Precinct 3 Commissioner James Kaiser announced during the DeWitt County Commissioners Court regular meeting that the Pete Jablonski Road will be closed on Monday, Sept. 30, for repairs. Other agenda items included honoring the 4-H Youth Development Program as well as discussion of the Indigent Defense Formula Grant Program and the county auditor policy updates.
Candace Williamson, the AgriLife Extension Agent for 4-H and Youth Development, introduced officers of the DeWitt County 4-H Council, five of whom were able to come to court. Those unable to attend were J.R. Bishop, president; Jackie Finney, 2nd vice president; Andrew Hahn, secretary; Jana Justiss, health and safety officer; and Robert Post, parliamentarian. Kassidy Cowey said she was a council reporter who shows lambs and competes in archery. Carter Roeder, also a reporter, said he is part of the Yorktown 4-H. Kaitlyn Roeder, also with the Yorktown 4-H, said she is the council treasurer, a member of the Shotgun Club and she shows pigs as well as commercial heifers. Ella Jander said she is 1st vice president of the county council and Gunnar Frank said he is 3rd vice president, a part of the shotgun group and shows pigs.
County Judge Daryl Fowler commended the youth for putting in work after school and jokingly warned people not to get in front of the highly accurate shotgun club members. The court approved a proclamation designating October 6-12 as National 4-H Week in Texas to celebrate the “116-year history of providing experience- based education to youth throughout the Lone State State.”
While considering the resolution to designate Judge Fowler as the authorized individual to apply for the Indigent Defense Formula Grant, County Auditor Neomi Williams commented that the state disbursement was much higher than it normally is.
“Usually we get about $10,000 or $15,000, and we got over a $100,000,” Williams said. When she looked up the exact amount was $191,000. Judge Fowler was not sure why the amount was higher, but suggested it could relate to the changes with Senate Bill 22 that supports county prosecutions.
The commissioners approved most other items on their agenda, but tabled the adoption of an order for a Policy for Establishing a Record Management Program. The county auditor had several policy updates that were approved, but this one had outstanding questions on elected vs. non-elected designated record keepers. The court will revisit the policy after clarification of record keeping duties.
The next Commissioners Court meeting will be Monday, Oct. 14, at 9 a.m.
