August 21, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners were informed of a contract from a company to digitize voter registration records during there July 31, 2024 meeting.
Nancy Adams, Shelby County Elections Administrator, presented a contract to the commissioners from Vista Solutions to digitize voter registration records at an initial cost of $6,750 for installation, setup, and licensing. This also would have a $2,500 annual fee for subscription and licensing.
“Our records currently are paper records. When we get an application that comes in if somebody walks in and fills out a voter registration application, or we get to one through DPS, we have to fill that card and our card files are so tight we can't get any more in there,” said Adams. “If we forget to print something, which you know mistakes happen, that's not often at all but if we forget to print something then we don't have a record of that.”
Adams explained for the court she has what are called Chapter 19 funds that are provided by the Secretary of State, which are based on how many voters there are every other year. $3,000 Adams said she plans to pay out of the Chapter 19 funds and $3,750 out of her budget for next year.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to enter into the contract with Vista Solutions, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Stevie Smith. The motion carried.
Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, proposed to the commissioners the purchase of six handheld cellular based Rapid Radio handheld radios for the constables and one deputy constable.
Tipton spoke with the commissioners about testing out the radios to see where they will work. The total cost of the radios is $1,029.
A motion carried with Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moving to purchase the radios and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Roscoe McSwain.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Chad Hooper spoke with the court about new trucks for the Sheriff’s Department.
“So a couple of months ago, I believe we had on the agenda that we were looking for new Tahoes and truck, things of that nature. I believe the courts expressed their concern about why we didn't go to the buyboard and get bids due to the pricing and that you all possibly wanted some input from the sheriff elect. I reached out to Mr. Corbell I've been in conversation with the sheriff and I've got [Mr. Corbell] here today to talk about this.”
Hooper explained Corbell is more interested in Ford vehicles like the constables have been using, as he said there have been problems with Chevy Tahoe transmissions. Chief Hooper said they have had a lot of experience with that issue at the Sheriff’s Department with Tahoes they have.
White Ford F150 pickup trucks were what Chief Hooper said Corbell would be most interested in getting.
“I know we've got some money that we have to get spent out of the Senate bill [22]. We need exact dates on when that's up. Mine and Mr. Corbell’s understanding it's September. End of September, I hope. So we are at this time trying to get that money accounted for what we're gonna do with it where it's gonna go,” said Hooper.
Hooper said that vehicles are obviously going to take a large sum of those funds whether it be three or four vehicles, and they haven't really decided exactly how many they want.
“Of course, we'll get whatever the court will approve for them. We need at least three. We've got vehicles over there within excess of 200,000 miles. So if we keep those, get your checkbook out. Because 200,000 miles and you're using it as a pursuit vehicle, I don't think so, you're going to rebuild it. And we're talking about tie-rod ends, ball joints, U -joints, spring suspension, everything else, if you keep them. And it's not going to be worth doing it unless somebody in the county can use it just as basic transportation, something like that. But what we're talking about, because of white, white is a cooler color. It's high visibility, both in the daytime and night time, and that's just what it needs to be,” said Corbell.
The court continued discussion over the vehicles and emergency medical supplies for patrol units.
No action was taken on vehicles and it was said they would be put on the next agenda.
The commissioners discussed seeking requests for bids on a gas generator for the county courthouse to be purchased with American Rescue Plan Act funds. The generator size being considered was a 125KW gas generator.
A motion by Commissioner Bellmyer to seek bids received a second by Commissioner Roscoe McSwain and it carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:42am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Payroll. 3. Shelby County to sponsor a 2025/2026 Community Development Block Grant application through the Texas Department of Agriculture for Paxton Water Supply Corporation. 4. Purchase of six Walkie Talkies for 5 Constables and one Deputy Constable. 5. Contract with Vista Solutions to digitize voter registration records. 6. Request bids on a gas generator for the County Courthouse to be purchased with ARPA funds. 7. Adjourn at 10:42am.
