Hempstead County Quorum Court

By Staff, 12/17/20 6:38 PM

 

The Hempstead County Quorum Court met Thursday December 17th for their regular monthly meeting.

The meeting opened with a discussion on the proposed handbook for the county employees.  The JP’s still have to work on the catastrophic leave policy.  The JP’S did approve some amendments.

The JP’s looked at several ordinances.  One handled transferring the voluntary tax funds received for the Sheriff’s Department.  This ordinance covered an employee left off the original appropriation.  The JP’s then set the county personal property taxes.  These taxes did not change from the previous year.  This ordinance was read and approved.  The JP’s then looked at an ordinance in reference to federal assistance through the CARES Act.  This ordinance passed.

The JP’S looked at the proposed budget for 2021.  Finance Committee Chairman Ed Darling went through the “high spots”.  He noted the beginning balance for 2021 will be about $346,000 which is about $280,000 less than last year.  He noted there are $1,000 raises for full-time employees and and $500 for part-time employees.  Darling also noted health insurance premiums were up about 25%.  He noted this was due to some significant health issues.  He said they hope to work to get some of the employees healthy.  Darling noted some polo shirts bought for employees for “casual Friday”.  He also noted some funding for a federal grants audit.  Darling noted computers need to be replaced in the county clerk’s office.  Costs associated with redistricting following the census.  Another issue was the cost of a “flyover” for the county to give the county digital images. Darling also talked about the addition of what may be the largest pellet mill in the US which is now in the old Georgia Pacific building in the industrial park.  He also noted an announcement for a German Company opening a facility in the county early next year.  Darling also went over the road budget and noted the proposed budget is up about $300,000.  There was a huge backlog of repairs and broken equipment but much of this has been addressed.  Also, the county can mow this year thanks to tractors being repaired.  Judge Jerry Crane noted the county shop is being repaired to fix leaks and it is also being insulated.  Under solid waste, Darling noted the county has had a good year despite having a truck “drowned” and one damaged by fire.  He noted these were covered by insurance.  Darling did note fees have gone up at the landfill used by the county.  Darling also discussed the 9-1-1 budget.  He noted they are having to pay the city more on some 9-1-1 fees the city and county split and this was due to more cellphone usage.  The JP’s approved the projected budget.

Judge Jerry Crane told the JP’s Farm Bureau from whom the county is buying the building to house the Cooperative Extension Service needs the county to put in writing their intention to buy the building.  The JP’S voted to provide an “offer and acceptance letter” to Farm Bureau.  This will be funded with CARES Act money.

Darling suggested giving all the full-time employees a $1,000 bonus and part-time employees a $500 budget.  Darling suggested they increase the coroner’s salary by $1,000 as the part-time job has been almost full-time this year.

JP Jay Lathrop asked about bonuses for auxiliary deputies.  The Sheriff explained by law no county funds can be used to pay the auxiliary officers.  It was also suggested by JP Keith Steed that reserve deputies need some non-lethal weapons too.  JP Cherry Stewart asked what other counties do for theirs.  The Sheriff noted some counties class auxiliary deputies as part-time employees.  The JP’s voted to spend $15,000 towards additional equipment for the auxiliary deputies.  Sheriff James Singleton noted  the department has a vehicle shortage.  Ed Darling noted the Sheriff is the driving force behind the county getting CARES Act.money.  The Shaeriff detailed some informatiout vehicles.  He also noted the county has two 2020 vehicles coming from Hope Auto.  He also noted the need for a new van for prisoner transfers and noted one has been ordered.  The Sheriff says all regular deputies have body cameras and hopes to buy 10 vehicle cameras this year.  The Sheriff also noted there had been a dryer fire at the jail.  JP David Clayton urged fiscal responsibility to be conservative with the CARES money.  The JP’S did vote to put $200,000 from the CARES Act into hospital investments.  County Clerk Karen Smith noted the swearing innoc officials will be January 4th at 8am.  Judge Crane gave some details on the new courthouse work.  JP Jay Lathrop asked about some new road sealing material that costs $8,500 per mile as opposed to $100,000 per mile.  The judge said they are going to try it.  JP James Griffin noted some of the Bicentennial plaques will be going up soon.  The meeting then adjourned.