Hempstead County Quorum Court

The Hempstead County Quorum Court met on Thursday (5-23).  The meeting started with a prayer and the pledge followed by approval of the minutes. There was an ordinance appropriating money for the drug court from the Adult Drug Court Grant. Out of a total of $16,225.62, $800 was allocated to general supplies, $3,000 for other professional service, $1, 500 for transportation assistants, $2,000 for utility assistance, $2,000 for rent-land and buildings, $2,000 for training and education and $4,925.62 for other miscellaneous. A motion was made and passed to approve the ordinance.

Another ordinance transferred money designated for full-time to part-time in the prosecuting attorney’s office. A motion was made and passed to approve the ordinance.

Donna Rosenbaum addressed the Court about the issue of hours she was being paid for. She talked about an issue which had come up and been resolved. Rosenbaum asked to be given the option of being paid for 40 hours. She is currently being paid for 25 hours a week. Rosenbaum stated she wasn’t simply there on her own behalf but also that of the veterans and that it wasn’t simply a job to her. JP Ed Darling stated the Finance Committee would see if they could do it.

Judy Watson from Rainbow of Challenges requested a commitment from the Court so that the organization could serve those in the 18 to 21 year old age group. She talked about a proposal to turn the old migrant center off highway 29 north into studio apartments to help those 18 to 21 to transition to adulthood. Finishing high school, learning how to cook, and how to find a job are all potential goals for the residents. It is intended to serve those in foster care who now are likely to end up homeless or in jail since they are aging out of the system. The plan is for staff to act as a support rather than parents since those who will be served are rejecting being under someone else’s thumb.  Due to concern as to what kind of commitment was being asked of them, the JP’s had questions as to the costs involved. The proposal is for the facility to be turned into 30 studio apartments plus one for an on-site staff member to stay. There would be another two room building for training purposes. The whole project depends upon receiving a grant. The quorum court passed a motion to lease the facility to ROC if the grant comes through.

The meeting then adjourned.