County rejects bids for communications system

By Tony Farkas

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Members of the San Jacinto County Commissioners Court handed a proclamation declaring April and Sexual Abuse Awareness Month to representatives of the SAAFE House. Photo by Tony Farkas

COLDSPRING — While the communications system in the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office is obsolete and failing, questions over bid requests as well as paying for new equipment were left in the air on Wednesday.

At the regular meeting of the County Commissioners Court, commissioners discussed issues with the bid process as well as funding sources.

However, the court tossed out the bids because two bids came in after the closing date; also, during the discussion, they found that there is a state contract for Motorola communications equipment that had not been considered.

The decision was tabled so the county could do more research.

There also was discussion about using a portion of the SB 22 funds the county received this year to help pay for a new communications system, which representatives of the Sheriff’s Office were not in favor of.

Chief Tim Kean told commissioners he was concerned about the funds not being used for salaries as was intended by the state. County Judge Fritz Faulkner said the bill allowed for the purchase of safety equipment and felt the communications system would qualify.

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Kean said it was the intention of Sheriff Greg Capers that the remaining money be used for a stipend for the officers and jailers in order to make it easier to retain employees.

The county decided to pay jailers up to the required $40,000 per year.

In other business, the county:

•approved the plat for Capital Creek subdivision, a 1,200-acre area which will hold 700 large lots for housing;

•approved changes to an emergency disaster response agreement with Garner Environmental Services;

•approved naming a private road to Alckaz Lane;

•approved donating use of the Storm Shelter for the annual SAAFE House Lures and Lace Bingo fundraiser;

•approved a minor plat for the Potts Estate; and

•approved Spear Point Engineering to provide engineering services.