The Erath County Sheriff’s Department will offi cially start a new outreach program for students after approval by the Erath County Commissioners Court Monday, Oct. 26. ‘Pizza with Patrol’ was unanimously approved (Commissioner Dee Stephens was absent from the meeting) after information was presented by ECSO Sgt. Rosye Holland. All schools in Erath County were invited to participate, and so far, Three Way, Lingleville, Morgan Mill and Bluffdale have accepted to participate in the program.
Sgt. Holland explained that schools would nominate students for the program, and they would get to have a pizza lunch with deputies.
It would also afford the deputies to have age specific conversations regarding drug abuse, vaping, personal safety and social media.
“I think this is a great program and idea,” County Judge Brandon Huckabee said.
The program will be held at one school every six weeks, and each student selected will also receive a prize.
A budget of $2,476.63 was given including pizza, prizes, drinks and utensils for the pizza events. The program was not part of the budget approved for ECSO this year.
“As low cost as this is, surely we can find this somewhere,” Sheriff Matt Coates said.
The program was approved and funded after confirming with Auditor Kent Reeves it would not be an issue.
Commissioners tabled another public safety item after receiving information from Erath Fire/Rescue Fire Chief Dallas Sims about the possibility of the purchase of a new rescue truck.
Over the past couple of years Erath Fire/Rescue and the county have been in discussions to purchase a new rescue truck, but build out on new trucks can take a couple of years before the county takes possession of the apparatus, so the money was placed into contingency if a truck became available.
A couple of years ago, Erath Fire/Rescue was able to purchase a new engine that was already built so the county gave them approval to purchase the apparatus.
Sims told the court they were hopeful to get potential contracts in line before the start of the new budget cycle, but that did not happen which is why the item was being discussed during the Oct. 26 meeting.
Out of three possible contracts, Sims said they recommended the most inexpensive option— a Rosenbauer Commercial Rescue truck for $781,238. Other options included an SVI medium rescue for $1,018,057 and a freightliner for $799,000.
The Rosenbauer truck has a 700 day turn around from contract to delivery, with no money due up front, Sims said.
“This would not come out of this year, it would have to come out of next year,” Sims said. “I don’t know how that works but I wanted to lay out the timeline.”
Commissioner Sherman Edwards asked Sims what the state was of the department’s current rescue truck, and the fire chief explained it was functional, met their needs for today, but it was also a 2006 truck that is maxed out on capacity and weight.
“We are not able to add or increase our capabilities, so purchasing this truck would allow us to continue to grow with the county,” Sims said.
Commissioner Albert Ray asked if they had spoke to any additional companies other than the three presented, and Sims stated they had done research online.
“These were the ones that had good records and were able to supply the equipment we were looking for,” he said. The company they are recommending is on buyboard.
“I’ve done a lot of research since I first heard of this, and there are numerous other companies that build rescue trucks,” Ray said. “From what I’m seeing the three you picked are probably the highest cost built trucks.”
Sims explained they tried to research the best option for growth over the next 20 years since more wrecks and technical rescues would happen as population increases. Currently, Erath Fire/Rescue has two trucks specifically for rescue with additional gear on a structural firefighting truck until a new rescue truck is purchased.
Commissioner Edwards asked Sims how they would be able to put more weight on the new truck since the current one is maxed out.
“I think the truck you have is probably the largest truck you can purchase for a rescue truck,” Edwards said. “So, you really won’t be able to gain anymore weight capacity by getting this new truck.”
Sims explained the new truck would be longer, a heavy-duty truck instead of medium-duty truck and would also not have large water capabilities which would mean an additional weight capacity for needed water capacity.
Additional apparatus that the county owns, or mutual aid from other department, with water would then be needed on severe wrecks.
Huckabee stated he wasn’t sure how they moved forward on this particular item simply because each contract was different in regards to prepayment, partial payment or needing a purchase order.
Sims stated for the one they were recommending there was no money upfront, other than some of the loose equipment they would need should be purchased because of anticipated cost changes. They simply needed a purchase order.
Huckabee also asked if the current rescue truck could be cycled or sold to another department.
Sims stated it could be, and multiple county departments already have some of their former apparatus.
“If it’s a 2006 it got 20 years of use. If we order a new one it’s going to be two years before we get another one. If we could place the current truck and if it’s still good and operational out to help grow everyone’s departments, it makes sense,” Huckabee said.
The auditor said they needed to figure out how to encumber funds two years from now as well as the legal part of it. The item was tabled.
The court also approved a Proclamation for Operation Green Light for Veterans in conjunction with County Veteran Services Officer Josh Smith.
Operation Green Light encourages the public to place a green light in their business or residential window Nov. 4-11 to show support for them as well as a message of gratitude, solidarity and hope.
The court also approved amendments to the 287(g) service agreement between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ICE and Erath County Sheriff’s Office.
The adjustments to the contract include a new form that must be filled out and a written records management plan before the county can receive associated funds. The new contract was reviewed and approved by the county attorney.
In public comment, Heather Anderson, Jake Bakken and Troy Moore spoke out about the county utilizing Flock cameras. Ted Green spoke in support of the county continuing to use Flock cameras. Debra Davenal voiced concerns about the county’s ICE agreement.