November 14, 2016 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved the continuation of a contract with ACE EMS for 9-1-1 ambulance services at their Monday, November 14, 2016 meeting as well as extending the burn ban until further notice.
Additional proposals were expected from other ambulance services; however, they were not presented to the county. Representing ACE EMS were David Chandler, Dale Alexander and Jesse Griffith.
Chandler stated from January 1, 2016 to November 14, 2016 that the company has responded to 1,791 emergency calls of which 96% were response with lights and sirens. Total calls to date are 2,291.
"We have not failed to answer anything," said Chandler.
He confirmed with Griffith there have been four mutual aid calls they have participated in and they have assisted in other areas with mutual aid. Judge Harbison asked how many mutual aid agreements ACE EMS has and Chandler responded they have mutual aid agreements with all neighboring counties, including DeSoto Parish in Louisiana.
Chandler stated there are two fully staffed ambulances available at all times and they have the ability to get a third crew available when necessary. Griffith stated the dispatchers are also capable of going on calls.
"We changed up our on call system that we'd been using where we actually had a scheduled crew on call, which they had 30 minutes to respond. We no longer do that, we just discontinued it and we have certified EMTs as dispatchers," said Alexander.
Alexander explained with Griffith in the office, EMT dispatchers and an EMT living across the street from their office the response time is five minutes. Chandler stated they try to have every angle covered so they can take care of everyone.
Judge Harbison stated she knows there have been several automobile accidents lately and during that time EMS was stretched pretty thin. Chandler agreed that was the case during that time and it is bound to happen sometimes.
"ACE EMS is the first company, first EMS service, and I've been here for 20-plus years. ACE EMS is the first EMS service that has dedicated their trucks to Shelby County. Other services that have been here, they have been in Lukin, Nacogdoches, San Augustine. Everywhere else," said Griffith.
Chandler and Alexander confirmed they have had offers from other areas, but their focus continues to be Shelby County.
Gary Rholes, County Attorney, stated he could like for the agreement to continue under a contract as it has in the past. Judge Harbison said she would like to present that at a meeting either in late November or early December.
A motion carried to accept the ACE EMS proposal.
Judge Harbison stated she received several calls over the weekend from the Sheriff's Department dispatch in relation to controlled burning which was done over the weekend. These calls were due to the fact Shelby is and has been under a burn ban.
According to Judge Harbison, as of Thursday November 10 at 4pm the county was still at a high level of the drought index at 575 while the highest is 800. She stated she didn't get any rain in her area over the weekend.
"I don't like putting a burn ban on, I promise you, I hate that we have to do that. But, I think we need to be safe," said Judge Harbison.
She said rain is in the forecast for later in the week, but that is no promise of enough rain.
"I did find out that if they are being conducted by prescribed burn managers certified under the 153.048 of the Natural Resources Code, that they can do a controlled burn, but they have to be a certified burn manager," said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison asks any certified individuals performing a controlled burn during the burn ban fax a copy of their certificate to the Sheriff's Department and inform of when and where they are performing the burn.
A motion carried to continue the burn ban.
The commissioners discussed the purchase and license agreement with Spillman Technologies, Inc. to purchase an integrated software system for the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.
Shelby County was eligible for a grant of $26,750 which, when applied to the cost for the software of $218,687 it comes to a total of $191,937. The company has also extended an offer of an interest free plan for three years to pay for the software.
Judge Harbison explained the software is necessary because modules have been mandated by the state to be installed by 2019, and at this time the Eagle software the Sheriff's Department uses is nowhere near compliant as explained by Sheriff Willis Blackwell.
Ryan Andreasen, Spillman Technologies Representative, answered some questions for the commissioners about the software contract. Judge Harbison explained there are current liabilities with the county involving Eagle as one issue is there is no electronic way to track arrest warrants.
Rholes stated if ever there was a day Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, was needed it was for the meeting.
