Animal shelter seeks county ARPA funds

No action was taken at the Jan. 5 Regular Meeting of the Grimes County Commissioners Court on a request from Grimes County Animal Rescue (GCAR) for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. GCAR’s request will be revisited Feb. 16 following an ARPA workshop Jan. 26. The postponement allows for consultation with GrantWorks and review of the County’s ARPA qualified expenditures.

GCAR president Kristin Carroll told commissioners, “What we’re proposing is to use funds from ARPA for the water and sewer infrastructure project as it relates to the animal shelter, which includes running a water line into the shelter and running the sewer line from the shelter under the road.”

The sewer line cost is $31,500 and the water line, $2,700. According to Carroll, to increase accountability for GCAR and provide security for the County, GCAR requested the funds be disbursed as a reimbursement for incurred costs upon completion of the sewer and water lines.

Regarding the long-awaited shelter groundbreaking, Carroll said, “Pending all of that, we could probably break ground in February.”

Out-of-county inmate fees redistributed

Commissioners approved redistribution of funds received from housing out-of-county inmates to allow the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office to receive 100% of those funds. Currently, funds are split 50-50 between the County’s General Fund and the GCSO.

While it was suggested that of the 100%, 25% be earmarked for jail operations and 75% for jail capital improvements, the motion stated the actual percentages will be determined by the GCSO.

According to County Judge Joe Fauth, the Interlocal Agreement with Coryell County approved Oct. 20, 2021, has the potential to extend up to five years. At present, Grimes is housing 20-25 Coryell County inmates and receives $55 per day per inmate for food and clothing. The home county pays for hospital, dental, mental health and prescription drug costs.

Other court action:

•Approved Consent Agenda items which included waterline installation permit for Wickson Creek on Debbie Ln. in Pct. 1, treasurer’s list of claims and bills, payroll, November monthly report, budget amendments/ line-item transfers, with a minor correction.

•Received a brief update on jail and Justice Center projects from Maintenance/Project Manager Al Peeler.

•Approved the American Fire Protection Group, Inc. Inspection Agreement for the historic Grimes County courthouse at a cost of $1,050 per year for five years.

•Approved list of surplus items for auction submitted by Maintenance/Project Manager Al Peeler.

•Tabled discussion to approve a bid for the new maintenance/storage building.

•Approved the request of IT Director Gregg Cannon to purchase two copiers and one printer for the new District and County Court at Law courtrooms in the Grimes County Justice and Business Center at a cost of $7,745.56.

•Rescheduled approval of a lease agreement for the premises at 318 N. LaSalle St. in Navasota for the Adult Probation Department to Feb. 2, 2022, agenda. During discussion, commissioners modified the proposed agreement to a $2,400 per month 12-month lease to end 12-21-22 with 30 days’ notice of vacating premises to relocate to the Anderson Annex and with no proration.

•After a public hearing with no comments against, approved replats of King Oaks Section 1, Lots 193 and 194, Section 3, Lots 270 and 271, and Section 2, Lots 462 and 463.

•Received the Road and Bridge report.

•Approved designating the Grimes County Justice and Business Center located at 270 FM 149 West in Anderson as the new site for Commissioners Court meetings effective Feb. 2, 2022.

•Approved the Joint Primary Election Services Contract between Grimes County Election Administrator Lucy Ybarra and the Democratic and Republican Party chairs for the Joint Primary Election, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, and if necessary, Tuesday, March 24, 2022, for a Joint Runoff Primary Election.

•Took no action on ARPA expenditures.

Commissioners court may be viewed in its entirety at www.facebook.com/GrimesCountyCourtHouse.

Burn Ban: The burn ban remains lifted.