July 29, 2020 - Site lease agreements between EIP Holdings II, LLC and Shelby County for radio communications were approved during Commissioners Court on July 22, 2020.
The agreement facilitates the use of a tower owned by EIP Holdings II, LLC for the communications of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Road and Bridge Department, Adult Probation Department and the Volunteer fire departments of the county.
A motion carried to approve the total payment of $17,700 a year to EIP Holdings II, LLC for this lease.
The contract requires the county to pay $3,300 each month and should the rent be late, it will require an additional 10%. Each anniversary of the commencement date requires a 3% increase of the rent.
Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison stated the agreement has been in the making for the past six months. She further explained the initial agreement is for two years and after that will renew for five additional two-year terms, making it a potential 12-year agreement.
Following the 12-year rental period, the contract inidicates holdover rent to the county would be 125% of the rate at that time, which would be around $4,643.75.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer asked if the amount for the lease is budgeted.
"We've consolidated this lease into one account in non-departmental, so we're not going to be covering it out of splitting it up for each precinct, or the sheriff," said Clint Porterfield, County Auditor. "We're just going to pay it out of one account and let the General Fund cover the whole cost of that."
The commissioners heard from Debora Riley, Tax Assessor/Collector, on local optional fees collected via Chapter 502 of the Transportation Code. These include fees for Road and Bridge and the Child Safety Fee which through the county serves to benefit organizations such as the Children's Advocacy Center and Court Appointed Special Advocates.
"We're at the max level on both the Road and Bridge is set at $10 and then the Child Safety fee is set at $1.50," said Debora Riley, Tax Assessor/Collector.
By law, the Road and Bridge fee may not exceed $10 and the fees must go into the county Road and Bridge fund.
The Child Safety fee may not exceed $1.50, by law, and the revenue must be used for school crossing guard services, while remaining funds must be used for programs to enhance child safety, health, or nutrition, including child abuse intervention and prevention, as well as drug and alcohol abuse prevention.
A motion carried by the commissioners to keep the fees as they are.
The commissioners entered an executive session during which time they interviewed Scotty Burkhalter for the Courthouse Security position.
Following executive session, no action was taken and Judge Harbison informed the public there is another candidate for the position whom two of the commissioners would be interviewing.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current payroll. 3. FY2020 Budget line item transfers 4. Site Lease Agreements with EIP Holdings II, LLC for radio communications for Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Road and Bridge Department, Adult Probation Department, and all Volunteer Fire Departments starting at $17,700 per year for the first two years. 5. Optional fees from Chapter 502 of the Transportation Code for the Calendar year 2021. 6. Adjourn.
