The Commissioners Court Tuesday gave approval to proceed with pre-project development of the proposed Loop 299 in Vidor. In a split vote with only Commissioner David Dubose casting a dissenting vote the Court will authorize Scott Young of Strategic Planning and Program Development Inc. to start the discussions with the Texas Department of Transportation to continue the planning for what has been called the Vidor Loop. Both Young and the Court were in agreement this step does not commit Orange County at this point to spending any funds. Dubose asked if the county would still be obligated to borrow money to pay for its portion of the project if it is completed, and Young said it would. Dubose responded he was not for that.
Officials from the City of Vidor gave a presentation on its Pride and Progress Campaign which includes tax abatements for new residential construction in the city. Mayor Robert Viator and City Manager Mike Kunst gave the details of the seven-year plan to stimulate new housing in Vidor as well as remove existing substandard structures. Vidor has presented the campaign to other taxing entities in an effort to persuade them to join the tax abatements Vidor is offering to home builders and to owners of new homes. The presentation was for information purposes only and no action was taken by the Court.
Road and Bridge Engineer Clark Slacum received approval to hire six employees for his department, four truck drivers and two mechanics. Slacum mentioned that Road and Bridge will soon be entering the primary road repair season and will need all the help possible. Four of the positions had become vacant this fiscal year and two other positions were cut from his budget during the preparation for this year’s county budget. He said there are funds in his budget to pay for the six positions. County Judge Brint Carlton voted against the motion to hire.
Commissioners approved Slacum reclassify his surveyor Trey Gilbert from a NE-5 to NE-6. Commissioner John Banken questioned whether the reclassification had been recommended by the Reclassification Committee. Slacum was not sure, and Human Resources Director Lori Ardoin checked her documentation which was inconclusive. County Judge Brint Carlton asked for a brief recess and got his paperwork from last year’s budget which did confirm the Reclassification Committee recommended the reclassification. The Court voted 4-1 with Commissioner Jody Crump casting the lone vote against.
Two offices of the Texas Department of State Health Services will transfer to the Orange County Courthouse. Donna Granger with the office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 says the transfer from the city to the county will help centralize services involving the issuing of birth and death certificates. It will also mean additional revenue coming to the county. The Local Registrar will move to the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office and Vital Statistics will go to the County Clerk’s office. Commissioners did approve spending $4,500 to have the records of Vital Statistics be transferred via computer to the Courthouse. The county will also spend $2,758 for the paper to print the official documents of birth and death certificates.
April was proclaimed “Child Abuse Prevention Month” in the county. CASA and Child Protective Services representatives thanked the Court for the proclamation. A candle light vigil is scheduled for next Monday to honor the 171 children that lost their lives in 2015 due to abuse and neglect. Citizens are encouraged to wear blue on Friday, April 22, as a symbol of support for the children. -Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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