COMMISSIONERS HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON THE LEASING OF COUNTY LAND
The Washington County Commissioners conducted a public hearing concerning the lease of 1.293 acres of land owned by Washington County this morning at their regular meeting.
The purpose of the lease is for oil and gas development pursuant to Natural Resources Code. The land is located near Burton on FM 1948. The county has been in possession of this land since 1933.
The land has not yet been drilled. There is a requirement for the lease to be put into the newspaper for three weeks before a lease can be bid on.
The commissioners also then approved to receive those advertised for sealed bids for the same tract of land.
Also on the agenda is the discussion on formal notices for a buried utility line in two locations in Precinct 1, one on Allen Road and one on Clover Road., both for a water line bore.
The commissioners also approved the 2014-2015 school lands report and disbursement of funds to the Brenham Independent School District and Burton ISD.
Brenham ISD received $217,072.53, or 92.5 percent of the disbursement, and Burton ISD received $17,600.48, or 7.5 percent. The numbers are based on the Average Daily Attendance for each district.
The Request for Qualification review committees report and recommended an architect to prepare a Historic Courthouse Master Plan.
The committee consisted of Commissioners Zeb Heckmann, and Luther Hueske and County Clerk Beth Rothermel.
Four architecture firms submitted bids for the plan, Boettcher and Associates, VOH Architects, Architexas Architects and Keese and Associates LLP. After much discussion in the committee, Architexas was chosen due to their years of experience in these types of courthouse renovations. The next step is to negotiate a contract with Architexas, and then for them to them come up with a Master Plan.
Commissioner Kirk Hanath commented that the courthouse had problems that needed to be fixed, but it was important that the right firm be chosen for the job.
The commissioners also approved granting the Environmental Health Department the authority to accept payments by credit and debit cards through an agreement with Accelerated Card Company. This is the same company that the J.P’s and County Clerk use for processing credit card payments. There is no cost to the county for this since the person making the transaction pays the fee, not the county. The change comes as more and more people are requesting to pay required fees using a credit card; however cash and checks will still be accepted at this time.
Also approved was the approval to contract for legal services between Washington County and Allison, Bass and Magee, LLP of Austin.
An inmate in the Washington County Jail is suing the county, but not asking for actual damages.
This law firm is qualified to take the case to Federal Court, which is where alleged Civil Rights violation cases are heard. County Attorney Renee Mueller told the Commissioners and those in attendance that no one in her office is licensed to operate in Federal Court.
The county wants to make sure the case is handle correctly in case the inmate suing would change their minds and then ask for damages after getting their day in court.
The commissioners also approved a buried utility line on Allen Road in Precinct One and on Clover Road in Precinct One for water line drilling.