A new medical clerk will be hired for the Erath County Jail after approval from the Commissioners Court Monday, June 26.
Danny Clayton with the Erath County Jail and Sheriff Matt Coates addressed the need for additional personnel at the meeting on an agenda item to amend the contract between the jail and Southern Health Partners.
Clayton explained that with an increase in mental health cases, nurses’ workloads were increasing dramatically.
“The mental health and need for medical isn’t going away anytime soon,” Clayton said.
The part-time medical clerk would assist in expediting paperwork which would free up time for the nurses.
“Those with mental health complications are definitely impacting our jail system,” County Judge Brandon Huckabee said.
The court clarified how much of a change this would be and it amounts to about $24,000 a year for 20 hours a week.
With the position being filled by Southern Health Partners, it is possible that the new employee might not be in place before the start of the new budget cycle which will begin in October.
The court unanimously approved the addition.
Thecourtalsounanimously approved allowing precincts to send employees to CDL training through Action CDL Express in Mineral Wells.
With CDL licensing becoming more difficult to pass the tests, Human Resources Director Becky Keith said it’s a way to keep their employees by providing training and education.
The training will cost $2,300 to $3,000 per employee – however the employees are responsible for the costs associated with taking the test however many times they have to take it to pass.
“We are hurting and it really is a statewide problem,” Keith said about getting CDL drivers.
Commissioner Dee Stephens informed the court that Precinct 1 had been able to secure 603 loads of good base material off of the Highway 6 redo project amounting to a significant savings – about $40,000. The county had previously gone through the bidding process as required for the materials.
Public comments
Alan Nix spoke in public comments telling the court about a new citizen’s collection station that is licensed through TCEQ and located at 750 N. Paddock Street in Stephenville.
The for-profit dump site is another avenue he said for citizens to get rid of household garbage and bulky items.
“We are hoping this will elevate some of the illegal dumping in the county and surrounding area,” he said.
The site accepts checks or cash only and the fees are as follows (for averages only, fees are based on load size): passenger car: $20, SUV: $20, pickup truck with a level bed $25, pickup truck above bed level $30, bulk item $20, a level utility trailer $40, above level utility trailer $50 and $20 for assistance unloading.
Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. They are closed Sunday and Monday.
Rick Baker again spoke to the commissioners court about the auditor’s job pursuant to local government code 115 which states: At least once each county fiscal year, or more often if the county auditor desires, the auditor shall, without advance notice, fully examine the accounts of all precinct, county and district officials. The auditor shall verify the correctness of the accounts and report the findings of the examination to the commissioners court of the county at its next term beginning after the date the audit is completed.
“The county auditor should also do a written report to the commissioners every month. That report gives them an update on what his department has done, what they have completed, where they are in the annual audits ... all of those things are pursuant to an open meetings act violation if he doesn’t and I will file that with the AG’s office. Have no doubt ... if he doesn’t start doing some of this stuff we are going to have more talks, OK?”
In other action the court: ■ adjusted the job descriptions for juvenile probation officer and elections clerk
■ amended authorized representatives for TexPool to change the signature card
■ designated the outside steps of the south side of the courthouse for all sales of real or personal property instead of the annex
■ approved budget adjustments
■ approved the regular and recurring payments for the county
■ approved the final plat for the residences at Rough Creek Lodge
■ Approved a corrected final plat (there was a typo) for the Legends of Comanche Moon Phase V
■ approved a replat for lots in Mountain Lakes Section Two for a couple wanting more land The court moved to closed session to discuss personnel, for the second time in the past month. No action was taken after reconvening in open session.