"We spoke Thursday, and he said 'This money is simply not budgeted, it's not unforeseen,' I mean we've been looking at it forever," said Rholes.
He said it sounded like the commissioners are considering obligating funds for a future budget to make a second payment and he didn't think the county can make that obligation.
Judge Harbison said when she spoke with Porterfield the week before the meeting he suggested paying all of it out of the contingency fund or a CD.
"If that were done, that would wipe out our contingency for the year," said Rholes.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, asked if Rholes was saying the commitment of $65,000 for the following year is illegal, which Rholes agreed and said,"I don't think we could bind the county at this point to do that. You can't obligate money you don't have on hand unless you levy a tax at the same time."
The commissioners approved the purchase of two pieces of equipment earlier this year on a three year lease and McSwain asked how that was possible.
"Probably shouldn't have, I've never been asked that," said Rholes.
McSwain said it was budgeted for this year.
Judge Harbison suggested the possibility of amending the budget.
McSwain suggested a review of the contract from Spillman. Rholes said he really would like to have the County Auditor present for discussion on the purchase, because he has strong opinion on the issue.
McSwain said, "He has opinions just like everybody else, everybody's got one, but with every computer system we got is a damn five year agreement. We pay it out every year. What's different?"
A motion was carried to table the contract.
As the meeting progressed a similar issue to the contract with Spillman was thought to be mirrored with that of the licensing agreement between Shelby County and Serenity Software, Services LLC for case management for the District Court and the five Justice of the Peace offices.
This resulted in a motion carrying to table the Serenity Software agreement.
A motion carried for the appointment of Dr. Joe Shannon and Laurie King with Portacool to the Workforce Development Board, to represent Shelby County.
Proposal from the ALTEC Environmental Consulting, LLC to perform an asbestos assessment for the county hospital building located on Hurst Street was rejected by the commissioners citing the need to conserve funds at this time.
Lori Oliver, District Clerk, made a request to hire a full-time employee. A motion carried to table her request at this time.
A motion carried by the commissioners denying an invitation by the Deep East Texas Legislature Reception for a sponsorship in the amount of $500.
The county has received a bid on 0.517 acres in the Wesley Hill Survey in the city limits of Center. The bid was submitted by Mary Louise Wall in the amount of $2,000.
A motion was carried approving the bid.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:39am.
Agenda Items Approved During the Meeting: 1. Minutes of the October 10, 2016 regular meeting, the October 24th, 2016 special meeting, and the special meeting on October 31, 2016 of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court. 2. Pay monthly expenses. 3. Officers' Reports. 4. Appointment of Dr. Joe Shannon and Laurie King with Portacool to the Workforce Development Board, to represent Shelby County. 5. Bid by ACE EMS for 9-1-1 Ambulance Services. 6. Bid by Mary Louise Wall in the amount of $2,000 on 0.517 acres in the Wesley Hill Survey. 7. Continue the burn ban. 8. Adjourn at 10:39am. Agenda Items Tabled During the Meeting: 1. Purchase and License Agreement with Spillman Technologies, Inc. to purchase an integrated software system for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. 2. Licensing Agreement between Shelby County and Serenity Software, Services LLC for case management for the District Court and the five Justice of the Peace offices. 3. Request from Lori Oliver, District Clerk to hire a full time employee.
Fees collected per office for October:
Deborah Riley, Tax Assessor/Collector, office: Property - $1,917,901.92 Motor Vehicle - $29,023.36 Total of $1,946,925.28
Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk: $33,933.46
Lori Oliver, District Clerk: $14,422.51
Maxie Eaves, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1: $10,230
Marla Denby, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2: $586
Margie Anderson, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3: $7,511
Jenny Hicks, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4: $1,717
Mike Crouch, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5: $5,041
Zach Warr, Constable Precinct 1: $625
James Hagler, Constable Precinct 2: $180
Billy Hearnsberger, Constable Precinct 3: $450
Bryan Gray, Constable Precinct 4: $270
Grand total: $2,021,891.25
