WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS ACCEPT DONATION FOR NEW DRUG DOG

  

Washington County Commissioners have accepted a contribution for a new drug dog.

Commissioners at their meeting this (Tuesday) morning accepted the donation from Aspen Midstream, LLC.

Commissioner Joy Fuchs said officials with the oil company met with Precinct Four Constable Greg Rolling, regarding his list of several items the county could use.   One of the items on the list was a drug dog, which was also offered to the City of Burton.  After councilmembers in Burton rejected the offer last month, the company decided to make an offer to the county.

Fuchs said this offer was also brought to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, who decided not to have a drug dog, so it’s not as if the county is “circumventing anything”.

Rolling said this drug dog can be used countywide, and is not a “bite dog”. Fuchs said Rolling could set up on Highway 290 and catch people using that route to traffic drugs as an alternative to I-10.

The amount of the donation was $14,000 total, made up of $12,900 for the dog and $1,100 for other miscellaneous expenses.

Fuchs said food for the dog is being donated, and someone has volunteered to help with vet bills. County Judge John Durrenberger said the county’s maximum exposure will be somewhere around $500 a year for the dog.

Commissioners voted 3-1 on the matter, with Commissioner Kirk Hanath opposing. Hanath said he had concerns on the limited resources in Rolling’s office, since Rolling would be the only person that can handle the dog.  He said, since this program would be countywide, Rolling would essentially be covering “a very large area” by himself.

Fuchs said, as Rolling is no longer with the City of Burton, he will have more time to spend with the dog in the constable’s office.

Hanath also asked how evidence would be handled by the county. Rolling said, upon talking with Precinct One Constable Ken Holle, Brad Kuecker would be the evidence technician, and the evidence would be stored in the constable’s office annex.  Rolling added that felony cases would be taken directly to the lab, not stored.

Both Durrenberger and Fuchs said they understood Hanath’s concerns and that they needed to be discussed. However, Fuchs said a majority of the people in the county support the idea of having a drug dog.

Also in court, commissioners signed off on a resolution approving the county’s usage of the Federal Off-System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program for bridge projects.

County Engineer Ross McCall said in this program, the state identifies deficient bridges or drainage systems. Repairs for these are paid for on an 80-10-10 percent cost share by federal, state, and local governments respectively.

According to McCall, TxDOT will take care of repairs at Roberts Road at Burns Creek, while Washington County will be responsible for Wonder Hill Road near Stern Road.

Commissioners also approved:

• A resolution authorizing application for a Homeland Security Grant Program.  Emergency Management Coordinator Bryan Ruemke said the county will receive two handheld radios, priced at roughly $3,500 apiece, for $1,400 altogether.
• An interlocal agreement between Washington County and Fayette County for road improvement services to Raymond-Lehmann Road in Ledbetter.  McCall said Fayette County will reimburse Washington County for the work it does at Raymond-Lehmann Road.  McCall said Washington County crews will only be maintaining the road within the county.
• A contract between Washington County and Butterfly Network, Inc., for ultrasound devices and a hosted software service for EMS.
• Renewal of an interlocal agreement between Lubbock County and Washington County to provide court-appointed counsel for individuals charged with capital murder.
• Purchase of a Ricoh Laser Copier with a two year extended warranty from Computer Helpers in Brenham.  The purchase is for the Precinct Two Justice of the Peace office, and will use JP Technology funds.
• A subdivision variance request for a land division on Triangle Z Lane in Precinct Four.
• A re-plat of tracts 8B and 9B of the South Berlin Subdivision, located on South Berlin Road in Precinct Four.
• Reappointment of Durrenberger and Fuchs to the Brazos Valley Council of Governments Board of Directors.