May 15, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners agreed during their May 8, 2024, meeting to an increase in funding to the Shelby Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).
Chris Crenshaw, NRCS District Conservationist, presented a report on the SWCD and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for the commissioners
Crenshaw said they went back to the year 2020 and the flood control structures have taken general maintenance since 2020.
“Site 11 required the spillway to be cleaned with the total dollar amount that the SWCB has spent, is $49,535,” said Crenshaw. “We did the emergency action plans for sites 9 and sites 12. Site 9 is in Timpson, and site 12 is in Stockman.”
Crenshaw explained both sites are high-advance which means they do have development downstream, and require an emergency action plan.
“We're waiting on approval for those from TCEQ. This fiscal year, we're planning $29,752 of maintenance and a lot of that is going to be preparing, clearing, rebuilding, fencing on sites 8 and 9, and Timpson, and mulching the spillways on both of those sites,” said Crenshaw.
He described additional maintenance, such as, general spraying and mowing that’s done every year.
According to Crenshaw, all of the sites were built in the mid to late '70s and are all reaching the point to that they need attention.
“Fencing is just kind of dilapidating. So the upcoming years are gonna need a lot more of that. So the SWCDs. expenditures going to increase quite a bit.
Crenshaw said that engineers have put together an extensive plan for site 7, which the landowner has removed exclusion fencing, and Crenshaw said that has caused major erosion and it’s going to need a total rehabilitation.
“It's not in danger of failing downstream, the dam’s still protecting it. I don't want you thinking it's going to blow out, we don't think that. It just needs some major attention,” said Crenshaw.
An NRCS estimate for construction was presented by Crenshaw, including materials, labor at a cost of $335,881.
SWCD doesn’t have the needed resources for the project and Crenshaw said there are ways to gain funding for the project in the state.
One program Crenshaw mentioned, is available through the State Soil and Water Conservation Board; however, it's highly competitive and Crenshaw said that right now, most of that funding goes towards places such as Tarrant County, and Harrison County where land development is constant.
“[In those] places these flood controls structures were put in in the '70s and '80s, you know, and it was all farmland or pasture land, and now it's developing faster than you can blink,” said Crenshaw.
The erosion at Site 7 in Timpson is so extensive that Crenshaw warned it is going to need attention.
“At some point it is going to be crucial that something gets done out there, so if they can't get funding, we'll at least need to replace the fencing and patch some of this erosion to get a little further down the road,” said Crenshaw.
Terry Allen, SWCD Vice-Chairman, and Crenshaw both referenced an issue with a landowner removing their fence and letting animals graze on the area. It was stated that the Sheriff’s Department would likely need to get involved in the situation.
“A lot of people aren't aware of how much positive impact we have within the county for local producers. Since 2020, we have allocated $2.5 million in financial assistance funding for local just local resource concerns, pasture planning, tree plane, cross -fencing, erosion, things like that for private landowners,” said Crenshaw.
He reminded the commissioners the Emergency Watershed Production Program allocated $2.7 million for Shelby County roads, assisting residents.
Actually, we are accepting application right now for that program, due to the recent flooding,” said Crenshaw.
Crenshaw reiterated that since 2020, NCRS has invested $5.2 million into Shelby County to provide a positive impact on the area.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to raise the contribution to the SCWD by $3,000 for a total of $10,000. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jimmy Lout and the motion carried.
The commissioners discussed a resolution in support of the application for the Texas Historical Commission Courthouse Grant for Project Planning and Full Restoration Grants. Rayford Copelin with the Shelby County Historical Commission spoke with the commissioners about why the resolution was necessary.
Copelin explained it was just putting on paper what they’ve already decided to do in reference to the courthouse.
“Just a side note, I have had several people in the community have really been commending y'all in your efforts to do that, so it’s been positive,” said Copelin.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to pass the resolution in support of the historical courthouse renovation. Commissioner Lout seconded the motion and it carried.
