ARPA funding to assist local VFDs

By Emily Banks Wooten
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The Polk County Commissioners Court took action during its regular meeting Tuesday to facilitate the utilization of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for some of the local volunteer fire departments.

The action included: payment to Metro Fire for firefighting equipment for the South Polk County Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $8,362; payment to Nalcom Wireless Communications for radio equipment for the South Polk County Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $1,638; payment to Nalcom Wireless Communications for radio equipment for the Onalaska Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $10,000; and payment to Kimco Services Inc. for self-contained breathing apparatuses for the Scenic Loop Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $10,000.

Based on the recommendation of counsel, the Court approved rescinding the prepositioned contract for disaster debris removal services with DRC Emergency Services.

A request for capital purchases to be paid from the general fund balance and included on the fiscal year 2023 reimbursement resolution for the year-end issuance of legally authorized debt, specifically, roof replacement at the museum, not to exceed $65,000, was approved.

The Court approved rejecting the infrastructure development plan for The Pines at Lake Livingston RV Park located in Precinct 2.

The constable warrant service program quarterly report for the period ending Dec. 31, 2022 was received.

In personnel matters, the Court reviewed and approved personnel action forms submitted since the last meeting.

Additionally, the Court approved the fiscal year 2023 budget revisions and amendments as presented by the county auditor’s office.

In old business, the Court approved the minutes of the Dec. 13 meeting.

Items on the consent agenda included:

•Approval of the minutes of the Dec. 27 regular meeting;

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•Approval of the schedules of bills;

•Approval of an order designating surplus property;

•Approval of enrollment in Texas Association of Counties cybersecurity training;

Ratifying the re-appointment of John Allen Slocomb to the Workforce Development Board for a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2023;

Ratifying the ebonds agreement with Deep East Texas Council of Governments for solid waste project;

Approval to file a claim with the state comptroller pursuant to Government Code Sec. 61.0015(B) for reimbursement of a portion of the juror fees paid by Polk County during the period of Oct. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022;

Receipt of the county treasurer’s monthly reports for September and October 2022;

Receipt and recording the district clerk’s plan to utilize $140,000 of ARPA funds for records preservation;

Receipt and recording the county clerk’s plan to utilize $60,000 of ARPA funds for records preservation;

Acceptance of a donation from the sheriff’s office for the purchase of law enforcement equipment; and

Acceptance of a donation from Sheriff Byron Lyons for asset forfeiture expenditure in the amount of $22,792.70 for the purchase of law enforcement equipment.

Rev. David Darden of New Beulah Baptist Church opened the meeting with prayer.