Your San Saba County Commissioners met this past Monday, May 13th, on your behalf. They meet approximately every two weeks to serve you, their constituents. They start out by praying that God would give them wisdom as they make decisions that will affect San Saba County.
The meetings are open to the public. They even have an agenda item called “Audience for Concerned Citizens” for you to voice your thoughts, opinions, and concerns.
After the prayer, they say the pledges to the American and Texas flags. Do you know the Pledge to the Texas flag?
“Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.”
Special Action Items:
• The Court unanimously approved Unclaimed Property Capital Credits for Counties to Receive Funds F/Y 2024. They will have to wait until they find out the amount to decide how to spend it. This is a yearly item that has to be approved in order to receive the monies.
• The Court was asked by Byron Theodosis of Precinct 4 to approve a contract for construction work on the road so emergency vehicles can reach his house. He will pay for their time at the normal rate. This contract was unanimously approved.
• The need for a camera system at the Courthouse was discussed. It has been discussed several times for over a year now. Bids were requested many, many months ago for the work.
Among topics that entered this discussion were placement of cameras, video storage, placement of monitors, who would monitor, how to fund, etc.
Judge Fauley said he would reach out to Mills County who just set up their cameras in the last six months to get information on their process. They talked about taking more bids after getting more specific information.
• The Court unanimously approved Cybersecurity Court Enrollment for those who have a County email address. This is required by law and will be through TAC (Texas Association of Counties).
• The elevator situation was discussed. As many of you know, the elevator was out for several weeks. It makes it hard for those who have difficulty with stairs to visit the offices on the upper floors of the Courthouse.
The elevator has now been repaired - just in time for the National Day of Prayer to be held on the third floor on May 2nd. However, the elevator display panel is not working.
The Court discussed the situation with the elevator whose electronics are from 1985. Those parts are no longer being made. The company who made the repairs came out twice and couldn't get it to work. After the third time, they finally had success.
The County received a quote from TKE (out of Austin) on all new electronics. It would cost approximately $76,000, and that is with saving approximately $25,000 by using some existing parts.
The Court discussed putting the work out for bids again.
• With all the rain the Lord has blessed us with, there was no need to institute a Burn Ban.
• The Court unanimously approved two line item transfers presented by Ms. VanBeck as well as Accounts Payable.
Departmental Reports:
The following reports were unanimously approved.
• County Clerk Kim Wells reported her office is getting ready for the run-off elections for both the Republican Party (State Board of Education) and the Democrat Party (Court of Appeals Judge). Ms. Wells had not yet received a sample ballot at the time of this meeting.
Early Voting will take place May 20 - 24, 2024, at the Courthouse in the Clerk’s office.
Election Day will take place May 28, 2024, at San Saba’s First Baptist Church located at 208 W. Wallace.
• County Treasurer Lois VanBeck presented her report to the Court. She also stated the direct deposit she received from the Comptroller’s office for sales tax was significantly larger than normal. It is usually $25,000 - $30,000. The check was $130,000. She has reached out to the Comptroller’s office for an explanation, but they have not answered back yet. She thinks it is from the Pipeline revenue now that product is moving down the pipeline. It appears the counties down the line also received extra Sales Tax monies from the Comptroller’s office.
She reported she received money for the Tobacco Settlement in the amount of $12,725 which is roughly what we always get.
Ms. VanBeck informed the Court of three new hires as of last payroll: 1) Russ Baker, assistant to the County Attorney. This was made possible under a grant.
2) W. A. Norman in Precinct 3 is filling in for someone who is out on medical leave.
3) Reginald Gossett is a new dispatcher/jailer with the Sheriff’s Department.
• Judge Sharon Blossman’s April 2024 report: Total: $9,650.10 Community Service/ Jail Credit: $0.00 Total to Community: $6,405.93 Small Claims and Civil: $520.00
• County Sheriff David Jenkins stated they are trying to keep their vehicles going. The Jail Book will be presented at the next meeting.
The next Commissioners Court Dates are June 7th, (Tuesday) at 9 a.m., and June 24th (Friday) at 9 a.m.
The following meeting information was provided by the County Clerk’s approved minutes.
The following items were approved by the Court: • Appointment of New Board Member, Pam Wallace, to serve on San Saba County Child Welfare Board as presented by Keith David, President.
• Line Item Transfers and Accounts Payable Judge Sharon Blossman appointment Death Investigator per statute - any Officer delegated by the JP.
There was discussion and updates on Transit District - already paid for (1) One Year of Service, a very shaky and conflicting situation in the District.
Burn Ban remains lifted.
April 15, 2024
The following items were approved by the Court: • Minutes from previous meetings
• Bid of Cisco Equipment Sales of San Angelo for a purchase of a 270 JCB Skid Steer for Pct. 1. for $70,609.06.
• Partial Subdivision Plan Cancellation Order Deep Creek at Pontotoc in Pct. 3.
See Commissioners Court
• Proclamation of The National Day of Prayer on May 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. for San Saba County.
• Conservation Contract in Pct. 4 for Robert L. Rich/Delta Red, LLC. for maintenance of existing roadway for access by emergency vehicles.
• Grant Works for approval and Acquisition of Additional Patrol Vehicles County to match 40% of grant.
• Line-Item transfers and Accounts
• County and District Clerk’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, Justice of the Peace Report, and the County Sheriff and Jail Report.
No action taken on the SSISD
Demographic Study. It was removed from the Agenda.
Other items discussed:
San Saba County was very well planned for theApril 8, 2024, Eclipse. Everything went well for the County and City of San Saba.
The County Burn Ban that was temporarily put in place for the Eclipse was lifted. Originally lifted October 26, 2023.