WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS ACCEPT PECAN GLEN ROADS INTO COUNTY SYSTEM, EXTEND HURRICANE DISASTER DECLARATION
Washington County Commissioners met today (Tuesday) to approve an amendment to the Pecan Glen road improvement agreement and bring roads in the Pecan Glen subdivision into the county road system.
The Precinct 4 roads, which include Pecan Glen Road, Desirable Circle, Success Court and Stuart Road, were part of the improvement project undertaken through the Pecan Glen Road District, using bond proceeds approved in May 2021 by voters inside the district’s boundaries. Commissioners, acting as the road district, approved the amendment at their meeting last week but needed to pass it while acting as the commissioners court for full approval.
County Engineer Wesley Stolz explained that the amendment reflects a change from doing a third course of chip seal treatment to sticking with a two-course treatment. Commissioner Dustin Majewski said this is due to cost increases beyond what the road district, formed in December 2020 but well in the works before then, possessed in its fund balance to support the road improvements.
Stolz said despite not being able to get a third-course treatment, the roads still exceed the county’s minimum standard.
Commissioner Candice Bullock cautioned residents looking to purchase property in neighborhoods out in the county, advising that they verify beforehand whether the developer is constructing roads with the intent of the county taking them in as county roads. She said that is what happened here, and as a result, the developer let the roads “go to shambles.”
The court spoke positively on the roads as they are now, with County Judge John Durrenberger and Commissioner Kirk Hanath saying they are in excellent condition. Hanath asked Stolz if the county would be able to use any leftover retainage from the road bond – approximately $16,436 – to put toward additional maintenance on the roads. First Assistant County Attorney Kacie Murphy said that would be a question for the bonding attorneys.
Also at today’s meeting, commissioners extended the county’s local disaster declaration pertaining to Hurricane Beryl. The initial declaration went into effect on July 9th but was set to expire after a week, unless commissioners opted to extend it. It will now continue for another 30 days until August 14th, unless extended further or terminated earlier.
In other action, the court:
- Agreed to enter into contract negotiations with Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP for delinquent tax collection services.
- Approved pay rates for new jail transport deputies. Human Resources Director Angela Mlcak said the item is to bring in the two new hires at the same pay rate as the existing employee
- Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Highway 290 West and Memory Lane in Precinct 4, consisting of 12.29 acres.
- Approved bond renewals for Elections Administrator Carol Jackson and reserve deputy sheriff Craig Wiesepape.