The Commissioners Court held a possibly first ever meeting in Bridge City Tuesday. The Commissioners Courtroom in the Administration Building was having work done on the air ducts causing the change of venues.
Commissioner John Gothia from the Bridge City area thanked the city for the use of the City Council Chamber at the City Hall. Gothia said he had hoped to move the court’s sessions to different parts of the county to give everyone an opportunity to attend them and appreciated everybody turning out for the meeting.
Commissioners approved on the third reading an agreement with HDR Incorporated which will have their architects prepare a Master Plan for renovations to the Orange County Courthouse. Commissioner Barry Burton has been involved in the process to get a Master Plan developed and said it is necessary to make the county eligible to receive grant funds from the Texas Historical Commission to help pay for the repairs especially to the marble façade on the building.
Burton indicated if they could receive a grant of about $75,000 the county would break even on the repair cost. He is confident the county would receive a grant since it is not just a matter of renovating a historical structure, it is a safety issue to prevent the marble falling on someone.
On Wednesday, Burton will meet with Brett Barr from the Texas Historical Commission to get an up-close look at the courthouse. Burton informed that Barr had heard about the situation with the courthouse through various media sources, and his coming to see firsthand the status of the building will help the commission fast track the Master Plan through for Orange County.
Purchasing Agent Connie Cassidy was approved by the Commissioners to advertise for proposals to manage a Community Development Block Grant that the county hopes to receive. The grant if received would be used for relief in the county following last spring’s flooding of the Sabine and Neches Rivers. A committee was appointed to review the proposals when they are received. Commissioners Burton and Johnny Trahan will serve on the committee with Cassidy, Assistant County Attorney Doug Manning, and Auditor Pennee Schmitt or someone she designates from her office.
The Commissioners approved an agreement between Orange County and the Port of Beaumont, which does have property in the county. The agreement will allow improvements to be made to Old Highway 90 to better utilize the entrance at the port for the military to use during emergency operations.
As a follow-up to providing county vehicles to each of the four County Constables two weeks ago, the Commissioners approved transferring $6,000 from the contingency fund. Each constable will have $1500 to be used for fueling their vehicles.
No action was taken pending further review by Attorney Manning on the appointment of Ed Lampman to the board of directors for Emergency Services District #4. Commissioner Burton has been petitioning State Senator Robert Nichols to make the directors for an Emergency Services District elected positions with at large elections in each district.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
The post CC Held In Bridge City Tuesday appeared first on KOGT.