In its regular meeting of November 14, 2022, the Kent County Commission continued working with an outside consultant to streamline billing processes for the county-owned nursing home, heard an update from TxDOT on placing an antenna on the county’s tower, approved requests and reports, and reviewed bids for surface use of its lands in Dawson and Martin Counties, and handled other miscellaneous business.
The Kent County Nursing Home reported 41 residents in house, two in the hospital, and one recent death of a longtime resident. The facilty has employed an outside consultant to help capture Medicaid payments and to traing staff in efficient charting and biling.
District Radio Coordinator John Worthen of TxDOT’s Abilene District visited with the court to follow up on an earlier request to install a radio communications antenna on the county tower, to provide improved communications with its crews throughout a remote area. The propopsed antenna would be located 200 feet up and would be installed on a day when weather and wind allowed. TxDOT proposed an agreement of $300 per month on a oneyear contract renewable for 4 years starting Jan. 1, 2023, with 30-day outclause. The court agreed to forward the contract to the county attorney for review. No action was taken.
The court approved a request from Jayton-Girard ISD for a transfer of $151,817.67 from permanent school funds, for various capital improvements.
The court approved applications for the use of road machinery and approved departmental reports.
The court granted an electric line easement to Lyntegar Electric Cooerative on Labor 2, League 264 of its lands, which will not involve any payment.
The court discussed a request from JGISD for its crews to handle demolition of the old day care building at the north end of the school, for a fair payment. Staff will look into it; no action was taken.
The court approved Christmas bonuses for county employees to be paid along with the first pay period in December.
The court reviewed an application for an open position on the road and bridge staff and invited the applicant to meet with the judge that afternoon to discuss an offer of employment.
The court discussed a division order from Diamondback Energy regarding a new well in Martin County, the bottom hole location of which lies under Kent County school lands and would yield a .048 interest.
Last, the court welcomed bidders from Dawson County to discuss a surface lease of permanent school land located in Martin and Dawson Counties. The group presented their three bids: Donnell Echols, 5.45 per acre; Foy and Kelly O’Brien, 5.45 per acre; Barry O’Brien, 5.60 per acre for grazing and hunting rights.
“Not many counties of the 254 have still kept possession of their school lands,” remarked Foy O’Brien, who is county judge of Dawson County, commending Kent County leadership for the way the have managed their assets over decades.
After friendly discussion regarding the current state of land, water, and industry in the region, the court approved all three bids for 7-year leases.
Present were County Judge Jim C. White and commissioners Roy Chisum, Daryl Ham and Don Long; commissioner Robert Graham was absent.
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