The Commissioners Court Monday morning approved a $10,000 deductible for insurance to cover public officials and county law enforcement officers. County Judge Brint Carlton explained the need for the insurance is to protect the public officials. Judge Carlton said the insurance is through the Texas Association of Counties and provides insurance in case public officials are sued for something such as sexual harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination or insurance against suits filed on law enforcement officers because of use of excessive force or wrongful death. The lower $10,000 deductible will be only $5,000 more than going with a $20,000 deductible. County Auditor Mary Johnson presented her financial report for the fiscal year through April 30. The report is available for public viewing on the county’s website. The largest discussion during the meeting involved a possible revising of a personnel policy numbered 170 involving employees that left county service and then returned to work at the courthouse years later. It concerns how much vacation, longevity, and other benefits an employee should receive when they have worked at least two more years with the county after their return if they worked previously successfully for Orange County. Commissioner John Banken moved the Court take no action until further study on it. Banken was unanimously backed by the other Commissioners that the matter was confusing and needed further study so the Court could really look at it. Commissioners approved the purchase of a new copier by the 128th District Court at a cost of $3,330.80. County Attorney Doug Manning met with the Court concerning an agreement with Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company for property on Border Street. Manning requested a motion and the Court approved a pipeline easement agreement with the oil company as well as the county obtaining an appraisal of its property at 212 Border.
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