Court approves TxDOT sidewalk project at County Annex
The Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court met in a regular meeting Monday morning and approved a proposal from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) regarding its sidewalk project at the parking lot of the Courthouse Annex.
Last October, County Judge Keith Mudd was contacted by TxDOT about the proposed construction of the sidewalk.
During discussion at several of the past meetings, the court discussed the placement of entrances to the parking lot.
After agreeing on the locations at a recent meeting the court submitted its suggestion. for the locations.
At Monday’s meeting, the court reviewed TxDOT’s proposed diagram of the entrances.
The diagram showed removing the south entrance of the lot and revamping the middle and north entrances by making them wider.
The TxDOT project calls for them constructing a project that will run parallel to N. Texana St.
In another matter related to the parking lot entrances, the court met in executive session regarding a proposal for property purchase at 400 N. Texana St., including, but not limited, to expanding the Annex parking lot, adding a driveway entrance/access to Dodge St. and adding a drive thru window for the tax office.
After returning from executive session, the court voted to allow Judge Mudd to negotiate the best possible proposal outcome with the parties involved and report to the court at a later meeting.
Operation Lone Star Funds
County Sheriff Steven Greenwell spoke to the court regarding both future funding and past funding available through Operation Lone Star (OLS).
“Operation Lone Star was created by the governor’s office years ago to help fund rural sheriff’s offices in supporting the vision of combatting the illicit actions of trans-national criminal organizations,” Greenwell said.
Greenwell said OLS has future funding coming up and he is requesting the court to approve a resolution authorizing his office to file for a grant for the State of Texas Public Safety Office Operation Lone Star Project.
The court approved the resolution authorizing the LCSO staff to act on behalf of the county.
Regarding existing funding remaining from a previous OLS grant, the sheriff requested the court’s approval to purchase a Nighthawk BTX imaging system a Broadwing-DTX transmission imaging system along with related standard accessories.
Speaking of the system, LCSO captain Joshua Vaclavik said the system is a hand-held back scatter X-ray machine that is used for imaging purposes by the officers.
“It is the same type of technology used by border patrol and points of entry,” Vaclavik said. “This machine allows officers to be held to parts of a vehicle and scan it. The scan shows images of any organic materials, such as narcotics concealed in the vehicle. The machine can image through lead and helps locate narcotics in hidden compartments or hard to locate places.”
Vaclavik said having this type of technology helps the deputies safely search vehicles.
The court approved the purchase of the machine from Viken Detection and will be paid for from left over OLS funds in the sheriff’s office.
In other action taken by the court:
• Tabled a certificate of exemption from subdivision requirements for Traci Rose.
• Approved renewal of the Affordable Care Act reporting and tracking service through TAC Health and Employee Benefits Pool for 2025.
• Approved MOU with Gulf Bend to reimburse Lavaca County for transportation costs and distribute them appropriately.
• Approved a resolution authorizing the Award of Professional Service Provider contracts for 2025-26.
• Approved transferring a Dodge 4500 flatbed pickup from the Lavaca County EMS to Pct. 2.
• Approved a resolution authorizing the Lavaca County Attorney’s office to apply for Victim Coordinator and Liaison Grant with Office of the Attorney General.
• Tabled a resolution supporting the creation of a District Court with Colorado and Lavaca counties.
• Tabled a tower lease agreement between the county and Hallettsville Communications.
• Approved an update for the Lavaca County Fraud Prevention and Detection Policy.
• Approved an update on the Lavaca County Asset Capitalization Policy.
• Discussed updates to the Lavaca County paving agreement.
County judge Keith Mudd presided over the meeting with commissioners Edward Pustka, Wayne Faircloth, Kenny Siegel and Dennis W. Kocian present for the meeting.