Cemetery request, grant funds and elections fill commissioners’ agenda

Much of the final January meeting of the Leon County Commissioners Court focused on a request by the Boggy Creek Cemetery Restoration group, many of whom were present. They were hoping for the commissioners' help in opening up county roads to the cemetery which is currently land-locked in a dispute with property owners. After hearing their formal request and moving personal testimonials, Judge Byron Ryder promised to have a response when he and County Attorney Jim Witt have reviewed the information presented. (For the full story, see CEMETERY, page 8A.

Steve Kerbow of Kerbow and Associates was back with the long-awaited federal contract in hand for the Community Development Block Grant. The county is serving as a pass-through entity for a number of area cities and water plants to get generators to keep utilities and services running during times of disaster or emergency.

The county has also been approved for $65,000 in stimulus funds through the Hurricane Ike Relief Fund (an SSBG Grant). In order to be prepared for the next time Leon County is flooded with hurricane refugees or has local disasters, the commissioners earmarked the money to be spent on equipment for the Centerville, Hilltop and Buffalo senior centers which will be used in emergency situations. They specified the purchase of generators, deep freezers, propane tanks and propane.

Speaking on behalf of the Sheriff's Department, Glenn Hightower requested permission to apply for a $93,000 grant for vehicles to replace some of the department's higher-mileage vehicles and for technology including digital and video cameras.

The commissioners were happy to approve the request, with Com. Dean Player stating, "Every year in the foreseeable future we're going to be faced with austere budgets. If we can take advantage of grants... this is one way to honor our commitment to maintain the fleet at the Sheriff's Department without hitting the General Fund."

Several agenda items were related to the upcoming elections. Election Administrator Robin Shafer introduced Democratic and Republican Chairpersons Clara Jones and Karen Preston. Taking care of some formalities, the court signed the 2010 Primary Election Services Contract with Shafer, the Notice of a General Primary Election, and a resolution for the parties to have a joint primary. In the event of a primary run-off election, which would be held on April 13th, the court approved the consolidation of precincts.

The BVCOG was authorized to host an Emergency Preparedness meeting at the third floor meeting room of Annex II, in conjunction with the Neighborhood Watch Program. More volunteers are needed for that program, and the meeting will be held on Saturday, February 27th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. The first fifty

heads-of-households present

will receive family emergency kits.

Auditor Susan Pugh presented line item transfers totalling $102,785. She announced that the Texas Task Force on Indigent Defense awarded the county a $12,137 grant. She also presented a change order from Dean Stanford Trucking, lowering the amounts for aggregate hauling at certain distances.

Pugh also recommended that the county renew maintenance agreements with Freedom Quality Heating and Air. There were no changes to the previous contract and the court will approve it after review by the county attorney.

A $10,000 change order on the District County Court and offices remodel was authorized to cover costs of replacing clay pipes which were discovered after the initial contract. The project is still within contingency prices.

County Clerk Carla McEachern was authorized to spend records management funds for book repairs and indexes.

The Court set April 9-10 as the date for a county-wide tire collection. Two trailers will be available from 8:30- 4:00, located behind Annex I in Centerville. Tires will be accepted from residents only, and no businesses.

In other business, the Court: - Authorized Karen Stott to promote the Adopt-A-Road Program in Leon County; - Authorized TABC to use the meeting area of the JP office in Buffalo for merchant training; - Reappointed John Gower and JR Patterson to ESD2 Board of Directors, to serve 1-1-2010 to 12-13-2011. - Approved road use agreements with Hodge Services (CR 122 and 124 in Precinct #1) and Global Geophysical (throughout Precinct #4). - Accepted a check from the Buffalo Masonic Lodge to purchase two bikes for the upcoming Leon County Health Fair. - Authorized the auditor's office to dispose of some old cars. - Gave an old storage building to the local Boy Scout troop. - Assigned Linda Amos as the county's representative for assessing residents for the home meal program available through the Area Agency on Aging. The agency will reimburse the county for each assessment.

Before closing, Judge Ryder announced that Homeland Security has mandated that all area mayors will have to take NIMS courses (National Instant Management Systems) in order for the county to get $76,000. Pat Bell has the necessary information.