HVAC issues dominate court agenda

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HVAC issues dominated the agenda for Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Polk County Commissioners Court. The Court discussed and approved emergency HVAC repairs at the Polk County Jail.

Additionally, the Court approved ratifying emergency approval to advertise for bids for the replacement of a chiller at the adult probation department in the Dunbar Building and approved the bid from Ferrara’s for $86,189, with work expected to begin May 23.

Requests for capital purchases to be paid from commissioner court capital outlay-office furnishings and equipment for the purchase of custom-built furnishings for the courthouse which is presently undergoing a historic renovation through a grant funded by the Texas Historical Commission were approved in a split vote. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Ramsey Unit will construct the furnishings. The total cost is $126,908 and the grant will only cover $100,000 of the cost. In a three-two vote with Commissioners Jerry Cassity and Mark Dubose voting against, the Court approved paying the $26,908 from contingency funds.

An order designating outdated and unlocated assets as surplus property for the purpose of inventory reconciliation was approved.

Although the Court was to consider action regarding proposals for fire protection services, commissioners approved deleting the item from the agenda in order to receive additional quotes.

A proposal between Polk County Emergency Management and the response group for incident action plan software was approved.

The Court approved an order authorizing the sale of fireworks during thе Memorial Day period of May 21 through midnight May 26.

A public hearing to receive comment on a request to replat Wiggins Village, Section 1, Lots 55 and 57, located in Precinct 2, as Lots 55 and 57a was held with no one speaking. Following close of the public hearing, the Court approved the request.

In personnel matters, the Court approved personnel action form requests submitted by department heads since the last meeting and also approved an update to the Personnel Management System, Book 1.

Fiscal year 2025 budget revisions and amendments as presented by the county auditor’s office were approved.

In old business, the Court was expected to discuss and consider approval of a fire protection service agreement with Cintas, but the item was deleted from the agenda at the request of County Maintenance Director Grady Woods.

In other old business, the Court took action on a request from the Polk County Historical Commission for the distribution of hotel/motel occupancy tax funds for tourism-related activities. Due to the very specific nature of what hotel/motel taxes may be used for, a committee was previously formed to review the requests. The Court approved the committee’s recommendation to allot 25% each to the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce, the Polk County Higher Education and Technology Foundation and the Polk County Historical Commission.

Five people addressed the Court during the portion of the meeting reserved for public comments to address road conditions in Lake Livingston Estates No. 4 & 5 and Yaupon Cove.

Items on the consent agenda included:

  • Approval of the minutes of the April 22 meeting;
  • Approval of a correction to the Dec. 10, 2024 minutes;
  • Approval of the schedules of bills;
  • Approval of an order designating surplus property;
  • Approval of an update to the master street addressing guide;
  • Receiving and recording personnel action forms submitted by elected officials since the last meeting;
  • Approval of submittal of a request to the state comptroller for unclaimed rural electric cooperative capital credits;
  • Accepting tobacco settlement proceeds in the amount of $18,020.61;
  • Aссepting reimbursement for Hurricane Beryl (DR-4798) emergency protective measures (Cat B) expenses from Texas Department of Emergency Management;
  • Approval of a motor vehicle crime prevention authority resolution authorizing the application for the catalytic converter grant program, ensuring the appropriate use of funds, and designating the authorized official, financial officer, and program director;
  • Receiving a donation to the Polk County Animal Facility in the amount of $1,000;
  • Approval of a purchase from Southern Computer Warehouse in thе amount of $9,239.56 to replace network equipment at the judicial center, to be paid from information technologies capital outlay repair/replace equipment (budgeted funds);
  • Approval of an updated draft agreements for new cadets of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office enrolled in basic police academy; and
  • Approval of the termination of services for panic alarm systems with Eastex Security at the tax office and Polk County Memorial Museum.

Sonny Hathaway of Central Baptist Church opened the meeting with prayer.