Arissa Viering | Goodday Mineral Wells | 10/13/2020 | Local Government | Palo Pinto County Commissioner’s Court
PALO PINTO COUNTY, TX – Palo Pinto County Commissioner’s Court was held on 10/13/20 to address various action items including the repair/replacement of the Palo Pinto County Courthouse roofing, the installation of new Christmas lights at the the new Palo Pinto City Annex building, and the representation of funds to CASA, PaloPinto County Children’s Welfare Board, and the Children’s Alliance. All commissioners were present except for Commissioner Pierce.
A public comment was submitted by a representative from ESD1 who stated the following: “Beginning Thursday, the Palo Pinto County First Responders Organization will begin operating within the county beginning in Lake Palo Pinto area. Eleven members are qualified and operating and responding to EMS calls. This has been a long time coming and we’ve been hopeful.” Plans to move through other fire departments in the county are in place.
Expenditures exceeding the Lame Duck limit, Accounts Payable, and the prior minutes for September 28th, 2020 and October 5th, 2020 were all approved. The burn ban will continue to remain off.
CASA, The Children’s Alliance Center, and The Palo Pinto County Child Welfare Board were presented $13,797.59 each. These funds were distributed from the unclaimed capital credits funding.
The quarterly report from the delinquent tax attorneys for the 2019 taxes submitted for collection in July 2020 were reviewed in full with the Commissioner’s Court. Base taxes for a company called “Mid-Coast Gathering” were removed secondary to a value dispute that made these base taxes ineligible for collection at this time. $333,390 (40.29%) of taxes were collected. Current challenges with litigation secondary to COVID-19 precautions needed within courts were presented as a contributing factor.
The Palo Pinto County Courthouse is currently in need of a roof replacement/repair. The roof is reported to be sixteen years old with damages that do result in leaking. At this time, the court is proceeding with obtaining quotes for the total cost for replacement/repair.
Christmas lights to be placed throughout the property of the Palo Pinto City Annex building around the trees, building, and throughout the parking lot were quoted to cost $5,500 up-front with the cost decreasing in subsequent years since the bulbs will have already been purchased. At this time, the court has decided to delay the placement/purchase of these lights secondary to concerns for the electrical components being ready in time within the new structure.
Continuation of funding for public agencies that receive funding from Palo Pinto County, specifically non-profit agencies, was approved.
The Indigent Defense Grant Program Resolution for FY 2021 Formula Grant was presented to the court. Per the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC), “Indigent Defense Improvement Grants are awarded to assist counties in developing new, innovative programs or processes to improve the delivery of indigent defense services.” The grant was approved.
Interviews were held for three applicants for the ESD #1 Board. Gary Word is to be appointed as commissioner to ESD #1 Board to complete the unexpired term of Michael Henderson until 12/31/2020.
To view the full meeting, watch the video below:
Former Co-Founder | June 2020-Nov 2020 | Graduate of Texas Christian University with a background in medical anthropology, psychology, and creative writing. Passionate about writing novels. Loved the Mineral Wells community and all that it had offered her and her family.
