December 8, 2020 - The Shelby County Commissioners awarded the dispersement of $19,032.19 in capital credits to the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center (SCCAC) during their meeting held Wednesday, December 20, 2020.
Denise Merriman, SCCAC Executive Director, and Tanner Peace, SCCAC law enforcement representative, were present during the meeting to share information about the organization.
"This amount of money is something that we do not take lightly, that's crucial to be able to provide the services that we do provide," said Merriman.
According to Merriman, the Children's Advocacy was under a threat of a 5% cut of funding from the state; however, they were removed from the list being considered and were not cut this time.
"It makes me nervous, the stuff that's going on and all the money that's being needed in other places," said Merriman.
She stated Children's Advocacy Center is an essential service which needs to remain on the list of those which cannot be cut. She further expressed appreciation to the county for the continued support and uneasiness regarding state and federal funding in the future.
Merriman described how beneficial the SCCAC is for victims reporting abuse, as the alternative means they would have to go to the sheriff's department or police department which are not really child friendly environments. When a child goes to the SCCAC, they speak with forensic interviewers in a comfortable environment.
Merriman remarked how traumatic a situation it would be for the children to have to go to a sheriff's department or police department, because those facilities are designed for adults.
The SCCAC offers the assistance of a Family Advocate who helps non-offending family members to deal with a court situation all the way to the end. Free trauma based counseling is also provided to the children and family members.
Some situations can be even more complicated and require more specialized attention, as Merriman explained.
"Something Sara [Shires] and I did a training on yesterday is problematic sexual behavior, and that's for juvenile offenders that may not be actual perpetrators, they just have other issues going on," said Merriman.
A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) is also on staff to provide necessary examinations at the SCCAC, should they be necessary.
"During COVID we were able to maintain all of those services, still are. We did some online couseling to just lessen the traffic of the people coming in, so the counselors do great in being able to switch gears to do that," said Merriman.
Merriman said she is proud of her staff stepping in and just doing what they have had to do.
Judge Allison Harbison and Commissioner Charles Barr stated they appreciate the work of the SCCAC.
During the November 25, 2020 meeting of the Commissioners' Court a donation of antique furniture by Attorney Randy McLeroy to the Shelby County Historical Commission was approved to be accepted by the Shelby County Historical Museum.
At the November 4, 2020 meeting, the commissioners approved carryover budget amounts for each precinct. Precinct 1 budgeted $170,430.34; Precinct 2 budgeted $153,137.74; Precinct 3 budgeted $102,073.95: and Precinct 4 budgeted $63,447.46.
A motion carried to approve those carryover amounts.
A motion then carried to move all cash carryovers to fixed assets.
Representatives with Sabine River Authority (SRA) were at the meeting to present a check to Shelby County.
(SRA Press Release)
SRA board members present for the presentation were Cliff Todd, Panola County; Josh McAdams, Shelby County; and Tom Bell, Sabine County. Speaking on behalf of the group was Don Iles, Toledo Bend Division Administrator.
"We sell water and Dallas is one of our largest customers, so we're selling East Texas water to the city of Dallas and their funds flow back into the basin and then the board has chosen 'let's help our communities all we can'," said Iles
The money is donated to the county to be used at its discretion with no strings attached.
Agenda items approved during the referenced meetings are as follows: December 2, 2020 meeting: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Payment of Capital Credits in the amount of $19,032.19. 3. Disperse Capital Credits for the FY 2019 in the amount of $19,032.19 to the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center. 4. Adjourn. November 25, 2020 meeting 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current Payroll. 3. Donation of antique furniture by Attorney Randy McLeroy to the Shelby County Historical Commission. 4. Apply for an membership in Sourcewell which is a national buying cooperative. 5. Adjourn. November 18, 2020 meeting: 1. Minutes of the October 7, 2020 Special meeting, October 14, 2020 Regular meeting, October 21, 2020 Special meeting, October 26, 2020 Emergency meeting, October 28, 2020 Special meeting, October 28, 2020 Emergency meeting of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Pay current payroll. 4. Officers Report. 5. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Shelby County Judge to execute for and on behalf of Shelby County, Texas, an agreement to contribute funds to the State for proper development and construction of the state highway system. 6. Execute the Agreement to Contribute Right of Way Funds between the State of Texas acting through the Texas Department of Transportation and Shelby County regarding a bridge replacement project on FM 2261 at Woodfin Creek. 7. Commissioner Precinct 3 Motor Grader Lease / Purchase Agreement to go with a three year payout with a balloon payment of $140,000, and an interest rate of 2.35%. Payments per year of $49,031.65 with First National Bank of Wichita Falls. 8. Shelby County District Attorney’s seeking sealed bids on a 2005 Cadillac CTS to be turned in by December 7 and opened on December 9. 9. Adjourn. November 4, 2020 meeting: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Community Assistance Program Grant in the amount of $50,000 awarded by Sabine River Authority. 3. FY2020 Budget Line Item Transfers. 4. FY2020 Ending Cash Balance for each Road and Bridge precinct. 5. Adjust the FY2021 Budgeted Fund Carryover for each Road and Bridge precinct. 6. Adjust the FY2021 Expense Budget (per fund carryover) for each Road and Bridge precinct. 7. Adjourn.
