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Court gives green light for $5 million in Certificates of Obligation
By Courtney Burleson, Managing Editor
The county now has up to $5 million to spend following the July 14 Colorado County Commissioners Court meeting in which the court unanimous ordered the issuance of Texas Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation, not to exceed $5 million.
Jennifer Douglas with First Southwest Company was present to share the county's bid summary for the certificates. The county's lowest bid was from Bank of America with a 3.92 percent interest rate and 10-year par call provision meaning the county may pay the certificates back early with no penalty.
"This is a good deal here," said Colorado County Judge Al Jamison. "We were budgeting at a 4.5 percent rate. This is as good as it gets."
The lower interested rate is estimated to save the county $23,000 a year, according to Douglas.
As far as what the funds will be used for, Colorado County Commissioner Herbie Helmcamp, precinct 2 said the allotment includes $2 million for repairs to the roof and some dome windows, $2 million for an annex and $1 million for road work.
Commissioner said right now these are all just estimates until bids come in.
"You're asking taxpayers for more money and that doesn't feel very good but you do what you have to do to keep the courthouse running and repairing the roof is one of the most important things that has to be done."
Four-day workweek
Bringing discussion from Commissioner Hahn was the recent announcement of a four-day workweek. He began by clarifying that the proposal was not a commissioner's court decision.
"We have no say in this decision," said commissioner Hahn.
He continued, stating that he had received some negative response on the issue.
"It would put a hardship on some of the employees with young kids and change lifestyles."
He did not believe it would save energy with some still working on Fridays and others not.
Colorado County Attorney Ken Sparks said while no final decision have been made he had a meeting with the department heads and sent the release to the newspapers. He said the consensus was leaning in favor of the proposal.
If approved the standard hours would be from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday with a half hour for lunch.
Sparks said the idea came about out of convenience for the public.
"I have people call past 5 p.m. regularly who want to come in and pay hot checks or file something in the clerk's office," said Sparks.
When asked about doctor's offices being closed on Fridays, Sparks said many offices are open in the morning.
He then cited a USA Today article which reported on other counties and states going to a four-day workweek.
No action was taken by the court. Sparks said he expects a decision to be made in the next two months and welcomes further comment from anyone on the subject.
Judge Jamison suggested that Spark's office be the "guinea pig" and report back to the rest of the courthouse how well it does or does not work.
JP collections and software
Justice of the Peace, Precinct One Billy Hefner was present Monday morning where he was questioned by county commissioners regarding his choice of software for the office and use of collection agencies for delinquent fines.
Judge Hefner said he had not switched to EDOC Tec software used by other county offices because he felt there would be a statewide switch of software in the near future and did not see any point in updating then going to another system again.
"The previous judge was asked to go online with the other precincts and install the EDOC Tec software," said Hahn. "When you were elected, the court assumed you would also get online and join the other three."
Judge Hefner said he didn't mind switching if it was proven to him that the EDOC Tec software was the best choice.
"I don't see changing then changing again in a short time," said Judge Hefner.
Commissioner Hahn and Sparks said they did not see the switch happening in the hear future. Sparks continued and stated that just because the Department of Public Safety is changing software, didn't mean the county would.
"DPS can't mandate what software we use," said Sparks. "Just because they have it, doesn't mean we're going to switch."
Commissioner Hahn closed by telling Judge Hefner he'd like to see his office go to EDOC Tec. The other commissioners and Judge Jamison agreed.
In other business
Took no action regarding the county-wide burn ban, which leaves it in affect.
Passed a resolution of respect for former county surveyor Leonard Frank who passed away June 27.
Approved appointment of Janice Pfeffer as county extension agent of the family consumer sciences.
Authorized to advertise for bids for courthouse roof repair.
Approved pay scale for election judges and clerks at $10 an hour and $25 an hour to return ballot boxes.
Approved digital radio for Colorado County Constable, precinct 2 Lonnie Hinze if funds are available and if not place as budget item for 2009-10. The radio is at an estimated cost of $1,882.90 with a $150 trade-in credit for the current radio.
Established vehicle registration fees for calendar year 2009 in accordance with Texas Transportation Code. The fee will remain at the current $10.
Renewed notary public commission for another four year period for Mary Jane Poenitzsch, county tax-assessor-collector.
Approved Greg Gold's application for limited land division of 8.862 acre tract of land located in the Peter Peiper Survey.
Renewed the county's health, dental and life insurance program through Texas Association of Counties Health and Employee Benefit Pool.
Approved $2,500 in funds for 2009 to be budgeted for expenses incurred by members and/or officers of the Colorado County Historical Commission while attending conferences and seminars.
Executed permits between Colorado County and Cougar Land Services for seismographic survey two tracts of land in the county. P.D. Evans permit agent for Cougar Land Services told commissioners the company would be in the county from six months to a year doing an oil and gas search. He said the bulk of the drilling would be done east of the river in precincts three and four.
County Clerk Darlene Hayek told commissioners that both county political parties have been contacted to nominate a candidate to fill the unexpired term of county surveyor.
The term expires in 2010. The position will remain vacant until it is filled in the November general election.
Executed master and interlocal agreement for cooperative purchasing for actuarial shared services between Colorado County and North Central Texas Council of Governments to comply with government accounting standards board.
Approved the following consent agenda items: Senator Glenn Hegar's letter of receipt for the request to increase the county compensation purchase limit to $50,000; superheavy or oversize permit bonds, certificate of liability insurance and executed commercial lease agreement between Colorado County and Mark and Kiesha Youens for property located at 514-520 Washington St. in Columbus.
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