Commissioners take action to move Expo plans forward

When the Leon County commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, July 28, the opening ceremonies were conducted by Boy Scout Troop 6335. Commemorating 100 years of Boy Scouts, a color guard consisting of scouts Patrick Jalufka, Mark Jalufka and Kevin Gonzalez and troop leaders Larry Bass and Dan Wingerson participated in a flag ceremony.

Several agenda items dealt with the proposed Expo Center. Judge Byron Ryder stated, "We're very serious about getting this project going," and the court then took several actions necessary to move ahead with that project. First, the court heard a presentation from Jeremy Buechter, PE, project manager with the Tyler firm of Schaumburg & Polk, outlining their bid to analyze available water at the site off Hwy 75 which is served by Flo Water. The firm will also check out the potential to install a well to provide the considerable water necessary for the proposed facililty -- both potable and irrigation. They will also report on available funding and provide a hydraulic model. The commissioners unani- mously approved the $14,400 contract.

Next, the court approved a contract with Apex Geoscience, also of Tyler, to drill soil borings for the building and pavement area to provide data and recommendations to the architect and civil engineers. That contract was for $17,540.

The County is also focusing on how to finance the Expo Center. The Commissioners approved a resolution to be sent to cities and economic development corporations requesting their assistance in establishing and in the ongoing maintenance of the proposed center. They also contracted with Yvonne Kopy with American Grant Funding to research additional monies, outside funds and grants. Her contract will be re-evaluated after the initial retainer of $5000 has been spent. Commissioner David Ferguson stated, "One thing we said on this (project) is that we'd try to find outside funds, grants. It's good to have someone dedicated to one project looking for those things."

Anthony Eaton with the architectural firm Sinclair & Wright was also present at the meeting and expressed his firm's eagerness to get started on the Expo Center project.

Proceeding with the posted agenda, Elections Official Robin Shafer reported on elections judges for the 2010-11 election year. She noted that all positions on the Republican side have been filled, and on the Democratic side only Hilltop Lakes (Pre- cinct 6) is still without an election judge.

Tyson Henson presented a final plat for Big Oaks Vista Subdivision for the court's approval. After Commissioner Joey Sullivan confirmed that everything is in order, the plat was approved and the roads accepted into county maintenance.

Leon County renewed their contract with Pritchard & Abbott for on-line data processing services for two more years. Tax Collector Louise Wilson was on hand to confirm that this has been a good working relationship in the past. The firmwill provide software, hardware and the printing of tax statements for both the appraisal district and the county, and it was noted that pricing will increase slightly due to the number of items being collected.

Judge Ryder led a discussion of the possible tax rates for the 2010-11 budget year. He stated that the county is planning to hold the tax rate at .41777 -- an effective rate of 10 cents and rollback rate of 14 cents -- but the goal is to keep from raising taxes by cutting the budget "to the bare bone." Commissioner Dean Player expounded, "We're trying to keep everybody on the payroll and not lay off, and with people in our county out of work, raising taxes doesn't make sense. It's a real challenge to keep a handle on the taxes and still provide the services people expect. We've had a very ag- gressive program of road improvements, and that's one area where you're going to see cutbacks next year -- in materials." Commissioner Ferguson concurred, "Less rock, less oil sand is where you'll see it." He also pointed out that a lot of people in our county have gone from working five days a week to two.

In other action, Dean Player was appointed to the BVCOG Executive Board as Secretary, effective Oct. 1.

Auditor Susan Pugh presented line item transfers totalling $32,282. Considering purchase and selling requests: - The court approved Pugh's recommendation of a land line for the new veterans affairs office. - They also approved a proposal for a generator to keep the county offices' phone systems working in case of power outages. - Approval was postponed on aluminum signage for the annex buildings. - The elevator in the courthouse was added to the annual maintenance agreement with Tyson. - The County again joined the Corporation for Texas Regionalism, a lobby group in Austin. - The County's employee health insurance contract with Scott & White was renewed, with a 14.8% increase in premiums.