February 28, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved the purchase of a Tahoe for the Constable Precinct 5 office using City of Timpson funds during their meeting held Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, addressed the commissioners about a “donation” from DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jason Richards by way of a Tahoe for the price of $2,000.
Tipton explained the vehicle is a 2013-2014 Tahoe which would only need a radio installed for the use of his reserve officer. Constable Tipton explained the City of Timpson is donating the funds for the purchase of the Tahoe.
The vehicle has 165,000 miles on it, comes with lights and the option of a cage, as well as a large equipment box in the back.
Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, commented that DeSoto Parish has been a very good neighbor to Shelby County and Constable Tipton agreed Sheriff Richards has been very good to the county.
A motion carried to approve the donation of funds from Timpson, which was followed by another motion to purchase the Tahoe.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer described how well used the AgriLife building is by groups in the community and the need to expand the building, and a desire to put together a plan to extend the building toward the sidewalk on Nacogdoches Street and have the addition of bathrooms and additional doorway to the main room there.
A motion carried to add the AgriLife building expansion program to the list of projects on the ARPA projects.
Judge Harbison gave an update on ARPA projects and she stated there are $1.4 million in equipment purchases, election equipment is in place and the last payment has been issued by the county treasurer.
“We are working on the Precinct 3 barn, working on getting some quotes, it’s a turnkey project so we are working on that,” said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison stated a representative of A-lert was recently at the jail and did a final walkthrough as the project gets closer to starting. She said there was some discussion about covering the recreation yard at the back of the facility, and the county has spoken with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) and whatever issue there may have been has been rectified. Instead of covering the whole area and installing sky lights, only half of the recreation yard will be covered and TCJS has given the go ahead to move forward.
Land is still needing to be purchased for the Huber Water Supply project, according to Judge Harbison, and the county is still waiting on Paxton Water Supply to return a signed contract. Judge Harbison indicated other projects not on their list, which have previously been discussed are on hold.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current Payroll. 3. Put gravel down for a school bus turnaround on CR 3169. 4. Donation of $2,000 to Precinct 5 Constable Josh Tipton from the City of Timpson. Motion to accept that donation. 5. Purchase of a 2013 Tahoe from the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department for the benefit of the Precinct 5 Constable. 6. Add the AgriLife building expansion program to the list of projects on the ARPA projects. 7. Adjourn
