Polk County News - Breakout

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By Emily Banks Wooten
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A show cause hearing regarding property at 106 N. East Ave. owned by Joseph McCandless and Manda Kay McCandless was held by the Livingston City Council during its April 11 regular meeting.

A public hearing on the determination of unsafe and/or dilapidated building and cleanup of the property was held at the Jan. 10 meeting. However, following testimony by City Attorney James W. Wright, Fire Marshal/Code Inspector Josh Mohler and the McCandlesses, Council approved giving the homeowners 90 days to implement a rehabilitation plan, stressing that first and foremost, the property needed to be secured.

The property is a residential structure and outbuildings described as: 1.262 acre of land in the M.L. Choate Survey, A-15, Polk County, Texas, called to be Lot 2 of Block 3 of the Meece Addition to the City of Livingston, and described in deed dated Nov. 14, 2019 from Annis Lee Crowley to Joseph McCandless and wife, Manda Kay McCandless, recorded in Volume 2234, Page 193 of the Official Public Records of Polk County, Texas.

McCandless informed Council of progress made, including cleaning the inside out, removing the debris, mowing the yard and most importantly, securing it. He reviewed his plans for rehabilitation of the house. Following much discussion, Council approved giving him six additional months, with another show cause hearing slated for the October meeting to see what the status is.

The appointment of Rebecca Marie McAllister as an alternate judge for the May 6 general election was approved. During its March meeting, Council appointed Heather Weber as election judge but the Texas Election Code requires an alternate election judge be appointed as well. Three council members are up for reelection – Clarke Evans, Elgin Davis and Dr. Ray Luna. All three incumbents filed and a fourth person, Bobby Jackson Sr., also filed.

Although an unexpected expense that was not budgeted, Council approved an expenditure for the replacement of a fuel tank at the Livingston Municipal Airport with the amount not to exceed $250,000. City Manager Bill S. Wiggins apprised Council that a recent inspection revealed that the liner in the existing tank is damaged.

“The airport is very important to us and this is not something we budgeted but it’s needed. It’s been down since January. I don’t want to delay this,” Wiggins said, adding that the cost is expected to be approximately $187,000 but they wanted to earmark a bit more for unexpected contingencies. This cost improves the removal and destruction of the old fuel tank and installation of the new tank.

Council Member Dr. Ray Luna inquired what the city charges for fuel and expressed interest in looking at attempting to adjust that price in an attempt to recoup the funds spent on the new tank. Wiggins said that could be looked into and a budget adjustment done at the end of the year if needed.

Allen Borchers, a local resident who is a retired traffic manager at Houston Intercontinental Airport and a flight instructor, addressed Council, remarking that he would encourage them to approve a no-lead tank instead of a low-lead tank, as that is what is coming in approximately two years. Council thanked him for his input.

Council approved payment application number one in the amount of $508,742 to Ameresco Inc. This is the company that is handling the city’s citywide conversion to new self-reading water and electric meters which will be starting soon.

In activity related to the 2023-2024 Texas Community Development Block Grant Program, Council approved two proposed resolutions – one authorizing the submission of an application, to include civil rights policies, for the community development fund competition and other authorizing signatories for the 2023-2024 application and future grants administered through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s TDA Go Grants Online. The city is applying for a $500,000 grant for the repair of city streets, including concrete, curbs and gutters. If the grant application is successful, the city’s part will be $50,000.

During his monthly city manager’s report, Wiggins updated Council on various upcoming events and ongoing development projects.

            Other business included approval of the accounts over $500 and minutes of the March 14 meeting.

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The Polk County Commissioners Court issued a proclamation for Public Safety Telecommunications Week during its regular meeting Tuesday. (l-r) Precinct 1 Commissioner Guylene Robertson, Chief Deputy Rickie Childers, Sheriff Byron Lyons, Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Dubose, Telecommunications Operator Debbie Oxford, County Judge Sydney Murphy, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Cassity and Precinct 3 Commissioner Milt Purvis. Photo by Emily Banks Wooten

By Emily Banks Wooten
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During its regular meeting Tuesday, the Polk County Commissioners Court approved moving forward with a request for proposals to perform a forensic review of financial records with regard to the monies that were taken from the jail commissary fund.

“We are going to have to have a forensic review and it will have to be performed to determine the exact amount that is missing or as close as they can get to it,” County Judge Sydney Murphy said. “Our crime policy coverage through Texas Association of Counties will cover up to $100,000 for a forensic audit. Without going out for proposals for services out there, we don’t know what that would cost the county.”

The Court approved moving forward with its strategic planning process. “On March 14 the Court received a strategic planning guide that we developed based on recommendations from others to help guide the process of engaging the community, our elected officials and our staff in developing some strategic goals and a plan for accomplishing them. This process helps us set policies for how the county is moving forward and for building budgets and also for having goals that are important to the community,” Murphy said.

“We do engage in economic development. We do engage in advocating for different groups and also providing support to some of those areas. The idea is we move forward with the strategic planning guide and take what we’ve developed from our end and turn it over to the economic development corporation for them to get the business perspective and the economic development perspective and also allow the chamber of commerce and our local business people to participate,” Murphy said.

The Court received the fiscal year 2024 budget adopted by the Polk Central Appraisal District on April 5. “The budget reflects a 9% increase from last year and increases the county’s allocation amount by $88,220.33 so our total allocation will be $634,201.33. The majority of the development we’ve seen when we’ve approved the different plats and subdivisions and RV parks is in the unincorporated areas of the county,” Murphy said.

“Last year there was an 8.3% increase and most of that was in pay and operations and part of it was the increase in the cost of goods and services. Also, they’re trying to get their pay scale comparable to the surrounding area and to other counties of our size,” Murphy said.

