July 26, 2016 - Due in part to extensive damage in the Precinct 3 area received from heavy rains and flooding, the Precinct 3 budget was lacking in funding to deal with the emergency and assistance needed.
FEMA funding has been received by Precinct 3 and as a result Travis Rodgers, Commissioner Precinct 3, has returned the money which was borrowed to the county general fund.
"Those FEMA funds have come in, thank goodness, and Precinct 3 now has money and I think it's appropriate that we put that money back into the General Fund. I believe I've talked to Commissioner Rodgers, and he agrees," said Judge Allison Harbison.
Commissioner Rodgers made a motion for Precinct 3 to pay the $200,000 back to the General Fund and adjust the budget accordingly, as soon as possible. The motion carried.
"I would like to thank the commissioners at this time and the county judge for the help and assistance," said Commissioner Rodgers.
Judge Harbison agreed everyone is there to help each other out.
Two line item adjustments were necessary for the County Clerk's office.
Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk, explained there were some unexpected expenses with a birth certificate printer and a typewriter that had to be replaced, which decreased the county clerk expense budget. She informed the court she was advised by the County Auditor to make a line item transfer from her office machine repair fund to her office supply fund.
A motion carried to approve the line item transfer adjustments.
The judges and the counties in the lower portion of U.S. Highway 96 are seeking to expand the highway and Judge Harbison explained the motivation behind this expansion.
"They are trying to get TxDOT and even some federal funds to expand 96 to at least a four lane, possibly to have divided highway like they have right outside of Jasper, where it's divided," said Judge Harbison.
She explained portions of U.S. 96 are not four lane and with Port Arthur being a large shipping hub, the need exists.
"We have the support. The four judges are myself, San Augustine, Sabine and Jasper, which is in our [Council of Government] region. Then we've also partnered with Hardin County, Jefferson County and Orange County," said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison stated each of the counties are seeking the support of their courts for the resolution to show there is support to get the needed funding. Judge Harbison commented Shelby County is fine from Center to U.S. Highway 59 portions south of Center into San Augustine are two lane.
"We all know we've been blessed to not have hurricanes lately, but y'all know how bad it was when we had those hurricanes and a four lane would be really nice to have," said Judge Harbison.
She assured the commissioners the approval of the resolution will not involve money from Shelby County and the approval just gets the request started and the possibility of future funds.
A motion carried to approve the resolution in support of the U.S. Highway 96 Expansion Coalition.
The commissioners discussed the group health plan for the 2017 Plan Year and Judge Harbison explained the health rate plan is going to increase 2%. She stated the surplus the county is to receive back from the plan is $51,701 which should be received the end of July. Judge Harbison remarked the difference will be minor compared to past increases.
"The 2% is gonna make our employee payment go up from $567.56 to $578.90," said Judge Harbison.
Plan benefits will remain the same and coverage will not change.
A motion carried to renew the plan.
The meeting adjourned at 9:47am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay monthly expenses. 2. Precinct 3, Road and Bridge, to repay $200,000 to the Shelby County General Fund and adjust budget accordingly. 3. Two line item transfers in County Clerk budget. 4. Resolution in Support of the U.S. Highway 96 Expansion Coalition. 5. Continue local optional fees $10 Road and Bridge and $1.50 Child Safety Fee for Chapter 502 of the Transportation Code for the Calendar Year 2017. 6. Renew contract with Computer Information Concepts. 7. Renew group health plan for the 2017 Plan Year. 8. Adjourn
