The San Saba County Commissioners Court met at 9 a.m. on Monday, January 11th in the County Judge’s Chambers. Judge Byron Theodosis welcomed everyone, mentioning that there were no concerned citizens with issues for the meeting. Commissioner Roger McGehee gave the invocation followed by everyone joining for the pledges to the American and Texas flags.

Sheriff Allen Brown gave the following report:

a. Will be transporting prisoners that have been housed outside the County to San Saba County Court this week.

b. The new Dispatch Office is completed and that office will be closed for approximately 8 hours at 7a.m. Friday Jan. 15th to connect equipment.

c. In the process of learning new system and procedures for COG.

d. Funds of $5,000 is needed for security and equipment at Dispatch Office.

e. Trash dumping in country on private property is illegal and person/persons will be prosecuted.

f. Working on 2009 statistics.

g. Gave information of a machine that will weigh, and print the proper postage for mailing that might be a solution to their mailing problem. The Sheriff and County Treasurer Gayla Hawkins will discuss this further and get more information.

Johnny Shahan, San Saba Volunteer Fire Department, gave information regarding retiring an older truck and buying a newer truck. Gayla Hawkins verified that the amount needed was in their account and the Court acknowledged the information.

Representatives of the San Saba County EMS explained the petition to create an Emergency Service District (ESD). President, Darrel Spinks, gave a review of the declining number of volunteers that provide Emergency Medical Services to the county. At the present time, several volunteers have to do "double duty" because there are not enough trained volunteers. State regulations need to be complied to that is putting the EMS at risk because of limited service. They have given this information to groups, newspaper articles, and special events and feel the problem is getting worse instead of better. After careful consideration and discussion, the EMS has over 100 verified signatures for the petition to order a hearing and then a public vote in order to create an Emergency Service District (ESD). An ESD would provide a paid primary staff that would supplement the volunteers and also upgrade the services in this area to a high and better qualified level. The ESD will require a vote by the people of San Saba County. The petition will be a 10 cents per $100 property evaluation ($100,000.00 property value would be $100; $75,000.00 value would be $75).

EMS Director, Wymond Kraft and Charlie Peeler helped provide information and support for the petition. After some discussion, the Commissioners approved setting a public hearing date on Tuesday, February 16th at 6 p.m. in the County Court room for the Emergency Service District by the San Saba County EMS.

A committee will be selected to gather facts, statistics, information and concerns.

The Commissioners took Action on the following:

1. The minutes of the previous Commissioners Court was approved.

2. The Sheriff’s Jail records were checked by Kenley Kroll and Chief Deputy Bill Price noted increased arrests and a very large number of backlog cases for the District Court. The report was approved.

3. The Accounts payables were approved.

4. County Clerk Kim Wells’ report was approved.

Departmental Reports were submitted by: County Extension Agents; County Indigent Health Care Program Director; County Grant Writer; County EMS Billing; County Emergency Management Coordinator; County On-Site Sewage Facility Management Coordinator; County 9-1-1 Coordinator; and County Trapper.

Approval was given to use the Conservation Block Grant in the amount of $40,303.00 for Replacement of a section of the Courthouse Roof. The Commissioners approved the lease between San Saba County and the San Saba County Central Appraisal District for property located at 423 East Wallace Street.

Kim Wells recorded the names that were appointed to the 2010 Salary Grievance Committee and the Commissioners approved the selection.

Gayla Hawkins presented the annual examination report of current payroll including names and hours worked.

Two items were tabled for additional information and papers. The next Commissioners Court will be Monday, January 25th at 9 a.m. Rickey Lusty mentioned the Junior Stock Show being held this week and Marsha Hardy announced a Free H1N1 Vaccination Clinic to be held at the Civic Center on January 26th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Those attending the meeting were: County Judge Byron Theodosis, Commissioners Roger McGehee, Kenley Kroll, Rickey Lusty and Otis Judkins; County Clerk Kim Wells, County Treasurer Gayla Hawkins, County Coordinator Marsha Hardy, County Sheriff Allen Brown, San Saba County EMS representatives Darrel Spinks, Wymond Kraft and Charlie Peeler; Chief Deputy Bill Price, and San Saba News & Star Reporter Alice Smith.