Court Talks America 250 Plans, New Subdivision
The Fayette County Commissioners Court handled a wide range of business at their meeting last Thursday, May 14.
The Court approved a request from the Fayette County Semiquincentennial Commission to use the Courthouse grounds on June 14 for a Flag Day celebration and on July 4 for the July 4 Celebration.
Commission Chairman Larry Jackson updated the Court on those two events. He presented a flyer that will be distributed at the Flag Day Celebration which explains the meaning behind the Flag Folding Ceremony. The July 4 Celebration will begin at 5:30 p.m. with unveiling of a plaque honoring John Sorrell, a Revolutionary War Veteran who died and was buried in Fayette County. His plaque will be located at the Veterans Memorial on the Courthouse lawn. There will be a patriotic ceremony followed by live music by the Round Top Brass Band and Black Cat Choir.
The celebration will take place at no expense to taxpayers. The Commission is accepting sponsorship to help pay for the activities. Anyone interested in donating to the Commission can email fayettecountyamerica250@gmail.com or call or text (979) 966-9853 or (979) 966-8612 for more information.
The Court also approved the final plat for a new residential subdivision in Pct. 4 between Schulenburg and Weimar. The developer isAlvigrace Farm and Ranch LLC of New Braunfels. An approximately 100 acre tract will be split into seven lots ranging in size from 10.7 acres to 22 acres. A small portion of the subdivision lies in Colorado County. Accordingly, the plat will be filed at the County Clerks’ offices in both counties.
Commissioners approved a contract with EMS Management and Consultants (EMS MC), a new billing company for the Fayette County EMS service. The County went out for bids for a new billing provider and selected EMS MC at their last meeting two weeks ago.
The Court also approved a pair of equipment purchases for two road and bridge departments. Precinct 2 Road and Bridge will purchase a used Case pneumatic roller from ASCO in Brenham for $72,000, with funds available in the department budget. Precinct 4 Road and Bridge will lease-purchase a used Case single drum roller from ASCO in Brenham for $91,722.
The Court signed a resolution declaring several pieces of equipment from the Sheriff’s Office as salvage or surplus property. They will be traded in for new equipment. Those items included a 2016 Chevy 1500 pickup, a 2018 Dodge Charger, two 2019 Dodge Chargers, 32 mobile radios and 30 handheld radios.
Two road material vendors, CEMEX and Brauntex Materials, submitted requests for an increase in prices and surcharges for gravel and asphalt products. The Commissioners approved the requests.
The Commissioners also heard a proposal from County Auditor Cindy Havelka to purchase budgeting software from the company ClearGov. Havelka said the new software could greatly help her office prepare the annual budget. It would also help Commissioners and department heads formulate their budgets. Havelka said the biggest drawback is the cost – $37,000 for the first year then $33,000 annually plus a five percent increase each year.
Havelka said Washington County uses the software She plans to visit the Washington County Auditor’s Office to see how it works and whether it is worth the cost.
Commissioners took no action on the purchase at this time.