REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 12, 2019  Be it remembered on the 12TH day of August 2019 at 10:15 o'clock A.M., there was Begun and Holden a Regular Meeting of the Commissioner's Court in the Courthouse, in the town of Farwell, with the following members present,  To-wit:  Kirk Frye Charles Wilkins Kenny White Casey Russell Trey Ellis Sharon May Susie Spring  Commissioner Pct. #1 Commissioner Pct. #2 Commissioner Pct. #3 Commissioner Pct. #4 Judge County Treasurer County Clerk  When the following was had and done, To-wit:  Call to Order 1. Prayer  Judge Ellis 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  No members of the public were in attendance. 4. Read and Approve Minutes of the Previous Meeting  Motion by White, seconded by Russell to approve the  Minutes from the July 22, 2019 Regular Meeting with noted correction. Motion by Frye, seconded by Russell to approve the Minutes from the August 8, 2019 Special Meeting with noted correction. Motion carried. 5. Consider Approval and Payment of the Accounts Payable - Sharon May  Motion carried.  Sharon May reported the Accounts Payable List for July 19th and August 12th. Motion by White, seconded by Frye to approve Payment of the  Accounts Payable. Motion carried. See attached.  1    6. Consider Treasurer's Report-Sharon May  Motion by Wilkins, seconded by Frye to approve the Treasurer's Payroll  Report. Motion carried. See attached.  7. Consider Purposing the Parmer County 2020 Budget  Judge Ellis presented the 2020 Proposed Budget as approved at the August 8, 2019 Special Meeting. He wanted to reaffirm the vote. He made a: motion to keep the current tax rate for 2020 and give the county employees a pay raise of 5% with the exclusion of the County Judge, four Commissioners and the County Attorney receiving no pay raise. Commissioner Frye seconded. Motion passed with Judge Ellis, Commissioner Frye, Commissioner White and Commissioner Russell voting in the affirmative and Commissioner Wilkins voting nay. Judge Ellis reported that the tax rate remains the same at $0.5492 per $100 valuation. Two public hearings will be held on the proposed tax rate. One will be held on August 26th at 9:30 AM and one on August 30th The proposed budget will be posted on the county website and also in the  at 9:30 AM.  County Clerk's office for public review. (See attached.)  8. Consider the Continued Support of the Parmer County Ag Extension Agent. Michael Clauson, Texas A8M Extension Services has asked if Parmer County will continue to support an Ag Extension Agent. Motion by Frye, seconded by White to approve continued support of a County Extension  Agent. Motion passed.  9. Consider the Parmer County Historical Commission Having a Plaque Dedication for the Courthouse as a National Registry of Historic Places.  Upon motion by White, seconded by Frye to allow a plaque dedication at adate to be determined, the motion passed. See attached.  10. Consider an Inter-Local Agreement Between Lubbock County and Parmer  County for the Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases  This Agreement provides for the Texas Indigent Defense Commission Grant Funds to be utilized to provide for court-appointed counsel in Capital Murder cases in Parmer County. Cost to the County is  $1,072.00. See attached.  2    On motion by Wilkins, seconded by Russell, the motion to enter into this  agreement passed.  11. Consider Waterline Placement Under a County Road  John Loucks has applied to place a water line south of county road DD on CR 13A. Upon a motion by Frye, seconded by White to allow placement of this water line, motion carried. See attached.  12. Consider Bonds for Teresa Carey (Tax Assessor Office) and Rose Longley  (District Clerk's Office).  Motion by Frye, seconded by White to approve the bonds for these two  County Employees. Motion carried.  13. Consider Reappointment of Robert White to Serve on the Central Plains  Board  On a motion by Frye, seconded by Russell, to reappoint Robert White to the Central Plains MHMR Board, motion carried. See attached.  14. Report on Elections Seminar  Susie Spring, County Clerk reported on the election Seminar she recently attended in Austin. Of particular interest to the voters of Parmer County, arecent law states we can no longer hold Early Voting in areas outside of the County Courthouse unless they are open the entire two weeks of early voting for eight hours a day. This is a hardship in paying for and obtaining poll workers to full fill this new law. As a result, the amendment election to be held in November of 2019 will only have early Additionally, there were numerous security measures the Secretary of State's office is requiring as well as on line reporting daily of voting Previously, the Election Security Audit by the State's contracted entity She also reported that our new voting equipment is due to arrive on  voting at the County Clerk's office.  activity.  was voluntary, it has now been made mandatory.  Wednesday of this week.  3    15. Consider Farwell ISD request for Permanent School Fund Monies  Upon motion by Frye, seconded by White to approve the Farwell ISD request for $850,000.00 for construction projects from the Permanent  School fund, the motion passed. 16. Consider Parmer County Burn Ban  On a motion by Wilkins, not to enact the county burn ban at this time,  seconded by Judge Ellis, the motion passed.  17. Consider Parmer County Medical Insurance for Elected Officials and  County Employees  Jerry Killian with the Employee Benefit Associates, Inc. presented the benefits and costs for the 2019-2020 renewal from the Texas Association of Counties Health and Employee Benefits Pool. A rate increase of 2.8% was proposed at a cost of $905.60 per employee per month with all deductions and co-pays remaining the same as this year. Upon a motion by White, seconded by Wilkins, to accept the proposed renewal from the TAC Health and Employee Benefits Pool, motion  passed.  18. Consider Any and All Matters Concerning the Parmer County Law  Enforcement Center  Sheriff Geries stated he has a jail population of 25 at present. He reported that his office assisted the Bovina Police Department with the recent homicide. He stated that the Texas Rangers have been called He also reported the Sheriff's office response to the fire in the northern He reported that a landing zone exercise for helicopters will be held this  into the case.  part of the county recently.  Friday.  He reported three transports this month.  He also attended the Sheriff's Convention last month.    With no further business to come before the court, Commissioner White moved to adjourn. Commissioner Frye seconded and adjournment was called at 11:52  o'clock A.M.  GBIONERS  SBig6 County Clerk  OL  County badge k  COUNT