Commissioners approve criminal data base update

Becky Hines explains the need for a plan for a complete criminal history tracking system. Van’Go’photo The Leon County Commissioners took steps in support of law enforcement at their May 26th meeting at the Annex I courtroom.

First, Becky Hines, Office Administrator at the Leon County District Attorney's Office, presented a Data Advisory Board committeegenerated plan for the county to adopt which will ensure proper procedures on keeping complete tracking sheets on all dispositions. District Attorney Whitney Smith elaborated on the need for the complete and up-to-date criminal histories, and called the tracking sheets "a vital tool that we need." The court approved the plan for submission to the DPS crime records service.

Also, Sheriff Jerry Wakefield described a problem with the new breath analysis machine the county uses to determine sobriety or intoxication in traffic stops. The DPS has an Intoxilizer that they use but the new machine is not working properly due to fluctuations in amperage and voltage. Sheriff Wakefield reported that the problem could be corrected with a dedicated electrical line, and presented several bids which he had obtained. The court authorized him to go with Safe and Secure's bid, with the funds to come out of contingency. The sheriff concluded, "We will be using an old machine until we get that corrected."

Gary and Susan Maples (right) present the Leon County Commissioners with plaques of appreciation from the county’s Adopt-A-Unit troops, the 41st Fire Brigade, during the May 26th Commissioner’s Court. L-R Commissioner Joey Sullivan and David Fergus, Judge Byron Ryder, Commissioners Mark Ivey and Dean Player. Van’Go’photo Veterans Service Officers Gary and Susan Maples presented each commissioner and Judge Byron Ryder with plaques of appreciation from the 41st Fire Brigade for the county's support of their "adopted" troops and their families. Maples also shared that he is still hearing from veterans who enjoyed the county's recent Veterans Appreciation Day ceremonies. He related one veteran's statement, "It's the first time we felt proud to be a veteran."

Judge Ryder presented a request and the court approved the securing of any available funds or grants to help locate an as-yet-unnamed company in Leon County. Commissioner Joey Sullivan did expound slightly, adding, "It could mean about 75 jobs in the county."

Commissioner Dean Player addressed an ongoing issue. Upon his recommendation, the court authorized the County Attorney to determine if the county has done all that is possible to help the contingent from Boggy Cemetery achieve access to their families' gravesites. "Folks have been to court on more than one occasion wanting access. The approach we've had so far is: 'If THEY will do this...' My question is: Have WE done everything we can to help these people out, and everything we are legally liable to do? I want us to deal with it. It keeps coming up -- and it's in my precinct... If we have an obligation, we need to make it right," Player concluded.

The commissioners handled the rest of the agenda in short order. - They made a change in the Leon County Health Resource Commission, replacing Royce Dawkins and Debbie Waters with MJ Bridges and Andrea Freeman. - They voted to spend Hurricane Ike Grant funds to purchase Kohler generators and other equipment to be kept at the Buffalo and Centerville senior centers and the Hilltop Lakes Chapel for use during any future power outages. Judge Ryder requested suggestions for the balance of the grant funds. - The commissioners voted to run any donations to the Veteran's Service Office directly through the county auditor's office. The action frees the VSO officers of the "burden of accountability of funds" and ensures checks and balances for all donations. - Kathy Pierce was appointed to the Brazos Valley Child Response Team to represent the county on the regional child abduction response team. - Judge Ryder announced dates for budget workshops leading up to setting the preliminary budget on June 30th. - The court approved a road use agreement for CR 223 in Precinct 2 with Larry Rogers Logging. - Auditor Susan Pugh presented seven line item transfers totalling $15,521.47. - The court approved a bid to add cleaning the adult probation/juvenile probation buildings ($1100/mo) and the district court building ($1850/ mo) to the current cleaning contract. - Commissioner Mark Ivey requested go out for bids for a used roller for Precinct 3. - Commissioner David Ferguson suggested the need for attractive, consistently-style signage on county buildings, and Judge Ryder added that more safety railing is needed, as well. - During public comments Martin Housler expressed appreciation to Commissioner Ivey on the excellent job on road repairs leading to the recently expanded Tri-County Horseshoe Club.