A new contract for IT services for fire, EMS and law enforcement was approved Monday, April 24 after an internal position was eliminated from the 2023 budget.
County Judge Brandon Huckabee explained the internal IT position had been open for more than two years without finding the right qualified candidate to work with the county.
“We simply never found the right fit,” Huckabee said.
The court moved to defund and eliminate the additional IT personnel from the 2023 budget, at about $57,000 including benefits.
The court approved the $45,000 IT contract with SLG, who has worked in Erath County before.
“I think we try it and see how it works,” Commissioner Dee Stephens said.
Another contract was approved for Civil Clerk for an additional module of software the county already utilizes. The new module, at a cost of $9,846 for the first year, allows more efficient management of the court’s agendas and backup packets to make pulling up supporting documents easier for the public.
“It’s more user-friendly and includes links for each agenda item,” Huckabee explained.
The court received good news from County Auditor Kent Reeves who presented the quarterly investment report. He explained due in part to higher interest rates, by the end of the fiscal year, the county should earn $1.5 million or more from investments.
The county earned $772,000 from October 2022 through March 2023 and has two more quarters to go, so the county should see $450,000 – $500,000 each quarter for around $1,000,000 more this fiscal year ending September.
“All investments are approved in advance by this court,” Reeves said. “It’s a good picture.”
“We have really diversified our investments this year and put them into securities which provide even better safekeeping,” Reeves said.
The court moved through several agenda items with Subdivision Coordinator Jason Gardner.
A variance and preliminary plat for the Palomino Run Subdivision on County Road 428 was approved. A variance was requested because there was not a way to get a 200 foot required frontage with the culde- sac, Gardner explained.
“There is no way around this,” he said.
AvarianceforWAHProperties on County Road 407 was approved. The variance was requested because the plans have cul-de-sacs that extend more than 600 feet, which is in violation with the subdivision ordinance.
“They have no other options. There are septic tanks and lateral lines,” Gardner explained.
Sheriff Matt Coates received approval on a couple of different items related to the sheriff’s office.
He requested to be able to receive a generator from the Government Surplus Program.
“It’s free of charge. We just have to pick it up,” he said.
Huckabee expressed thanks to the sheriff and his office for looking at ways to save money.
“It’s your office going out looking at ways to help pay for this and I appreciate it,” he said.
The generator is to be used for dispatch.
A grant resolution for body armor was also approved by the court.
The court also approved paid quarantine leave for peace officers, detention officers and EMT’s per House Bill 2073.
The house bill states that if any of the county’s peace officers, detention officers and EMT’s get COVID through work, and it is verified through workman’s comp, the county is responsible for housing, medical and transportation, if needed.
The court approved two forms to be utilized with this at the request of human resources and payroll associate Becky Keith.
“So this is another unfunded mandate?” Stephens asked.
Huckabee explained that it was, however, it is set to expire in June.
County Tax Assessor-Collector Jennifer Carey received approval to hire a new temporary employee to aid with sorting and moving files in preparation of the office’s move to the new annex.
Carey explained the position would only last about eight weeks or so and could be reimbursed through Chapter 19 funds.
In other business the county: ■ filed 2023 ACA reporting and tracking services
■ zero valued a shredder at the County EMS building
■ approved a parking lot contract with 101 Studios for the filming of Bass Reeves. (The studio will pay the county $1,500 a week for two weeks for the use of the parking lot.)
■ approved the purchase of a used pothole truck for precinct 3
■ moved to seek fuel bids for the budget year 2024
■ moved to put out a request for proposal for health insurance for budget year 2024
■ approved budget adjustments
■ approved invoices and payments
■ approved a bridge bid of $29,000 to J Mills Contracting for bridge and roadway widening on CR 179. The money is coming from the precinct three road and bridge fund.