WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE PURCHASE OF BALLISTIC SHIELD FOR SHERIFF’S OFFICE

  

Washington County Commissioners agreed on the purchase of new protection equipment for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at their meeting today (Monday).

Commissioners approved the sheriff’s office to buy a 36-inch ballistic shield.  The shield protects the carrier from bullets and other projectiles, and comes equipped with a viewport and light.

Chief Deputy Jay Petrash said the shield is a needed piece of equipment for the Special Response Team (SRT).

 

The purchase totals $9,813, plus $150 for shipping.  The sheriff’s office will use a 50/50 split of funds from its forfeiture account and its Law Enforcement Office Standards and Education (LEOSE) account to pay for the shield.

Following the end of regular session, commissioners opened a public meeting where they authorized Lischka Engineering to advertise for sealed bids for the Pecan Glen Road District rehabilitation project.

The road district will use up to $950,000 in bonds approved by Pecan Glen voters to improve roads in the Pecan Glen subdivision.  The first-year ad valorem tax rate on residents of the subdivision is $0.1500 per $100 valuation.  The tax only applies to residents who live within the boundaries of the road district.

Bids are due to the county by June 28^th at 3 p.m. at the Washington County Courthouse.  Commissioners will consider the bids submitted for approval at their meeting July 5^th.

Also in regular session today, commissioners:

• Approved a commercial driver’s license (CDL) training program agreement for the county.  County Engineer Wesley Stolz said entry-level driver training is required to obtain a CDL, but the Engineering and Development Services Department is struggling to find employees who have one.  Stolz said the training program, which is offered through the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and sponsored by the county, is similar to what is provided for employees of the sheriff’s office and EMS.  Per the agreement, employees are required to stay with the county for three years after earning their CDL or pay back the funds required to get through the necessary training.
• Approved a permit application for the 2022 Independence 4^th of July parade.
• Approved a 90-day extension of 58.5 excess vacation hours for Ricky Pena with Washington County EMS.