Commissioners Appoint Johnson to DETCOG

June 25, 2019 - The Shelby County Commissioners appointed a minority representative for Shelby County to the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) during their meeting on June 12, 2019.

Tom Bellmyer, Precinct 4 Commissioner, informed the Commissioners' Court he had taken the place of Charles Barr, Precinct 3 Commissioner, on the DETCOG committee along with Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge.

"June 3 we received an email from DETCOG saying we that we didn't have a minority member representing the county," said Bellmyer. "No one had volunteered to be on it and been approved so the instruction from DETCOG was to the Commissioners' Court and I'll read it to you it says, 'This means it's up to the Commissioners' Court to appoint a minority representative for your county."

Bellmyer said he spoke with different people in the community and different commissioners. In speaking with Debbra Johnson, she agreed to be a minority representative for Shelby County with DETCOG.

A motion carried to appoint Debbra Johnson as the minority representative for Shelby County on the DETCOG board.

The old hospital location on Hurst Street that most recently and formerly housed the Shelby County Probation office was up for discussion during the meeting. Charles Barr said the county has been researching potential options available, first of which would be to remove the structure.

Another goal would be to make the property productive in some way. 

A motion carried to table the item until further research is completed.

The meeting adjourned at 11:08am.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Minutes of the May 1, Special meeting, May 8, Regular meeting, May 15, Special meeting, May 22, Special meeting and May 29, Special meeting. 
2. Pay weekly expenses.
3. Pay payroll.
4. Officers' report.
5. Appoint Debbra Johnson Shelby County minority member on DETCOG board.
6. Adjourn 11:04am.

Agenda items tabled during the meeting include:
1. Repurposing of the Old County Hospital Site. 

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