Small Town News

Jail Repair Tops Agenda of County Commissioners

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Van Zandt County Commissioners approved granting a contract to Integrity Steelworks of Colorado Springs, Colorado to repair the jail doors that were installed improperly 10 years ago. The action, taken at the regular meeting on June 8th was in response to the Texas jail Standards Commission terse order to fix the problem or lose prisoners. Throughout the years county law officers have tried repeatedly to get the doors repaired but could not firid a company willing to do the work. This contract for $400,490.95 was the lowest of three bids the county received Work will begin August 1, which satisfies the concerns of the state jail regulatory office.

Commissioners heard the Outside Auditor's Report from Patillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P. John Manning, a partner in the firm presented information for FYE 9/30/09. The firm gave the-county the highest level of assurance for accuracy of financial information, called "unqualified opinion" which helps the county to secure loans and grants. Manning commended the court for having a reserve fund, even in these difficult economic times. The three issues presented in the 2008 report have been corrected by the court." The one concern of the accounting firm was the extensive list of outstanding fines, which if collected, would mean greater revenue for the county.

Other actions taken by the commissioners included.

Approval of the USDA National Resources Conservation Service Project Agreement, Operations and Maintenance Plan, and NRCS ADS-78 forms

Approval of VINE/Appriss Agreement for Sheriff Department which notifies victims of crimes the status of jailed offenders

Approved updating the Sheriff's Office application of COPS Hiring Program for 2010 grantees. The grant pays full salary for law enforcement officers for a period of three years, after which the county takes over the salary responsibility. Commissioners decided to request four officers under this program, at the recommendation of Sheriff Burnett.

Approved motion to accept donation of $13,0625 from Robert power for road material to repair VZCR 2318 and approve emergency budget amendment to transfer funds to Road & Bridge Material Pet. 2

Approved agreement between CVSA Pharmacy and Van Zandt County for providing prescription drugs and related pharmaceutical services to eligible clients of Van Zandt County Indigent Health

Approved petition to accept Private Road No. 8279 as a Van Zandt County maintained road .10 of mile of road located in Pct. 4 the access road to Edom Community Park

Approved emergency budget amendment to transfer $06900 to Road & Bridge Pet. 2, received from sale of

Ford Tractor with Boomax in auction.

Approved renewal of contract with Mobile Communications Services for pagers for Volunteer Fire Departments. Commissioners also discussed the need for getting an accurate count of pagers currently being used.

Did not approve adoption of Order Prohibiting Sale or use of Restricted Fireworks in unincorporated areas of Van Zandt County. Commissioners expressed confidence that the area is not too dry for the fireworks displays on July 4th.

Approved the Sheriff's Department request to sell scrap metal from miscellaneous equipment currently being stored behind the office Approved the bids of Tommy Stephens for the sale of Bat Wing Mowers for Pet. 1. Income to county will be $3700.

Approved the Van Zandt County Commissioners' Annual Road Report for 2010.



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© 2011 Edgewood Enterprise Edgewood, New Mexico. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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