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Nelson named EMS director
By Courtney Burleson, Managing Editor
Colorado County will now have a new Emergency Medical Services Director at the helm.
Colorado County Commissioners unanimously voted to hire Patricia Nelson of Columbus as the new EMS Director during the regularly scheduled commissioners’ court meeting Dec. 8. Commissioners also voted to set Nelson’s salary at $55,000 including benefits.
Then addressed was the salary of former EMS Director Chuck Rogers, who will be vacating the position in January to serve as the county’s Emergency Management Coordinator. His salary was voted in at $30,000 with no benefits. Colorado County Judge Al Jamison asked that commissioners allow Rogers to keep the county’s emergency management pickup at his house in order to save travel time from Rogers house to the service facility in the event of an emergency.
911 courtesy calls
Jamison reminded county residents they may be receiving courtesy calls from the local 911 office requesting assistance in verifying correct physical 911 street addresses and telephone land lines.
“They’re fine tuning the 911 system to benefit the citizens,” said Jamison. “The more addresses they have posted the easier and faster response time there will be for emergency services.”
Colorado County Commissioner Darrell Gertson, Pct. 4 reminded the audience that 911 addresses are linked with telephone numbers and if someone moves and keeps the same phone number the old address will remain attached unless the 911 office is notified otherwise.
In other business the court:
Continued burn ban lift. A related agenda item prohibiting the sale and use of restricted fireworks such as “skyrocket with sticks” and “missles with fins” in the unincorporated areas of the county died due to lack of a motion.
Set Jan. 12, 2009 as the date for the public hearing to establish a 35 mile per hour speed limit on Tumlinson Road, Pct. 3.
Set the county swearing-in ceremony for Jan. 5, 2009 at 9 a.m.
Appointed Commissioner Tommy Hahn, Pct. 3 as the judge pro-tem for 2009.
Authorized county auditor to pay month end and year-end bills prior to Dec. 31.
Approved application of Lower Colorado River Authority to place a water line under County Road 114, Pct. 1.
Executed agreement between Colorado County and Wharton County Junior College for students of the college to utilize the facilities of county’s emergency medical services.
Authorized county judge to execute lease cancellation agreement between Texas Facilities Commission and Colorado County for space at boot camp occupied by Health and Husman Service Commission and Department of Family and Protective Services, effective Nov. 11.
Renewed county’s membership with Texas Colorado River Floodplain Coalition and payment of annual fees in the amount of $1,250.
Approved membership for 2009 with Texas Association of Counties and payment of annual dues in the amount of $1,090.
Approved membership for 2009 with Houston-Galveston Area Council and payment of annual dues in the amount of $815.60.
Approved application of ram operating to bore Hunt Road, Pct. 4.
Approved the following consent agenda items: antiquities permit from THC for state archeological landmark historic structures permit 436 for restoration work of the courthouse roof; contract between county and Drymalla Construction for restoration work on the court house roof; superheavy or oversize permit bonds by Everest Resource Company and letter from Texas Department of Transportation allocating $34,688 of materials based on county road miles, traffic and permitted loads to repair roadways damaged by legally permitted over-weight truck traffic.
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