Catching up with the Commissioners

September 5, 2023

  • Christina Lively joined the Treasurer's Office in October working 32 hours a week. Since coming back to San Saba in 2019, she worked for four years at Bend General Store. Welcome, Christina!
    Christina Lively joined the Treasurer's Office in October working 32 hours a week. Since coming back to San Saba in 2019, she worked for four years at Bend General Store. Welcome, Christina!
  • Introducing K9 Andor and Deputy Merriman! We are very pleased to announce that they are certified as a dual purpose team. Completing in excess of 240 hours of training, they are proficient in narcotics detection, tracking and patrol tactics. Deputy Merriman and K9 Andor have impressed everyone in their abilities as a team.
    Introducing K9 Andor and Deputy Merriman! We are very pleased to announce that they are certified as a dual purpose team. Completing in excess of 240 hours of training, they are proficient in narcotics detection, tracking and patrol tactics. Deputy Merriman and K9 Andor have impressed everyone in their abilities as a team.

The Commissioners' Court meetings are opened with invocation and pledges to the American Flag and the Texas Flag. The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend these very informative meetings.

Before agenda items were addressed at the October 16th meeting, Wyatt Deans, County Liaison Officer (TDEM), informed the Court that he was being deployed for the next nine days to San Antonio to help with the border situation.

Monte Guthrie made a presentation to the Commissioners on the Penatuhkah Trails Project for San Saba County. He was not there to request anything from the Court, just to give them information. A color packet on the Penatuhkah Comanche Trails Partnership was handed out to those in attendance. In the packet he presented was their Mission Statement: The Penatuhkah Comanche Trails association promotes the restoration, conservation and interpretation of Comanche Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs) and the history and traditions of the Penatuhkah Comanche band in Texas. This partnership creates economic opportunities for all partners through heritage and ecotourism programs that tell the stories of this significant history at the places where it happened and encouraging a Comanche presence in their Texas homeland.

The Court was very attentive, and there was a Q&A after the presentation. The Court then thanked Mr. Guthrie for coming.

The following items were approved by the Court:

• Minutes from Previous Commissioners’ Court meetings

• Order of the San Saba County Commissioners’ Court concerning the Regular Term of Court Fiscal Year 2024 - twice a month on Monday mornings, unless otherwise decided or special meetings are called

• Appointment of James Lebow to the Board of Directors of the San Saba County Central Appraisal District for the 2024-2025 term

• Local Order for Special Election for Constitutional Amendments ordered by the Governor of Texas - (a ballot was created in English and Spanish, and they were run in the newspaper)

• Many line-item transfers having to do with the close-out of year

• Accounts Payable Pending the Recommendation from the District Judge’s Office, a Jury Plan for San Saba County was approved. County Clerk Kim Wells explained this happens every year; nothing will change.

The Commissioners looked over a list of bridges in the county that need repair and prioritized them (#1-#4) for TxDOT.

Even though several citizens have asked for the Burn Ban to be lifted, even if only for a short time, the Commissioners decided it was still too dry in many areas. Burn Ban was left in place. The Burn Ban has been in effect since September 11, 2023, and expires December 10, 2023.

The following reports were approved (subject to audit):

• County Clerk - elections coming up and a couple of jury panels coming up this month.

• County Treasurer - in addition to the written report provided, Ms. VanBeck introduced Christina Lively to the Court. Christina will be working 32 hours a week as an assistant in the Treasurer’s Office.

• Justice of the Peace - in addition to the written report provided, Judge Blossman informed the court of a new hire in her office: Shauna Putti, part-time clerk.

TOTAL: $13,001.85 COMMUNITY SERVICE/ JAIL CREDIT: $1,233.40 TOTAL TO THE COUNTY: $7,610.56 SMALL CLAIMS AND CIVIL: $270.00

• Sheriff and Jail - Sheriff Jenkins shared the exciting news of Andor, the new K-9 Deputy. Andor was available to meet the Court immediately following the meeting.

Sheriff Jenkins stated his office is still two deputies short and will try to do recruiting at academies.

The Sheriff also reported that his office is on special alert from the border.

Jail Book totals: 411 days with an average of 13.7

The following information is compiled from approved Minutes of September Commissioners’ Court meetings not already reported as provided by the District Clerk's office.

Prior to this meeting, there were two public hearings for Discussion of Budget F/Y 2023-2024 and Discussion of Tax Rate F/Y 2023-2024. The Commissioners' Court followed after a short recess without adjourning.

There was discussion on posting speed limit signs on San Saba County Roads. Notices will be posted as well as public meetings held.

The following items were approved:

• Minutes from Previous Commissioners’ Court meetings

• OrderAuthorizing the Issuance of San Saba County Tax Notes Series 2023 @ 4.4% Interest as presented by Paul Jasin.

• Acceptance of Unclaimed Capital Credits of $2,083.39 to be donated to Center for Life Resources.

• Acceptance of donation from McCulloch County to San Saba County Sheriff's Office, a 2/3rd Tahoe Kennel with inmate holding cell for an essential part of K-9 ownership for Sheriff's Office.

• September 1, 2023 Jury fee increase of $20 for appearing and $56 per day for serving on a Jury and the current Charities for Jury donations.

• 9-1-1 Public SafetyAnswering Point Service CTCOG.

The Court went into Executive Session at 9:56 a.m. pursuant to Public Meetings Act Local Government Code and reconvened to Regular Session at 9:58 a.m.

• County Judge's Request for Waiver on Conflict of Interest for Adoption.

• Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.

• Tax Rate for F/Y 2023-2024 @.56% per $100 .44 General and .12 Road and Bridge Fund.

• County-wide Overtime Freeze until the end of the Budget Year.

• Burn Ban was enacted for 90 days.

• Line item transfers

• Accounts Payable

The following reports were approved (subject to audit):

• County & District Clerk

• County Treasurer

• Justice of the Peace: TOTAL: $13,981.93 COMMUNITY SERVICE/ JAIL CREDIT: $819.50 TOTAL TO THE COUNTY: $7,822.98 SMALL CLAIMS AND CIVIL: $488.00

• County Sheriff and Jail

The following items were tabled: • Action to approve New Board Member Frankie Penny to serve on Child Welfare Board as presented by Keith Davis.

September 18, 2023

Jeff Kloc, Broker for Watkins Agency gave a presentation on Employee Health and Benefits Pool for renewal. Plan was approved.

Other items were approved:

• Purchase of Water Truck Equipment from Regan Kirk for Precinct No. 4 for $62,500.00 previously advertised for bids.

• Acceptance of Donation from Rabroker Family Limited Partnership $10,000.00 to Sheriff Department and $10,000.00 to Indigent Health Care.

• Appoint New Board Member Frankie Penny to serve on Child Welfare Board as presented by Keith Davis, President.

•Inter-Local Agreement between San Saba County and McCulloch County for housing inmates.

• Purchase of Engineering Report for Annex Building Task 1 & 2 using ARPAfunds @ $11,500.00.

• Classify Jailer Budget Salary as Law Enforcement.

• Line Item Transfers

• Accounts Payable During the meeting, the Court also discussed the issue of posting speed limit signs on County roads. It was decided to set limits and hold Public Hearings.

No change to the current Burn Ban.