Copelin then spoke to the commissioners about granting a preservation easement to the Texas Historic Commission upon the receipt of the Courthouse Preservation Program Grant.
“The Easement, again, doesn't do anything other than, it doesn't give THC Texas Historical Commission, any other jurisdiction than what they currently have,” said Copelin. “When we do work on the courthouse. or anything like that, or any historical structure, you're supposed to get permits from them. These are state antiquities, landmark structures, and everything, so there are some restrictions. They don't really keep you from doing anything. They just want you to get a permit to do it and make sure it's done correctly.”
A motion by Commissioner Bellmyer to grant the easement was seconded by Commissioner Lout, and it carried.
The commissioners were presented with a TIPS qualified quote from A-Lert Roof Systems for replacement and installation of a new roof system for the Courthouse Annex.
The county submitted the request through the TIPS systems which then sought bids on behalf of the county, and the county was presented with a bid in the amount of $59,670 for work to be performed on the Annex building which houses the District and County Attorney offices.
After discussing with County Auditor Clint Porterfield where the funds could come from to pay for the project, and he recommended recognizing funds from the interest account of $100,000, which would make the budget $400,000 and then the commissioners could budget $100,000 to courthouse repairs to then make the payment.
Since it was not on the agenda to make that decision, Porterfield suggested going forward and put the action on the agenda in the future to make that budget adjustment when needed.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to go forward with the bid from A-Lert for $59,670, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Stevie Smith. The motion carried.
When the commissioners discussed the weekly expenses, Commissioner McSwain noted that Panola County Treasurer is receiving around in this payment $20,000 for inmates. Ann Blackwell, Shelby County Treasurer, commented it’s been that way for the past couple months leading up to the meeting.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to pay the weekly expenses, and his motion was seconded by Commissioner Stevie Smith. The motion carried.
The commissioner went into executive session at 10:09am and returned to open session at 10:39am.
Commissioner McSwain stated they spoke about the Sick Leave Policy during the executive session and it was necessary due to discussion of some individuals who have been on medical leave.
They also discussed the recent custodial services contract.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to give two weeks’ notice to terminate the current contract for custodial services for the county buildings. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith and it carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:40am.
Officers’ reports for the month of April as presented by Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer:
Fees for the month of April 2024
- Debora Riley, Tax Assessor Collector - Property: $163.405.22; Motor Vehicle: $67.195.95; Total: $30,601.17
- Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk - $0,457.68
- Lori Oliver, District Clerk - $15,811.86
- Donna Hughes, JP1 - $23,401.37
- Marla Denby, JP2 - $1,049.30
- Melba Rodgers, JP3 - $12,242.00
- Dee Dee Green, JP4 - $,3,066.40
- Tracy Broadway, JP5 - $6,519.50
- Zack Warr, Constable 1 - $2,210.00
- James Hagler, Constable 2 - $0.00
- Roy Cheatwood, Constable 3 - $270.00
- Taylor Fanguy, Constable 4 - $270.00
- Josh Tipton, Constable 5 - $180.00
- Sheriff’s Fees - $2,535.46
- Total of $338,614.74
Total investments of $19,006,921.97
Total interest earned on investments of $82,507.78
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Approve the minutes of April 5, 2024 Special meeting, April 10, 2024 Regular meeting, April 17, 2023 Special meeting, and April 24, 2024 Special meeting, of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Current payroll. 4. Officers Report. 5. Increase in the County’s yearly contribution of $7,000 to $10,000 to the Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District #449. 6. Adopt the Resolution in Support of the application for The Texas Historical Commission Courthouse Grant for Project Planning and Full Restoration Grants. 7. Agree to grant the Texas Historic Commission a preservation easement upon the receipt of the Courthouse Preservation Program Grant. 8. TIPS qualified quote from A-Lert Roof Systems for replacement and installation of a new roof system for the Courthouse Annex. 9. Two weeks’ notice to terminate the current contract for custodial services for the county buildings. 10. Adjourn at 10:40am.
