Trinity County News - Breakout

Write a comment

Mayor Billy Goodin wants the city and its residents to embrace cleaning up the city and to keep things tidy year-round.

By Tony Farkas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

TRINITY — The Trinity City Council, after meeting with town residents, will begin forming committees to help clean up the town as well as plan and execute a sesquicentennial.

Council members heard complaints as well as ideas during a special meeting on Thursday.

Mayor Billy Goodin said his purpose for planning an anniversary celebration was to help the city and its residents embrace cleanup, and not just for the event; he would like to see the committee stay in place to keep things tidy year-round.

“I feel that if people drive through our city and want to shop here, or if people want to move here, if people want to start a business here, we need to do this,” Goodin said. “Most of all, I want to instill pride in the community. I think things have gone on so long that people don’t care anymore.”

While numerous residents came forward with complaints about neighbors and certain areas of the city, and questioned why the city did not enforce its ordinances, City Manager Steve Jones said under previous councils, the city couldn’t enforce anything as council members were in violation as well.

Goodin said the city also is going through all of its nuisance ordinances to see what’s in place, and with recommendations from the Texas Municipal League, the council will revise the ordinances to current standards and start enforcement.

Moreover, now that the city finances are in good shape, the city plans to hire more Public Works employees to make sure all things like trash pickup and road work are completed.

Goodin said that the committee can be a line of communication to the City Council about problems the city face.

An organizational meeting will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Trinity Community Center, where volunteers will sign up for committees and create mission statements. Goodin said that anyone visiting, shopping or spending time in Trinity is welcome.

1 Comment

By Tony Farkas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

GROVETON — County officials are looking to start solving some of its jail problems by seeking property to construct a temporary facility.

At a special meeting Friday, the Commissioners Court met with DRG Architects about cost projections, which show that the cost to construct a new facility will be at a minimum $14,104,000 for a 48-bed jail, and $15,730,000 for a 60-bed facility.

A recent jail needs assessment by the state, however, showed the county should consider a 96-bed jail, and Wayne Gondeck of DRG said the cost of such a facility probably outweighs the need for a new jail.

Gondeck also said that the current market is showing some volatility, and prices are continuing to rise; in 1995, cost for construction of jails ran around $143 per square foot, whereas now it’s around $650.

Another factor to consider was costs to staff a facility, he said.

Gary Adams of DRG said there is not a cheap solution to the county’s problems.

The DRG representatives did not have a cost breakdown for a temporary facility, even thought the commission is leaning in that direction. Sheriff Woody Wallace said that in his conversations with the state Jail Commission, they indicated that approval would be granted on anything as long as it showed progress on the county’s part.

The commissioners will do some research on funding, while the county and DRG will survey several existing structures in Groveton that might be suitable for a temporary housing facility.

Gondeck said he feels that finding a facility that can be eventually turned into a permanent jail could be the county’s best bet as far as funding and solving its immediate problems.

Write a comment

By Tony Farkas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

GROVETON — The Trinity County Commissioners Court delayed a pay raise request from Sheriff Woody Wallace over a disagreement regarding the county’s pay schedule.

At the regular July 12 meeting, the court and Wallace could not come to terms over a request for a raise.

The request for Alyssa White was put in to match pay with another deputy. However, Commissioner Mike Loftin said that White’s salary was in line with a recent salary survey and was correct based on years of service.

Commissioner Steven Truss agreed, saying it was what was approved, and all department heads and elected officials were OK with the study.

However, Wallace asked commissioners how they can justify paying a female deputy less than what is paid to a man in the same position.

However, County Judge Doug Page the salary levels had nothing to do with gender, but with tenure; the higher pay rate for Glenn Rightmire was based on the salary level for those with 10 years of service, and White had only nine.

You all do what you want to do, but I’m telling you right now you cannot do this kind of stuff to the females of this county any longer,” Wallace said.

The county will meet with department heads and revisit the request at its next meeting.

In other business, the commission:

•approved an agreement with Trinity County school systems for purchasing ammunition for training;

•approved the purchase of a 2018 Chevrolet Express van for the Sheriff’s Office;

•approved the allocation of funds from the Texas Comptroller Unclaimed Property Capital Credits for Counties;

•named Nancy Shanafelt to the DETCOG board of directors.

Write a comment

By Tony Farkas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

TRINITY — The Trinity City Council is looking to increase its sewer and water tap fees as the city loses money — up to $1,000 per site.

At its regular meeting on Thursday, council members found that the city charges $250 per tap, while it costs between $700 and $800. For new construction needing both sewer and water service, the total cost is just under $1,500.

City Manager Steven Jones said the city loses approximately $6,100 in revenue per month.

Mayor Pro Tem sought to raise the price to $1,400, but his motion died, and Council Member Clegg DeWalt moved to table the matter until a cost analysis could be made, including calls to nearby cities to determine what is charged there.

In a separate matter, the city will hold a special meeting Thursday to plan the city’s sesquicentennial as well as receive input on a city beautification plan.

Trinity’s 150th anniversary will be in November.

The meeting is set for 6 p.m. July 21 at City Hall.

In other business, the council:

•approved taking bids for mowing services on city property;

•approved a resolution rejecting a rate hike requested by Entergy Texas;

•approved setting a mileage reimbursement rate at 62.5 cents per mile, with council member Smith voting against it;

•approved seeking bids for ADA handrails for the Community Center; and

•approved the purchase of three trucks for the city for $40,000.