The San Saba County Commissioners Court met Monday, February 8th at 9 a.m. in the County Judge’s Chambers. Judge Byron Theodosis welcomed everyone and acknowledged citizen Harold Yates attending the session. Roger McGehee gave the invocation followed by everyone joining for the pledges to the American and Texas flags.

Mr. Yates looked over the agenda and acknowledged that he supported the San Saba County Historical Society’s formation to be a nonprofit Corporation. He also supports the need for an ESD (Emergency Services District), and commented on the fine work of the Commissioners Court. He was in attendance to observe and be informed.

There was discussion regarding additional work hours for employees which has caused the Sheriff’s Dept. to be over the budgeted amount in that area. Other extra expenses have been implemented due to necessary enforcement changes, a major facelift has been done at the jail in order to pass state inspection, an increase in patrol arrests, traffic enforcement, prisoner housing expenses out of county and in county, travel expense for prisoners to out of county jails.

The Sheriff distributed a three page report that listed changes since January 1, 2009. The report includes seven items that the Sheriff’s Department plans to implement that will be budget cuts and new necessary programs, equipment, supplies and procedures. Included in the report was the fact that 2008 convictions totaled 91, and the total for 2009 was 165.

County Attorney Tim Inman has been working on County Court cases but the District Court cases have a backlog. Attorney Inman pointed out that there is a misunderstanding of the bail bond. The bail bond's purpose is NOT to put someone in jail because they did something wrong; the bail bond is issued in order to guarantee that the person charged in a crime will appear in court. Inman also mentioned that the San Saba County Jail cannot house female inmates and certain procedures need to be followed in transporting them out of the County to a different facility. Judge Theodosis made comments about the Sheriff’s report and the County Attorney’s comments and stated that they both are doing a fine job and worked well together.

Action was taken on the following items:

1. Minutes of the previous Court meeting were approved.

2. Approved County Clerk, Kim Wells, report.

3. Approved the Justice of the Peace report. Judge Les Dawson reported that his office will be implementing credit card payments.

The following non-action Departmental reports were received: County Judge; County Extension Agents; County Indigent Health Care Program Director; County Grant Writer; County EMS; County Emergency Management Coordinator; County 9-1-1 Coordinator and Trapper Report.

The Commissioners received the annual Racial Profiling Report (2009) from the Sheriff’s Dept. with comments from Chief Deputy Bill Price.

The following items were discussed and action taken:

A. A Conservation Contract in Precinct 2 was approved.

B. Approved the document regarding formation of San Saba County Historical Society, Inc. as a Nonprofit Corporation.

C. Approved a Line Item Transfer to purchase a DVD & Recorder for the Justice of the Peace Office for not more than $500. This item will be a help in court and can be used by law enforcement.

D. Judge Dawson explained the request of Texas Ranger Steve Boyd for a Vehicle Grill Guard. This was approved as a Budget Ammendment from the Public Safety Account.

E. The paperwork and necessary signatures are complete for the Commissioners to approve the Revised Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for CountyJail Functions between Llano County and San Saba County.

F. The Accounts Payables were approved to be paid by County Treasurer Gayla Hawkins.

With the wonderful rain that has come to San Saba County, there was no need to discuss a burn ban.

A presentation by Melissa Mims, Executive Director of the DOVE Project, will be on the next agenda.

From a list of 20 county residents, a group of eight will be asked to serve on a committee to obtain information regarding an ESD - Emergency Services District - and help with discussion at the Public meeting on February 16th at 6:00 p.m., third floor, courthouse.

The next Commissioners Court date was discussed and will be announced at a later date after checking schedules. Judge Theodosis adjourned the meeting.

Those in attendance were: County Judge, Byron Theodosis; Commissioners Roger McGehee, Kenley Kroll, Rickey Lusty, Otis Judkins; County Clerk, Kim Wells; County Treasurer, Gayla Hawkins; County Coordinator, Marsha Hardy; County Sheriff, Allen Brown; Judge Les Dawson; Jail Administrator, Brenda Willis; Chief Deputy, Bill Price; County Attorney, Tim Inman; Harold Yates and Alice Smith, San Saba News & Star Reporter.