Polk County News - Breakout

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The Polk County Commissioners Court will consider approval of a resolution in opposition to unfunded mandates during its regular meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The Court is expected to receive a nuisance abatement hearing determination for Cause No. A00522 and consider action on an order to abate the nuisance.

Two requests for exemption from the county subdivision regulations will be considered – one is the development of Abst. 77 of the A. Viesca Survey (154.381 acres) located in Precinct 1 and consisting of one tract with access to existing public road with no other common areas and/or streets and the other is the development of Abst. 77 of the A. Viesca Survey (two acres) located in Precinct 1 and consisting of one tract with access to existing public roads with no other common areas and/or streets.

The Court will consider requests 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, after market equipment on a leased vehicle for the fire marshal, in the amount of $7,055 and an upgrade to the jail camera system, not to exceed $211,552.18.

The appointment of Rachel Slocomb Drake to the Burke Center Board of Trustees to fill the unexpired portion of Col. Howard Daniel’s two-year term that began Sept. 1, 2021 will be considered for approval.

A resolution for the restructuring of the adult sexual assault response team will also be considered for approval.

Several items related to some of the local volunteer fire departments’ utilization of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are also on the agenda, including the following:

•Payment to Wanco for generator/light tower equipment for the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Nation VFD, in the amount of $10,000;

•Payment to Lone Star Emergency Group to replace fire pump and pump motor for the brush truck for the Corrigan VFD, in the amount of $10,000;

Payment to South Polk County VFD Inc. for a brush truck for the Holiday Lake Estates VFD, in the amount of $10,000;

Payment to Dalmatian Fire Equipment LLC for 10 self-contained breathing apparatus packs for the Livingston VFD, in the amount of $10,000;

Payment to Nalcom Wireless Communications for radio equipment for the Segno VFD, in the amount of $7,557.50;

Payment to Red Barn for materials to replace the roof and rafters for the Segno VFD, in the amount of $2,442.50;

Payment to W.S. Darley & Co. for firefighting equipment for the Goodrich VFD, in the amount of $10,000; and

Payments to Thomas Supply, Lowes Home Centers, Tejas Paint & Flooring and General Wire & Electric Supply for materials to renovate the Indian Springs VFD station, not to exceed $10,000 in total.

In personnel matters, the Court will review and consider action on personnel action form requests submitted since the last meeting and review any authorized emergency hirings and will also consider approval of an update to the personnel management system.

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

During informational reports, Precinct 1 Constable Scott Hughes will present a report to the Court.

Items on the consent agenda include:

Approve minutes of the Jan. 10 regular meeting;

Approve schedules of bills;

Approve order designating surplus property;

Receive county auditor’s monthly report, pursuant to local government code Sec.114.025;

Receive county treasurer’s fiscal year 2022 fourth quarter report;

Receive sheriff’s department 2022 racial profiling report;

Approve sheriff’s request to submit application to the office of the governor for the fiscal year 2023 criminal justice grant program for a special victims officer;

Approve sheriff’s request to submit application to the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance for an evidence/procurement manager position;

Approval to construct wall at Precinct 2 Road & Bridge in the amount of $1,000 to be funded out of the Precinct 2 Road & Bridge operating expenses fund; and

Approve purchase of a 2019 truck with trade-in for Precinct 1 Road & Bridge in the amount of $41,700.

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By Emily Banks Wooten
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Polk County Cares will host its 10th annual crawfish shrimp boil Feb. 11 at the Polk County Commerce Center to benefit Center of Hope Cancer Support and F.A.I.T.H. Military Support Group.

Polk County Cares is a 501(c)3 organization that puts community donations to work in the community. Its purpose is to raise funds to be distributed to qualifying non-profit organizations within Polk County.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. with beer and wine available for purchase. All you can eat boiled crawfish and shrimp will be served from 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will be a live auction, a silent auction and a raffle. The live auction will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $50 per person or a table for eight may be purchased for $500. Naskila Casino is the presenting sponsor and there are numerous additional sponsorship opportunities. A $500 bronze sponsorship receives a table for eight and recognition on social media and local press. A $750 silver sponsorship receives the above plus a sign outside the event, name on the sponsor list at all tables and eight drink tickets. A $1,000 gold sponsorship receives all of the above plus 16 drink tickets. A $2,000 platinum sponsorship receives two tables for eight in a premium location and all of the above plus food served at tables, signs inside and outside the event and 32 drink tickets. A $3,000 diamond sponsorship receives three tables for eight in a premium location and all of the above plus name on T-shirts and 48 drink tickets.

There will be two raffle items available – a Louis Vuitton designer purse and a whole processed steer. Raffle tickets are $10 apiece.

Tickets for the crawfish shrimp boil and the raffle are currently available. To purchase them, go to the Polk County Cares office at 300 N. Washington in Livingston or go to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Cash, credit cards and checks are accepted. Checks may be made out to Polk County Cares. Payment may also be made through PayPal at @polkcountycares, CashApp at $PolkCountyCares and Venmo at @PolkCounty-Cares.

