The Commissioners Court approved Tuesday restructuring the Emergency Management Department. Two new positions were created under the Emergency Management Department and two offices were separated from it.
The current Emergency Management Coordinator Missy Pillsbury (right) was put in charge of two offices that she has overseen while she was the Emergency Management Coordinator and before she was appointed to that position. The Court separated the offices of Risk Management which handles insurance for the county and the Airport coordinator’s position from Emergency Management. The transfer of Pillsbury from the position of Emergency Management Coordinator will be effective next Monday, November 6. No one has been named as a replacement for her at the present.
The two new positions created by the Commissioners will be a Special Projects and Communication Coordinator as well as a Special Projects and Communication Assistant. The Court appointed Michelle Tubbleville (left) from the MIS Department to the coordinator’s position.
Tubbleville has already been working for the county on recovery efforts and in receiving grant funds following Harvey. “I have been working with all the volunteer organizations here in Orange. I’m real excited about bringing in other groups and be able to coordinate with them, and them to be able to help rebuild us in Orange,” Tubbleville said.
Morgan Taylor (middle) previously worked in finance and purchasing for the Sheriff’s Office before she was appointed to the assistance’s position much to the consternation of Sheriff Keith Merritt who had not been advised that one of his employees was going to be taken from him to fill the new position. Merritt complained, “I am very disappointed the Court would do that, very disappointed.”
The Commissioners Court voted to transfer the Parks Department to be under the supervision of the Convention and Expo Center. Commissioners Johnny Trahan and John Gothia voiced their reasons for wanting to see the Parks under the Expo Center. Both expressed that the parks are recreation oriented as is the Expo Center and the Expo Center has the facility for taking phone calls from the public to reserve areas at the parks. Commissioner Barry Burton cast the lone dissenting vote for the transfer saying he wanted to see Parks moved to the Maintenance Department.
A vote was taken on County Judge Brint Carlton’s suggestion for revising the Emergency Pay Plan for county employees during a declared disaster. Carlton wanted a flat pay rate for employees that work a disaster instead of the recently approved time and a half the salaries of employees that work emergencies. The vote of the Court was the same as two weeks ago when the Commissioners approved the new plan with only Carlton and Commissioner Jody Crump supporting the judge’s plan.
The Port of Orange will be helping to house volunteers coming to Orange County to assist in the recovery from Harvey. The Commissioners Court approved an agreement with the Port District to use the old Navy barracks and warehouses on the former Navy base which is owned by the port. Approximately 130 volunteers could be housed at the barracks starting as early as November 4.
The Commissioners Court approved four part-time positions to work at the Courthouse for the next 26 weeks. The part-time workers will be associated with the National Dislocated Worker and Temporary Disaster Relief Employment Worksite Agreement with Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas. Two of the positions will be clerical and the other two will be lawn maintenance. All four salaries will be paid at the county rate, but paid for by Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas.
The Court approved a request from Leon George the Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator to purchase an 8-foot by 40-foot climate controlled connex building. The building will cost $17,300 and will be kept at the Convention and Expo Center to house supplies for emergencies.
George informed the Commissioners Court that efforts to remove debris from commercial and faith based organizations are about ready. The Commissioners approved the plan that will have one pass only to remove the debris from businesses and non-commercial organizations. George indicated volunteer labor has been arranged to help remove debris from residential properties that are either behind private fences or on private roads which are restricted for the larger contracted vehicles picking up debris for the county.
Environmental Health and Code Compliance Director Joel Ardoin was given approval by the Commissioners Court to issue a permit to repair an approximately 500-foot levee by the owner Parkwood Land Company. The levee located on the north side of Interstate 10 and east of the Neches River was damaged by Harvey.
With daylight savings time ending the weekend of November 4-5 the Orange County Landfill will change its hours of operation. The landfill will be open Mondays through Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Commissioners agreed to continue to waive fees for citizens to use the landfill during the recovery from Harvey.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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