DON KOESTER RECOGNIZED AT FINAL WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS MEETING

  

Upon the conclusion of their final meeting of 2024, Washington County Commissioners today (Monday) acknowledged outgoing Precinct 1 Commissioner Don Koester.

Today’s meeting was the last one Koester will attend as commissioner, as newcomer Misti Hartstack Corn will take office on Wednesday.  Koester has served in the role since 2017. 

Koester reflected on his memories working with each other member of the commissioners court.  He said he has dedicated his life to serving the public and is grateful he could do so in this manner.

After Koester’s comments, County Judge John Durrenberger presented him with a Texas flag flown over the state capitol in Austin.  The flag comes on behalf of State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, who certified that the flag flew over the capitol on November 25^th. 

Durrenberger thanked Koester for his service and for what he has done for the county and its constituents over the past eight years. 

Commissioner Kirk Hanath said he appreciates the relationship he and Koester have developed both as colleagues and as friends.  He added that while they may not always have agreed, they remained professional and kept the best interests of Washington County at heart.

In other business, the court:

• Accepted an offer of road right-of-way for the public purpose of street/road use along Caney Creek Road in Precinct 2.  County Engineer Wesley Stolz said Camp For All is in the early planning stages for a second campus along that roadway, but the road as it is now has sharp curves.  The organization has agreed to dedicate approximately 6,600 square feet of right-of-way so that the county can make the roadway safer.
• Approved revisions to the county’s employee handbook.  Human Resources Director Angela Mlcak said the changes include updating the section on employees’ personal use of social media, in order to align with the county’s social media policy approved earlier in the year; adding wording to ensure an employee accrues eight hours of paid time off (PTO) whenever an approved holiday falls outside that employee’s regularly assigned work schedule; revising the requirements for PTO payout with notice upon voluntary separation, clarifying the notice as two weeks before the separation date; removing an occurrence of “sick or vacation leave” in the handbook, as the county now uses “paid time off”; and changing per diem rates for travel on official county business to a flat rate of $55 per day.
• Approved 2025 pay rate assignments for the civil warrant deputy position in the Precinct 1 Constable’s Office and for support staff in the District Attorney’s Office.
• Approved updates to Engineering and Development Services job descriptions.
• Granted authorization to the county judge, county auditor and county treasurer to make budget amendments and line item transfers, if necessary, to close out the 2024 fiscal year.