The Commissioners Court held its regular monthly meeting Tuesday. The Court gathered in the Commissioners Courtroom and attendance was limited to just ten people which included County Judge John Gothia, the four County Commissioners, County Clerk Brandy Robertson, and Sheriff Keith Merritt. Other county employees took turns coming into the room for agenda items pertaining to them.
Prior to the meeting Judge Gothia signed an addendum to the third amended emergency order. The addendum lifted the burn ban that was put in place on March 27.
The first action item on the agenda was considering an extension to the Orange County Disaster Declaration that was signed March 17. The Commissioners Court approved extending the declaration through May 12. The Court can rescind the order if circumstances warrant it, or could approve a further extension if the Coronavirus crisis is still serious by then.
The Citizen’s Collection Station at the county landfill on FM 1442 reopened to its normal hours Tuesday. Normal hours are 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays.
Judge Gothia asked the Commissioners Court to waive fees at the landfill during the COVID pandemic. The Court approved waiving the fees for the Citizens’ Collection Station at the landfill through May 12. County Engineer Clark Slacum who oversees the landfill said 187 people visited the landfill the last day it was open to the public.
Bills to be paid by Orange County were approved for the last two weeks. Included in the bills for this week was the last of the remaining invoices to be paid to Wendorf, Beward, & Partners for their services in obtaining grant monies during the recovery from Tropical Storm Harvey. The final bill was for $40,222.50.
County Engineer Clark Slacum gave his monthly report on projects for the Road and Bridge Department. Slacum mentioned that the road repair season is about to start and asked the Commissioners to prioritize the list of roads in each precinct for his crews to address first.
Kurt Guidry the Maintenance Director presented the Court with projects his department is doing. Guidry said he and Judge Gothia have talked about installing shields or screens at the desks where customers visit in the Tax Office, the County Clerk’s Office, and the District Clerk’s Office. The shields will be a preventive measure against the spread of such things as the COVID virus now and in the future.
The week of April 26 to May 3 was declared “National Soil Stewardship Week” by the Commissioners Court. A proclamation was presented to a representative with the local soil stewardship group.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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