Houston County Commissioners Meet Before the Holidays
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
HOUSTON COUNTY – The Houston County Commissioners Court met Tuesday, Dec. 13 in downtown Crockett. The commissioners voted to give their new insurance coordinator power to negotiate rates and the commissioners voted to authorize a new purchasing agreement to buy at COOP prices.
The court first listened to public comments, which included an interest from a local business to take advantage of the hotel tax to help fund local musical events in the city of Crockett.
The court accepted the offer of longtime employee John McKnight as a volunteer road hand for Precinct 2 Road and Bridge project. Houston County Judge Jim Lovell recognized his service and thanked him for volunteering even after suffering an injury.
New Houston County Insurance Coordinator Kris Dyches was introduced to the court and was approved to be the main contact for the county’s health benefits with county provided insurance along with supplemental insurance and retirement plans.
The court voted to take money from the county general fund to install $4,144.92 worth of improvements to the patrol truck for Precinct Two Constable Kenneth Smith who is replacing the older patrol truck which will be transferred to the Community Service/Environmental Officer.
The court approved an agreement with OMNIA Partners to participate in their cooperative purchasing program. The commissioners liked the fact that the group offers competitive pricing and delivery for products such as office supplies, building supplies among others. The commissioners asked if this was to be used instead of their normal purchasing options, but Judge Lovell told them this will be just another option to use in order to compare pricing, options and availability. The court approved unanimously.
The court voted to receive a payment of $750,000 from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund which funds eligible counties in Texas.
The court further approved $157,956.90 to be spent on boom mowers for Precinct Four with the fund coming from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Houston County Sheriff Randy Hargrove joined the meeting by video conference to seek approval for non-exempt license plates for an unmarked patrol unit. The sheriff also explained the problems with the outside lights attached to the Houston County Justice Center. The sheriff received a bid to replace the lights, but the court requested two more competing bids in order to comply with county procedures. Sheriff Hargrove promised to do so and the item was tabled until the next meeting in January.
The court approved a payment to Lucas Roofing for $6,980 for repairing a leaky roof in the county courthouse. Judge Lovell told the court the work had been done and inspected and the commissioners approved the payment.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
