Ropes tighten on county funds

During a special meeting Monday, Nov. 17 Colorado County Commissioners debated on how to spend the remaining portion of the $5 million Certificates of Obligation that were app-roved in July.

Repair costs for the Colorado County Courthouse roof have come in higher than the $1.8 million originally estimated, leaving commissioners with less money than expected for a possible county annex in the future and for roads in each precinct.

Initially, the county had estimated to have $1.5 million left for an annex and $1 million left for county roads to be divided among each precinct.

With the courthouse approved base bid amount coming in at $2,576,541 plus a 15 percent architect fee, this leaves the county with $1 million for an annex and considerably less for county roads.

“We definitely need to keep the money for the annex but it’s going to be really hard to build an annex for $1 million,” said Colorado County Commissioner, Pct. 2 Herbie Helmcamp.

The amount left for roads was largely dependent on which scenario commissioners chose regarding posible construction change orders.

Colorado County Auditor Raymie Kana presented commissioners with three scenarios, one with a 10 percent allowance for change orders the county might incur once construction on the courthouse begins; one with 15 percent allowance for change orders and one for 25 percent.

Following discussion, commissioners chose to go with the 25 percent scenario, which left $232,500 for roads. That amount was voted to be divided up equally among precincts giving each $58,125 for roads.

Colorado County Comm-issioner, Pct. 4 Darrell Gertson said he wanted to play it safe and go with the larger percentile so the county wasn’t left looking for funds down the road to finish the courthouse roof.

Discussion of the Texas Historical Commission courthouse restoration grant was mentioned as it will effect the need for an annex and whether the county will grant funds to help with more courthouse repairs.

Colorado County Comm-issioner, Pct. 3 Tommy Hahn approved with reservations.

“I’ll go with you guys but come spring if we fail to get the Texas Historical Commission grant then I’m going to be looking for some more road money,” said Hahn.

Both Hahn and Helmcamp shared frustration in that commissioners seem to “get the short end of the stick” with little funds for needed repairs county roads.

Kana presented figures of what has been spent in 2008 on road and bridge materials and construction. They are as follows: Precinct 1, $235,000; Precinct 2, $200,000; Precinct 3, $265,000 and Precinct 4, $79,000.

EMS Director

Discussion regarding hiring a new Colorado County Emergency Medical Services Director continued during Monday’s special meeting. This time the court discussed advertising for the position and a salary range for the position.

Kana presented commissioners with salary comparisons from neighboring Fayette and Washington counties.

According to Kana, Washington County’s EMS Director has a salary of $64,500 and Fayette County’s Director is at $57,300. She also noted that those county’s have additional administration support for the directors and our county will not.

“Our person will be by themselves with all the responsibility,” said Kana.

Full-time paramedics for Colorado County can potentially make up to $48,000 a year, according to Kana’s calculations.

“You would need to put the director on a pay scale above that.”

Judge Jamison suggested placing the selected individual on a six-month probation period then moving them up the payscale once that probationary period had expired.

Following discussion, commissioners agreed to set the EMS Director salary at patchable 13. This includes a minimum pay of $45,252; a mid-pay of $56,544 and a top pay of $72,600.

In other business the court: