June 16, 2021 - The Shelby County Commissioners gave a green light to the Sheriff's Department to accept the donation of a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe from the city of Timpson and to purchase a 2019 model from the city during their meeting held Wednesday, June 16, 2021.
"As y'all probably already know they've dissolved their [police department] there and they want to donate this 2013 Tahoe," said Judge Allison Harbison.
She detailed the vehicle has over 140,000 miles on it, but is still in pretty good shape and needs a little repair.
"I actually went out and drove both of them and of course the new one is in great condition, b ut this one is actually in a little bit better shape than some of the ones we're running right now," said Lieutenant Tanner Peace. "So we're going to incorporate it into patrol as well."
At the most recent meeting of the Timpson City Council, Mayor Debra Smith explained since the vehicle was acquired with the use of grant funds, it couldn't be sold, but could be donated to another department.
A motion carried to approve accepting the donation of the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe from the city of Timpson.
"We definitely thank the city of Timpson for this, it's very gracious of them to do this," said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison indicated the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe was being offered by the city of Timpson in the amount of $37,082.17 for the use of the Sheriff's Department.
Judge Harbison confirmed with Lieutenant Peace, the 2019 Tahoe has 8,000 miles on it. She spoke to the mayor and said Smith was very excited that they were going to get a little financial boost out of the sale.
"What it is is their payoff cost ($22,082.17), plus $15,000 for a practically brand new vehicle," said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison inquired with Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, if previously received COVID relief funds could be utilized to make the purchase of the vehicle, and he confirmed it could if the court deems it so.
The decals will remein on the vehicles and the Sheriff's Department will remove the decals as they did with the Tenaha patrol vehicles.
"This will get us to within one vehicle on patrol that's not of a newer body style type," said Lieutenant Peace. "We've managed to work things around where all of our investigators are now driving the pickup trucks."
Lt. Peace said the older Tahoes after they get to a certain point are being rotated through to administrative officers such as himself and the chief to keep the newer vehicles in patrol.
Commissioner Bellmyer asked if there would be additional expense in equipping the Tahoes and Lt. explained Deputy Gross is familiar with the equipment in the vehicle and they don't expect there to be further expenditure since the vehicles are already equipped.
A motion carried to approve the purchase of the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe from the city of Timpson at a price of $37,082.17.
Tracy Rook with Texas Premier Communications updated the commissioners on the progress of the radio communications they are working on upgrading.
"We went and talked to Tenaha about the water tank on how we could mount, because I met with you Monday and told you that we were looking at about $30,000 in mounts," said Rook. "They're going to allow us to go to the legs or to the sides rails, as long as we use standoff brackets, so that'll cut out that price."
If the antennae can be mounted to the railing of the water tank, Rook said the county would be looking at $600 in extra mounts at the most.
"All of the microwaves and everything are on order, but for some reason they're not allowing any air freight to come in from Israel or overseas right now. We're having to wait, it's coming on a boat," said Rook.
Current projections are for the equipment to be three to four weeks out. Additonal issues Rook said they are looking at now is mounting to the Shelbyville water tower. According to Rook, there is a cellular phone antenna on top of the water tower and the railing on the tower has rusted off. This leaves only one option currently of mounting to the legs of the tower, which is a lower altitude.
Bobby Daw announced to the commissioners a rodeo will be held in two weeks, June 26, at the Shelby County Expo Center, and it will be the first one held in several years.
"We've done a lot of improvements out there, we're painting the arena right now, and thanks to some of the inmates they're out there painting for us," said Daw. "We've had some dirt work done, and the new bleachers are up, and we've got horse stalls up right now. We're just kind of hoping it pans out next week."
Daw said there is a mule rodeo planned for September 6, which will be put on by Stillwater Church in Carthage.
"We've got four more play days, this month, July, August, and September," said Daw. "We're just trying to do a little bit at a time, trying to bring it on up."
A motion carried by the commissioners during the meeting to approve the 2022 Shelby County Holidays and they are as follows:
- December 31, 2021 (Friday) - New Year's Eve
- January 17, 2022 (Monday) - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- February 21, 2022 (Monday) - Presidents' Day
- April 15, 2022 (Friday) - Good Friday
- May 30, 2022 (Monday) - Memorial Day
- July 4, 2022 (Monday) - Independence Day
- September 5, 2022 (Monday) - Labor Day
- October 10, 2022 (Monday) - Columbus Day
- November 11, 2022 (Friday) - Veterans Day
- November 24, 2022 (Thursday) November 25, 2022 (Friday) Thanksgiving Holiday
- December 23, 2022 (Friday) December 26, 2022 (Monday) Christmas Holiday
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Donation of concrete debris to Commissioner Pct. 4. 3. Donation of a 2013 Tahoe SUV (VIN# 1GNLC2E00DR214715) by the city of Timpson for the use and benefit of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department. 4. Purchase of a 2019 Tahoe SUV (VIN# 1GNLCDEC6KR330097) from the city of Timpson for a purchase cost of $37,082.17, the vehicle will be utilized by the Sheriff’s Department. 5. Acknowledge a verbal agreement with Commissioner Precinct 3 and Rodney Dean to have access to his property and purchase sand at $2 a yard. 6. Appoint Judge Allison Harbison and Commissioner Tom Bellmyer to represent Shelby County on the DETCOG Board of Directors. 7. Commissioner Pct. 3 to purchase a new Kobelco SK85CS Excavator in the amount of $108,598 with an initial $75,000 and finance for the remainder through First National Bank Wichita Falls. 8. County Holidays for 2022 9. Adjourn.
