November 28, 2016 - The Shelby County Commissioners met on Monday, November 28, 2016 and during the meeting approved a motion to lift the burn ban. Burning which was prohibited under the burn ban is now allowed.
Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, stated the Texas Forest Service website which features a fire danger chart that listed Shelby County as being a moderate risk, which is next to the lowest risk. She said the drought index remains a little high; however, rain is in the forecast for the area and a lot more rain is projected.
A motion carried by the commissioners to lift the ban.
A software contract for the Shelby County Sheriff's Department was considered at the last meeting and tabled as paying for it was a possible complication. Without the presence of Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, at the previous meeting the decision came to a standstill in the absence of his input.
Porterfield referenced the contract which provided the needed answers for purchase.
"There's some wording on payment terms which is broken out on payment term based on percentages. Then it has our payment based on a data conversion for the final payment," said Porterfield.
Porterfield shared the information with the outside auditor for the county, Axley & Rhode for review by Eric Carver.
"He concurs with the wording of this payment terms that we can consider this a project in progress," said Porterfield.
He explained a "project in progress" is a way for the county to pay for something over many years without incurring the total cost in one fiscal year. The two options Porterfield stated explained were available to the county included paying the entire cost up front out of the county contingency fund or the project in progress option paying $65,000 out of the contingency fund since the software was not added to the county budget. Future payments could then be budgeted in following years since it is considered a work in progress.
A motion carried to proceed with the purchase as a work in progress project taking $65,612 out of the contingency fund and budget for it in the following year.
A pharmacy benefit management program for the county's indigent healthcare was up for consideration following the previous week's meeting of the commissioners. Judge Harbison said Cindy Clark who manages the indigent healthcare in the county has spoken with CVS and the company has agreed to take over the pharmacy benefit.
"We will not need to do this contract with the middleman for now, and also they're not going to be exclusive so if people in Joaquin want to use Blount, they're going to be able to do that also," said Judge Harbison.
A motion carried by the commissioners to pass on the contract at this time.
Another item tabled at the previous meeting was a contract with Serenity Software Services, LLC. for the District Clerk and Justice of the Peace offices. As it turns out Judge Harbison said the software has already been purchased and budgeted by the county, the difference is the original company changed names and sold out to another company.
Portefield explained the software has already been budgeted for the Justices of the Peace through Fund 46, Technology fund, and the District Clerk has a line item included in her budget for the software.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, said he was unaware of the expiration of the contract, and according to McSwain the Justices of the Peace have complained about the service provided on the software as when they call for help they do not receive any. He stated the county needs to move forward with the current contract as it is in progress; however, before the contract comes up again he wants the issue addressed.
Lori Oliver, District Clerk, spoke up and asked to not be included with the Justices of the Peace in regards to that issue as her office has not experienced the same problems at this time.
A motion carried to continue with the contract with Serenity Software Services, LLC and for issues to be addressed regarding service before the contract expires.
James Box was on the agenda to speak with the commissioners about culverts on CR 4177. Box was not present and Bradley Allen, Commissioner Precinct 4, stated the problem had been addressed.
The meeting adjourned at 9:43am.
Related articles:
County Continues ACE EMS Contract, Burn Ban
Commissioners Hear Proposition for Sheriff's Department Software; Harbison Recognizes County Agents
