June 8, 2022 - The Shelby County Commissioners accepted the resignation of Gary Rholes, County Attorney, at their May 25, 2022, meeting.
Allison Harbison, County Judge, indicated for the commissioners to review their meeting packets and see Rholes had text messaged her a letter of resignation. She stated payroll would need to have something on file and the resignation would have to be accepted to make it effective so they could move forward.
Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, asked about the nature of a resignation via text message, "I realize in today's world that we do things electronically, in a text and is this, I mean I realize is this really official as a text?"
He remarked on how he traditionally is used to resignations through a letter with a written signature.
"I was on the phone when I spoke to him and had him on speakerphone and Clint [Porterfield] was on the phone with me, and he offered to send one in writing," said Judge Harbison.
Commissioner Bellmyer felt it was "casual" and Judge Harbison said his resignation was already on news media, and she stated it was just a formality.
"He already announced to the world that he was resigning," said Judge Harbison. "We do need to do it in an official capacity. I did talk to TAC (Texas Association of Counties) and they did say that we needed to do this officially in commissioners' court."
A motion carried to accept Gary Rholes' resignation as County Attorney, effective July 4, 2022.
Tracey Belin, Adult Protective Services, addressed the court about Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. She has been with Adult Protective Services for 23 years and during that time she has been associated with many proclamations all over Region five, which she said ranges from Beaumont to Crockett.
"We always take this opportunity when it's a campaign month, which is Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness month, to come out and thank our police officers, our county judges," said Belin. "Allison and I have done a lot of work over the years, as well as the commissioners with just making sure our residents of Shelby County that's elderly and disabled are protected and that we're not only doing investigations, but thorough investigations."
She said their investigators aren't perfect, and have to look things over repeatedly, and sometimes incidents have to occur more than once for them to be able to act, but they always do act. Belin encouraged the court to reach out to them if there are any issues or concerns, or an issue not being resolved quickly enough.
"You guys have always been super supportive of our program, and we're very grateful for you guys," said Belin. "We do appreciate the commissioners and the judges for making Elder Abuse Prevention month for June official."
Judge Harbison read from the proclamation that during 2021 Adult Protective Services performed 94 investigations and 69 of those cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation were confirmed.
"That's 73%, that's a shocking number to me, it really is," said Commissioner Bellmyer.
Belin said most cases are underreported, and suggested the numbers may be even greater.
"Sometimes there's a lot of stigma to calling in," said Bellin.
Commissioner Bellmyer expressed how unacceptable it is and reitereated his surprise at the known percentages.
A motion carried to declare June as Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.
The commissioners discussed the previously awarded bid for repairs to the Old Records Building, and Judge Harbison explained the need to choose another bidder.
"A couple weeks ago we awarded this bid to Easy Way Construction and on the 18th we got a call from Ms. Kathy Reagan whose the owner of that, and she said that she would like to withdraw her proposal," said Judge Harbison. "She said that she would be unable to complete the project."
Judge Harbison brought the other bids that were presented at the same time as Easy Way Construction was originally chosen so the commissioners could consider those options.
The two other bids were from Cornerstone Manufacturing for $15,000; and the other bid was from Hagler Construction in the amount of $13,800.
A motion carried to award the bid to Hagler Construction to be paid out of the CRF (Coronavirus Relief Fund).
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current payroll. 3. County Attorney, Gary Rholes' resignation effective July 4, 2022. 4. Proclamation declaring June as Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. 5. Award bid for the old records Building to Hagler Construction for $13,800. 6. Adjourn.
