In meetings of the Kent
County Commission in September and October 2022, the court dealt with management of the county- owned nursing home facility’s finances, oversaw repairs to the community center, and approved a contract for county transportation services, among other business.
At its Sept. 12 meeting, the court entertained a proposal from MSC (Management Superior Care Associates) for operation assistance, including advisement, training and management for the Kent County Nursing Home. The group would advise on ways to generate more revenue. The court approved entering into a one-year contract effective Oct. 1.
The court also dealt with personnel questions, including the policy for administering PTO (personal time off).
In October, consultant Tracey Woodard presented aging report of receivables, noting that some Medicaid monies appeared to be still billable, and advised improved methods for capturing a variety of revenue streams, including transport costs (mileage, personnel, etc.). In QIPP payments, $376,000 had been received in the current period.
Nursing home director Jordan Moeller reported a resident census of 44, with new admissions coming in. The facility was in need of night nurses and RNs, she said. KCHN planned to participate in the Kent County Health Fair on Oct. 25.
Some requests had arisen from staff to to reverse the mandatory mask policy, said Woodard. From her standpoint, she said, “If there is science out there that is pointing in the direction of herd imunuity by vaccination, then that points to protection of even those in the community who are unvaccinated.”
As a health care professional, she is asking for flu shots and other protective measures and would further discuss the unmasking question; no decision has been made yet.
Regarding repairs to the Kent County Community Center, County Judge Jim C. White reported that Lowery Plumbing had been engaged to replace stoppedup discharge water lines.
Also in September, the court designated 2nd and 4th Mondays as its regular meeting days for 2023.
The court approved reimbursing Jayton-Girard ISD from permanet school funds for approved capital expenses of $168,111.68, including design and installation of LED lights, approximately $140,000; and other expenses including Stonewall Electric for installation of receptacles; patio coverings installed on two new school houses; fuel charges; and dirt work.
County property placed up for sale (101 S. Austin, lots 3, 4 BLK L Mackenzie) did not achieve the minimum bid, and the district will try again. The appraisal district asked that its board of directors be allowed to open and examine bids and accept highest bid, without any minimum; court approved the request.
The court held a hearing regarding the county’s annual plan for fundng preservation and restoration of county clerk’s records, and proposed to continue using clerk’s office fees to fund this initiative. County Clerk Craig Harrison reported that staff are scanning documents and maintaining them on local computers, but none of these records, including patent records from the 1800s through early 1970s, are online; one previous proposal for scanning, storage would have cost $30,000. A $5 filing fee was approved.
Applications for use of road machinery were approved; two positions for Road & Bridge hands were offered to qualified applicants.
The Sheriff’s Office said it was looking to add new window tint and insignia to vehicles, and improvements to signage at the office.
October 24, 2022. At its second session of October 2022, the commission approved an agreement for county transportation with Double Mountain Coach, providing a trial period for transition and a one-time payment to the county by DSC. A motion to approve the agreement passed unanimously, with the comment that DSC would still need to hire drivers locally for the arrangement to work on a practical level.
Adams Roof Tech, which did several roofs in Jayton including the courthouse four years ago, discussed possible repairs to roofs of county facilities in Clairemont that were damaged by hail in 2021. The Clairemont gymnasium was the worst with golf-ball-sized hail. County Judge Jim C. White said an insurance claim had been filed and paid but repairs have not yet been made. Adams said a supplemental claim could be filed.
Progress on the Community Center plumbing and floor was reported, with an estimated cost of $5,040 to install floor tile after contractor redoes floor concrete. Currently, the center was handling its senior lunches by serving meals out the back door via drive-up.
For the County Extension Service, representative L’rae Lee brought questions regarding a policy for trailer/popper container for truck bed, to pick up animals, for personal use, and requested that commissioners court set the policy for use. The court asked Lee and agent Brandon Cave to devise and submit an application form for consideration.
The court discussed a Section 313 tax abatement agreement with a proposed wind turbine project; all locations would be in Robert Graham’s precinct.
Regarding the Texas Solar Nova road work, representatives reported that they would provide a road notice when they are starting phase 2 of the roads — either south or north of CR 233 (with no phase 3).
Regarding the TxDOT project for Cooper Creek bridge, which was previously approved for the county to fund its portion of the $741,000 budget via in-kind work, court revisited what work on other projects would qualify. Inkind work must be on a different bridge from the one the grant covers, according to TxDOT; “ditches or washouts don’t qualify; low-water crossings do.”
Commissioners debated what types of repair work were needed on the Woodson Bridge, but this is noot a high-dollar item — cement for repairing washouts, fixing some bridge connections. Commissioners also considered reinforcement of the Grape Creek Bridge, and will continue to review options, as the TxDOT project is not imminent.
The court corrected information on the warranty terms for the recent motor grader purchase, to be filed in minutes.
The court approved its Indigent Defense Grant resolution, to hire attorneys for defendants who cannot afford one, at an annual budget of $2,600.
The court agreed to offer the county’s old ambulance for sale at auction.
The court considered a request for cleaning up a lot in Jayton, with no action taken.
The court approved its list of holidays for 2022-23, after extensive discussion regarding policies of different county units regarding paid holidays.
The court approved bills for payment, and approved applications for use of road and bridge machinery.
The court reported that notice of the general election had been sent and election judges selected.
Present in addition to Judge White were commissioners Roy Chisum, Robert Graham and Don Long present; commissioner Daryl Ham was absent.
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