Several tourism sponsors in Orange County will be getting checks in the next week from the County Auditor. The Commissioners Court headed by County Judge Pro Tem David Dubose voted unanimously Monday on awarding Hotel Occupancy Tax funds to seven applicants for the HOT funds that had been approved by County Auditor Mary Johnson who was wanting to pay all the HOT funds checks at the same time, but there are a couple of applicants for the funds that did not have their proper paperwork. Monday’s action will at least pay those applicants that are incompliance which has the president of the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce Ida Schossow happy for them. Schossow said, “I think it’s great that these entities are going to be getting their money back, and it’s a great way to bring tourism into our town so I think it’s good that it was all clarified.” The Orange County Jail’s inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards was received by commissioners Monday. The inspection report done on December 5 noted the excellent work of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and stated it demonstrates the outstanding leadership of Sheriff Keith Merritt and the diligent work of the jail’s staff. Sheriff Merritt expressed his appreciation for the outstanding performance by his staff reminding again that the inspections come unannounced thus requiring the jail to be ready for inspection year round. Merritt also thanked the Commissioners, “A lot of the credit goes to the commissioners also for making sure the budgetary support is there to support the jail and what we do.” The sheriff thinks it is important to note Orange County does not have problems with overcrowding or structural problems with the jail like many counties in the state. Merritt said this was actually the second inspection of the jail by the commission this year which is unusual. The previous inspection was done in March, and Merritt added the jail passed with flying colors that time also.
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