The San Saba County Commissioners’ Court met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, December 29th, in the District Courtroom. Judge Byron Theodosis called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. and welcomed everyone in attendance.
Commissioner Kenley Kroll gave the invocation and led everyone in pledges to the American flag and the Texas flag.
Audience for Concerned Citizens For Public Comment:
Mr. Lusty said he was contacted by TXDot. They will supply the materials but will not pay for labor. That is up to the insurance company/County. Mills County has been informed and will share the expenses with us. Mr. Lusty said he is still getting calls from citizens about the Regency Bridge being closed. The Sheriff stated he keeps putting up signs, but vandals keep taking them down.
Judge Theodosis thanked Commissioner Judkins for all his hard work for the citizens, and he hates to see him go. The Judge stated he appreciated Mr. Judkins’ service to the community and his precinct.
Special Action Items (and Non-Action Items):
1. Discuss and Take Possible Action on Appointing Directors For Rural Rail District:
Decision: The item was tabled.
2. Accept or Reject Name For Rural Rail District - "Heart Of Texas Rural Rail District:
Decision: The item was tabled.
3. Discuss and Take Possible Action For Electronic Monitoring For Prisoners:
Mr. Robinson thanked the Court for giving him time on the agenda. He presented the idea of electronic monitoring for prisoners to the Sheriff’s office and the Commissioners’s Court. Mr. Robinson stated there is a big cost savings in doing so. According to his research, the cost of incarceration per day is $45 versus $7 per day with the electronic monitoring. The Judge stated the prisoners would be charged the $7 per day for the monitoring privilege.
Mr. Robinson explained that this is a plea deal for the prisoners. Only certain low-risk prisoners are eligible. The prisoner only has windows of time he can leave his house for groceries or doctor visits.
The Sheriff voiced concern for costs to his office in monitoring for this plan. It would be handled by his office, and they are already stretched very thin. Mr. Robinson stated more hours for his office would be necessary. More information was requested in writing on man hours, etc.
Decision: The item was tabled.
4. Approve or Reject Enrolling County Employees Who Have Access to A Government Computer System or Database For Annual Cybersecurity Compliance Training Per House Bill 3834:
The Judge explained this was done last year, and the training is not lengthy or challenging.
Decision: The Court unanimously Approved Enrolling County Employees Who Have Access to A Government Computer System or Database For Annual Cybersecurity Compliance Training Per House Bill 3834.
5. Discuss and Take Possible Action on COVID-19:
Ms. Hardy reported that the last free testing for 2020 would be December 30th from 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Testings in 2021 will be at the South Bay of the SSVFD for the first few weeks as the Civic Center was unavailable. Times are TBD.
Ms. Hardy updated the Court on the current COVID-19 numbers: Active - 26; Recovered - 320; Deaths - 8; Hospitalized - 0. She stated that at the time of this meeting, the vaccines for San Saba County have been put on hold for now. When San Saba County starts administering the vaccine, it will go first to medical personnel and first responders, elected officials, and then the elected officials will determine who it will go to next.
The Judge stated that 40% of those eligible are not interested in receiving the vaccine. He recommended that everyone get vaccinated. It is a zero-cost vaccine. If you have insurance, the insurance company will be charged.
Ms. Speidel, attending via ZOOM, asked what she could do to help. The Judge asked her to contact the Governor’s office to see if there were any hang ups that were keeping us from getting the vaccine in San Saba. She agreed to contact the Governor’s office.
6. Take Possible Action Concerning Burn Ban (Current Status: Burn Ban is IN EFFECT AS OF 12-14-2020 Thru March 14, 2021):
Decision: This item was tabled.
7. Approve or Reject Proposed Amendments and/or Line Item Transfers: None.
8. Approve or Reject Proposed Accounts Payable:
Decision: The Court unanimously Approved Accounts Payable.
9. Discuss Next Commissioners Court Date & Time:
The next Commissioners Court will be held January 4, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. in the District Courtroom.
10. Adjourn: Judge Theodosis adjourned the meeting at 9:53 a.m.
The following were in attendance at this meeting: Judge Byron Theodosis; Commissioners: Otis Judkins, Kenley Kroll, Pat Poole and Rickey Lusty; Lois Van Beck, Treasurer; Kim Wells, District/County Clerk; Marsha Hardy, Emergency Management Coordinator; Sheriff David Jenkins; Chief Deputy Dwayne Shaw; Sharon Blossman, County Justice of the Peace; James Lebow, citizen and Commissioner Elect; County Attorney Randy Robinson; Candy Kokernot, Administrative Assistant; and Djuana Payton, Reporter with the San Saba News & Star. Candice Speidel from Senator Buckinham’s office attended the meeting via ZOOM.