After a busy season with
some very full newspaper editions, we’ve got a couple of public meetings to go back and catch up on.
In its April meeting (April 8, 2024), the Dickens County Commission passed a resolution to approve special budget for sheriff’s office, using SB 22 funds, and authorizing a position for one additional deputy sheriff. Commissioner Charlie Morris moved to ratify the resolution, with a second by Greg Arnold. There was no discussion; with two opposing votes, the motion carried.
Last week, Ramon Golden, previously chief of police for the City of Spur, came on board to fill the new position, after giving his notice to the city effective May 29.
During the public comment period, Spur Mayor Louise Jones presented a request for operating funds for the soon-to-reopen Swenson Park pool. “We are thankful to Galaxy for renovating the pool and fulfilling the earlier donor’s obligation,” Jones said.
To fund maintenance, training, and staffing, the city anticipated needing a county contribution of $1,000 per month ($12,000 per year), even while the city expected to continue its $400 per month contribution into the fund and also holding fund-raisers.
Following extensive discussion about the details of anticipated staffing hours ($20,000 annual salary for manager, plus $11 per hour for lifeguards).
As this was a public comment item, the court took no action (in action during its May meeting, the court provided partial, onetime funding of the city’s request).
The court also heard from Spur codes compliance staffer Barry Ferguson regarding solutions for disposal of debris from condemned and demolished houses. “Back in 2015, the City of Spur was permitted for accepting any and all demo debris (not personal trash),” explained Ferguson. The city’s current pit is 100 feet wide, and 5 feet long, 20 feet deep, which appears to have cost a little more than $3,000 to dig in 2016. Since that time, the city has been very active in movingcondemnedhouses on in-trust properties into it, and it is close to being full. (Ferguson clarified that the city pit is authorized to accept only intrust properties, not other demolition debris.) Commissioner Charlie Morris said the county roll-off site cost $10,000 to dig. The question now is whether to enlarge the existing pit, or dig an additional one (which would also have to be fenced, gated and locked.) The alternative of hauloff would cost an estimated $3,500 per container.
Commissioner Dennis Wyatt appeared to reject any suggestion that county funds should be used: “If the city doesn’t have the money to run a pool,” he said, “it should stop tearing down houses.”
County Judge Kevin Brendle commented on the importance of being prepared for Lubbock-area outgrowth in coming years. He advised Ferguson to set a budget goal every year for the in-trust program: “It’s going to be costly, but the city needs to address it incrementally.”
As this was a public comment item, no action was taken.
In agenda action, minutes of the March 2, 2024, meeting were approved as submitted. • Reports from the Sheriff and Justice of the Peace were presented and approved.
• Tax Assessor/Collector Rebecca Haney noted that the county was almost $49,000 ahead of the same time last year in collections.
• Reports for the County Clerk office and Treasurer were approved.
• For the Dickens County Extension Office, agent Amanda Spiva provided an oral report.
In March, 4-H held an Easter Egg Hunt; a garage sale fundraiser for Panhandle fire department raised $50, and the club will also participate in the Highway 70 Garage Sales in May. Meat teams brought home awards, and have District coming up. The 4-H State fashion show is coming up, and Food Challenge might also be poised to go to State. The program received a $1,500 grant to support animal event this summer. 4-H Roundup was slated for May, with about 10 club members giving presentations.
•TherewasTxDOTreport.
• Emeergency Management Coordinator Matt Hindman reported that the tower had still not inspected. Deputy Allen says primary communication still spotty outside of city of Dickens; Judge Brendle wondered if this could be a coax cable problem; at present, they must use secondary EC to get through and are waiting on SPAG to work with them on hazard mitigation plan.
• Commissioners’ reports: Wyatt, roads graveled; maintenance scheduled on maintainers; Arnold, roads in decent shape, graveled; Morris, same, roads in pretty good shape but watching with rain in forecast; Smith, roads OK, have bene mining gravel, waiting on rain.
• The court approved a major oil change on loader that exceeds county spending policy. Commissioner Mike Smith moved approval, with a second by Wyatt; the motion unanimously.
On agenda item #5, Dennis Wyatt moved to replace the well pump at McAdoo Water, using $875 from ARPA funds. Smith seconded; the motion carried.
On agenda item #6, changing Friday public hours of courthouse to keep open during the lunch hour but close at 3 p.m., Wyatt moved to accept, and the motion carried.
Agenda item #7, closing county road, was tabled until next meeting.
On agenda item #8, an invoice of $12,000 to Caprock Waste Management roll-off (SOS has been bought out by Caprock Waste) that had not billed since the start of the year was approved for payment, to be divided among participating entities.
On agenda item #9, bids were accepted for in-trust properties on parcel 5397, Franklin Ave., Spur, $487; and 5438, Franklin Ave. south of East Harris, Spur, $355, by Kevin Walkup.
On the final agenda item, #10, Review ARPA Funds, Judge Brendle noted that the county had received both tranches of these funds and only needed to report expenditures.
