In Judge Ryder’s absence, Commissioners make fast work of Leon County business

The Commissioners of Leon County moved very quickly through the agenda of the regular meeting on June 14, 2010. Judge Byron Ryder was out of town on County business and Commissioner Joey Sullivan presided.

Vince Delisa with Brazo Valley Affordable Housing presented a resolution for Leon County to continue to participate in the Brazos Valley HOME Consortium. This will allow eligible residents of Leon County to continue to have access to funds for down payment and closing cost for eligible home purchases.

Stan Inderman, Legal Assistant with McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C. Attorneys at Law discussed the contract for collection of delinquent court fines and fees assessed by the Justice Courts of Leon County. The firm will charge no fee for delinquent fines and fees issued before 11-07. Justice of the Peace Charles Keeling added that the firm had collected $615,000 in delinquent fines and fees.

The Commissioner’s approved the use of the old courtroom and either the Grand Room (Annex I) or Great Room (Annex II) for an October 10, 2010 wedding if needed in case of bad weather. Scott Kazia explained that the wedding is planned for outdoors but the family wanted to reserve the county rooms in case of inclement weather. The family will get janitorial service to clean up afterwards.

Ron Murphy, president, Tri-County Horseshoe Club invited Judge Ryder and all Leon County Commissioners to a Communitywide Fish Fry to be held at the newly renovated complex on Sand Hill Cemetery Road in Buffalo. The facility is the largest and highest quality horseshoe pitching complex in Texas. Tri-County Horseshoe Club will host the Texas State Horseshoe Championship this year in October.

Leon County Auditor Susan Pugh reported that citizens who participated in the tire pickup day were polled concerning the Illegal Dumping brochure, as directed by the state. Seventy-six percent said they had read the brochure and 52% said they felt Leon County could do more to control illegal dumping. She then had $6,377 certified from the sale of patrol vehicles. Most of the funds went into the Sheriff’s budget.

Pugh reported that she had done some research and found where portable finger printing devices are available. She gave the report to Sheriff Jerry Wakefield.

In other business the Commissioner’s Court: approved minutes from the previous meeting; approved a preliminary plat for Big Oaks Vista Subdivision; appointed the Tax Assessor/Collector to calculate the effective and rollback tax rates for the tax year 2010; tabled changes to a pipeline agreement; approved the road use agreement with RW Delaney Construction for CR 350, 353, 354, all in Precinct #3; approved the pipeline agreement with Valence Operating for CR 367, also in Precinct #3.