County discusses finances, jail

GROVETON — The Trinity County Commissioners Court found the county has above-average collection on both tax revenue and jail inmates.

Sheriff Woody Wallace told the court at the Feb. 28 regular meeting that the county has an average daily prisoner count of 49, 28 of which are housed in San Jacinto County Jail.

The cost for housing the prisoners was around $98,000 a month; additionally, the county had spent $23,000 on medical bills for its prisoners.

Wallace also told the court that in January, the Sheriff’s Department answered 1,712 calls for service, which is higher than average.

For some good news, County Auditor Bonnie Kennedy said that the county has collected 75 percent of budgeted tax revenue and 70 percent of other revenue in the first four months of the fiscal year, while only spending 34 percent of budgeted expenses.

Additionally, the county investment pool is in good shape, she said.

In other business, the commissioners:

•approved renewal of official bonds;

•approved personnel action forms; and

•approved seeking a land survey on a proposed purchase of property for Precinct 1.