Commissioners adopt burn ban for county for 90 days
The Falls County Commissioners Court met at the County Courthouse in Marlin on Monday, June 24, with County Judge Jay Elliott presiding. Commissioners present were F.A. Green (Pct. 2), Jason Willberg (Pct. 3) and Nita Wuebker (Pct. 4). Milton Albright (Pct. 1) was not in attendance.
An elected official report concerned the condition of the chairs located at the County Jail. It was noted.
Commissioner Green moved to approve Falls County burn ban order that all outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated area of the county for 90 days from the date of adoption (July 24, 2023) and allowing for exemption for any burns supervised by an authorized Volunteer Fire Department. Seconded by Commissioner Willberg, motion carried.
The Commissioners Court met in executive session with its attorney to receive legal advice re: County of Falls v. Purdue Pharma, Inc. in the 152 District Court of Harris County, Texas. After the executive session, Commissioner Wuebker moved to approve the resolutions authorizing officials to execute the settlement participation and release forms regarding settlement offers from Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart in the matter of Texas opioid multi-district litigation for the County v. Purdue Pharma, L.P. Seconded by Commissioner Willberg, motion carried.
Commissioner Willberg moved to approve the agreement for the federal off-system bridge program, administered by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), to replace or rehabilitate structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges located on public roads off the designated highways. Seconded by Commissioner Green, motion carried.
There were several Falls County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) agenda items. Commissioner Green moved to pay the invoice concerning the FCSO command communications new computer system and configuration to the FCSO Telex Dispatch profile. Seconded by Commissioner Willberg, motion carried. In addition, it was moved by Commissioner Green to approve invoices for FCSO to purchase office equipment over $500 and transferring payroll funds to pay for the said equipment. Additional FCSO agenda items included a light pole installation at FCSO and reimbursement payment approval in the amount of $1702.50 for the tuition of an employee, Cadet Deisi Lisbeth Espinoza, who attended the Law Enforcement Academy. The three-year agreement includes the hiring of the employee for a FCSO corrections position. Seconded by Commissioner Willberg, motions carried.
In other matters, Commissioner Willberg moved to approve the request of $1,500 to be transferred from contingency to the District Clerk budget to attend training in October. Seconded by Commissioner Green, motion carried. Re: upcoming 2023-2024 budgets, it was agreed to meet on Thursdays at 9 a.m. in the month of August except Aug. 25 (Friday). Public Notice Budget Hearings will be published in the local newspaper. Formal Adoption of Budget and Formal Adoption of Tax Rate will be Sept. 11.
Commissioner Green moved to approve the bonding of Andrew Niemeyer, seconded by Commissioner Willberg, motion carried. Commissioner Willberg moved to apply for Unclaimed Property Capital Credits for Counties. Seconded by Commissioner Wuebker, motion carried. Electric cooperatives that have lost contact with a previous customer sometimes report capital credits as unclaimed property. Texas law allows counties to claim a portion of unclaimed capital credits originating from their county and use for specific programs.
Commissioners accepted the ESD #2-2022 Audit and agreed to enter an Interlocal Agreement for Assessment and Collection of Taxes for Emergency Service District #2. Jeff Jackson, County Road & Bridge Administrator, noted safety bags were purchased for each employee and the department needs employees and qualified people to run equipment. Commissioner Green moved to approve $2,300 reimbursement to the County Road & Bridge employee regarding the purchase of a flatbed for 2015 Dodge short bed truck. Seconded by Commissioner Wuebker, motion carried.
Commissioner Green moved to approve the payment of bills, budget amendments, and payroll. Seconded by Commissioner Wuebker, motion carried. Commissioner Wuebker moved to approve the minutes from the July 10 meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Green, the motion carried. With no further agenda items, the meeting adjourned.