WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS SELECT NEW AUDIT FIRM
Washington County Commissioners today (Tuesday) agreed upon a new financial audit services firm for the county.
Commissioners voted to select Belt Harris Pechacek, LLLP out of Houston and authorize the county auditor to enter negotiations regarding terms, cost and audit service details.
County Auditor Shawna Hollis said the firm specializes in government audits and comes well-recommended by other entities that work with them.
The county has worked for several years with Rutledge Crain & Company, PC for auditing services. Hollis explained that the county is supposed to go out for bids for audit services every five years, and the county sought a firm for a three-year term with two one-year extensions.
According to Hollis, Lewis Crain of Rutledge Crain & Company informed the county that they would not put in a bid because they are looking to retire within the next few years, so they would not be able to fulfill the terms of the contract. Hollis commended the work done by the firm through its time serving the county.
Also at today’s meeting, commissioners accepted a bid from Colby Schneemann of Christoval for grazing leases on approximately 9,155 acres in Tom Green County school land, split between three tracts. The bid is for $8 per acre for each of the tracts, which total 2,886 acres, 4,666 acres and 1,603 acres.
Commissioners also voted to go out for requests for qualifications (RFQs) for a wildlife manager for the Tom Green County school land. County Judge John Durrenberger said since the county is now dividing the usage of the land between grazing and hunting, this wildlife manager will assist with the hunting aspect of the land. Responses will be due to the county by February 15th and accepted on February 20th.
In other action, the court:
- Authorized Washington County Facility Manager Bobby Branham to seek invitation for bids on a chiller replacement for the courthouse, using American Rescue Plan Act funds. Bids for a 100-ton Trane will be due to the county by February 1st and will be considered by commissioners on February 13th.
- Accepted a bid from WJ Trucking of San Antonio for a used water truck, contingent upon the Engineering and Development Services Department’s inspection of the truck. The truck is a 2013 Mack chassis with 111,000 miles and comes with a 4,000 gallon tank. The bid is for $85,000.
- Accepted bids for 2024 aviation fuel. The low bid comes from Campbell Oil, with an alternate awarded to Avfuel Corp.
- Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Tori Lane, consisting of 11.02 acres in Precinct 4.
- Approved a subdivision variance request for a lant division fronting Marshall Lane, consisting of 13.29 acres in Precinct 2.
- Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Highway 36 North, consisting of 11.01 acres in Precinct 3.
- Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Salem Road, consisting of 3.69 acres in Precinct 2.
- Approved an extension of time to use vacation hours for Information Technology Director TJ Harris.
- Received the Human Resources Department quarterly report.