2010 Census plans presented to court

Commissioner Dean Player was recognized by Service Officer Gary Maples for his participation in the Veterans Appreciation Day activities. Van’Go’photo The Leon County Commissioners were invited to take an active part the 2010 census during court on June 24th. Ken Leonard, Partnership Specialist with the Dallas Regional Census Center, urged County support of the upcoming federal census. He stressed that all grants are tied to census numbers, and noted that local people are hired in every community, so it is a benefit to the county and the cities within the county to get an accurate census. Census forms will go out in mid- March and Census Day will be April 1, 2010. Mail-in forms are the most economical way to conduct the census, but only 49% of Leon County residents mailed in their form in 2000, and the rest had to be collected by enumerators -- a more expensive process. Leonard requested the county's cooperation in identifying hard-to-count populations and developing the best strategies to get them to respond, and Judge Byron Ryder suggested the county might use Reverse 9-1-1 to get the word out. The court approved a resolution supporting the upcoming census.

Pastor Ray Payne of Ephesus Baptist led a prayer during opening ceremonies.

Veterans Service Offi- cer Gary Maples reported on the success of the county's recent Veterans Appreciation Day and he presented a certificate of appreciation to the Commissioners Court for their support. Commissioner Dean Player was recognized for his role as emcee of the event. Maples then made an exciting announcement about next year's Veteran's Day celebration. The U.S. Horse Calvary is coming to Centerville next year on May 1, and will be available to part of the county's veterans celebration. "We have eleven months to plan!" Maples concluded.

Leigh Ann Ross presented a resolution for a contractual agreement between Leon County and the Department of Aging and Disability Services. It was noted that Leon County has been carrying a larger portion of the costs for the service, which also serves North Zulch, Madisonville and some of the Normangee area. They approved the resolution, with the stipulation that Madisonville be requested to pick up a larger share of the costs.

A contract was renewed with Leon County, Madison County and Madison St. Joseph Health Center for the employment of a Service Coordinator for the two counties.

The Court accepted the resignation of Kim Smith, Mayor of Marquez, from the BVCOG Solid Waste Planning Committee.

The commissioners discussed the under-valuation of oil and gas properties, not that the county stands to lose $1.5 Million in oil and gas revenue due to the way the legislature decided to set the values. Judge Ryder predicted that schools within the county will also be negatively affected. The Commissioners Court unanimously passed a resolution to go on the governor's agenda.

The Court next considered and approved a contract for services between Leon County and Bedias Creek Soil and Water Conservation District #428. Judge Ryder announced, "All Research, Conservation and Development (RC&D) is going to go away."

Resolutions were passed regarding two solid waste grant requests to help with the collection of tires in the county. The commissioners committed $1000 in labor as in-kind support with the applications. In a related agenda item, the court approved a bulk service agreement with Liberty Tire Recycling.

The Court is beginning the 2010 budget process, and they have been reviewing the preliminary budget which was described as "basically a wish list" since the county does not yet know the actual revenue with which they will be working.

The Court approved a 90-day burn ban, to be effective immediately. Since it was implemented beyond the June 15 deadline, the county is not eliminating bottle rockets or fireworks with fins. It was noted, however, that "if you use fireworks and set something on fire, you will be liable."

A Road Use Agreement was approved for CR 3451 in Precinct #3 with R.W. Delaney Construction.

County Auditor Susan Pugh presented line item transfers totaling $105,820 and they were approved.

Pugh presented bid tabulations for remodeling at the District Court and Adult Probation Center to bring those buildings in compliance with ADA standards. The court approved the low bid of Dudley Construction of College Station for $536,400.

The commissioners also approved a maintenance contract with IBM Hardware Maintenance to service old equipment in the jails.

Commissioner Player announced plans to sell a Caterpillar 140H (minimum $150K) and a 2001 Peterbilt tractor and belly dump (minimum $42,500 for both) to be sold on auction through Auctioneers Express.