Pictured: Commissioners recognized August 24 as “Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program” Day in Orange County.
The Commissioners Court approved an agreement Monday with Blackboard Connect to provide a county notification service. Emergency Management Coordinator Ryan Peabody recommended using Blackboard Connect for the county in case of emergencies such as a hurricane or a chemical plant accident. Peabody said the county previously used a company that charged a per use fee when it was used by the Sheriff’s Office dispatchers. The Blackboard Connect service is used by several other entities including the City of Vidor according to Peabody, and there would be charge to Orange County because of a regional grant the county can use. Commissioner John Banken recommended Peabody get with County Attorney Doug Manning and with County Auditor Mary Johnson to confirm that the contract and the use of the grant are in line so the county can get the service at no cost.
The county imposed burn ban was lifted last week by County Judge Pro Tem David Dubose at the recommendation of Emergency Management Coordinator Peabody. At Commissioners Court Monday Peabody gave the whole Court an update on the status of any need for a burn ban in the county. Peabody informed the Commissioners that the index is below the level that would indicate a fire hazard and did not recommend re-implementing the burn ban. County Attorney Doug Manning explained to the Commissioners that state law says the county judge or judge pro tem can enact a burn ban or rescind it for 72-hours which allowed the action taken last week by Judge Pro Tem Dubose.
November will have an election in Orange County, but not for President. Seven propositions will be on the ballot November 3 for consideration as amendments to the Texas State Constitution. The Commissioners Court approved holding the election with early voting to be held from October 19 to October 23, and from October 26 to October 30. Early voting will be done at the Orange Public Library in Orange; the Orange County Precinct office in Mauriceville; the Bridge City Public Works building in Bridge City; and the Raymond Gould Community Center in Vidor.
Orange County was obligated by FEMA to acquire 38 properties in the county following Hurricane Ike in 2008 because of damage from the flooding. County Attorney Doug Manning spoke to the Commissioners Court Monday on how it would like to handle the disposition of the properties which have become an expense to the county to maintain because of high grass and weeds needing to be mowed. Manning reminded the Commissioners that FEMA guidelines do not allow the county to sell the properties or for any structure to be built on the properties. Several adjacent property owners have inquired about the purchase of the county properties, which cannot be done, but Manning indicated the properties could be leased at a low rate for a long term as long as the citizens leasing the property not build anything on it. The Commissioners approved Manning and County Maintenance Director Kurt Guidry to work up the paperwork for leasing the properties and the Court would approve it. The Commissioners awarded contracts for landscaping at the Orange County Convention and Expo Center. Freys Landscape was awarded the irrigation contract, and Hallmark Lawn and Landscape was given the contract for soil preparation to handle future landscaping.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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