County prepares for possible redistricting
The Grimes County Commissioners Court held a Regular Meeting Wednesday, March 11, and approved an agreement with Allison, Bass & Magee in the amount of $20,000 for legal assistance during the 2021 redistricting process that will follow the 2020 census.
In correspondence to the court, partner Robert Bass stated that redistricting, also known as reapportionment, requires all Texas political entities that elect their governing body by election from single member districts, precincts or wards to review their existing boundaries and that the districts be balanced in terms of population following each census. In addition, any changes must comply with the federal Voting Rights Act.
April 2020 is “Census Month” and the demographic data will be released by the census bureau during January and February 2021. Analysis of political boundaries to determine if redistricting is required is scheduled for April-May 2021.
If reapportionment is determined to be legally required, it will be conducted for Commissioners Court, the Justice of the Peace and Constable precincts and voting precincts beginning May through August 2021.
The contract is payable in three installments, and if after initial analysis no reapportionment is required, the county is under no obligation to pay the final two installments.
Bid process for justice center storage pad approved
After a lengthy discussion, commissioners approved a motion authorizing Project Manager Al Peeler to go out for bid for a 40 x 100-foot concrete pad for the maintenance and storage building associated with the justice center under construction.
County Judge Joe Fauth said, “The reason I have this item back on the agenda is I think it’s important for us as we’re in this building project to make sure that we know what the foundation needs are going to be at this facility so we can get the piers and all of that done, and I would suggest at a lesser price than bringing everybody back in six months, or 10 months or 12 months after the facility is done. I think we need to move on this fairly quickly.”
Revisiting the topic was prompted by discovery that a solid pad for a maintenance facility had somehow been removed from architect PGAL’s plans through the course of the five design changes.
In addition, Fauth said follow-up emails received from department heads indicated additional storage needs above what had been discussed during the needs analysis meetings. According to Fauth and Peeler, the original maintenance pad was 40 x 60 foot, and then 40 x 80 foot as a result of the meetings.
County Clerk Vanessa Burzynski was one who expressed a need for additional space.
Commissioner Phillip Cox pointed out funds that had been expended on digitalization of records and said, “There are a lot of things we could probably minimize on due to technology.”
Burzynski said, “Even though we are digitizing all of our records, those are still permanent records and cannot be destroyed or gotten rid of. I have to keep those books because they’re historical, and that’s required in the law that I cannot get rid of those books even if they’re digitized.” Cox suggested using an
Cox suggested using an agency to pick up and store the books.
Even though the Texas State Archives provides that service, Burzynski said, “I have some apprehension about letting them leave the county because this is our county history. I am afraid that if the books are gone that they’re gone.”
Responding to Commissioner Walker’s questions about exhausting contingency funds before completion of the building, Fauth said, “This construction of the new maintenance building, that $250,000, is already in this $12 million package.”
CW legend Doug Stone headlines animal shelter fundraiser
Pct. 2 Commissioner David Dobyanski announced that the first fundraiser for a county animal shelter has been scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at the Grimes County Fairgrounds. Entertainment will be provided by 90s C&W legend Doug Stone. Dobyanski said additional event details will be released soon.
Burn ban: No action taken, burn
No action taken, burn ban remains lifted.
Other court action:
•Approved Consent Agenda Items that included treasurer’s list of claims and bills, payroll and budget amendments and/or line item transfers.
•Heard a presentation from Kennie Kerr about PHI Medical Transport Medical Plan.
•Maintenance/Project Manager Al Peeler provided an update on courthouse repairs, status of Law Enforcement Center roof and mold remediation and progress of the justice center project.
•Tabled changing Records Management Clerk from Grade 2 to Grade 3 till May.
• Approved the addition of Grimes County First Responders’ five handheld and five mobile ra dio to the Grimes County 700/800 radio count. •Tabled discussion and
•Tabled discussion and approval of Emergency Services Agreement with CHI St. Joseph to March 25.
•Received a Road & Bridge report from Engineer Harry Walker regarding continued maintenance, removal of downed trees, drainage work and updates on new barn at FM 2445, Hurricane Harvey grant contract, subdivision plats and advised that R&B is back to summer hours of four 10-hour days.