The Jasper County Commissioners Court discussed the following agenda items during Monday's regular session:
First, Mr. Jeremy Raley of the Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas provided information regarding Jasper County joining the four other counties within the organization to benefit local law enforcement agencies with solving crime.
Mr. Raley advised that Jasper County’s now eligible to join partly due to the recent transition to the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission, with both organizations sharing the other partner counties of Jefferson, Hardin and Orange.
The court learned that Crime Stoppers would allow locals to provide anonymous information through its system. That information would then be relayed to investigating officers within local sheriff’s departments, constables and police department. In many cases, individuals would receive cash rewards for providing information vital to an investigation.
The court voted to join the Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas and authorized the annual membership payment of $3,600 on behalf of the county law enforcement agencies.
Next, the court accepted a donation of $109 in seized cash and Walmart gift cards from the Texas Department of Public Safety on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office.
In other law enforcement business, the court approved the updated memorandum of understanding between Jasper County and the Buna Independent School District for interagency law enforcement support on campus and in the Buna area.
Concluding law enforcement business, Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Scott Duncan provided the monthly jail report, advising that Jasper County had invoiced a total of $41,474 for housing inmates from Nacogdoches, Newton, Sabine and Tyler Counties in the month of April.
Soon after, Tracie Simmons of Jasper County’s Indigent Health Department requested that the court approve a contract amendment between Jasper County and Integrated Prescription Management, Inc. for pharmacy benefit management services.
Ms. Simmons provided a brief overview of her operation for the benefit of new members on the court, detailing how the new contractually amended services would save Jasper County about $5,000 per year, which the court approved.
In other healthcare business, the court appointed Mr. Wesley Evans of the Call Junction area as the Precinct 3 representative on the Jasper-Newton County Public Health District board of directors. That spot was previously held by Ms. Bobbi Holder. The court thanked Ms. Holder for her service on the board as a Jasper County representative.
Concluding healthcare matters, the court accepted a negotiated statewide opioid lawsuit settlement with the Allergan pharmaceutical company for $30,019.16, authorizing County Judge Mark Allen to sign off on the agreement documentation.
The court then accepted the Rayburn Reserve - Phase 1 Subdivision, located off the Sam Rayburn Parkway, into Jasper County’s official road system, noting that this would be part of the Precinct 1 Commissioner’s jurisdiction.
In other road and bridge matters, the court authorized the property owners along County Road 075 in Precinct 1 to initiate the process of abandoning a small segment at the end of the county road if deemed necessary.
Next, the court appointed Precinct 1 Commissioner Seth Martindale and Precinct 2 Commissioner Kevin Holloway to a committee to research the procedures for establishing 30 mph and lower speed limits on Lake Shore Drive, Rayburn Boulevard, Dogwood Drive and County Road 168 for safety purposes.
The court then approved $41,474 in bids received through the sale of surplus equipment on the online auction website GovDeals.com on behalf of the Precinct Commissioners.
Concluding road and bridge business, the court voted to utilize the final unencumbered balance of approximately $217,000 in American Rescue Plan Act grant funding by splitting it evenly between each of the four commissioners for their road and bridge maintenance operations.
In airport matters, the court voted to research the engineering requirements and cost of a county-owned fueling station for Jasper County’s Bell Field Airport and authorized the County Auditor to publish for bids after the appropriate information had been received.
In other business, the court renewed the county’s contract with the Texas Department of State Health Services to allow the County Clerk’s Office to continue accessing vital statistics records for births and deaths.
Jasper County Treasurer Rene’ Ellis then presented the bids received for the county’s designated financial depository for the upcoming term. After a brief discussion, the court voted to continue utilizing the services of the First National Bank of Jasper due to the offered interest rates, outstanding service and close proximity to Jasper County’s operations.
Next, the court conducted a budget workshop and heard from District Judge 1-A Delinda Gibbs-Walker, who advised that it’s becoming very difficult to retain and recruit experienced court reporters at current salary levels, which are required for much of the work done by both District Courts as well as trials in the county court.
The court voted to increase the compensation amount by $30,000 to meet rates in other jurisdictions, noting that this cost is shared between Jasper, Newton, Sabine and San Augustine Counties in Judicial District Court 1 and between Jasper, Newton and Tyler Counties in Judicial District Court 1-A.
In other business, the court renewed Jasper County’s COVID-19 local declaration of disaster, opting to base the expiration date on when the Governor chooses to no longer extend the statewide declaration.
Concluding business, District Clerk Rosa Norsworthy presented her monthly civil and criminal fee reports, which the court approved.
That covers it for this court meeting. Have a great week and as always, feel free to give me a shout if you need anything my way.
Mark Allen, County Judge
Jasper County, Texas