WASHINGTON CO. HISTORICAL COMMISSION HONORED WITH DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

  

The Washington County Historical Commission is the recipient of a statewide award.

County commissioners recognized the historical commission today (Tuesday) for earning a distinguished service award from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) for its body of work in 2024.  According to the THC website, Washington County was one of 60 county historical commissions to receive an award. 

County Judge John Durrenberger, reading a letter of acknowledgement from the THC, said the historical commission is well-deserving of the recognition and is “doing a wonderful job.”

A summary of 2024 outreach activities for county historical commissions across the state shows that members submitted 193 reports and contributed 372,000 volunteer hours.  The monetary value of those hours equaled $11.6 million.

The commission leads numerous preservation activities and programs, including hosting preservation education events and historic site tours, conducting or archiving oral histories, and monitoring subject markers, historic cemeteries and designated properties. 

One of the commission’s newer activities is its Gone to Texas Youth History Camp, which is in its fifth year.  Held from July 14-18, 24 children between 10 and 11 years old attended, visiting San Felipe, the Fanthorp Inn and Washington-on-the-Brazos.  The commission partners with the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, the local historic sites and community sponsors to provide the camp at no cost to participants.

Washington County Historical Commission Chair Tom Stevens said it is a pleasure to receive the award and called the commission’s work “a labor of love.”  Commissioner Kirk Hanath replied, “It shows.”

Also at today’s meeting, the court:

• Heard the EMS Department’s quarterly report.
• Approved a pay rate for jail transport sergeant.  A criminal investigator currently in the sheriff’s office is moving to the jail transport division.  Lieutenant David Blakey said the employee will see a reduction of about $4 an hour, due to the adjusted pay grade.
• Selected Singleton Clark as the firm to negotiate with for financial audit services and permitted the county auditor to enter negotiations regarding terms, cost and audit service details.
• Authorized the hiring of an elections clerk a month in advance of the current employee’s planned retirement in order to allow time for training, transition and continuity of operations.  Commissioners also approved a budget amendment from salary contingency for the position.
• Approved the reappointment of County Judge John Durrenberger and Commissioner Kirk Hanath to the Brazos Valley Council of Governments Board of Directors.