DeWitt Commissioners receive STEAR information

DeWitt County Commissioners received information about the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) at the Jan. 13 meeting.

“The STEAR program is free,” Emergency Management Coordinator Billy Jordan Jr. said. “It’s an assistance registry. This includes people who have accessed-functional needs that are bed-bound, bedconfined, or wheelchair bound. They could have mobility issues, oxygen dependent, or medically fragile people. These people can register for this. If there’s ever a terrible weather event like a tornado or hurricane, we can reach out to those people and provide assistance to anything that they may need. We send a message out to those individuals that are registered in this program. If we do not get a reply from these people, we reach out to an emergency contact. If we cannot get ahold of the emergency contact then, by state law, we have to do a wellness check.”

Every year, at the beginning of the year, people have to re-register. Those wanting to register for this program can do so by calling 211 or 877-541-7905, visit the DeWitt County website and click on a tab for STEAR.

Other items on the agenda include:

• Commissioners discussed leasing of right of ways for above ground saltwater pipelines. No action was taken on this.

• An amendment was made to the DeWitt County Salary Order to increase the Sheriff’s Deputy Sergeants from four full-time positions to five. The court also approved to decrease the Sheriff’s Deputy Corporals from four full-time positions to three.

• Commissioners received information regarding hot water heater issues at the DeWitt County Jail.

• A public hearing for the placement of a No Tractor Trailer road signs on Old San Antonio Road, Old Gonzales Road, and Ed Blackwell Road was scheduled at 3 p.m. Feb. 10.

• An approval of the Kroger Subdivision Release Form related to the Opioid Settlement Resolution was made.

• Commissioners received the Gulf Bend Center budget for fiscal year 2025.

• Commissioners approved a Project Agreement Form between the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and DeWitt County for prison labor at the DeWitt County Historical Museum.

• Several temporary water lines were approved including one from Burlington Resources Oil and Gas Company LP for several installations.