February 12, 2016 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved the full-time upgrade for Veteran's Service Officer Sherry Riley during the meeting of February 8, 2016. Several veterans from the Shelby County area spoke of the quality of her work and the benefit which she has been for the veterans.
Larry Hume, VFW Post 8904 Quartermaster, was first to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting on behalf of the VFW Post members.
"We are obviously in favor of this. Sherry has worked very hard and as you said she is very meticulous in what she does and she's been helping out San Augustine County," said Hume.
He said people come up to veterans and they say, "Thank you for your service," which he says is nice, but it doesn't help veterans in need who have to deal with the VA system. He continued by describing Sherry Riley as a champion for veterans by performing her daily duties, "You've got a good veterans service officer that knows where to go and cut through some of that red tape."
Tom Trussell, a resident of Huxley, addressed the court about Riley. He stated the average time she works on a claim for a veteran is 30 hours and he said she knows what she is doing.
Another audience member, Jimmy Eddins, stated he has been with the VA for 27 years and has been associated with four different representatives during that time. "She is the best I've ever been with. I have three life lines one of them is out of the state of California, the other one out of the state of Wisconsin and the other one is out of the old Shelby County Courthouse in Center, Texas Ms. Riley."
Robert Mooney, a Center resident and business owner, spoke of his experience in receiving help from Riley. He stated he has been in contact with her since she became the Veterans Service Officer.
"I took her a whole stack of paperwork and before I fought probably 10 years back and forth with the VA and got nothing done. She took that paperwork and went in and about six months time I had it approved," said Mooney.
A motion carried to transfer Riley to a full-time employee at $11 an hour.
"Thank you veterans for coming and speaking. Like you, I'm so glad we have somebody that can take the federal government by the horns and get you your benefits that you deserve and that you need," said County Judge Allison Harbison.
A motion was carried during the meeting to approve the Interlocal Cooperation Act Contract between UTMB and Shelby County. Judge Harbison explained the contract is for situations where there are no local doctors to take care of those who qualify through indigent health care.
"They will take anybody in this contract that needs a doctor and a health place to go," said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison asked Gary Rholes, County Attorney, for his opinion on the contract.
"I think it's a good deal for the county and it would be a great deal of benefit to a citizen in need of some specialized health care. I think the contract is fine," said Rholes.
A motion carried to approve the contract with UTMB.
Rodgers asked if there is any help by way of transportation for people within the indigent health care category. Judge Harbison stated the county is in contact with Brazos Transport about coming to Shelby County to provide the needed transportation. She also said she has spoken with Sherry Riley who tries to get transport for individuals if they are a veteran.
A motion was carried to renew the Garza County Agriculture, Grazing and Hunting Lease, between Shelby County and Steven A. Hill for $12,000 a year for five years. Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, made the court aware for what the lease money is used.
"We actually pay about $2,000 of property taxes on that land and then the remaining, or the net amount, which last year was about $10,000 we distribute that to our schools based on the average daily attendance of the schools in our county," said Porterfield.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:01am.
Agenda items approved include: 1. Minutes of the January 11, 2016 Regular Meeting, and the January 25, 2016, Special Meeting of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court. 2. Pay monthly expenses. 3. Officers’ Reports. 4. Interlocal Cooperation Act Contract between UTMB and Shelby County. 5. Commercial Lease between Shelby County and Tri-County Community Action, Inc. at $2,000 per month. 6. Order Appointing a Voluntary Committee to Establish a Uniform Truancy Policy in Shelby County. 7. Racial Profiling Reports submitted to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement by Sheriff Willis Blackwell and Constable Billy F. Hearnsberger. 8. Renew the Garza County Agriculture, Grazing and Hunting Lease, between Shelby County and Steven A. Hill for $12,000 a year for five years. 9. Amend the Sheriff’s policy and fees regarding Honorably Retired Officers. 10. Make the Veteran’s Service Officer a full-time position and increase the hourly wage from $9.65 an hour to $11 an hour. 11. Adjournment at 10:01am. Fees collected per office for January 2016: Reported during February 8, 2016 meeting 1. Deborah Riley, Tax Assessor/Collector office: Property Division - $1,163,116.50; Motor Vehicle Division - $128,670.86 for a total of $1,291,787.36 2. Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk: $28,883.84 3. Lori Oliver, District Clerk: $9,022.20 4. Maxie Eaves, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1: $7,498.50 5. Marla Denby, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2: $1,459.40 6. Margie Anderson, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3: $5,666 7. Jenny Hicks, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4: $2,283 8. Mike Crouch, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5: $1,021 9. Zach Warr, Constable Precinct 1: $540 10. Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2: $0 11. Billy Hearnsberger, Constable Precinct 3: $0 12. Bryan Gray, Constable Precinct 4: $90 13. Stanley Burgay, Constable Precinct 5: $90 Grand total: $1,348,341.30 CDs generated $18.28 for a total book value of $60,115.24 Money Market generated $353.43 total market value of $1,721,018.23 Total investments of $1,781,133.47
