Court selects committee to search for Veterans Service officer

Due to the threat of Hurricane Beryl, the Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court moved its regular meeting to Wednesday, July 10.

At the meeting, the court discussed the county’s attempt to find a Veterans Service officer and decided to select a committee to perform the search.

County Judge Keith Mudd proposed a committee made up of Steven Greenwell, Jerry Tanner and James Fenner.

He said Greenwell would chair the committee and all three are military veterans.

Besides interviewing applicants, the committee would also explore creating a mutual agreement to partner with a neighboring county’s existing Veterans Service officer.

Burn Ban Discussed

The court discussed the possibility of implementing a county-wide burn, but decided to table matter until a later date.

Lavaca County EMS assistant chief Tim Decker said the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) average for Lavaca County currently is at 479.

Decker said the 479 KBDI average falls below the 500 average that would call for triggering a burn ban.

“The index measures the top eight inches of soil saturation and as we dry out that number goes up,” Decker said. “We’re averaging between 6 to 10 points, especially on 100 degree days."

Sheriff’s Office Vehicle Equipment

The court approved a VCS proposal to install lights, sirens, controller consoles, partitions and other equipment on the two 2023 F-150 sheriff’s office vehicles approved at the June 24 meeting.

The cost for the installation is $25,999.48 and will be paid through SB 22 funds.

In addition, the court approved a quote of $1,237.21 from On Site Decals of Stafford to install 3M reflective graphics on the two vehicles. This amount will also be paid through SB funds.

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The court approved advertising to seek bids for leasing approximately 60 acres of pasture land, referred to as Lavaca County Farm.

Details of the advertisement include not only seeking bids for leasing the land, but also stipulates reserving the right to terrace the land and using approximately three tenths of an acre as a storage facility for county materials.

The bids should be received by Shana R. Opela, Lavaca County auditor until 10:15 a.m. Friday, July 26 and will be read by Judge Mudd, or designee, in the Commissioners’ Courtroom at 10:30 a.m. of the same day.

Bids will be discussed and /or awarded at the Court’s regular meeting on Aug. 12 at 10 a.m.

Hurricane Beryl

Prior to addressing action agenda items, the court heard from Emergency Management Coordinator Greg Murrile and Decker, who both said preparing for the approach and affects of Hurricane Beryl was a good trial run for Lavaca County.

Murrile said he went to Matagorda County on Tuesday and saw the devastation the hurricane did in that area.

“We dodged a bullet,” Murrile said. “Those folks are hurting bad down there. There’s not a lot left in the Sargent area.”

Murrile also complimented all the first responders in the county and cities in preparing for the approach of Beryl.

“The great thing for us is we had a great meeting on Sunday afternoon with all the officials attending in preparation for the storm,” Murrile said. “I felt we had a great plan. Fortunately, we didn’t have to do it. It was a trial run for us.”

Murrile thanked all county first responders for coming together and being ready to go.

“After seeing the chaoticness of what happened in Matagorda County, it’s crazy to see how the people were affected,” Murrile said.

Decker said the county’s EMS department was contacted that more help was needed in the Houston area regarding 911 calls.

Decker said the Emergency Medical Task Force (EMTF) provides resources including sending crews, ambulances and medicines and activates it in times of disasters.

“We sent four crew members and two ambulances to help,” Decker said. “It will not affect operations in our county.”

Decker said DeWitt, Calhoun and Victoria counties are also planning to send units.

“It’s neighbors helping neighbors and if this happened to us we’re hoping we’d have this kind of support,” Decker said. “It’s fully reimbursable.”

In other action taken by the court:

• Approved an amendment to the contract for public defender services.

• Approved Tyler Technologies Employee Access Pro Financial Management Suite to be utilized for human resources.

• Approved authorization to issue request for proposal for Administrative Services (RFP) and request for qualifications for Engineering Services (RFQ) for grant application.

• Approved amending existing contract for services agreement between the county and Local Government Solutions, L.P. to unlimited TB image storage for the county attorney’s office.

• Approved a certificate of exemption from subdivision requirements for Ryan Pope.

• Heard a presentation from CM Company Auctions regarding public auction services.

• Approved rural law enforcement salary assistance program funds (SB 22) for the county attorney’s office.

• Approved a Lavaca County road paving update presented by Pct. 3.

• Approved all consent agenda items.

County Judge Keith Mudd presided over the meeting with commissioners Edward Pustka, Wayne Faircloth, and Kenny Siegel attending. Commissioner Dennis W. Kocian attended the meeting via Zoom.