March 26, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved a new deputy constable for Precinct 5 during their March 20, 2024 meeting, and held an executive session which involved work at the County Annex building on the Center square.
Following the opening of the meeting, at 9:30am, the meeting was adjourned into executive session at 9:35am.
The commissioners’ court meeting reopened at 10:28am and Allison Harbison, County Judge, referenced Local Government Code 262.024, A contract for the purchase of any of the following items is exempt from the requirement established by Section 262.023 if the commissioners court by order grants the exemption: (3) an item necessary because of unforeseen damage to public property.
However, with no specific description to the public to what this action was in reference, Judge Harbison stated the commissioners would approve an invoice during the meeting from Hagler (Painting and Construction). Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, stated the invoice could be approved as an addition to the next item on the meeting agenda.
Judge Harbison moved, “This is to allow the work to be finished over at the Annex building.”
The motion was seconded by Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, and the motion carried.
When the commissioners considered the weekly expenses, Porterfield described two invoices having to do with work performed by Hagler Painting and Construction.
“For addition to the bills to be approved for payment today, we have two invoices, two tickets, I'll just give you the number and amount, ticket number 56972, Mr. Hagler for $37,608.49, dated March 13 and current 56977 for $13,075.09, March the 15th,” said Porterfield.
Both invoices for March 13 and March 15 combined come to a total of $50,683.58.
Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, stated the second installment on the Master Plan payment for the Historic Courthouse was being issued to HRTC Services in the amount of $22,500, and Commissioner Lout is purchasing a used pickup truck from Ray Jones Chevrolet in the amount of $35,921.33, which he has budgeted through fixed assets.
Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, confirmed with Blackwell there is one more payment planned to HRTC Services in the future for the same amount mentioned and it would come out of the LATCF (Local Assistance Tribal Consistency Fund).
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to approve paying the weekly expenses and the motion was seconded by Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, and the motion carried.
The commissioners were to discuss possibly increasing rental cost for election equipment; however Nancy Adams, Elections Administrator, asked to table discussion until a future date.
”When we decided, I think it was October 23, we went up to $35 per machine for rental. I said that I'd like to go next year to $50, those machines, just the machine that the ballot goes into it scans the ballot, just that little machine is $6,600,” said Adams. “As you know, I told y’all back in October we could go up to 10% of the cost of the machine. I can’t see us ever charging an entity $600 for that machine.”
Adams said the reason she wanted to table the item is she is charging the entities that rent the machines for the media sticks that retain the records.
“When he sends me the bills for the ballots and all of the other things that I bill the entities for, I’m going to this year bill them for the sticks,” said Adams.
She said she would like to possibly go up to $100 for the next time, and asked that the item be tabled at least until the summer.
A motion by Commissioner Smith to table the agenda item was seconded by Commissioner Lout, and the motion carried.
Constable Josh Tipton presented the commissioners with a new deputy for his office in that of John Pope.
“John Pope, 20 years of experience law enforcement, lives in Timpson, perfect fit. Pretty excited about this one,” said Constable Tipton.
Pope’s start date was set for March 25, 2024.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to approve deputy constable for Precinct 5 and Commissioner Lout seconded the motion, the motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:33am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Executive Session decision: Allow the work to be finished over at the Annex building 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. John Pope as new deputy for Constable Pct. 5. 4. Adjourn at 10:33am. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Discuss and possibly consider an increase on rental for the Election Equipment.
