Convening four times from December 2021 through January 2022, Kent County commissioners dealt with agendas of regular business but also approved extensions of timetables for solar energy projects for which it had previously granted tax abatements.
(The Texas Spur was unable to attend December court sessions in person due to schedule conflicts, so we appreciate your forbearance as we catch up on coverage.)
On Dec. 13, 2021 commissioners held an audience with Kent County EMS administrator Brad Chisum, and approved a wage increase for Chisum to $5,000.
Commissioners also approved a request by Jayton-Girard ISD for $38,226.80 from permanent school funds for capital improvements.
Court approved claims for payment of goods and services, approved a budget transfer to cover the increase of increments, and approved the county’s 10-page 2021–22 investment policy (a copy of which was recorded in official minutes of the meeting), approved applications for county road machinery use, and approved the Justice of the Peace report.
Court approved a new investment in permanent school funds of $500,000 at the Kent County State Bank, at the rate of 0.65 percent and due to mature May 22, 2022.
For the Kent County Nursing Home, administrator Jordan Moeller reported a resident census of 39 and 2 hospital patients.
The court modified its regular meeting date of Monday, Dec. 27, to Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. The court also approved minutes of the previous meeting as read.
Present Dec. 13 were county judge Jim C. White, commissioners Roy Chisum, Don Long, Daryl Ham, Robert Graham, and county clerk Craig Harrison.
In its meeting of Thursday, Dec. 30, the court amended its agreements with the Californiabased Texas Solar Nova project, which asked to revise anticipated start dates in light of Covid-19-related delays.
Construction of the company’s 252-megawatt project 1, which was originally slated for summer 2019, has now been revised a start date of April 29, 2022, with commercial operation coming online by December 18, 2023.
Construction of 200-megawatt project 2, which was originally slated for summer 2019, has now been revised to begin April 29, 2022, with commercial operation coming online by February 28, 2024.
Construction of 200-megawatt project 3, which was originally slated for summer 2019, has now been revised to a begin April 29, 2022, with commercial operation coming online by December 31, 2025.
All requested amendments were approved.
For the Kent County Nursing Home, administrator Jordan Moeller reported a census of 42 residents.
Court approved claims for payment of goods and services, approved applications for county road machinery use.
Court approved a new investment in permanent school funds of $375,000 at the Kent County State Bank, at the rate of 0.65 percent and due to mature in six months.
Court approved Phillip Wright to repair the water leak in the men’s restroom of the Kent County Community Center.
County librarian Joy Miller reported on Wi-fi hotspot service provided by the Tocker Foundation, which allows the public to access library books.
The court also approved minutes of the previous meeting as read.
Present were county judge Jim C. White, commissioners Roy Chisum, Don Long, Daryl Ham, Robert Graham, and county clerk Craig Harrison.
In its first regular meeting of calendar year 2022, on Monday, Jan. 13, commissioners designated the Kent County courthouse as site for its meetings throughout the calendar year 2022.
Rory Burroughs of Ekdahl-Nelson Real Estate asked the court to approve an easement for access to the Baker Estate property; no action was taken pending further investigation.
Reports were presented by the Justice of the Peace and the Sheriff’s Office. “Everything’s been picking up, after Covid,” said Sheriff William Scogin, who noted there had been a lot of traffic stops recently.
Regarding upcoming county elections, the court declined to consolidate voting precincts but approved holding a joint primary on March 1, 2022, pending the signature of two county party chairs. Election costs, noted Judge White, were estimated at about $2,000 to $2,500, but oolitical parties, not counties, bear the costs of primary elections.
For the Kent County Nursing Home, Kyndell Alvarado, MDS coordinator, reported in lieu of administrator Jordan Moeller, who had recently tested positive for Covid-19. All residents are currently being tested, Alvarado reported, and the facility had ample test kits available.
Alvarado said that the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) was still delayed in updating payment of benefits to KCNH due to an error on the agency’s end. Though the matter might still take another another 30 days to resolve, Alvarado anticipated a lump sump of approximately $100,000 to $150,000 in back payments.
Until then, the court continued to transfer funds internally to meet obligations.
Commissioners reviewed benefits of the nursing home’s continued participation in the annual QIPP quality assurance program.
Regarding the Country Transportation Infrastructure Fund, Judge White reported that the county was about to make its final request and would be receiving the last installment soon.
The court discussed designation of a local charity to receive the annual benefit from the Amadeus Wind LLC abatement agreement, and opted to award the $17,500 fund for 2022 to the Kent County Nursing Home.
In other business, applications for the use of road machinery were approved, as was payment for claims against county for goods and services.
The court also approved minutes of the previous meeting as read.
Present were county judge Jim C. White, commissioners Roy Chisum, Don Long, Daryl Ham, Robert Graham, and county clerk Craig Harrison.
At the court’s regular bimonthly meeting of Monday, Jan. 24, commissioners reviewed the delinquent tax collection report submitted by attorneys Perdue, Brandon, Fielder Collins and Mott, which had some success in collecting during the most recent period. Approximately $15,000 was collected, representing 60% of the county’s past due taxes.
An extended discussion followed, regarding methods of collecting back taxes.
The county agriculture extension service submitted its report for October through December 2021. Commissioners discussed the previous weekend’s county livestock show, which was carried out successfully despite a big wind storm, and the mishap of the judge from Kerrville whose pickup truck caught fire and burned on the way to Clairemont.
The court approved continued participation in the Texas Smartbuy purchasing program annual membership.
The court approved a reinvestment of permanent school funds in the amount of $640,000, transferring the sum from Plains Capital Bank at 0.15 percent interest to Bank of Texas, offering 0.35 percent.
For the Kent County Nursing Home, administrator Jordan Moeller reported a patient census of 39, including one resident for whom they are seeking an alternative housing arrangement. Seven employees are currently Covid-19 positive, said Moller, but all patients are currently recovered after experiencing six mild cases.
Regarding the delay in payment from Medicare, Moeller reported the situation was “about 2 weeks out” from resolution.
The facility revised its signon bonus for employment to $50.
The court discussed participating in the QIPP quality assurance plan for year 6, with the enrollment period coming up March 15. No action was taken at present.
Applications for road machinery were approved. The court also approved minutes of the previous meeting as read.
Present were county judge Jim C. White, commissioners Roy Chisum, Don Long, Daryl Ham, Robert Graham. County clerk Craig Harrison was away at a training seminar.
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