WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE FUEL ITEMS, HEAR REPORTS
Washington County Commissioners approved a set of fuel-related items and received a series of county reports at today’s (Tuesday) meeting.
Commissioners agreed to advertise for oil and gas bids on over 10 acres of land in the county. County Engineer Ross McCall said the land of interest is in Precinct 1, in the roadway of Bluff Road, northeast of Independence.
The county has already heard from one interested bidder, but the county is legally required to advertise so others have a chance to submit a bid.
The county also approved re-advertising for fleet fuel for county offices. The court looked for bids late last year, but only received one bid which was undesirable. McCall said the county will re-open for bids on February 25th, and will look to accept a bid the next day in commissioners court.
Also in session, commissioners approved the sale of surplus bridge material to Milam County. McCall stated the county had dozens of old steel beams that were considered too much work to repurpose. He said the county is selling them for more than salvage value, and there are opportunities in the future to offload more of these beams.
During the Road and Bridge report, McCall said the county has partnered with Deans Imaging, who has flown and photographed 10 miles of county roads outside of Burton. He said this information is being used to advance oil and gas production in the county. In addition, he said the county will hold a pre-construction meeting with Collier Construction this week, to discuss building of the new Road and Bridge Facility.
EMS Director Kevin Deramus stated in his report that 86 percent of the department’s budget is funded by fees for service, while 14 percent was from tax dollars. He also said in December of 2018, the department had just 11 jail calls, its lowest monthly total in two years.
In the Veterans Service Officer report, Kenneth Mueller announced this would be the last report he gives to the commissioners court. Mueller is retiring from his position on the 31st, and has been training Eric Posern to take his place.
Mueller said, over the course of his 19 years as the Washington County Veterans Service Officer, he has distributed $170 million in benefits to veterans and their families. Commissioner Joy Fuchs thanked Mueller for his service, saying he has “made sure these veterans have gotten the benefits they deserve”.
Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak mentioned in his monthly report that in December of 2018, the Sheriff’s Office received $25,750 in cash donations from non-risk donors.
Commissioners also approved the renewal of a bond for Reserve Deputy Sheriff Steven Westbrook, as well as the re-appointment of Melinda Faubion to the Hotel Occupancy Tax Board. In addition, the court approved the renewal of a contract with Attorney Scott Ballard to represent indigent defendants in the county court-at-law.