REGULAR SESSION MEETING AUGUST 26, 2024  Be it remembered on the 26th day of August at 10:00 o'clock A.M., there was Begun and Holden a Regular Meeting of the Commissioner's Courtin the Courthouse, in the town of Farwell, with the following members present,  To-wit:  Isabel Izzy Carrasco Kirk Frye Charles Wilkins Kenny White Casey Russell Sharon May Susie Spring Eric Geske, Sheriff  Judge  Commissioner Pct. #1 Commissioner Pct. #2 Commissioner Pct. #3 Commissioner Pct. #4 County Treasurer County Clerk  Also Present:  John Merriss, Doshier, Pickens & Francis, LLP Wendy Case, County Extension Agent Janelle Duffey, County Extension Agent  Amy Dudley  When the following was had and done, To-wit:  Call to Order 1. Prayer  Commissioner White led the Court in prayer to begin the meeting.  2. Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the Texas Flag The Court pledged their allegiance to the flags of the United States of America and the State of Texas.  3. Open Forum for Public Comments  There were no comments from members of the public. 4. Consider and Discuss 2023 Parmer County Audit Report  John Merriss thanked the Court for allowing DP&F to conduct the County Audit. He reported that Parmer County is in a strong financial position and complimented the Commissioners on their oversite of the  Counties assets.  1    He reported that the tax collection rate had dropped from 49% to 37% during 2023. Even with the drop, he reported that the retirement fund is 94.7% funded. He stated that this was much better than some other He also stated that the biggest tax payors for the county were Cargill Meat Packing and BNSF. Both are solid entities not likely to go away Judge Carrasco thanked him for the report and made a motion to approve the County Audit Report for 2023. Commissioner Frye seconded  small counties' positions.  which is very advantages for the county.  and the motion passed unanimously.  5. Update on Extension Activities  Wendy Case gave an update on activities related to Family and Community Outreach. She discussed a number of events and education classes that have been held. See attached report. Janelle Duffey gave an update on Agriculture and Natural Resources. She discussed the crop report and stressed the hot dry conditions that have hurt the production for farmers. She gave an update on the Avian She discussed stock show updates for 2024 and previewed the 2025 schedule. Both ladies discussed 4-H activities and stated both Farwell and Friona will have new leadership in this area for the upcoming year.  Flu. See attached report.  6. Approve Minutes from Previous Meeting  Upon motion to approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting on August 12, 2024, and the Special Meeting on August 15, 2024, by Commissioner Frye, seconded by Commissioner Russell, the motion passed by a majority  vote.  7. Consider Approval and Payment of Accounts Payable-Sharon May  Sharon May reported the Accounts Payable List for August 26, 2024. Motion by Commissioner Wilkins, seconded by Commissioner White to approve Payment of the Accounts Payable as presented. Motion carried  by majority vote. See attached.  2    8. Consider Treasurer's Payroll Report-Sharon May  Commissioner Frye made the motion to approve the Treasurer's Payroll Report for August 15, 2024, Commissioner Russell seconded and the  motion passed by majority vote. See attached.  9. Consider and Discuss Re-scheduling Commissioners Court from Sept. 9th to  Sept. 12, 2024  Judge Carrasco reminded the Commissioners that the Hearing for the 2025 tax rate and budget was scheduled for the 12th. The Judge made a motion to approve moving the meeting to September 12, 2024. Commissioner Wilkins seconded and the motion passed with a majority  vote.  10. Consider and Discuss Order of Election  Susie Spring, County Clerk explained that the Court had to approve the Judge's signing of the Order for the Election of County Officials for the Commissioner Frye made a motion to approve the signing of the Order of Election. Commissioner White seconded and the motion passed with a  2024 November General Election.  majority vote.  11. Consider and Discuss 3% COLA Raise for Retirees  This raise has been discussed during the budget workshops. Judge Carrasco explained this is for all existing County Retirees at the present time and made the motion to approve this increase for 2025 and forward. Commissioner White seconded, and the motion passed by majority vote.  12. Consider and Discuss Retirement Increase  The issue of increasing the County's matching amount for employee retirement funds was discussed during the Budget Workshop. At present, the County matching amount is 1.5% of the employee's amount. Commissioner Frye made a motion to increase the County's matching to 2% beginning in January 2025. Commissioner Russell seconded the  motion and it passed with a majority vote.  3    13. Consider and Discuss Continuing Education Hours forJP#3  Upon a motion by Judge Carrasco to approve 22 hours of continuing education for. Judge Haseloff, seconded by Commissioner Wilkins, the  motion passed with a majority vote. See attached.  14. Consider Any and All Matters Concerning the Parmer County Law  Enforcement Center  Sheriff Geske stated that the Parmer County Jail is housing 22 inmates. He informed the Court that he is in discussion with Parmer Medical Center to provide medical services to the jail inmates. At present they will come on a case by case basis to the jail but are charging for a regular office  Eight of the inmates are from Lamb County.  visit.  With no further business to come before the Court, Commissioner White moved to adjourn. Commissioner Russell seconded and adjournment was called at  11:58 o'clock A.M.  CER  County Sutis  County Judge  R  AFMER CC  4