The Kent County Commission has had its hands full throughout June and July with numerous matters requiring extensive deliberaton, especially regarding construction and maintenance projects.
At its July 25 regular meeting, it got closure on a few of them.
Of great interest to locals was the decision reached to preserve the 1934 pony-truss Duck Creek Bridge (known locally as the Woodson Bridge) on County Road 112 as a load-restricted bridge without constructing any alternative or an adjacent low-water crossing. TxDOT representatives returned to the July 25 court session with an estimate of $640,000 to build a low-water crossing, but since landowners had expressed objection, agreed that action was not urgent.
“If you didn’t want to do anything, that’s okay,” said Abilene district engineer Mike Roetehli, with the caveat that emergency vehicles could not cross it. “That bridge could last 10, 15 years before needing to be completely closed.”
Kent commissioners pledged to handle routine maintenace as needed.
Further, with the Duck Creek project off the table, TxDOT’s Austin planners were able to move up the Cooper Creek bridge on the replacement list for FY24. The cost to the county would run about $84,000 which could be covered either in cash or in-kind work.
Commissioner Roy Chisum made a motion to take no action on Duck Creek/Woodson Bridge and to revisit the matter at a later date; commissioner Robert Graham seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Regarding the Mackenzie Creek bridge, Roethehli reported that it was not sufficiently deteriorated at present to require replacement.
Revision to route of County Road 233; Mortenson jobs. On July 25, representatives of the Texas Solar Nova project reported to the court details of Mortenson Construction’s plan to realign a curve in CR 233, which serves as access to its work site. An addition of 660 feet of private land would be required, and this plan was acceptable per Eric Swenson, Mortenson manager Gary Forsberg said. Mortenson would also supply the new roadbed with standard aggregate and provide dust suppression.
Forsberg said that he anticipates almost 300 people onsite for temporary and permanent jobs during the construction phase. He invited commissioners to tour the site and also said that the best way for interested applicants to find information was to visit www.mortenson. com, choose “Careers,” and search for Texas Solar Nova.
Heavy equipment purchases. After discussion at its July 11 and 25 meetings with Yellowhouse Machinery representative Phil Brewer, the court opted to purchase a new wheel loader at a price of $230,000, with trade-in terms unspecified at present.
Commissioners also voted to purchase a new John Deere motor grader maintainer at $345,000, to replace one that posed maintenance problems. Commissioners extensively debated the need to balance expenses with the long-term goals of effectively maintaining roads and fighting fires.
Public transportation. During both its July meetings, commissioners worked to find a solution for public transportation to errands and medical appointments, primarily to the Lubbock area, which has not in the past been possible to serve well for Kent County by Aspermont-based contractor Double Mountain Coach.
In light of DMC’s past limitations on service, said county judge Jim C. White, Kent County “opted to branch out and provide its own transport, since so many people went to Lubbock, and became a subcontractor of theirs, paying a small monthly stipend.”
DMC now proposes that its expanded service area and flexible hours could serve Jayton and Kent County residents efficiently, and at a considerable savings to the county. Questions arose in court regarding the feasibility of keeping a vehicle onsite in Jayton, or the occasional need for weekend transport, which DMC does not provide.
DMC proposed a contract stipulating a “transition period” from August 2021 through March 2022; commissioners discussed at length the possible scenarios of changing service and ultimately agreed to enter the contract with a “trial period” instead.
Budget and property tax rate discussions. Commissioners have held budget workshops in June and July in preparation for setting the county’s FY23 budget and tax rates. At its July 25 meeting, the court received the 2022 taxable value figure of $483,894,912 (up from a 2021 taxable value of $374,119,908) and continued work toward a final budget.
In other business of June 27, July 11 and July 25, commissioners authorized bonds for the new sheriff’s deputy, Lyndsey Cave, and introduced her June 27; approved requests for road equipment use; approved payment of bills; and approved minutes of previous meetings.
On June 27, commissioners approved a reinvestment of $175,000 in permanent school funds at 1% for 6 months at Bank of Texas, and approved a new investment of $580,000 at Bank of Texas, at 1%. On July 11, the court approved a reimbursement to JGISD of permanent school funds of $22,437.75.
Commissioners also considered a request June 27 from TxDOT to locate a communications antenna on the county’s tower; no action was taken.
Regarding excess trash-container capacity on the county’s account, the court agreed July 11 to cancel dumpster service at the roping arena in Clairemont, and also to transfer the Kent County Golf Course dumpster service to the golf course’s own account.
For the county Emergency Medical Services, on June 27 Brad Chisum and Holly Chisum reported increased calls for service and asked for a pay increase over the stipend basis they had been being paid. “Our runs have been through the roof lately, with Covid, and it doesn’t seem they have been slowing down lately,” said Brad Chisum.
The Kent County Nursing Home sent out notifications of an increase in the privatepay rate. The new director of nursing is Diana Saucedo from Spur, said administrator Jordan Moeller at the June 27 meeting, at which she also reported a patient census of 41. Moeller reported on the cash flow situation, with outstanding reibursements from Medicare and the QIPP program anticipated.
In July, the court approved an agreement between Allegiance Behavioral Health Center of Plainview for mental health patients, authorizing Hale County as the legal venue for proceedings.
On June 13, the commissioners court reappointed Lindsay Masso to the Lake Alan Henry board of directors, to represent Kent County (along with Judge White). White said that he had hoped to already have a $2.3 million grant application wrapped up, but the matter was “still in play.” Kent County has 10 sections of land in the district, White said.
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