Proceeds from the event will be split three ways with a third going to Center of Hope Cancer Support, a third going to F.A.I.T.H. Military Support Group and a third going to Polk County Cares to be distributed to other local charities to be determined by the Board of Directors of Polk County Cares.

Last year’s event grossed over $83,000.

 

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Julie Mack accepts a plaque in honor of her husband,Bobby Bridwell, who died a few months ago while serving on the board. The plaque reads, “Presented in memory of dedicated public school hero Bobby Bridwell whose service to the school community of Goodrich ISD has been invaluable.” Mack is pictured with Goodrich Superintendent Daniel Barton. Photo by Brian Besch

By Brian Besch
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Goodrich ISD filled a position on its school board and extended the superintendent’s contract Thursday in the regular meeting for January.

Superintendent Daniel Barton had his contract extended in executive session, stretching the pact to January of 2026. Barton began at Goodrich in the 2021-22 academic year, coming over from Shepherd ISD.

The school board was recognized with gifts from students, as January is board recognition month. Barton also thanked the board.

“The job doesn’t pay well, and I know you know the importance of it,” Barton said to board members. “It is service and helping our kids. I have been in this for a lifetime, and through that lifetime, the people that dedicate their time and passion and give it to kids is always humbling to see.”

A special plaque was given to Julie Mack, wife of former board member Bobby Bridwell, who died a few months ago while serving.

“He loved y’all,” Mack told the board of Bridwell. “It gave him purpose when Bobby could no longer do physical things, like being a firefighter. He was still able to have a purpose in his last days, and I appreciate that.”

In executive session, Bridwell’s Position 5 was filled, as Mack will serve in that role. 

In action items, the board called for an election on May 6. Several positions will be on the ballot, if contested. Those include Position 1 Rigoberto Reyes, a three-year term; Position 2 Lidia Moreno, a three-year term; Position 4 Rosalie Blackstock, a one-year term; and Position 5 with the newly appointed Mack, a two-year term. The positions with shorter terms were approved by the board over the past few years, meaning they can be challenged at the upcoming vote in May. Regardless of outcome at the election, the terms will be completed as listed.

A report was given by district principal Aubrey Vaughan for the STAAR testing scores that showed both improvements and setbacks in 2021-22 results when compared to the previous year. All math scores were down but many scores in reading, science and social studies had improved. The tests were taken just after Covid last year. The teacher turnover rate at Goodrich was 67%, while the state average is 17%. However, Barton reminded all that steps are being taken to do a better job retaining teachers in the coming years.

Assessments for the middle of the year are ongoing and progress will be reported in February’s board meeting. Barton said the assessments will show strengths and weaknesses of the district.

The finance department is currently working on an employee compensation plan for the next academic year. A special workshop is expected to be called after the February meeting and be approved during the March gathering.

The district’s emergency operation plan was approved by the Texas School Safety Center, which is the Texas Education Agency’s arm of campus safety.

The theater was checked off the maintenance list over the holidays by Lucas Roofing. The week after Christmas, a new roof was completed in one day.

Video surveillance installation is about 95% complete and is being utilized now. Around 57 cameras are up and running on the campus. In the past, around 20 were operational. Administration has access to the cameras through both phones and computers. They are also shared with the Polk County Sheriff’s Department.

The district will utilize a $200,000 grant by looking into fencing and doors. The grant states specifically that those two items are the top priority when using the funds.

Also approved in action items was an application for staff development minutes waiver. The 2,100 minutes are used for five staff development days that students do not attend classes. There is an agenda for each, showing that employees are getting professional development.

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Habitat for Humanity of Polk County broke ground on its 20th home Tuesday at 211 Waka off of Old Woodville Road. Current and former board members were there, in addition to the partner family and employees of Habitat’s ReStore shop. Some of those participating include Amy Borel, John Wells Jr., Len Fairbanks, Pat McCulley, Stacy Johnson-Aguilar, David Lopez, Otto Lyons, Ray Gearing, Will Watson and Tammye Gamez. Photo by Emily Banks Wooten

By Emily Banks Wooten
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Habitat for Humanity of Polk County broke ground on its 20th home Tuesday at 211 Waka off of Old Woodville Road.

“I want to thank everyone for coming out today. Our affiliate started in 2003. Ray and Susie Gearing were the founding members. This is our 20th home. It will be built by Jeff Rood with RCI,” Board President Pat McCulley said.

“The Rotary Club of Livingston were selected for a matching grant for landscaping the home. We partnered with USDA to finance the construction of this home,” McCulley said.

Amy Borel, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Polk County, reminded everyone of the relocation of Habitat’s ReStore shop to 321 Beatty and encouraged everyone to go by and shop. She said they offer tools, lawn and garden supplies, eco-friendly paint and painting supplies.

“We strive to be very cost-effective. We wouldn’t be here today without our volunteers. We want to thank all of our board members, our former board members and all who have participated in all the fundraisers,” Borel said.

In addition to McCulley serving as president, Rebecca Roberts serves as vice president and Stacy Johnson-Aguilar serves as secretary. Other board members are John Wells Jr., Michael Davis, Tatiana Wells and Tammye Gamez.