Tuesday for the second week in a row there was no Commissioners Court meeting because there was a lack of a quorum. Last week the meeting was cancelled in advance because of the Christmas holiday, but the meeting was expected to be held this week. Only Commissioners Jody Crump (right) and Barry Burton (left), however, were present. It takes at least three members of the Court to be able to conduct county business.
The agenda for the intended meeting included over 20 items which will need to wait until the first meeting next year. Two of the items concerned the new Texas Open Carry Law which goes into effect Friday, New Year’s Day. Assistant County Attorney Doug Manning said he was asked to submit the agenda items concerning the open carry law for the Commissioners’ consideration. Manning indicated there are many legal opinions on the new state gun law and are varying in their interpretations of what can and cannot be done regarding the new legislation. Manning has been working to give the Court his best opinion before the Commissioners have to weigh in on the subject.
Whether to authorize signs regulating the carrying of a handgun by licensed holders was to be considered and whether to implement a policy to prohibit county personnel from interfering with the right of licensed handgun holders will have to be considered at the next meeting of the Court. The estimated cost is over $3,000 to purchase the signs proclaiming the open carry regulations that will be needed at many of the county office buildings.
The Commissioners will consider next week replacing David Dubose on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Dubose has just one year left on the Court. Commissioner Barry Burton has made economic development a priority during his first year on the Court and is the likely replacement for Dubose on the EDC Board of Directors.
Next meeting the Court will also consider the vacation policy for county employees. The health insurance benefits for new county employees hired on or after January 1, 2016 will be discussed by Commissioners who could implement some changes. The Commissioners Court is scheduled to meet again on Tuesday, January 5, 2016.
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