Court approves three designations
The Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court met in a regular meeting Monday and approved three different designations.
The designations included naming April 28 through May 5 as Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week, May 5 through 11 as National Correctional Officers Week, and May 12 through 18 as National Police Week.
County Judge Keith Mudd read the proclamations and in regards to the Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week, he said “Our security depends upon healthy soil and clean water and stewardship calls for each person to help conserve these precious resources.”
Regarding the National Correctional Officers Week Mudd said, “The important work of correctional officers often does not receive the recognition from the public it deserves. It is appropriate that we honor the many contributions and accomplishments of these men and women who are a vital component of the fields of correction.”
National Police Week is May 12 through 18 and Mudd read from the proclamation, “It is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards and sacrifices of their law enforcement agency.
The members of our law enforcement agency recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life, property, by protecting them against violence and disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression.
The men and women of the law enforcement agency of Lavaca County unceasingly provide a vital public service.”
County Tops in Beef Production
The court acknowledged an article written by Greg Henderson in Drovers Farm Journal named Lavaca County as Number 1 in beef cow production in the State of Texas.
Mudd cited that Drovers reported Lavaca County has 68,262 head of cattle, while Crockett County was second with 63,017 head, neighboring Fayette County was third with 57,925 head and Gonzales County fourth with 57,341 head.
Mudd also said the article determined Lavaca County as the ninth leading beef production county in the United States.
Miscellaneous
The court approved an update on a program called Executime, a time keeping system for determining payroll of Lavaca County employees.
Lavaca County auditor, Shana Opela said the system will start functioning and taking the time of employees on April 29.
The court acknowledged that a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Virtual meeting will take place on April 25 at 10 a.m.
Mudd said the meeting involves Austin, Calhoun, Colorado, Fayette, Gonzales, Jackson, Matagorda, Victoria, Wharton and Lavaca Counties.
He said it can be viewed at txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings and will be available Thursday, April 25 from 10 a.m. until Monday, May 6 at 11:59 p.m.
The meeting will look for 2024-25 rural transportation improvement program Yoakum District.
The court presented Xavier Villareal with a certificate for five years of service to the county.
In other action taken by the court:
• Approved a budget amendment to add a temporary/part time worker for Pct. 1 for the purpose of shredding.
• Approved the contribution rate to TCDRS 2025 plan year assessment for Lavaca County.
• Approved an increase in law enforcement liability coverage to $3 million through the TAC Risk Management Pool.
• Approved adoption of the Lavaca County Court Confidentiality Policy and agreement in accordance with the Texas Supreme Court.
• Acknowledged that the Texas Governor has removed Lavaca County from its drought disaster proclamation renewal.
• Tabled implementing a permitting fee to the Lavaca County Driveway permit.
County Judge Keith Mudd presided over the meeting with commissioners Wayne Faircloth, Kenny Siegel and Dennis W. Kocian present for the meeting.