Broad Reach Power, the large-scale lithium-ion battery power facility planning to locate in northern Dickens County, has requested a tax abatement agreement with the county, as reported in an earlier meeting of the county commission. At its regular meeting April 7, county attorney Aaron Clements noted that the county’s revisions had been returned to Broad Reach, and a public hearing on the proposal has been scheduled prior to the commissioners court of Monday, May 9.
In other department reports April 7, county extension agent Rusty Lanier provided a lengthy list of 4-H activities and conferences in recent weeks, with students doing well in competitions. Also, the extension service held an ag conference in January, with more than 20 farmers earning 6 hours each in continuing education credits.
For the county emergency management service, coordinator Wess Abbott’s written report noted considerable wildfire activity; County Judge Kevin Brendle thanked all volunteers for their response.
Commissioner Charlie Morris, who had asked for TxDOT help in clearing bar ditches during a recent grass fire response, asked the judge if it might be advisable to set up a backup authorization for such emergency requests, given the concern of timing in fire situations. EMS is also evaluating the need for new radios and repeaters.
Commissioners reported on continued dry road conditions throughout all precincts. Most commissioners, said Morris, are avoiding maintenancce work during such low-humidity conditions, to prevent sparking fires.
Morris reported a request from City of Spur codes compliance officer John Schmidt, for county collaboration in demolition of three condemned houses and hauloff to the disposal pit.
Tax collector Rebecca Haney reminded the court that these three lots have not been posted on the Texas Communities Group in-trust properties auction until the structures had been removed. Proceeds from the TCG fund, she said, covers the costs of demolition.
Commissioner Morris reported that the FEMA grant application would end up yielding about $28,000 for City of Spur to reimburse for 2021 Winter Storm Uri repairs.
The court approved a purchase of DEF for Precincts 1 and 2 that exceeded the county spending policy, and alsto approved the fee for pushing gravel at the Thomas Pit, which would exceed the spending policy.
Some cost increases were to be anticipated soon, it was reported; a container load to pick up discarded tires at the landfill, for instance, was going up to $1,400, and the cost of employee health insurance would likely to go up this year.
The consent agenda was approved. There was no public comment.
On the action agenda, commissioners approved on a 3-2 vote to pay county staff for earned but unused vacation time for 2021. Though commissioner Dennis Wyatt noted that the employee policy handbook states unused vacation is forfeited, others, including Judge Brendle, offered that the Covid-19 pandemic posed “an unusual situation” and that ARPA funds could be used for compensation.
County treasurer Darla Thomason commented that in 2020 neither of the sheriff’s deputies took vacation, but in other years without extenuating circumstances they did not always use up their vacation days.
Commissioner Mike Smith suggested that a revision to current policy might be warranted to cover such situations.
Commissioners reviewed the planning process for utilizing ARPA funds, to include compensation for sheriff’s deputies; and emergency communications (11 new radios, antennas, and installation).
Present were county judge Brendle and commissioners Jerry Alexander, Charlie Morris, Mike Smith and Dennis Wyatt.
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