request.

A petition from Walsh Petroleum for a road crossing under County Road 301 and 305 was also unanimously approved. Both crossings will be bored under the County Roads. These roads are in Precinct #3.

Tracey Woodward of Shinnery Oaks was in attendance to give financial reports for the nursing home facility. She informed the Court her facility had total revenues in November of $334,866.57 with expense items that totaled approximately $90,000. She went on to say this compared to a negative $106,396 for the same period last year.

She attributed this progress to several adjustments and cut backs within the operational fees. She also noted the personnel turn around for last year was only 27% which had typically been 80% over previous years.

In wrapping up her presentation Woodward went over some anticipated expenses for 2017, which included repairs to the master air conditioning system and several individual room units. She also noted structural concrete issues and problems with the phone service.

After several questions from Commissioner Tim Addison the Court thanked Woodward for her report and noted their appreciation for the work she is doing at the nursing home.

There were no request for the disposal of county equipment, no line item transfers, and no Soil Conservation request.

Commissioner Ray Marion reported work was progressing on schedule at the new Denver City Community Building. The anticipated completion date is in July, 2017.

Commissioners Woody Lindsey, Ray Marion, Tommy Box, Tim Addison, and Judge Jim Barron were all in attendance.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 23, at 10 am.

 

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