ANDREA CARDENAS AUSTIN COUNTY CLERK  265N.CHESLEYSI,; STE.7 BELLVILLE, TEXAS77418  PH: 979-227-3144 FAX: 979-865-0336  COMMISSIONERS COURT MINUTES  August 12, 2024 Austin County Commissioners Court met in the 2nd floor Courtroom at  the Austin County Courthouse with the following present:  Tim Lapham, County Judge Mark Lamp, Commissioner, Precinct 1 Leroy Cerny, Commissioner, Precinct 3 Chip Reed, Commissioner, Precinct 4 Adilene Juarez, Deputy Clerk Commissioner Rinn absent. 9:00 A.M. OPENING CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE  ROLL CALL AND CERTIFICATION OF QUORUM Remove agenda item #20 and #24h. Approve Amended Agenda. Order #24-202  Motion to Approve: Commissioner Reed, 2nd Commissioner Cerny, passed (3-0)  1. Petitions or Requests from the Public.  Per Commissioner Lamp, Pct. 1 has numerous projects going on. Requests public to contact Commissioners if they have any questions concerning right of way issues, or  about grants being used for these projects.  1    2. Discussion to approve the Austin County 911 Emergency Communications FY Roy Mercer (Emergency Management Coordinator), spoke in regards to Emergency District budget and missing fiber in Sherif's Department for 911 Systems. Motion to Approve: Commissioner Reed, 2nd Commissioner Cerny, passed (3-0)  2024-2025 Budget and action as appropriate.  Order #24-203  3. Budget discussion and action as appropriate.  Andrea Cardenas (County Clerk) request clarification County Clerk's budget will be reduced by $1,000.00. Per Judge Lapham, yes, County Clerk's birth certificate line item Andrea Cardenas (County Clerk) noted County Clerk's office generates about Commissioner Cerny spoke with regard to vehicle mileage for Constable Pct. 3. Per Ronnie Griffin (Constable Pct. 3), County vehicle is running fine and can wait another Per Commissioner Lamp, in order for County to get Constables new vehicles, County can possibly go through a lease program to obtain a basic unit. Can get new vehicles every Per Commissioner Cerny, if it's time to replace vehicles, prefer to buy and have them set Per Sergeant Donald Darracq (Sheriff's Department), reached out to a company for an estimate on a Police Package Tahoe Standard Black 4-wheel drive (not equipped), and received a tentative quote of $50,000.00. Price varies on equipment packages, but Per Sheriff Jack Brandes, highly recommends all police officers have a camera system in vehicles. Constables need proper transport cage enclosure for safety of officer and Per Judge Lapham, when starting lease program, vehicles were being bought cheaper through Enterprise Lease than getting them through government pricing. After Covid, Per Commissioner Cerny, consider budgeting for at least one new vehicle this year Judge Steinhauser (155th District Court) and Judge Leedy (County Court at Law), spoke  isb being reduced by $1,000.00.  $250,000.00 or more in revenue each fiscal year.  year to be replaced.  couple of years if low mileage.  up properly.  generally between $25,000 to $27,000.00.  citizen.  discounts were affected poorly and amount of profit was less.  whether purchased or leased.  in regard to adding a 4th Indigent Defense Lawyer.  2    Per Commissioner Lamp, budget for ambulance, if unit is needed funds can be taken out Per Billy Doherty (County Auditor), normally budget is set, unless of an emergency and need reserves to cover situation. Funding does not occur until January or February, sO  of reserves.  have to work with what is in account until funding is available.  Judge Lapham and Commissioners spoke in regards to proposed tax rate.  4. Discussion to set 2024-2025 proposed salaries for elected officials and action Motion to Approve: Commissioner, Reed, 2nd Commissioner Cerny, passed (2-1)  as appropriate.  CommissionerLamp Opposed. Order# #24-204  5. Discussion regarding 2024-25 tax rate and action as appropriate.  Proposed Tax Rate  General (M&O) = 0.32705, F/M Lateral - 0.07500, R&B Special - 0.0770, Debt Motion to Approve: Commissioner Reed, 2nd Commissioner Cerny, passed (3-0)  Regurement-0.04085. Total = 0.5200  Order #24-205  Tax rate hearing set for September 9, 2024 at 9 A.M.  