Erath County Commissioners Court worked its way through a packed agenda Tuesday, Oct. 15, working on financial items and accepting donations for the county.
Commissioners unanimously approved accepting a $3,500 donation from Scott and Carol Dismukes for the base construction for the Alamo Letter plaque.
County Judge Brandon Huckabee explained that the Dismukes are the individuals that approached the county to begin the Alamo Letter plaque, which will be placed outside the courthouse.
“It’s a very neat project and they have graciously asked to make a donation to cover the base,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful for their help with this project.”
After bids, Huckabee said they did not expect it to exceed $3,500 and the county will get the work done and hand the Dismukes the bill, so they would know exactly how much it cost.
Commissioner Dee Stephens also told them thank you for the help in the project and the donation. A round of applause was given at the meeting in appreciation of the donation.
Huckabee said when the plaque is completed there will be a big unveiling and celebration when it is done.
The Alamo Letter Project includes a plaque with the famous letter written by the Alamo commander Colonel William B. Travis on February 28, 1836, and is seeking to place this letter at all counties throughout the state in a monument aimed to educate current and future Texans about the armed struggle at the Battle of the Alamo.
Plaques have already been placed on courthouse properties in Rockwall (Rockwall is the county seat), Ellis (Waxahachie), Hood (Granbury), Van Zandt (Canton), Nueces (Corpus Christi), and Reeves (Pecos) counties.
A $1,500 donation was also given to the county by a solar farm company Invenery. The company has been presenting donations throughout the country to use in law enforcement items. The donation will be used by the Erath County Sheriff’s Office and Jail. There is no obligation from the county to Invenery.
More discussion regarding law enforcement took place with County Auditor Kent Reeves explaining how the cost of Civic Plus Public Information Request software should be moved into a non-departmental budget.
Reeves said the software allows 10 users to have profiles with the account, so other offices could utilize the software to track public information requests.
The county auditor explained that it would be housed at the judge’s office and utilized by others that need it. Since the software is already a budgeted item, commissioners simply approved moving the expense allocation away from the sheriff’s office.
Discussion regarding SB22 for rural law enforcement, attornies and district attorney, the $350,000 given to Erath County for use in law enforcement also occurred.
Reeves explained the Sheriff’s Office had been using the $350,000 for payroll, however, typically capital expenditures would be more easier to track than payroll.
Due to changes in new personnel, the county is not getting to use these funds to its potential.
“Most likely we will have to send money back this year because of timing,” Huckabee said.
Reeves suggested doing a budget adjustment reallocating moving the $350,000 into capital expenditures from payroll in the General Fund, and making adjustments in the grant fund.
“This makes it easier for us to keep it compliant in the grant fund,”Reeves clarified in a phone inteview.
“It’s a net zero proposal,” he said at the meeting. “It’s a lot easier and cleaner for the sheriff’s office.”
Huckabee explained that SB22 has been a moving target for many throughout the state with fact sheets changing about once a month.
“I appreciate the time spent on this,” he said.
The court also approved an agreement with Jet Dental to come into the county for a one-time dental day.
Human Resources Manager Becky Keith explained as long as 15 services (not individuals) signed up, there was no cost to the county, and they accepted the county’s insurance.
Only simple procedures such as teeth cleaning and whitening would be completed, however, if someone needed a more advanced procedure a referral to a dentist that would accept the county’s insurance could be made.
“It’s a mobile popup service for individuals who can’t get to dentist,” she explained. “It’s a one-time service right now. If we like it, we can do it again next year.”
“It sounds like a good thing as long as we meet the 15 services. Please make sure all our employees know,” Huckabee said.
The court also set its dates for commissioners court in 2025. Court will be held at 9 a.m. the second and fourth Monday, unless a holiday falls on that Monday, and it will be moved to Tuesday at 9 a.m.
In other business the court:
■ approved the monthly departmental reports for August
■ approved the Holiday Calendar for 2025
■ approved a budgeted copier lease contract between Kirbo’s and the land development office
■ approved agreements with Erath County and volunteer fire departments throughout the county
■ approved allowing precinct 1 to shred the fence line for Erath County Appraisal District office
■ receive and file SAVNS grant agreement received and file the Rural Law Enforcement Salary Assistance program grant agreement
■ filed the Fiscal Year 2025 Texas Indigent Defense Commission formula grant resolution
■ received the treasurers report for September 2024
■ received county-wide invoices to pay the bills.
■ approved the job description for Payroll Clerk approved a proclamation for Bluff Dale Baptist Church in honor of their 150th birthday