The San Saba County Commissioners’ Court met for a regular meeting on Monday, August 10th in the District Courtroom. Judge Byron Theodosis called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. The Judge welcomed everyone. Commissioner Rickey 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.
None.
Action Items: 1. Approve or Correct and Ap
1. Approve or Correct and Approve Minutes of Previous Commissioners’ Court Meeting(s):
Two sets of minutes were presented to the Commissioners.
Decision: The Court unanimously approved the two sets of Minutes of Previous Commissioners’ Court Meetings.
County Official and Departmental Reports:
2. County/District Court Clerk: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject Clerk’s Report:
Ms. Wells reported her office is staying busy, and all is going well.
Decision: The Court unanimously approved the County/ District Court Clerk’s Report Subject to Audit.
3. County Treasurer: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject Treasurer's Report:
Ms. VanBeck reported the only major change to the financial statement is on Precinct 3; the trailer was removed from the debt side.
Decision: The Court unanimously approved the County Treasurer’s Report Subject to Audit.
4. County Justice of the Peace: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject JP Report:
Ms. Blossman stated things have been busy. She provided a written report to the Court that included the following account information for the month of July 2020:
Total: $14,825.90
Community Service/Jail Credit: $1,337.60
Total to the County: $7,548.93
Small Claims and Civil: $873.00
Decision: The Court unanimously approved the JP Report Subject to Audit:
5. County Sheriff and Jail: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject Sheriff's Jail Report:
Sheriff Jenkins reported his office received "a memorandum from the Texas Jail Commission which stated if jail is at 90% or above your capacity, they are asking that we get them out of jail. However, the problem is that the Department Criminal Justice is not accepting anyone. That is why we contracted with Coleman County because Coleman County was full." The Judge asked how the Texas Jail Commission recommended that we reduce our capacity. The Sheriff reported no recommendations came with the Memorandum; it is up to the Sheriff’s offices to find a solution. The jails are filling up, and this has been quite costly for the County. The Sheriff stated this is going to be quite a challenge and is only expected to get more challenging in the near future.
Ms. Hardy updated the Court on the COVID-19 grant. She stated it is at the last step before it gets awarded. The Sheriff should get some kind of notification in the next couple of weeks about his portion. It was knocked down to $111,000 instead of the $137,000 the Sheriff had requested. The Judge asked if that could be used to help with the overflow problem in the jail. The Sheriff reported absolutely; that is part of the plan.
Sheriff Jenkins reported the Jail Book total is 488 with an average of 15.5 jail population.
Decision: The Court unanimously approved the County Sheriff and Jail Report Subject to Audit.
Special Action Items (and Non-Action Items):
1. Discuss and Take Possible Action On COVID-19 Issues:
Discussion: Ms. Hardy reported the numbers are holding since Saturday, for about three days now. She stated, "the thing that is changing: now you may not need to retest to show recovery. The determination is now depending on how you answer questions such as how long have you quarantined, how are the symptoms, etc. The numbers at the time of this meeting are at 32 positive cases, with five active; we are still trying to determine if one is hospitalized."
The Judge asked what kind of protection the First Responders have when dealing with the public and possible COVID-19 positive people. Ms. Hardy stated that everyday, her office gives out an ongoing list of numbers. However, the Sheriff’s department and other officials get a list of addresses for COVID-19 victims so they are aware in case they are dispatched to the addresses. Dispatch has ways to alert EMS, and EMS then takes precautions.
The Judge reiterated, “we need to continue doing what we are doing: if we can’t be further than six feet away, I still recommend we wear masks. We are basically protecting those that are vulnerable.”
Ms. Hardy reported that schools have begun in Richland Springs; Cherokee and San Saba will soon be starting. By the end of July, parents had to make the decision to be virtual or to be in-house for their children. Whatever their choice, they have to stick with that choice for six weeks.
2. Take Possible Action Concerning Burn Ban (Current Status: Burn Ban is in EFFECT AS OF 07-07-2020; Expires October 5, 2020):
The Judge stated we are getting drier and drier with not much rain in the forecast.
Decision: The item was tabled.
3. Approve or Reject Proposed Amendments and/or Line Item Transfers:
Ms. VanBeck presented three Line Item Transfers.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the three Line Item Transfers.
4. Approve or Reject Proposed Accounts Payable:
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the Accounts Payable Report.
5. Discuss Next Commissioners’ Court Date & Time: The next Commissioners’
The next Commissioners’ Court will be held Monday, August 24, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. in the District Courtroom.
6. Adjourn:
Judge Theodosis adjourned the meeting at 9:26 a.m.
The following were in attendance at this meeting: Judge Byron Theodosis; Commissioners: Otis Judkins, Rickey Lusty, Kenley Kroll and Pat Pool; Lois VanBeck, Treasurer; Kim Wells, District/County Clerk; Marsha Hardy, Emergency Management Coordinator; Sheriff David Jenkins; Dwayne Shaw, Chief Deputy; Candy Kokernot, Administrative Assistant; Sharon Blossman, Justice of the Peace; and Djuana Payton, Reporter for San Saba News & Star.