June 8, 2022 - As Shelby County works at continuing to rebuild its Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Commissioners approved a contract for plan writing services with GrantWorks for that plan during their meeting held June 1, 2022.
"We have received several payments from the cities, the other entities," said Judge Allison Harbison.
Judge Harbison said when the agreements were sent out to the cities to participate in the Hazard Mitigation Plan, a bill was also sent with it by GrantWorks and as a result several checks have been received by the county.
"Whenever we approved this grant writing services, the contract was left over to have the county attorney look at it and I do have an email from him that he looked at the contract and said that it was, he approved it he thought it was a good contract," said Judge Harbison.
Along with deciding whether or not to move forward with the contract, Judge Harbison also said a fund for the money to go into would need to be chosen.
Commissioner Bellmyer asked, "Is the reason that like Joaquin and some of the other towns, they fall under the county umbrella, under our plan?"
Judge Harbison answered, "We've always had the other municipalities under our plan. It's a whole lot less expensive for them to go under our plan than it is to go out on their own. As a matter of fact the city of Center was in the process of going out for grant writing services whenever we approached them and they're going under our plan also, because the cost was a lot less expensive than going out on their own."
Bellmyer then confirmed with Judge Harbison all of the municipalities in Shelby County will be on the county Hazard Mitigation Plan. The cities were given a prorated rate as to their population.
It's expected the savings to the county for all of the cities participating will be over $10,000.
Judge Harbison asked Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, if he had an account he would prefer to see the funds go in and he said either the Contingency Fund or the CRF.
A motion carried to approve the contract for Plan Writing Services between Shelby County and GrantWorks for the Hazard Mitigation Plan and designate the CRF (Coronavirus Relief Fund) to receive payments, also approval to pay GrantWorks invoice number 1 in the amount of $12,487.50.
Judge Harbison said Tracy Broadway, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, requested a video monitoring system for the Justice of Peace and Constable Pct. 5 building in Timpson.
With there being no one present in the foyer between the Justice of the Peace office and the Constable office, Judge Broadway had stated to Judge Harbison people walk in all the time and it would just help to let the judge and constable know who is coming in the front door.
A motion carried to approve the video monitoring system and services from SafeCo for Justice of Peace and Constable Pct. 5 building in the amount of $2,975 and for the monthly fee to come out of JP Court Security account, Fund 76.
The commissioners discussed the possibility of video monitoring system and services for the District Attorney and County Attorney building. The District Attorney has asked for a security system and the quote for the cameras was $4,250 for a seven camera system similar to what the courthouse utilizes.
Judge Harbison said they were going to see if there's any way to interlink that system with the courthouse cameras.
A motion carried to enter into an agreement with SafeCo to have a monitoring system installed at the District Attorney's office and the County Attorney's office at a cost of $4,250.
"This is pretty much going to leave several JP's offices without surveillance and the most glaring one right now is the County Clerk's office, she has no video surveillance and I feel like one of these days she's going to ask for that," said Judge Harbison.
The commissioners considered the Texas Association of Counties, Blue Cross Blue Shield, group health insurance plan for FY2023 and Auditor Porterfield gave some details on the plan.
"The pool average for TAC was 5.9% they'll tell you that the national average there is 9.8% to 13.8%," said Porterfield. "Our renewal was actually 7%."
The commissioners were proivided with information on the rates, plan and history of what Shelby County has paid out compared to its contribution. Porterfield said, from April 2021 to March 2022 Shelby County paid in approximately $1 million to the plan meanwhile nearly $1.3 million was paid out.
"Our county rate for this year, as expected, has gone up $55 per person, [per pay period]," said Porterfield. "That equates to about $72,000 a year which we'll have to add to our budget beginning October 1."
According to Porterfield, cost for employees with children on the plan has gone up $19.62, per pay period; employee with spouse, $28.33, per pay period; employee with family, $47.94, per pay period.
There were alternate proposals presented, and one would reduce the cost to the county; however, it would then be the employees who would be expected to make up the difference.
"My opinion, I want to stay with the plan we have because our employees in a county that can't, some are struggling to make it now and they cannot absorb more co-pay at the doctor or the pharmacy," said Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1.
A motion carried to continue with the current plan at the renewal rate of $841.20 per employee.
The Sheriff's Department presented a proposal for expanding the laundry room at the Sheriff's Department and to install a commercial washer, to accomadate the Sheriff's Department and allow them to gather more details on a washer, the item was tabled for two weeks.
The meeting went into an executive session and when the commissioners returned to an open meeting, there were no motions to be made.
Judge Allison Harbison stated, "We are not prepared right now to make a decision, I just kind of brought everybody up to date on where we were on the County Attorney appointment, and the rules and regs on the timeframe and some things like that."
Judge previous to adjourning Commissioner McSwain asked that everyone keep the family of Charles Williams in their prayers, because he had passed recently and he was Precinct 1 Commissioner for 12 years.
The meeting was then adjourned.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Contract for Plan Writing Services between Shelby County and GrantWorks for the Hazard Mitigation Plan and designate the CRF (Coronavirus Relief Fund) to receive payments, also approval to pay GrantWorks invoice number 1 in the amount of $12,487.50. 3. Video monitoring system and services from SafeCo for Justice of Peace and Constable Pct.5 building in the amount of $2,975 and for the monthly fee to come out of JP Court Security account, Fund 76. 4. Video monitoring system and services for District Attorney and County Attorney Building at a cost of $4,250. 5. Texas Association of Counties, Blue Cross Blue Shield, group health insurance plan for FY2023, remain at the current plan. 6. Adjourn. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Sheriff’s office to address the court about enlarging the jails laundry room.
