Commissioners' Court holds regular meeting Monday, October 26

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The San Saba County Commissioners' Court met for a regular meeting on Monday, October 26th, in the District Courtroom. Judge Byron Theodosis called the meeting to order at 9: 04 a.m. and welcomed everyone in attendance. Commissioner Kenley Kroll gave the invocation and led everyone in the pledges to the American flag and the Texas flag.

Audience for Concerned Citizens For Public Comment:

The Sheriff reported he has been working on possibly creating a Sheriff’s Posey.

The plans for Regency Bridge should be here November 16th. The judge stated the person who had the wreck has come forward, and the County is now working with their insurance company.

Marsha Hardy reported on early voting numbers: 172 mailout ballots, 8 limited - not local, and 1,255 people have voted in person.

Donnie Smith brought some paperwork on the Brady Shippers Group and asked for an audience with the Court to make his presentation. The Judge stated he would add it to the next meeting’s agenda.

Connected Nation Technical Services Presented by Judge Theodosis

This will help ensure all have available internet. The Judge will ask them to come give a presentation to the Court.

County Official and Departmental Reports:

I. County Sheriff and Jail: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject Sheriff's Jail Report

The Jail book totals were as follows: 578 with an average of 19.27.

Decision: The Court voted unanimously to Approve the Sheriff's Jail Report.

Special Action Items (and Non-Action Items):

1. Discuss and Take Possible Action To Supply a List of Legislative Items From San Saba County to Candace Speidel From the Office of Senator Dawn Buckingham For Next Session of Legislation:

Ms. Speidel reported to the Court that the Legislative Session in January is very busy. She said she wanted to hear the concerns of the Court so the Senator's office could be prepared to represent San Saba County well.

Here are some items that were presented to Ms. Speidel:

• Jail Population

The Sheriff reported that TDCJ is moving very slowly, and the jails are growing - not just San Saba, but other jails as well. He stated he had a prisoner transferred in that had just tested positive for COVID, but they didn’t find out until after he had been there a couple of days. The Sheriff stated the jail is supposed to transfer folks out, but there is nowhere for them to go. The Sheriff’s office has been told if they are over 90% capacity, they can’t accept anymore inmates. However, there is nowhere to transfer them.

• Railroad Easements

The company that owns the Railroad has paid their taxes, but they are not taking care of the railroad. The Court and citizens worry about safety and fire hazard. Since it is private property, the county’s hands are tied. Special Council from Austin, Brian Davis, said he would look into the matter.

• FEMA Paperwork

Ms. Hardy explained that their “paperwork” is extremely time consuming. There has been a big turn over with employees in that department at the state level, and each one that comes in asks for more paperwork for “transparency’s sake.” There are funds that are available to us, but it is nearly impossible to get them because of the red tape.

• Regency Bridge

The Judge and the Court explained to Ms. Speidel the situation.

• Flood Control Dams and other projects dependent on our appraisals

The Judge reported that when it does rain, flooding is an issue. Commissioner Pool stated programs had to be canceled due to limited funds. We would like to see the programs continue.

2. Discuss and Take Possible Action On Railroad Easements Needing Clean Up:

Commissioner Judkins stated there have been comments from citizens about liability and concerns. The Judge agreed it is a liability, and he will put Donnie Smith on the agenda for the next meeting to present his proposal on the Brady Shippers Group. Ms. Speidel stated she will try to come back to the next meeting when the Railroad issue is discussed again.

3. Approve or Reject Acceptance To Perform County Audit FAY 2020 AS Outlined By Kevin Shahan, CPA:

Decision: The Court unanimously voted to Accept to Perform County Audit FAY 2020 AS Outlined By Kevin Shahan, CPA.

4. Discuss and Take Possible Action on Changes to San Saba County Personnel Policy for 2020:

Ms. VanBeck reported the federal government has requested that our personnel policy be changed to gender neutral. For example, he/she will be changed to they/them. The new personnel policy will be published online and copies will be available in Ms. VanBeck’s office.

Decision: The Court unanimously approved Changes to San Saba County Personnel Policy for 2020.

5. Discuss and Take Possible Action For Pct. 4 To Purchase Pickup From Sheriff's Office:

Decision: The Court unanimously approved Pct. 4 purchasing the pickup from the Sheriff’s office.

6. Discuss and Take Possible Action on COVID-19:

Ms. Hardy reported no major changes in COVID numbers. At the time of this meeting, there were 31 active in the county, a total of 146 cases, and 5 deaths. The plan for the nursing home is to wait to have two weeks of negative tests for everyone until visitors can come back. She also noted that the employees there are doing a great job and doing all they can to keep everyone safe.

Ms. Hardy reported the nursing home is changing hands in November.

7. Take Possible Action Concerning Burn Ban (Current Status: Burn Ban is IN EFFECT AS OF 09-30-2020 Thru December 29, 2020):

Decision: This item was tabled.

8. 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.

9. Approve or Reject Proposed Accounts Payable:

Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the Accounts Payable Report.

10. Discuss Next Commissioners Court Date & Time:

The next Commissioners’ Court will be held Monday, November 9, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. in the District Courtroom.

11. Adjourn: Judge Theodosis adjourned

Judge Theodosis adjourned the meeting at 9:57 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;Sally Gibson, Deputy 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; Candace Speidel, Representative for Senator Dawn Buckingham; Britten David, Austin Special Council; Donnie Smith, Citizen; Sean Smith, Citizen; Sylvia Hodges, Citizen; and Djuana Payton, Reporter for San Saba News & Star.