Commissioners' Court meetings are open to the public, and all are invited to attend. At the beginning of their regular meetings, there is an opportunity for anyone to speak, Audience for Concerned Citizens for Public Comment. There is a five-minute limit per issue, without leave.
Do you know the Pledge to the Texas Flag? At every Commissioners' Court meeting after the invocation, those present are always led in the pledges to the American Flag and the Texas Flag. In case you don't know it:
Pledge to the Texas Flag
'Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, One state under God, One and indivisible.'
The August 7th meeting was opened in prayer by Commissioner Lebow who also led in the pledges to the American Flag and the Texas Flag.
At this meeting, there were citizens present who wished to address the court with a concern and did so during the Audience for Concerned Citizens for Public Comment time on the Agenda.
The concern was about CR 350, namely Maxwell Bridge, also known as King Crossing in the Sloan Community. It is a one-column bridge that is pretty heavily used, especially by 3 p.m., including by service trailers, cattle trailers, and horse trailers.
They brought pictures from Google Earth to show the exact location of their concern and pictures of problem times to help the Court understand the extent of the problem.
Because of the elevation of the bridge, curve of the road, and great access to the water, many think the bridge is a prime location for get-togethers for parties, cookouts, and for parking to get to the water. One of the citizens stated this can happen five to seven days a week.
One of the citizens addressing the Court said that you are on top of a hill to start the descent to the bridge before you see that the bridge is covered with people.
There are signs, but their size and location are not ideal.
This causes a problem with thru traffic. Some visitors coming up on the bridge have even thought the road was a dead end at the bridge.
The citizen also shared concerns about the disregard for the burn ban and the trash left behind by the loiters.
The citizens thanked the Court for hearing their concern.
There was discussion about the issue. A couple of members of the Court mentioned they had recently been through there and could understand the problems.
The Court thanked the citizens for voicing their concerns.
During the meeting, the Court unanimously approved the following: • Minutes from previous Commissioners Court Meetings
• Accepting a bid for a Backhoe for Precinct 2
• Accepting a bid for Scrap Metal for Precinct 1
• Interlocal for Two-Year Intergovernmental Contract with San Saba Central Appraisal District
• Three Line-Item transfers as presented by Lois VanBeck, County Treasurer
• Accounts Payable with one bill rejection and one change There was discussion on posting speed limit signs on San Saba County Roads. The item was tabled until there was more information.
After discussion on the importance of the Hill Country Transit District, the Court approved support for the Hill Country Transit District Funding for F/Y 2023 2024.
Mr. Paul Jason, Special Public Finance for San Saba County gave a presentation to the Court on Tax Note Funding options for the communication system from Motorola should they decide to go that route. After the presentation and a question and answer time, the item was tabled until the next meeting on August 14th.
After discussion, the Court approved financing the Radio Communication System from Motorola. This has been a many month process, and the new Radio System is greatly needed. It will be a bonus that it will be in place before the April 2024 Eclipse. The Court decided to wait on how to finance the system until the August 14th meeting. (Financing through Motorola vs. Tax Note) The members of the Court all agreed the Burn Ban should stay in effect. The current Burn Ban has been in effect since June 26, 2023.
The following County Official and Departmental Reports were approved:
• County/District Clerk: The new voting machines are good to go. The department has been busy.
• County Treasurer: Update given on uncommitted ARPA funds.
• County Justice of the Peace: The following report was presented
Total: $17,291.90 Community Service/Jail Credit: $1,695.30 Total to the Community: $9,197.70 Small Claims and Civil: $600.00
• County Sheriff and Jail: The Jail Book total was 491 days with an average of 15.8.
A report from Ms. McKinley at the Extension Office was presented to the Court as a nonaction
Upcoming Commissioners Court Meetings: August 14th, August 21st The Court was adjourned for a Budget Workshop F/Y 2023 2024.