The Commissioners Court heard complaints, but also compliments of the Board of Directors for the Emergency Services District Number 4 during the court session Tuesday. Justin Lee requested to speak to the Commissioners, and saying he spoke for several other first responders in ESD#4 asked for the dismissal of Board Members Spencer Fuss and David Jones. Lee spoke to several incidences by President Spencer Fuss and Board Member David Jones that has led to the resignation of at least 15 first responders in the ESD. He requested the Commissioners Court take immediate action in removing the two board members for the safety of his family and the safety of the community.
After Lee completed his talk, James Cornell came forward and asked to speak to the Commissioners. Cornell stated he is proud to be a firefighter in ESD4. Cornell spoke positively of the current board and said those that resigned will have to deal with their decisions personally. Cornell said there are 17 first responders in ESD#4 and more people coming in.
The Commissioners Court has the authority to appoint board members to the ESD, but it is not clear if they have the authority to remove board members. County Attorney Doug Manning said he is investigating whether the Court could act on the request for removal of the two board members.
A line item transfer of about $17,000 was approved by the Commissioners Court for the Juvenile Probation department. Apparently, during budget talks the money which is appropriated by the state for the Juvenile Probation Department was cut from their budget. The line item transfer will restore the missing funds for Director Craig Corder to his original budget. County Auditor Mary Johnson said this would not alter the overall county budget.
During a workshop Tuesday morning Way Services presented its timeline for implementing an energy efficiency program for the Orange County buildings. Final approval of the plan of action is scheduled for the Commissioners Court meeting of December 22. The program is expected to start January 2, 2016 and be completed August 31 of next year.
The Commissioners discussed changes to the county switchboard during the workshop. Commissioner John Banken initially requested the discussion be on the agenda, but then asked that it not be discussed during the workshop. County Judge Brint Carlton said he had been requested by the primary switchboard operator Cindy Sparkman to discuss the issue and conducted the discussion. Commissioner Banken then excused himself and left the workshop. Judge Carlton expressed the options facing the county in regards to the switchboard which is relatively old are: do nothing; change to an automated switchboard which would cost about $40,000; or publish all the county offices’ phone numbers in the phone book and online. Sparkman works in the Maintenance Department and would have more time for those duties if the switchboard position were eliminated.
The Commissioners Court recognized today 8-year old Kaiden Aven of Orange County for his unselfish act of giving his own pet dog to a Jasper County man who had recently suffered a stroke and lost his own dog. Young Kaiden was presented a proclamation by the Court, and Congressman Dr. Brian Babin’s office also presented him a special congressional recognition for his unselfish behavior.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
Social Media