REGULAR SESSION MEETING JULY 24 2023  Be it remembered on the 24th day of. July 2023 at 10:01 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:  Isabel Izzy Carrasco Kirk Frye Kenny White Charles Wilkins Sharon May Susie Spring Casey Russell  Judge  Commissioner Pct. #1 Commissioner Pct. #3 Commissioner Pct. #2 County Treasurer County Clerk Commissioner Pct. #4  Absent: Also Present:  John Merriss, Doshier, Pickens & Francis, LLC  David Ford, Apex Faith Tyler, Apex Carter Woodard, Apex Rob Pomper, State Line Tribune Eric Geske, Sheriff Awyna Sanchez, Tax Assessor-Collector Amy Dudley  When the following was had and done, To-wit:  Call to Order 1. Prayer  Commissioner Frye 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. There were no comments from the public. 4. Discuss Update on Mapping Sites-David Ford  3. Open Forum for Public Comments  David Ford of Apex Clean Energy gave an overview of the history of Apex and the various projects they have been or are involved in across the  United States.  1    They have solar, wind, battery and green energy projects including the biggest wind project in the U.S. He informed the court that Apex includes ac conservation project within each project. It is yet to be decided as to He updated the Court on the status of the Lariat Wind project in Parmer County. 50-60% of the land is under lease and 60-75% of the transmission right of way has been obtained. During August and September an avian impact study will be completed.  what that will be for the project in Parmer County.  This project is projected to provide income for the County for the next 30 years. Apex is considering applying for a tax abatement in the future. 5. Consider and Discuss the 2022 Outside Audit Report-John Merriss, CPA  Mr. Merris thanked the Commissioners for allowing Doshier, Pickens & Francis, LLC to conduct the audit for the second year. He discussed the basic financial statements as well as the Statement of Changes in the He stated that the pension for Parmer County employees is funded at 94.7% which is a reflection of good operating management by the Commissioners. Overall, he stated that Parmer County is in a strong financial state. Report is available in County Clerk's office. Commissioner Frye made a motion to approve the Annual Financial Report for FY 2022 as presented. Judge Carrasco seconded the motion  Fiduciary Net Position for FY 2022.  and the motion passed unanimously. 6. Approve Minutes from Previous Meeting  Upon motion to approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting on July 10, 2023, by Commissioner Frye seconded by Commissioner Wilkins, the  motion passed by majority vote.  7. Consider Approval and Payment of Accounts Payable-Sharon May  Sharon May reported the Accounts Payable List for July 17 and 24, 2023. Motion by Commissioner Frye, 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  (A) Consider Quarterly Report  Commissioner White made the motion to approve the Treasurer's Payroll Report for July 14, 2023. Commissioner Wilkins seconded and the Sharon May, Treasurer, presented the Quarterly Report dated April 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023 inclusive. Upon motion by Commissioner Frye to approve the quarterly report, seconded by Commissioner White,  motion passed by majority vote. See attached.  the motion carried with a majority vote.  9. Discuss Law Enforcement Grants  Judge Carrasco and Sheriff Geske discussed SB 22 passed by the 88th Legislature and signed into law by the Governor. The intent of this legislation was to provide financial assistance to qualified Sheriff's offices, constable's offices and prosecutor's offices in rural communities. Under the grant, if approved, Parmer County is eligible for $250,000. Grant money can be used to provide a minimum annual salary for Sheriffs, Deputies, and Jailers and to hire additional staff. After the salary requirements are meant, the monies may be used to purchase vehicles, firearms, and safety equipment for the Sheriff's office. Likewise, the County and district Attorneys may apply for a grant to supplement their salaries. Parmer County would qualify for $100,000 for The Comptroller of the State of Texas is tasked with developing the application process and granting of the monies. Applications may not be The Judge committed to keeping the Commissioner's updated on this  each prosecutor's office.  submitted until January of 2024.  issue.  10. Consider and Discuss Monthly Contract with Rana Crow for the Parmer  County Website  Judge Carrasco informed the Commissioners that Rana has asked for an increase in her reimbursement for maintaining the Parmer County website. The County Clerk informed the Court that there are increasing rules and regulations that counties must follow concerning their websites. The Secretary of State has many dealing with elections. We are utilizing Rana's services much more than previously.  3    The Judge reported that in discussions with other counties, many have TAC as their website manager. They discussed the issues with remote control versus local control. He stated the increase in the reimbursement would probably be less than paying TAC for the services. He did state that no contract could be found. He offered to do further research into that issue. On motion by Commissioner White to table this issue until a contract can be found or drawn up, seconded by Judge  Carrasco, the motion passed with a majority vote. 11. Consider and Discuss Tile Line Under County Road  Daniel Wiseman made an application to place a tile line north of CR O Commissioner Wilkins made a motion to approve the tile line placement. Commissioner Frye seconded and the motion passed by majority vote. 12. Consider and Discuss use of the Courthouse Lawn for BorderTown Days  and CR 17. See attached.  July 29, 2023  Rob Pomper requested permission to use the Courthouse lawn to set up Upon motion from Judge Carrasco to approve usage of the Courthouse lawn for the stated purpose, seconded by Commissioner White, the motion  the arts and craft exhibits as has been done in past years.  was approved by majority vote.  13. Consider Any and all Matters Concerning the Parmer County Law  Enforcement Center  Sheriff Geske stated that the Parmer County jail is housing 36 inmates. 22 are Parmer County inmates. 4 are from Dawson County and 10 are He informed the Court informed the Commissioners of the red balls on the power lines outside the Sheriff's office and Courthouse. The vacant lot to the east of the Sheriff's office is being set up as a designated landing zone for helicopters. He also noted that a training for the deputies and other interested officials will be held in that area to train for proper procedure He stated that he had a quote for sealing and stripping the Sheriff's parking areas. Discussion was held that we should include the entire  from Lubbock County.  when helping in a landing zone.  Courthouse area.  4    On July 29th while deputies will be handling security and traffic for BorderTown Days, he will be attending a table top major disaster drill in He stated that he is working on an interlocal agreement with the City of Friona to provide coverage of the city for the first two weeks of every month. This would consist of Monday-Friday 5 PM-1 or 2 AM and 24 hours for Saturday and Sunday of those weeks. The Friona PD would be second call The security assessment has been received and he commented that he would be sending that via email to all elected officials, as well as compiling al list of suggested changes to present to the Court at the next meeting. He said the Friona Community Center will become the Red Cross emergency center as soon as showers are installed in the bathrooms He also informed the Court that the Sheriff's department and DPS had toured the area behind the new JP #1 office (old EMS bay area) as a possible location for their office site in Friona. This would mean renting the space from the City of Friona, but would end the agreement for the office space by the old JP #1 office and thus that rental payment. He will He informed the Court that the public entrance to the Sheriff's office will be locked each day at 5pm. Access will be by intercom with the dispatch  Friona with other first responders from the County.  in case of a major incident.  during the upcoming renovation.  keep the Court updated on this issue.  office.  With no further business to come before the Court, Commissioner White moved to adjourn. Commissioner Frye seconded and adjournment was called at 12:02  o'clock P.M.  0000K County Judge  AIESIONER  County SSp  POUNTY,  5