Oil recycling comes under scrutiny

By Tony Farkas
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COLDSPRING — The San Jacinto County Commissioners Court’s program to accept oil for recycling almost was cancelled, but instead collections points will be renewed based on recommendations from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

However, at the county’s regular meeting on Wednesday, Commissioner Donnie Marrs said it will eventually cost the county a lot of money to bring the sites up to standards.

The county, which also produces oil for reclamation, uses the used oil in its roadwork.

Marrs said he had some discussions with TCEQ and found the county’s oil reclamation stations are in bad shape, and he’s at the point where he wants the county out of the oil collection business entirely.

Marrs said that according to TCEQ, there is little quality control at the sites, there are additional paperwork requirements that the county is not meeting, and that water used to clean the items has to be treated. He also said that there are some leaks, and there needs to be employee training.

However, Commissioner Mark Nettuno said he would like the program to continue, and that sentiment was echoed by County Judge Fritz Faulkner, who was concerned there would be no alternative would be for the residents, to which Marrs replied to continue, it will cost the county money.

Ultimately, the county took no action, but Marrs warned the county that it would be spending some money soon.

In other business, the county:

•approved extending an agreement with Tyler Technologies to facilitate a transition to LGS judicial software;

•allowed a request for a donation of a 2015 Ford Explorer to the city of Ivanhoe to die without a motion;

•approved the purchase of a 2023 Dodge Charger for $38,000 to replace a police vehicle damaged in an accident;

•declared a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria damaged in an accident as salvage;

•proclaimed April 30-May 7 as Soil and Water Stewardship Week;

•discussed the process for grants and disbursing funds;

•approved bond renewal for District Attorney Todd Dillon;

•accepted a $5,000 donation from the Emerald Estates Property Owners Association for road work;

•discussed policy changes for the precincts’ oil recycling;

•approved rebidding for RAP/Recycle material;

•approved the purchase of a tractor for $155,000 and an asphalt grinder for $75,000;

•approved declaring several office items from the Elections Administrator’s Office as salvage; and

•approved the liability policy of Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge 37 as sufficient to hold an event at the storm shelter.