Myriad items were tackled at the Tuesday, Nov. 12 Erath County Commissioners Court, including an increase in EMS pay for stand-by events.
Emergency Services Director Cary Jackson explained that stand-by events, like football games, are getting increasingly hard to fill with EMS/Paramedics.
Jackson recommended a $100 stipend plus the employee’s hourly wage for part-time employees and a $75 stipend plus their hourly wage for full-time employees. This increase is to incentivize employees to take more of the stand-by events.
“We raised the fees in the budget and it should cover it. This way we don’t have to depend on the duty crew to cover it,” Jackson explained.
The court unanimously approved the increases.
A discussion was held about upgrading the Estray Pens located at the Facilities Maintenance Shop.
The pens are used to hold stray livestock until owners can be located.
Lieutenant David Southerland said he had received a bid, just to see where they were at, and it was much higher than expected.
Currently, the department uses land from Commissioner Dee Stephens, which typically is not a problem, unless he is using it for his own livestock.
“It’s not a problem to use it, but like the other day I had heifers in there,” Stephens said.
Judge Brandon Huckabee said this was one reason a long term facilities plan was needed.
Southerland was instructed to get a few more bids and report back to the court with those numbers.
The court also received bids for Sheriff Vehicle upfits. The bid was for six vehicles and bids were received from Texas Trucks in Dublin and Paradise Conversions in Stephenville.
After undoing the bids and analyzing them, the bid was awarded to Paradise Conversions.
Approval was given to Precinct 1 to go out for bids on a new 30 by 60 3-sided shed near the maintenance barn. Stephens explained the item was in the budget.
The court also approved precinct 1 to go out for bids for a 1-ton, 4 wheel drive, cabin chassis with a flat bed.
In other business the court: ■ received and filed the third quarter 2024
investment report
■ appointed the county judge as an investment officer
■ approved year-end 2024 budget adjustments
■ approved the 2025 investment policy
■ approved renewing the contract between the county and Southern Health Partners for inmate health
■ approved transferring Constable Precinct 1 Tahoe to the District Attorney Investigator vehicle
■ approved Precinct 2 being able to clear a fence row on CR 372
■ approved an interlocal agreement with Region 8 education service center
■ approved a 207(k) resolution
■ approved paying the bills
■ heard the Treasurer’s report for October 2024