Quorum Court Holds Special Called Meeting

The Hempstead County Quorum Court met in special session Monday February 5th. The JP’S first heard from Judge Haskell Morse about the availability of Hazard Mitigation finds for the road department. The application has to be in to the State by Friday February 9th. The JP’s voted to pass an ordinance to apply for the $300,000 grant. The county will be responsible for half the money. It will be used to replace concrete culverts on County Roads 52 and 54.
The JP’s discussed adding the $10,000 back into the Cooperative Extension budget. JP Lynn Montgomery said he didn’t think they should vote on it until the county got the office’s operating budget. Montgomery said they know what the county’s part is but not the office’s operating budget. JP Cherry Stewart said it was “time to stop the bleeding” and put the $10,000 back in the budget. Stewart asked if the county really wants to lose the program. Spirited discussion ensued between Stewart and Montgomery with Stewart arguing for restoration of the funding.Montgomery indicated he wouldn’t vote to restore the funding and without two absent Quorum Court members the ordinance couldn’t pass even if everyone else voted for it. It was decided to table the matter and adjourn the meeting.