DeWitt Commissioners approve memorandum of understanding

DeWitt County Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding฀ between฀ DeWitt฀ County and the Texas Department of Public Safety for the use of certain radio frequencies by emergency response organizations at the Nov. 25 meeting.

“This is basically agreeing with the Texas Department of Public Safety so we can operate with their frequencies,” Emergency Management Coordinator Billy Jordan Jr. said. “This basically enhances communication during a devastating event like an active shooter event or whatever may come. If our communications get overwhelmed, we can switch to a different frequency. This basically gives us the ability to talk to state and federal agencies. This also helps us require funding that enhances communications for safety for the county.”

A request for funding from Friends of Elder Citizens was also made at the meeting. They are a meal delivery service.

“We’re coming to the court asking for funding because there are people from DeWitt County that need our services, but with our funding being so low, we’re just asking for a little help,” Friends of Elder Citizens Coordinator Ire Ramirez said. “We have been providing meals for DeWitt County including to seniors in Yoakum, Cuero and Yorktown.”

The court opted to table this request while Friends of Elder Citizens provides additional documentation for funding.

After the Commissioners Court meeting, there was a groundbreaking ceremony for a road project in Westhoff on FM 240.

“This project started ten years ago,” DeWitt County Precinct 1 Commissioner Ryan Varela said. “This project will be taking heavy traffic away from the school and divert it straight to Highway 87. We are working with the Texas Department of Transportation to get that road built and taken care of.”

Commissioners also appointed Jacqueline Mitchell to the DeWitt County Child Welfare Board.

“She brings a lot of positive assets to our group and we are honored to have her be a part of the board,” DeWitt County Child Welfare Board Administrator Kati Klores said.

Other items on the agenda include:

• Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement between La Salle County and DeWitt County for sharing the expense of legislative consulting services.

• Commissioners considered enrolling county employees in required state certified cyber security training.

• Commissioners approved a proposal for maintenance by Trane Chiller Services for the DeWitt County Courthouse. The one-year contract is in the amount of $31,656.

• Commissioners approved a maintenance agreement with DeWitt Poth and Sons for inspection of the copiers in the Elections Office, District Clerk’s Office and the Auditor’s Office.

• A permit application from Select Water Solutions for the installation of a temporary water line along Noe Hinojosa Road in Precinct 3 was approved. Another permit application from the same company was also approved for the installation of a temporary water line along Rogge Seifert Road in Precinct 3.

• Two Commissioners, James Pilchiek Sr. of Precinct 2 and James Kaiser of Precinct 3, were not present for the meeting.

• The dates for the next two commissioners court meetings will be on Monday, Dec. 9 and Thursday, Dec. 19 at 9 a.m. The second meeting was rescheduled due to the Christmas holiday.