Motion to Approve: Commissioner Cerny, 2nd Commissioner Reed, passed (3-0) 6. Consideration and action to adopt Holiday Calendar for 2025.  Order: #24-206  No action.  7. Discussion and action to amend the 2023-2024 Compensation Order: a. Move Assistant DA from part-time position to full-time position Motion to Approve: Commissioner Reed, 2nd Commissioner Cerny, passed (3-0)  Order #24-207  3    b. Security/Transport Position  Judge Lapham suggested moving transport position to overtime paid job for deputies to Motion to Approve: Commissioner Cerny, 2nd Commissioner Reed, passed (3-0)  avoid understaffed security officers.  Order#24-208  Court Recessed at 11:05 a.m. Court Reconvened at 11:16 a.m.  8. Discussion and action to approve Amended Final Plat for Saddleback Ranch Per. Jonathan Hopko (County Engineer), Saddleback Ranch's existing plat with restricting notes on plat did not meet new business model. Wants to modify and amend plat. Saddleback Ranch Plat will be first plat to have amended note about road policy explaining County has right to accept roads. Saddleback Ranch New Plat meets criteria Motion to Approve: CommissionerLamp, 2nd Commissioner Reed, passed (3-0)  Estates, adding roadway maintenance verbiage.  to amend plat with correct verbiage on it.  Order #24-209  9. Consideration and action to authorize a one-time variance from Subdivision Regulations to allow a 45 ft wide access to property on Goeke Rd, Pct. 2. Jonathan Hopko (County Engineer), request correction of an error on sold property that Motion to Approve: Commissioner Reed, 2nd Commissioner Cerny, passed (3-0)  created a landlock situation. Order #24-210  10. Consideration and action to authorize a one-time variance from Subdivision Regulations to divide a 6.07 acre tract into a 1.329 acre tract, a 1.68 acre tract, a 1.051 acre tract, 1.051 acre tract and a .959 acre tract (drive way), on Wilma Per Jonathan Hopko (County, Engineer), correcting past problem to ensure property can be divided and maintain access. Although lot 4 is not in compliance, he suggests preliminary layout be approved to allow access and continue to work with County Judge Motion to. Approve: Commissioner Reed, 2nd Commissioner Cerny, passed (3-0)  Lea Lane, Pct. 4. Contingent on executed letter of agreement.  on a solution. Order #24-211  4    11. Consideration and action to approve request for bids for building for Per Jonathan Hopko (County Engineer), building is going to house Roy Mercer's (Emergency Management Coordinator) emergency vehicle and vehicle storage on Per Judge Lapham, bids are due on September 20, at 12:00 p.m. and will be opened on Motion to Approve: Commissioner Reed, 2nd CommissionerLamp, passed (3-0) 12. Discussion regarding Kofile proposal and action as appropriate.  Emergency ManagementRoad & Bridge, Pct. 1.  Commissioner Lamp's lot.  September 23,2024 Commissioners Court.  Order #24-212  Andrea Cardenas (County Clerk), request to preserve original Probate documents to prevent further deterioration. Digital copies will be included to help conserve physical Motion to Approve: Commissioner Reed, 2nd Commissioner Cerny, passed (3-0)  documents. Order #24-213  13. Consideration, discussion, and action to approve Doucet's Amendment 1 for Additional Acquisition Survey Services for Austin County's Drainage Improvement Project associated with GLO-MIT contract Number 22-085-007- Per Commissioner Reed, more survey work needing to be done not originally planned, Motion to. Approve: Commissioner Reed, 2nd Commissioner Lamp, passed (3-0)  D235.  but is still being covered by grant.  Order #24-214  14. Discussion regarding Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Imposition of Optional Fees for Calendar Year 2025 and action as appropriate. Motion to Approve: Commissioner Reed, 2nd Commissioner Lamp, passed (3-0)  Order #24-215  15. Consideration and action to set 2025 Sheriff and Constable Fees effective Motion to Approve: Commissioner Cerny, 2nd Commissioner Reed, passed (3-0)  January 1, 2025.  