The San Saba County Commissioners' Court met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 13th, in the District Courtroom. Judge Byron Theodosis called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. and welcomed everyone in attendance. 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:
There was discussion about Regency Bridge. Chief Deputy Shaw stated there has been no news yet from TxDOT on any scheduled repairs.
The Judge reported receiving a call from a television show that has pictures of Regency Bridge at the beginning of each of their episodes. They showed possible interest in helping raise money for repairs if needed.
Action Items:
1. Approve or Correct and Approve Minutes of Previous Commissioners’ Court Meeting(s).
Decision: The Court unanimously approved the Minutes of Previous Commissioners’ Court Meetings.
County Offcial and Departmental Reports:
2. County/District Clerk: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject Clerk's Report:
Ms. Wells stated the early voting has started, and she is staying busy. The Judge reported that a citizen stated the early voting in San Saba was quick and effcient, and the citizen wanted that information passed on to the Court.
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 that open enrollment for Health insurance will be in December; due to COVID, it might be an online enrollment. She said they are still working on the details, and she will let everyone know. The audit is going to begin on November 15th, and the auditor will be in the office beginning on that date.
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 nothing has changed and things are about the same. She provided a written report to the Court that included the following account information for the month of September 2020:
Total: $15,401.20
Community Service/Jail Credit: $4,003.40
Total to the County: $6,919.52
Small Claims and Civil: $46.00
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:
Chief Deputy Shaw reported the Jail Book would not be available for today’s meeting. He reported on issues at Bowser Community Center and proposed fencing the owner would like to put up.
Decision: The Court unanimously approved the County Sheriff and Jail Report Subject to Audit.
Non-Action Departmental Reports:
None.
Special Action Items (and Non-Action Items):
1. Presentation by Briana Woolsey For Domestic Violence Awareness Month:
Ms. Woolsey, the Outreach Coordinator for the Dove Project in San Saba, updated the Court on 2019 domestic violence statistics in Texas. She ended her presentation with the following: "We are fighting this battle every day and greatly appreciate this community and all of the support shown for our cause, and we ask for continued prayers for the shelter, staff, and victims we serve."
The full presentation can be seen in an article on page 4.
2. Discuss, Approve, or Reject Requesting Election Security Assessment Provided Through Texas Secretary Of State Office:
The Judge reported that he contacted Mason County on their experience with the Election Security Assessment. Their assessment was made, but no changes were made. Judge Theodosis stated this will not cost us anything, but it will allow us to receive grants to have our voting machines. He recommended that we allow this assessment. We do not have to take any of their recommendations if we do not want to do so.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to Approve Requesting Election Security Assessment Provided Through Texas Secretary Of State Office.
3. Discuss and Take Possible Action On Railroad Easements Needing Clean Up:
Ms. Kokernot reported that when Senator Buckingham comes to our next Commissioners’ Court meeting, she will bring someone from Austin to discuss the situation with the Railroad. There was discussion reiterating the safety issues with the railroad property.
Action Taken: Ms. Kokernot will call to confirm that Senator Buckingham will be bringing someone with her from the Railroad for discussion.
4. Discuss and Take Possible Action On San Saba County Proposed Holiday Schedule for 2021:
There was discussion on when to take the July 4th holiday since it falls on Sunday. The Court decided to take that holiday on Monday, July 5th.
Decision: The Court unanimously approved the San Saba County Proposed Holiday Schedule for 2021 with the specification of the July 4th holiday being taken on July 5th.
5. Accept $5000 Donation From Pumpco For Indigent Services:
Decision: This donation was acknowledged by the Court.
6. Accept $120 Donation From San Saba Rodeo Association For Pct. 1 Utilities:
Decision: This donation was acknowledged by the Court.
7. Approve Resolution F/Y 21 For Indigent Defense Grant Program:
The Judge explained this is so people do not have to represent themselves in court, and this has to be approved every year.
Ms. VanBeck noted that the last line of the Resolution had an error; instead of County Auditor, it should read Treasurer.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to Approve Resolution F/Y 21 For Indigent Defense Grant Program with the change mentioned by Ms. VanBeck.
8. Discuss and Take Possible Action On Maintenance Contract F/Y 2020-2021 From Dailey-Wells Communications:
The Judge reported that this is on a radio system. The Judge, Ms. Hardy and the Sheriff’s office recommended that the Court adopt the increase for the contract.
Ms. VanBeck wanted to know if this would be a cost share with the City. They have halved the cost of this every year, but we did not discuss splitting the cost of the increase. The Judge stated we will ask them about sharing the cost of the increase.
Decision: The Court unanimously approved the increase in the Maintenance Contract F/Y 2020-2021 From Dailey-Wells Communications:
9. Approve or Reject Addendum To Lease Agreement for HCCAA Central Office:
The Judge stated this is something that needs to be approved every year.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to Approve Addendum To Lease Agreement for HCCAA Central Office.
10. Discuss and Take Possible Action On COVID-19 Issues:
Ms. Hardy updated the Court on COVID-19 in San Saba County. At the time of this meeting, there were 39 active cases with a total of 108 for San Saba since it began. We had our first positive case in mid-May. We have 69 recovered, including about six from the nursing home. The question has been asked of Ms. Hardy and Dr. Whiting, can you get COVID-19 again? She said the rule of thumb: it generally does not pop back up for 90 days. It is being watched closely. She said you can still test positive multiple weeks after actually being recovered. She noted that two-thirds of those testing positive in the nursing home have no symptoms.
Ms. Hardy reminded the Court: Be careful, wear your mask, wash your hands, pay attention to who you are around and what they are doing. She said people are getting better at distancing from others, and it is becoming a habit.
Ms. Hardy reminded everyone the pandemic is not over, and flu season has started. Flu shots are available, but call ahead as they are going fast.
11. Take Possible Action Concerning Burn Ban (Current Status: Burn Ban IN EFFECT AS OF 09-30-2020 Thru December 29, 2020):
Decision: The Court unanimously voted to keep the Burn Ban in effect.
12. Approve or Reject Proposed Amendments and/or Line Item Transfers:
Ms. VanBeck presented seven Line Item Transfers.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the seven Line Item Transfers.
13. Approve or Reject Proposed Accounts Payable:
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the Accounts Payable Report.
14. Discuss Next Commissioners’ Court Date & Time:
The next Commissioners’ Court will be held Monday, October 26, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. in the District Courtroom.
15. Adjourn:
Judge Theodosis adjourned the meeting at 10:02 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; Briana Woolsey, Dove Project Outreach Coordinator; Angie Chandler, Dove Project Executive Director; and Djuana Payton, Reporter for San Saba News & Star.