August 1, 2019 - Shelby County Commissioners heard from Shelby County Game Warden Austin Cryer during their July 31, 2019 meeting about Shelby County receiving a new 22 foot boat for working the river and for water rescues.
Game Warden Cryer explained, “What we are looking at is we have a new boat coming probably December of this year. It is a big bay boat that can handle rough water; its going to have a side engine and a sonar system.” He included it is also the most beneficial boat to work on the river searching for people who are boating while intoxicated.
“If you ever get down to Sabine and San Augustine they just got a new 25 footer, real big boats for working a big part of Toledo and a big part of Rayburn,” said Cryer. “So these boats are going to be also beneficial because of their size. Rescues in rough water out there… if the occasion causes for which it does happen.”
“We have no where to put the boat, it won’t fit in DPS’s hanger which they’ve kinda kicked us out anyways. The door on that shop is only 10 foot tall and we need at least a 12 foot door on a building to get this big boat in there.”
He continued explaining it is a 22 foot boat and he had investigated the cost of a 40x40 foot shop on a concrete slab.
“One of the shop doors needs to be at least 12 foot tall by 12 foot wide to fit this big boat in, the shop can have smaller doors big enough to get a truck and smaller boats in and also have a walk in door."
Currently the game wardens are in the process of securing a two-year lease agreement to house the boat; however, they wanted to make county officials aware so they can plan ahead for other possible options. The game wardens could make an interagency contract with the county for housing of the boat. Cryer talked to several companies around and got estimates as low as $30,000 and as high as $40,000, “They all may go cheaper when we get them in a bidding war. But conservative investment will cost at least $30,000 for the shop.”
“So that is what I have for you today gentleman, if y’all have any questions for me if I don’t know the immediate answer I will write them down and get back to you. Not asking for a yes or no, just putting it out there y’all can call me anytime.”
No action was taken concerning the boat storage item.
Agenda items approved during the meeting included: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Resolution for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. 3. Adjourn. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Putting speed limit signs on county roads.
