Following receipt of Gov. Greg Abbott’s proclamation for extension of a state of emergency due to increased fire weather conditions, the DeWitt County Commissioners Court approved an order declaring a local disaster declaration.
Billy Jordan, Emergency Management coordinator, told the court the local declaration supplements the governor’s proclamation in making grants available for reimbursement for equipment used in emergency situations and supporting federal programs for ranchers. A burn ban has been in effect since August 25.
Precinct 1 has been without a phone at the precinct office. AT&T has not moved service from the old building to the new one. To contact Precinct 1 Commissioner Brian Carson, citizens can call Blair Duran in Judge Daryl Fowler’s office.
The 5-year lease agreement with Motorola Solutions that was approved two weeks ago was signed effective Oct. 27. A delayed payment option allows the upgrade to be made now with the first payment not due for a year. Mark Johnson from Motorola Solutions said equipment will ship as soon as the contract is received. Judge Fowler stated that the upgrade in the communications system will resolve a communication problem among law enforcement and first responders that has developed over the last nine months. Sheriff Bowen stated that he had considered competing bids which he deemed would not be less costly in the long run. LCRA’s bid was not considered in the best interest of the county as the nearest technician is in Weimar.
Other agreements approved for the Sheriff’s Office were software packages for a Mobile Data Information System, a Jail Management System, a Computer Aided Dispatch system, and Quarter Master for management of inventory. A Record System for Cuero-DeWitt County Health Department was approved.
The commissioners approved the appointment of Kayla Kaiser to the De-Witt County Child Welfare Board as requested by Kati Klores, board president. The board of volunteers partners with Child Protective Services to provide supplies for children in foster care. Friends of De-Witt County Children is a separate non-profit organization.
Commissioners received tax rolls from the County Tax Assessor that predict $34.7 million in receipts from De-Witt County taxes and $2.9 million in receipts from County Road and Bridge taxes. The court cast its votes for James Pilchiek, Precinct 2 Commissioner, to serve on the DeWitt County Appraisal District board of directors.
The court awarded a bid for $210,568.81 from Performance Truck in Victoria for the purchase of a new dump truck for Precinct #2; it was the only bid received.
Four-way stop signs will be placed at the intersections of Lynch and Proctor Streets and Lynch and Lane Streets in Westhoff. The rerouting of FM 240 away from the Westhoff School has led to traffic coming into Westhoff on Proctor and Lane at an unsafe rate of speed while children and adults are walking along Lynch to and from the school.
The court received certificates of completion for Constable Roy Kuester for training on Sexual Assault Family Violence Investigation, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement license, and 89th state and federal law update. Billy Jordan, Emergency Management Coordinator, completed a Staging Area Manager course and Commissioner Precinct #1 employees Amanda Stehling and Andres Carmona received training on Hazardous Materials Awareness, significant to response to fires and automobile accidents where hazardous materials are present.
Other action included receipt of the budget from Green DeWitt Drainage District, noting that it reflected deficit spending, approval of a number of temporary rights of way, and receipt of reports from the county auditor and county treasurer. Action was not taken on a number of policies and procedures from Human Resources that appeared on the agenda. They will be considered at a future meeting.
