Commissioners to have comm system evaluated

COLDSPRING — After urging by several county residents, communications experts and the Sheriff’s Department, the San Jacinto County Commissioners Court opted to obtain a study of what the county actually needs for its ailing communications system.

Chief Tim Kean said that he recommends getting someone who is not a salesman to evaluate the system, since its operation is day-to-day, and the only person he had on staff that was able to work with the system is leaving the organization for more pay.

Gerald Deeter admonished the court that if they were going to spend a half million dollars on a communications system, it will be in vain. He also cautioned against the county using SB22 funds to pay for it.

County Judge Fritz Faulkner said that a communications assessment has been performed of the counties in the DETCOG area, which could provide information; however, he was informed by an expert at the meeting that an independent assessment could run around $120,000, a quarter of the budget for the whole project.

He also said the problems with the current system were more than likely caused by a lightning strike, which prompted Faulkner to point out that complaints that the county was shirking its duties were unfounded.

“Lightning will strike when it does,” he said. “The good Lord was in charge of (the damage).”

In other business, the court:

•approved bids for demolition projects as part of the buyout grant program;

•approved a resolution in support of funding for the U.S. 59 project;

•ESD No. 2 June 26 10 a.m. public hearing;

•approved having a TCEQ evaluation about moving pens at the county Animal Center out of the path of onsite sewage facility spraying;

•approved the budget calendar for the coming fiscal year;

•discussed the delinquent tax collection report;

•approved the lease of a new copier for the jail;

•approved the transfer of a vehicle from maintenance to the Fire Marshal’s Office;

•approved $3.45 million in bonds in connection with two new subdivisions;

•renewed an interlocal agreement with the city of Shepherd for road maintenance;

•proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month; and

•approved necessary documents and resolutions regarding several grant programs.