In a short agenda, Erath County Commissioners Court tackled 16 items at the Monday, May 8 regular meeting.
Human Resources Director Becky Keith asked the court to approve a list of names on a handbook review committee.
The handbook, which governs the policies of Erath County employees, has not been updated in some time.
The following employees will be assisting with the project: Jeremy Woodruff, Sharlene Talamantes, Carrie Shawver, JoJo Perez, Kristie Montgomery, Becky Keith, Cary Jackson, Brad Fincher and Maria Carrizales.
“I really appreciate these volunteers,” County Judge Brandon Huckabee said.
The court also approved going out for bids on premixed asphalt and base material for the county.
Commissioner Dee Stephens explained that TxDOT was willing to sell the county a large amount of mixed material coming from the roadway on Highway 6 from Dublin to Hico that is having to be redone after less than 6 months of use.
Since the potential amount is more than $50,000, the county must go out for bids on the materials.
“This is a substantial savings for the county,” Stephens said.
“We are saving the county money at the state’s expense,” Huckabee said.
Court approval was also given on request by Precinct 2 Commissioner Albert Ray to clear rightof- way on County Road 370 for property owner Johan Koke to improve drainage and site distance on a curve.
“He said he would move his fence back if we would clear the brush in the right-of-way,” Ray said. “It’s a blind corner and this would help.”
Approval was also given to Ray to order a new Mack Truck Tractor from Brucker Truck Sales, a coop truck dealer.
Ray said after researching the difference between a used vehicle and a new one, there was not much of a difference in costs and with a new vehicle, warranties are included.
With the county’s preferred pricing, about $35,000 was knocked off the truck.
The money to purchase the truck was in the commissioner’s budget, he said.
A date for a public hearing for cancellations of lots 1-4 in Rio Verde Phase 1 was set for 9:15 a.m. June 12.
According to Subdivision Coordinator Jason Gardner, the lots are being moved to a different phase.
Buffalo Ridge Subdivision Phase III revision of lot 49A was approved.
Gardner said that the subdivision was approved under the old rules and there was simply an error in the survey for boundary lines.
“There is minimal impact – less than ¼ of an acre,” he said.
The preliminary plat for WAH development on County Road 407 was approved.
Ray expressed that the drive way needed to be moved back from parking spaces.
“I just think for safety reasons, it’s something to consider,” he said.
In other business the court: ■ approved the corrected contract with Civic Plus
■ approved a remote birth access agreement with the Texas Department of State Health Service for the County Clerk’s office for birth certificates online. The contract is approved every five years.
■ approved the April 2023 monthly treasurer’s report
■ approved paying the bills through invoices for regular and recurring payments
■ The next regularly scheduled commissioner’s court meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, May 22 at the Erath County Courthouse. Meetings are streamed on youtube.com - search for Erath County.