Hempstead County Quorum Court

The County Quorum Court met Thursday October 25th. After the minutes were approved, the JP’s considered an ordinance that sets the local fire districts. Steve Smith explained that some of the lines were changed for insurance purposes. While not every citizen will be within five miles of a fire department the changes will get many citizens within five miles of a fire department for the first time and will help their insurance rates. The ordinance was approved.
The JP’s considered an ordinance which would allow the Sheriff’s Department to receive a grant for approximately $2,700 for software to track sex offenders. The JPs approved the ordinance.
The JP’s considered approved an ordinance accepting a grant for approximately$29,568. This ordinance passed.
The JPs considered a transfer and appropriation ordinance for just under $20,500 to Circuit Judge Randy Wright’s office to reroof Judge Wright’s building. This ordinance was approved.
The JP’s discussed a Christmas bonus for all county employees for $541 each. This does cover elected officials but not quorum court member. The JP’S agreed to prepare an ordinance for the next meeting.
Washington Mayor Paul Henley addressed the JP’s and asked his fellow Washington citizens to stand. He noted after 194 years Washington will not have a polling place in the November election. Henley noted more Washington voters would have come but they can’t travel. Duane Rowe noted many Washington voters will not be able to travel to Hope to vote. Rowe said they just needed one voting machine. Mayor Henley noted Washington grew 23% in the last census. Election Commissioner Richard Wade said the reason Washington was closed is because the polling place is not handicapped accessible. He said they didn’t want to close that polling place but the handicap situation was a problem. Also, Wade said the election commission broke state law because they didn’t have enough workers staffing the polling place. Mayor Henley said the facility is ADA accessible and he will demonstrate that for the commission. Several Washington citizens volunteered to take the poll worker training. Wade said if these criteria are met Washington can get their polling place back possibly by the May election next year.
The budget committee agreed to meet Tuesday October 30th at 6:30pm..The committee will include Jessie Henry, Ed Darling,and Olen Dorman.
JP Lynn Montgomery asked about road paving projects in the county. He asked what the criteria was. Judge Haskell Morse said it was based on such information as number of residences on the road and traffic. Judge Morse said they normally pave five or six toads but this year paved eight. The meeting then adjourned.