The San Saba Commissioners’ Court met for a regular meeting on Monday, March 7th, in the Commissioners’ Courtroom. Judge Byron Theodosis called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m. Commissioner Lusty gave the invocation and led everyone in the pledges to the American flag and the Texas flag.
Audience for Concerned Citizens For Public Comment:
None. Action Items:
1. Approve or Correct and Approve Minutes of Previous Commissioners Court Meeting(s):
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of the Previous Commissioners’ Court Meeting(s). County Official and Departmental Reports:*
2. County/District Clerk: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject Clerk's Report:
Ms. Wells stated the election went well. There was additional paid help which made things easier on her office. Someone asked about canvassing the votes. She stated the Party Chairs would certify the votes for this election.
Ms. Wells also noted she is busy with property records.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the County/District Clerk report Subject to Audit.
3. County Treasurer: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject Treasurer's Report:
Judge Theodosis reported his office received an anonymous letter accusing County staff of being less than honest regarding accounting practices. He queried the Court if an additional audit should be performed for good practice and due to this recent accusation by unknown person(s). The Judge reminded the Court that additional audits would involve extra monies not allocated in the current budget.
County Attorney Randy Robinson stated auditing work performed by the County's auditor, Kevin Shahan, is evaluated by an oversight peer committee prior to the release of Mr. Shahan's audit reports.
Both the County Attorney and County Treasurer spoke on behalf of Mr. Shahan's accurate and thorough work performance. Furthermore, additional County Court members agreed and upheld the excellent quality and exactness of Mr. Shahan's work.
Following this further, and due to the lack of specific complaints and the accuser thereof, this issue required no further action by the Court.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the Treasurer’s report Subject to Audit.
4. County Justice of the Peace: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject JP Report:
The following information was provided by Ms. Blossman:
Total: $10,585.90
Community Service/Jail Credit: $510.00
Total to the Community: $6,107.50
Small Claims and Civil: $208.00
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the County Justice of the Peace report Subject to Audit.
5. County Sheriff and Jail: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject Sheriff's Jail Report:
The jail book total was 449 with an average of 16.03 days.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the County Sheriff’s Jail Report. Special Action Items (and Non-Action Items):
1. Discuss, Adopt, or Reject Order Regulating Temporary Signs On San Saba County Property:
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to Adopt the Order Regulating Temporary Signs On San Saba County Property.
2. Discuss, Adopt, or Reject Order To Approve On-Line Education For County Commissioners:
Decision: After a short discussion the Court voted unanimously to Approve On-Line Education For County Commissioners.
3. Discuss, Adopt, or Reject Resolution For 2022 San Saba County Indigent Defense Grant Program:
Decision: The Court Adopted the Resolution For 2022 San Saba County Indigent Defense Grant Program.
4. Discuss, Accept, or Reject Racial Profiling Report from the San Saba Sheriff's Office:
Chief Deputy Shaw stated this report has been completed and submitted, and no issues were found. He also noted that each year, the government wants more and more of a breakdown on this report, and it takes more and more time to get the information to complete the report requested.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to Accept the Racial Profiling Report from the San Saba Sheriff's Office.
5. Discuss Possibility and Process Of Being Mills County EMS/Dispatch Backup:
Judge Smith from Mills County was present to discuss this item with the Court in detail. He stated Mills County is in need of temporary dispatch services for EMS in their county. Mills County is willing to pay expenses for this service.
After a lengthy discussion about details, the Court agreed that San Saba County wanted to help out in any way possible. An arrangement will be worked out that is beneficial to both counties.
6. Discuss, Adopt, Or Approve Order Authorizing Approval of Proposed Janssen Texas State-Wide Opioid Settlement Agreement And Three Forms For Texas Subdivision Election and Release Form:
The Judge stated that an agreement was made, we turned in the paperwork, and then the rules were changed/ updated. This is to approve the newest set of forms that need to be submitted for the Settlement monies for San Saba County.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to Adopt the Order Authorizing Approval of Proposed Janssen Texas State-Wide Opioid Settlement Agreement And Three Forms For Texas Subdivision Election and Release Form.
7. Discuss, Adopt, or Reject Policy Changes To Employee Handbook:
Ms. VanBeck stated there was a bill passed regarding quarantine leave for peace officers and detention officers. This item is the policy that was drawn up for our county.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to Adopt the Policy Changes to the Employee Handbook.
8. Discuss and Take Possible Action on COVID-19:
Ms. Hardy stated she is no longer receiving updates from the state on COVID-19 and suggested possibly removing this item from the Court's agenda in the future. The Judge stated that with Spring Break coming up, maybe it should stay on there a little longer.
Ms. Hardy reminded the court of the vaccine clinic on Wednesday of the week of this meeting. She noted San Saba will continue to offer vaccine clinics as long as people want to get the shots, no matter how small the amount of people are interested.
9. Take Possible Action Concerning Burn Ban (Current Status: Burn Ban IN EFFECT As of 02-14-2022) Expires 05 15 2022:
Decision: This item was tabled.
10. Approve or Reject Proposed Amendments and/or Line Item Transfers:
Ms. VanBeck presented one Line Item Transfer.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the one Line Item Transfer.
11. Approve or Reject Proposed Accounts Payable:
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the Proposed Accounts Payable.
12. Discuss Next Commissioners Court Date & Time:
The next Commissioners’ Court will be held March 28, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners' Courtroom. Reporter’s note: Since this meeting, a Commissioners’ Court meeting was scheduled for March 14, 2022.
13. Adjourn:
Judge Theodosis adjourned the meeting at 10:23 a.m.
The following were in attendance at the meeting: Judge Byron Theodosis; Commissioners: James Lebow, Kenley Kroll, Pat Pool, and Rickey Lusty; Kim Wells, District/ County Clerk; Lois VanBeck, Treasurer; Sheriff David Jenkins; Dwayne Shaw, Chief Deputy; County Attorney Randy Robinson; Marsha Hardy, Emergency Management Coordinator: Judge Ed Smith, Mills County Judge; Sharon Blossman, Justice of the Peace; Candy Kokernot, Administrative Assistant; and Djuana Payton, reporter with the San Saba News & Star.