WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS FOR PROPERTY FRONTING ROAD AND BRIDGE FACILITY

  

Washington County Commissioners have started the negotiation process for property fronting the Road and Bridge facility on Highway 36 North.

Commissioners at their meeting today (Tuesday) authorized the county to purchase a .44 acre tract of land next to the land holding the under-construction facility. They also approved an order exempting the purchase from competitive bidding procedures, and appointed County Judge John Durrenberger to represent the county during negotiations.

Commissioner Kirk Hanath said this particular land sits in front of the building, and will allow for an expansion of the entrance to the building, creating a safer environment for everyone who visits. He said, since the facility will house the Road and Bridge, rural addressing and environmental departments, there will be county and constituent vehicles coming in and out of the property.  He said this will prevent traffic from being confined to just one area.

Commissioner Don Koester said the frontage will also save the county money on utilities coming in. Commissioner Candace Bullock added, without the frontage, the county would have to take “a much more complex route” to get the power transfer from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.  She said this will provide “a much more direct power transfer”.

Durrenberger said it is “very rare” to have the chance to purchase highway frontage adjoining existing property. He said the county is “really looking forward” to having the additional 375 feet of frontage.

Previously, Durrenberger said the county was looking to purchase the land at roughly $3 per square foot. This equates to roughly $58,414, or $130,680 for a full acre.

Also at the meeting, commissioners approved this year’s group medical insurance rates administered through the Texas Association of Counties. Bullock said this year’s premium rate went down four percent, and that the county is projected to save $69,160 over the budget year.  Commissioner Joy Fuchs said this decrease is “almost unheard of”.

Commissioners also approved four formal notices for road and utility work. Those include:

• A 4-inch road bore with a 2-inch water line extension in Precinct Three on Edgewater Lane by PGMS-Central Washington County Water Supply Corporation.
• A proposed utility line by AMP Texas Pipelines, LLC, for a 16-inch natural gas pipeline within county right-of-way of Muske-Ullrich Road in Precinct Four.
• A proposed utility line by AMP Texas Pipelines, LLC, for a 16-inch natural gas pipeline within county right-of-way of Kieke Road in Precinct Four.
• A proposed utility line by PGMS-Central Washington County Water Supply Corporation for a 2-inch road bore for a water line extension within county right-of-way of South Berlin Road in Precinct Four.