When it came time for the selection of county depositories and sub-depositories, Murphy submitted an affidavit of abstention and allowed Precinct 3 Commissioner Milt Purvis to handle the matter, citing the fact that her husband, Matt Murphy, serves on the Board of Directors of First State Bank of Livingston. Based on the recommendation of County Treasurer Terri Williams, the Court approved First State Bank of Livingston as the county depository and First National Bank of Livingston and Citizens State Bank of Corrigan as the county’s sub-depositories.

The Court reviewed the district attorney’s proposed criminal case file hard copy destruction and retention schedule, though no action was required. The state is moving to electronic files as much as possible due to the amount of space required to store massive amounts of paper files. The proposed retention schedule outlines plans to review, scan, index and shred.

A request from Republic to close the Polk County Landfill to commercial traffic on Saturdays was approved. This action applies to the landfill only, not the citizen collection stations, and only applies to commercial traffic and not residential traffic.

A certificate of compliance for Two Creeks Crossing RV Park located in Precinct 2 was approved.

The Court received and approved the constable warrant service program quarterly report for the period ending March 31 from the Precinct 4 constable’s office but has not yet received the report from the other three constable’s offices.

A request for a capital purchase 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, a request from the Precinct 3 justice of the peace to replace the courtroom benches, not to exceed $2,000, was approved. It was noted that the benches will be replaced with chairs, allowing for increased flexibility in the courtroom.

In personnel matters, the Court reviewed and approved personnel action forms submitted since the last meeting and review one authorized emergency hiring in Precinct 4 Road and Bridge.

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

Several proclamations were presented, including one for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, one for Child Abuse Prevention Month, one declaring April 9-15 as Public Safety Telecommunications Week in Polk County and one declaring April 23-29 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Polk County.

Items on the consent agenda included:

Approval of the minutes of the March 28 meeting;

Approval of the schedules of bills;

Approval of an order designating surplus property;

Receipt and recording of continuing education certifications/transcripts of elected offices as submitted;

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 Jan. 1 through March 31 of this year;

Approval of a resolution in support of the district attorney’s victim coordinator and liaison grant application to the Office of the Attorney General;

Approval of a resolution in support of the sheriff’s office other victim assistance grant application to the Office of the Attorney General;

Acceptance of a total loss offer for a 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe and removal from the county inventory as of March 27, 2023;

Approval of a memorandum of understanding for Leggett ISD for local disaster preparedness (sheltering);

Approval of an interlocal agreement with Corrigan-Camden ISD for the county’s provision of election equipment and services for the May 6 general election as recommended by the county clerk; and

Approval of an agreement with Certified Payments for credit card processing in the district clerk’s office.

Lindell Mitchell with Livingston Church of Christ opened the meeting with prayer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Action related to resolutions authorizing submission of an application, to include the civil rights policies, for the 2023-2024 Texas Community Development Block Grant Program’s community development fund competition will be discussed and considered by the Onalaska City Council during its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Council will discuss and consider action on resolutions authorizing signatories for the 2023-2024 application and future grants administered through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s TDA Go grants online.

Council is expected to authorize the mayor to sign the city’s consent to assignment contract between Piney Woods Sanitation and Live Oak Environmental LLC as required by contract.

In personnel matters, Council is expected to accept the resignation of Stephen Cook, a telecommunications operator.

Reports will be presented on behalf of the police department, fire department, fire marshal/building inspector and library representative.

Other items on the agenda include approval of the minutes, vouchers and financial reports.

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The Polk County Commissioners Court will discuss and consider action regarding the strategic planning process during its regular meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The Court will also consider a request for proposals to perform a forensic review of financial records.

Action related to the district attorney’s proposed criminal case file hard copy destruction and retention schedule will be considered.

A request from Republic for closing the Polk County Landfill to commercial traffic on Saturdays will also be considered.

The Court is expected to receive and take any necessary action regarding the fiscal year 2024 budget adopted by the Polk Central Appraisal District on April 5.

Regarding the selection of county depositories and sub-depositories, the Court will receive and consider all applications for county depositories and will select qualified applicants based on the terms and qualifications.

A certificate of compliance for Two Creeks Crossing RV Park located in Precinct 2 will be considered for approval.

The Court will receive the constable warrant service program quarterly report for the period ending March 31.

A request for a capital purchase 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, a request from the Precinct 3 justice of the peace to replace courtroom benches, not to exceed $2,000, will be considered.

In personnel matters, the Court will review and consider personnel action forms submitted since the last meeting and review any authorized emergency hirings.

The Court will consider approval of fiscal year 2023 budget revisions and amendments as presented by the county auditor’s office.

Several proclamations will be presented during the portion of the meeting reserved for informational reports – one for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, one for Child Abuse Prevention Month, one declaring April 9-15 as Public Safety Telecommunications Week in Polk County and one declaring April 23-29 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Polk County.

Items on the consent agenda include:

Approve minutes of the March 28 meeting;

Approve schedules of bills;

Approve order designating surplus property;

Receive and record continuing education certifications/transcripts of elected offices as submitted;

Approve to file 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 Jan. 1 through March 31 of this year;

Approve resolution in support of district attorney’s victim coordinator and liaison grant application to the Office of the Attorney General;

Approve resolution in support of sheriff’s office other victim assistance grant application to the Office of the Attorney General;

Accept total loss offer for 214 Chevrolet Tahoe and remove from county inventory as of March 27, 2023;

Approve memorandum of understanding for Leggett ISD for local disaster preparedness (sheltering);

Approve interlocal agreement with Corrigan-Camden ISD for the county’s provision of election equipment and services for the May 6 general election as recommended by the county clerk; and

Approve agreement with Certified Payments for credit card processing in the district clerk’s office.