September 30, 2021 - The Shelby County Commissioners disbursed Child Safety Fee funds to the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center (SCCAC) and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) during their September 29, 2021, special meeting.
County Judge Allison Harbison stated the current balance of the fund for that fee was $20,220. Subtracting the administrative fee and distribution to incorporated cities in Shelby County, the amount to be considered was $13,293.81.
Once it was confirmed with Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, on what the distribution split has been historically between the two organizations, a motion carried to disburse the funds at a 65/35 split with SCCAC receiving $8,641 and CASA receiving $4,653.
Shelby County Sheriff Lt. Tanner Peace is a member of the SCCAC board and he gave appreciation to the commissioners for their thoughtfulness in giving the funds to the SCCAC.
"These are funds that we budgeted into our next fiscal year, so because of y'all we're able to keep doing what we're doing," said Peace. "I know just this fiscal year we've already served 233 children, 147 of those are new kids."
Peace commented on how important the funds are as they continue to have new cases every day.
The commissioners discussed the impending need to transition county cell phone contracts to another service since Cellular One is no longer going to provide service in the Shelby County area, and Verizon Wireless is reported to be taking over their towers.
Judge Harbison asked Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, about progress on investigating options for the county cellular phone service and she responded she had only just gotten some information.
According to Blackwell she has been in contact with Jerry Love, Verizon Government Account Manager, and they will be coordinating with him next Tuesday to find out what options are available for the county. Blackwell suggested to representatives of the Sheriff's Department present for the meeting that they join in on the video conference with Love. She invited anyone from county offices needing cellular phone service information to join in on the call.
"Jimmy [Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2], said that he had spoken with someone that had already changed over to Verizon and they were very happy with the service," said Judge Harbison.
With the need for further information to be gathered, a motion carried to table cell phone contracts.
Assistant District Attorney Lynda K. Russell spoke on behalf of the District Attorney's office requesting state appropriated funds which have been received in the amount of $8,091 which is used to supplement a salary to be discontinued out of it's original account and instead move to the Pretrial Diversion Fund.
"Because Ms. Williams is the one who negotiates and enforces, and does all the paperwork and keeps track of all the people that are on Pretrial Diversion, and so under the law she has a right," said Russell. "Her training, her equipment, whatever is need for her and her salary too can be paid some from that fund."
Judge Harbison asked Russell how many people are currently on Pretrial Diversion and she was unaware of how many at the time of the meeting. Judge Harbison inquired with Auditor Porterfield if he had any input on the subject.
"The actual budget amendment for salaries, FICA, retirement and so forth would actually be $9,355 once we gross it up. Please understand that the first payroll of October has already been processed and had to be processed for today," said Porterfield. "Even though we can make this effective October 1, one payroll has already taken place out of the state apportioned money. We can do the next 25 payrolls out of Pretrial Diversion."
Porterfield stated the Pretrial Diversion account has funds to afford the request, and there had not been a lot of income into the fund in the previous year; however, previous years it proved itself to be self sufficient.
"There is money in this fund to last several years as long as that fund continues to take in some fee collections," said Porterfield.
A motion was carried to approve the budget amendment.
Earlier in the meeting a motion carried by the commissioners to table execution of the contract for the American Rescue Plan Act administrative services between Shelby County and Grantworks Inc.
Judge Harbison said she was contacted by County Attorney Gary Rholes who asked that the item be tabled, because he had questions about the contract for Grantworks.
Although this item was tabled, it was not included on the agenda posted at the courthouse on September 24.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:52am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting included: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current Payroll. 3. Budget Amendment for the DA’s office. 4. Resolution required to apply for the FY2022 Formula Grant Program offered through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission for indigent defense in criminal cases. 5. Take action to disburse the Child Safety Fee Fund. 6. Adjourn. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Possibly transition the cell phone contracts to another service.
