During September and October, the Kent County commissioners’ court handled a variety of business.
September 2021
In September 2021,the court adopted the county budget for 2021–22, adopted the county’s fiscal year 2022 tax rate, and approved the schedule of sheriff and constable fees for fiscal year 2022. The court received an update on county Emergency Management services, and a report from Kent County Nursing Home administrator Jordan Moeller noting 37 residents.
The court approved commissioners Roy Chisum and Robert Graham as its nominees to the Kent County appraisal district board, and approved the county’s list of holidays for 2022. The court also approved polling places for the 2021 general election, including consolidating precincts 202 and 302 with 201 at the Girard Community Center.
During public forum at its September 27 meeting, public transportation driver Mickey Alexander asked for restatement of policies regarding curb-to-curb policy for patrons, including that drivers are unable to carry in or put up patrons’ purchases.
On the regular agenda, representatives of county Emergency Management services sought and obtained the court’s approval for funding to underwrite Basic EMS class and textbook costs for two new volunteer EMT candidates at a cost of $800, to increase the county’s pool of qualified EMTs. The course was set to begin September 20.
For Kent County Nursing Home, administrator Jordan Moeller reported a patient census of 37; two open job positions and CNA class scheduled to begin October 4; and a fire inspection scheduled to take place September 30.
The county heard and accepted its fiscal year 2019 financial audit report. Auditors offered a modified opinion due to the period involving a change in accounting systems changed. Auditors noted that the modified opinion “does not pose a problem” for the county since it is not in debt and has operating cash, explaining that the 2020-21 audit “should yield cleaner numbers.”
The court received a figure of $18,400 on its insurance claim regarding storm damage to its Clairemont buildings and voted to obtain a quote from the most recent installer for repairs to the gymnasium’s foam roof.
The court accepted the Texas Association of County’s proposal to provide email security services.
The court approved Jayton-Girard ISD’s request for $136,556.48 from permanent school funds request approved. The court approved payment of invoices, approved the treasurer’s report, approved applications for road machinery use, and approved minutes of the previous meeting. The court also voted to continue the second and fourth Mondays monthly as commissioners’ court regular meeting days.
The approved the human resources department report as presented by Gina Coulter, which noted that Texas HB 2073 requires time off with pay for essential workers illness due to communicable disease; as well as time off with pay while quarantined for employees receiving a Covid-positive test. The county’s insurance policy required an update to to remain compliant.
October 14, 2021
At its regular meeting held Thursday, October 14 (due to the occurrence of the Columbus Day holiday on October 11) court convened 9 a.m. and recessed at 10:30 a.m. for a funeral in the community.
The court approved the expense of repairing the transmission on the sheriff’s vehicle. Also, regarding the grant-funded van used by the county to transport veterans, the county declined the agency’s request to return and reassign the van due to limited use in Kent County, as the county was given clear title to the vehicle.
Librarian Joy Williams discussed changes to her working hours with the court, which approved her proposal to return to full-time status with 30 hours per week but to decline employee health insurance coverage.
Judge Jim C. White reported information regarding settlement options from litigants in the statewide opioid drug lawsuit. Upon the state attorney general’s recommendation that the state divide up funds proportionally to potential recipients (in which Kent County might receive approximately $475), the court approved joining in the class-action lawsuit.
The sheriff’s department reported that no deputy had yet been hired.
Judge White reported cashing in one of the county’s certificates of deposit to pay bills. The county also made reinvestments of $1 million and $800,000 at Plains Capital Bank for 6 months at 0.10 APR (out of a total of $6.4 million in its permanent school funds). The county approved payment of invoices, including its regular supplement of $75,000 to the Kent County Nursing Home.
After return from recess, the court considered an easement agreement from Diamondback Energy regarding 24 months of water and land use for a fracking pit on its lands in Dawson County. Upon confirmation of details with the company, the county amended, signed, and submitted the agreement, to await the company’s response.
Kent County Nursing Home reported 43 residents and Covid-19 testing still being conducted on employees.
The court went into executive session from 1:15 to 1:40 p.m. and afterward approved matters related to the Kent County AgriLife Extension, approved participation in the Indigent Defense Fund grant, and approved applications for road and machinery use.
October 25, 2021
At its regularly schedled Monday meeting, the commission acknowledged the selection of county political party chair positions, as suggested by the respective committees: Kathy Owen, to succeed Buddy Baldridge as chair of the Kent County Republican Committee; and Laci Scogin, replacing Tina Lytle, as chair of the Kent County Democratic Committee.
For the Kent County Nursing Home, administrator Jordan Moeller reported a patient census of 42 and three open CNA positions as the facility begins returning to eight-hour work shifts. The facilty’s October CNA class was due to wrap up this week, with participants ready for testing and licensure. A Health Fair was scheduled for Oct. 26. Moeller discussed the facillty’s purchase reimbursement policy discussed, noting that she was strategically sourcing inventory purchases wherever most cost-effective, and requesting reimbursements, rather than obtaining them at higher-dollar directorder providers.
County Judge Jim C. White reported that inspection of the county airport has been inspected had resulted in a few minor demerits in runway light operation and pavement repairs, which would be promptly addressed.
The judge mentioned continuing education opprtunities coming up at the Rolling Plains County Commissioners conference November 4 in Vernon, with particular attention to redistricting matters, and the November 3 West Texas Council of Governments board meeting.
Submitting documentation for all allowable costs during this phase.
The judge entertained discussion of progress on county roads under the TxDOT CTIF grant, and proposed acceptance of road work to date as completed so that an invoice for reimbursement could be submitted. The county will submit documentation in next phase for the remaining work, as far as funding will go.
Regarding reinvestment of the county’s permanent school funds, Judge White reported that a $600,000 CD that matured October 10, 2021; had been reinvested for 6 months at .10 percent interest at Plains Capital Bank.
The court approved payment of county invoices, including a $75,000 transfer to the nursing home and a request by JGISD for $34,265 to cover assorted items on its renovation project. A bid for $1,185 for painting the Clairemont community center was approved, and applications for road and bridge material were approved. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Present in addition to Judge White were commissioners Roy Chisum, Daryl Ham, Robert Graham and Don Long, and county attorney Katie Lackey and county clerk Craig Harrison, who reported for information that filings in the county clerk’s office had increased significantly due to solar energy and oil and gas exploration.
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