Order #24-216  5    16. Discussion and action to approve Election Judges, Alternate Judges, Clerks and Central County Station Personnel for November 5, 2024 General Election. Motion to Approve: Commissioner Reed, 2nd Commissioner Cerny, passed (3-0)  Order #24-217  17. Discussion and action to approve Order of Election for November 5, 2024 Motion to Approve: Commissioner Cerny, 2nd Commissioner Reed, passed (3-0)  General Election for County Officers.  Orderi #24-218  18. Consideration and action to approve Notice of General Election for November Motion to Approve: Commissioner Cerny, 2nd Commissioner Reed, passed (3-0)  5, 2024. Order: #24-219  19. Consideration and action to a preliminary plat to subdivide two 5-acre tracts Motion to Approve: CommssionerLamp, 2nd Commissioner Reed, passed (3-0) 20. Discussion regarding Grazing Lease Agreement and action as appropriate.  from a 48.99 acre parent tract on North Loop Rd, Pct. 2.  Order #24-220  No action.  21. Discussion regarding Road & Bridge Uniforms and action as appropriate.  No action.  22. CONSENT AGENDA - Items listed are of routine nature and may be acted on inas single motion unless requested otherwise by member of Commissioners  Court. a. b. C. d.  Approval of Minutes:  i. July 10, 2024 ii. July 12, 2024  Consideration and action to reappoint Leroy Cerny to Texana Center Consideration and action to accept special donation of $3,500.00 to Austin County Sheriff's Office per Local Government Code 81.032 Consideration and action to accept special donation(s) to Austin  Board of Trustees for a two-year term.  County EMS per Local Government Code 81.032  i. $5,000.00 ii. $3,000.00  6    e. f.  Consideration and action to approve Right of Way installation by Consideration and action to approve Right of Way installation of  Industry Telephone Company on Pilcik Rd, Pct. 2 temporary waterline be Verdun Oil Company on  Wolfe Road, Pct. 2 ii. County Line Road, Pct. 2  Motion to Approve: Commissioner Reed, 2nd Commissioner Cerny, passed (3-0)  Order #24-221  23. Budgetary and Financial Claims - action as appropriate.  a.  Payment of Claims  Total = $2,372,663.81 Order #24-222 b. No Fund Transfers.  Motion to Approve: Commissioner Reed, 2nd Commissioner Cerny, passed (3-0)  Fund Transfers  C. BudgetAmendments:  No Budget Amendments.  d. County Auditor's Review of finances  No County Auditor's Review.  e.  County Treasurer's i.  Payroll and Escrow Report 1. 07.26.2024 2. 08.09.2024  Motion to Approve. Commissioner Reed, 2nd Commissioner Cerny, passed (3-0) 24. Written end-of-the month reports submitted by County Offices.  Order#24-223  a. b. C. d. e. f. g. h.  Criminal Court-. July 2024 Civil Court-July 2024 Family Court-J July 2024 Constable, Pct. 2-July 2024 Jail Population Report-July 2024 OFFS - July 2024  Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2-, June and July 2024 Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3 and Pct. 4-July 2024  7    i. j.  Library - July 2024 TDMV -July 2024  Motion to Approve: Commissioner Cerny, 2nd Commissioner Reed, passed (3-0)  Order #24-224  Court Recessed at 12:00 p.m. Court Reconvened at 1:35 p.m. Court Recessed at 1:35 p.m. 25. EXECUTIVE SESSION a. Real Estate Matter b. Legal Matter C. Legal Matter Court Reconvened at 3:54 p.m.  A closed meeting will be held concerning the following items:  26. Action as appropriate on Executive Session.  No action on 26a, 26b and 26c. 27. Commissioners Court Inquiry.  Motion to Adjourn: Commissioner Reed, 2nd CommissionerLamp, passed (3-0).  Order#24-225  Court Adjourned at 3:55 p.m. COMMISSIONERS COURT  ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ON FILE WITH COUNTY CLERK AS PROVIDED BY 1, Andrea Cardenas, Austin County Clerk, attest to the minutes of the  Commissioners Court proceedings for August 12, 2024.  Date: Sepimber 22,0024 Andrea Cardenas, Austin County Clerk Clerk of Commissioners Court Austin ourty, Texas ByNdilne nauenn Adilene Juarez,  GBISIERS  DAPUSREED Thol 2024SEP23 PM 4:32 Gndsa frdlyree COUNTYCLERK AUSTIN COUNTY GLERK  Ooun3  8