Hempstead County June Quorum Court session
HOPE – The Hempstead County Quorum Court met Thursday for their June meeting. An appropriation of grant funding for the Juvenile Drug Court was approved following its reading by County Clerk Karen Smith. Total was $7,500, with the county already in possession of the money.
Continuing a discussion from last month’s meeting, JP Ed Darling, who heads the quorum court’s budget committee, said it would cost less than $12,000 to increase the hours of Veterans Service Officer Donna Rosenbaum for full-time hours with ample funds in quorum court miscellaneous. Justices indicated they wanted to see an ordinance in the July meeting before voting.
Hope-Hempstead County Economic Development Executive Director Anna Powell discussed with the court the recent grant of $264,000 for roof work on the old courthouse. Powell said additional grants will come in cycles and a committee of JPs will determine what will be applied for. Powell said the next grant application will probably be for windows.
JP Jessie Henry asked about the status of property still in the old courthouse. Judge Jerry Crane said the contents would be auctioned off. Sheriff James Singleton said his department is still storing evidence there, but it will be moved.
JP Steve Atchley talked about a problem in the air conditioning system in the current courthouse. The third floor doesn’t have duct work but is an open-air system. The issue has been inadequate cooling on the floor.