Tuesday was the first Commissioners Court meeting chaired by new County Judge Dean Crooks since his appointment two weeks ago. Crooks said he is pleased with assuming all the responsibilities of the position as county judge. He was glad to take the gavel from Commissioner Jody Crump, but believes his most important duties lie in the county not in the Commissioners Courtroom. “A lot of the work that gets done is not up here, and that’s what I’ve been focusing on lately,” Crooks indicated.
As judge pro-temp Crump had chaired most of the Commissioners Court meetings since Crooks defeated Brint Carlton for county judge in the Republican Party primary in March. All the Commissioners congratulated Crooks on completing his first meeting as county judge.
The Court on Tuesday voted unanimously to reclassify the office assistant for the county judge from County Judge Court Coordinator which is a NE-5 position to County Judge Administrative Assistant which is a NE-4 position representing a pay decrease of about five thousand dollars. The position will be advertised internally for other county employees to apply for according to Human Resource Director Lori Ardoin.
Crooks’ office was also adjusted from Legal/Judicial to Administrative/Financial function since Crooks will not be exercising the legal duties as much as the previous county judge. Carlton because of his legal background as an attorney handled more legal judicial responsibilities as county judge.
The Commissioners whole heartedly approved supporting the flood control project started by the City of Pine Forest. The project calls for canals and ditches to be constructed that will connect retention ponds helping to improve the drainage in western Orange County.
Mayor Cathy Nagel of Pine Forest assigned Mayor Pro Temp Kevin Singleton to describe the specifics of the drainage project. Singleton said Pine Forest is applying to the Texas Hazard Mitigation program to fund the project. Orange County is being asked to show its support for the program with a resolution, which the Commissioners Court unanimously approved. The project will consist of 324 acres and will positively effect over 11,000 homes in Orange and Jasper counties.
The Orange County Jail received another successful inspection by the Texas Commission of Jail Standards in April. The Commissioners thanked Sheriff Keith Merritt and Lt. James Eifelstein, who works as an administrator in the jail, for their excellent work keeping the facility up to the high standards of the commission.
May was also recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. Lane Fortenberry with the Spindletop Center in Beaumont accepted the proclamation from the Commissioners Court.
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