WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS TO CONSIDER LEASE-TO-OWN HANGAR TO HOUSE EMS HELICOPTER
Washington County Commissioners will consider a lease-to-own agreement with the Washington Volunteer Fire Department to build a hangar for the county’s EMS helicopter at their meeting Tuesday.
The agreement being considered by commissioners would allow for the construction of a hangar at the fire station. The premises would be used as a hangar and helipad for the helicopter, as well as overnight accommodations for the Washington County EMS Aviation Department.
The county will pay off the agreement with a 12-month term, which includes monthly rent of $13,750 paid to the fire department. REACH Air Medical Services, who will provide specifications for the building of the hangar, will pay the county back in lease payments for county expenses.
EMS Director Kevin Deramus said the hangar will not be leased until it is completed, adding that the building is on track to be complete for aircraft storage and maintenance near the end of the month. He said the county is addressing the lease agreement right now in order to begin the lease to own once the building is complete. He said it will eventually house crew quarters, but for now the crew will continue to stay inside the current building.
A crew quarters lease agreement also being considered by commissioners Tuesday would have REACH paying $1,100 per month to Washington County EMS for use of the premises. County Judge John Durrenberger said once the lease-to-own agreement is paid off, the money paid by REACH will become “an income stream.” He stressed that the county’s agreement with REACH is “still not costing the taxpayer a dime.”
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners will consider:
- An agreement between the county and Kenneth and Patricia Mosley. The agreement allows the county access to private property to remove a downed tree at Lot 17 Wood Creek Road in Brenham.
- Approval of the Washington County Courthouse Round XI Planning Grant Funding Agreement.
- A resolution for the 2021 Washington County Indigent Defense Grant Program.
- Formal notice for utility installation by PGMS – Central Washington County Water Supply for a two-inch road bore to repair a one-foot water line at 3300 Spanish Oaks Drive in Precinct Three.
- A subdivision variance request for a land division fronting FM 2447 and FM 1155 in Chappell Hill in Precinct Two.
- A proclamation declaring October 29th as Think Pink Thursday in Washington County.
Commissioners will meet Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. at the Washington County Courthouse. The meeting is being held at the courthouse due to early voting being held at the courthouse annex.