County approves holidays, tables fee change

By Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — While Trinity County commissioners approved the county holiday schedule for the coming year, one commissioner felt that the time off taken by county offices exceeded the approved amount.

At the Aug. 8 meeting of the court, Commissioner Neal Smith said that certain holiday closings, such as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas, ended up being multi-day affairs, and that the offices were not open for the public when they should be.

“Stealing is stealing,” he said. “We’re here for the public.”

County Attorney Colton Hay said there wasn’t much the county could do, as the court does not have any control over other elected officials.

“It’s up to the voters and how they see it,” he said.

In a separate matter, the county tabled a change to septic permit fees that are charged to some landowners.

In question was the 10-acre rule, which states that landowners with property that is larger than 10 acres are exempt from fees. County Judge Danny Martin pointed out that the contracted inspector still charges the county regardless of land size, which means the county is losing money.

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Currently, the county charges $250 per inspection, but wanted to raise fees to $310 for residences and $410 for businesses, as well as doing away with the exemption.

In other business, the county:

•accepted a donation of cell phone boosters from Ronnie Janczak, which will be placed in vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office and constables;

•approved naming a road that branches off of Josserand Road as Bivens Road;

•set Oct. 21 as the fall Trash Clean-up Day, and Oct. 28 as tire removal day;

•approved county road and bridge fees;

•gave annual approval to the terms of Commissioners Court;

•set pay scales for district court bailiffs, court coordinators and reporters; and

•approved the tax rolls from the Trinity County Appraisal District.