The Erath County Commissioners Court heard from two more financial advisors regarding supplemental opportunities for employee retirement.
Robert Cauthorn from ANCO investments presented about 457B investments. According to Cauthorn, they would hold a group meeting explaining about the investments and then one-on-one appointments would be available for those wanting to potentially invest.
There would be a one-time payment of $500 and an annual payment of $2,000 from the county to set up the fund and the individual participant would pay $45 plus 1.28%.
BMY Investments also presented information on 457B investments. With BMY, the county would pay a $750 startup fee and an annual cost of $1,500 a year. Individual participants would pay $4 a year and 1.38%.
A total of three presentations have been heard and County Judge Brandon Huckabee said he would be visiting with HR and the auditor’s office on their opinions.
“Then we will bring back and make a decision,” he said.
Subdivision coordinator Jason Gardner presented on a single item on a replat of two lots in Valley View Estates, Phase 2.
Gardner explained it was an unusual circumstance because the subdivision never happened for Phase 2.
“It was never finished and went back to the bank,” he said.
On one of the lots the individuals already have four tiny home rental properties that they are seeking to put into an LLC. On the other lot, they would potentially like to build a home for themselves.
“Number 5 on the same lot throws them into another category,” Gardner explained.
Unanimous approval was given by the court for the replat.
Two Requests for Qualifications were received for Design Build Contracting for the Joint Dispatch Center.
Huckabee opened the sealed bids at court and the two bidding packets by Oprex and McKinstry will be given to the Joint Dispatch Center board to review and bring back a recommendation, hopefully in January 2025.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Albert Ray asked the court’s approval for county staff to go on private property on CR 322 to clear out dead trees that keep falling in the roadway.
“We really need to do this countywide,” Commissioner Dee Stephens said. Stephens asked if there was some kind of blanket approval that could be given, with notice to property owners throughout the county. Huckabee said there would need to be a defined scope but he would speak to legal counsel to get their opinion on a wider scope.
The court gave approval to purchase a 1.128 acre portion of land for right-of-way for a bridge off CR 270.
“There is no record of us ever owning this property,” Stephens explained. The property was surveyed and appraised, and is being purchased for $9,350.
“It’s great that we are upgrading bridges,” Huckabee said, and added that it took work from the commissioners to do so, and he thanked them for their efforts.
A bunch of items from the Sheriff’s Office were also given zero value by the court in order to get rid of them.
“We have them stacked in neat piles if you guys want to come see them, but it’s trash,” Sheriff Matt Coates said.
The court also gave unanimous approval to accept a $1,500 donation from Invenergy (a wind energy company) for the sheriff’s office. Coates explained the company had given several donations to other agencies such as Lingleville VFD. Coates explained that the money would be used to purchase raincoats for the department.
Huckabee said there would be no regularly scheduled commissioners court on Monday since it was a holiday week, but there might be a special called meeting the first week of January due to county financial business.