The county had some good news Tuesday during the Commissioners Court meeting regarding the purchase of items for the Road and Bridge Department. A substantial donation from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Secure Net (GOMESA) of almost half a million dollars will allow the county to make the purchases without taking out a loan.
The Court approved previously purchasing a BoMag road repair machine and two trucks for about $600,000 which included loan payments over the next year. With the funds from GOMESA the loan will not be necessary and the purchases can be made more immediately.
The Juvenile Probation Office will be hiring a new Juvenile Probation Officer at a NE5 position. Craig Corder the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and County Judge John Gothia met with the Juvenile Probation Board who authorized the creation of the position at that payment level which is $28,318 annually.
The Economic Development Agreement with M and R One and Olson Engineering was amended to actually start in 2022. The agreement was initiated in 2019, but storms and the pandemic delayed completion of the new facility.
Tax abatements were approved for 24 residential properties in Vidor that are part of the Pride and Progress Program. Commissioner Robert Viator who was the mayor of Vidor when the program was created said it has been very successful in revitalizing many areas of the city with new properties and updates of older homes.
The Sheriff’s Office was approved to purchase a dual axle cargo trailer to be used by the SWAT team. The cost is $5,454 and will be purchased from Treasury Forfeiture Budget.
The narcotics division of the Sheriff’s Office will purchase surveillance equipment using Treasury Forfeiture funds. The cost will be $15,320.
A third purchase approved for the Sheriff’s Office will be a 2021 Ford Explorer to replace an older vehicle. The cost to be paid by Treasury Forfeiture funds will be $28,865.
The Commissioners Court approved a proclamation recognizing “Soil Conservation Week” for April 25 to May 2, 2021. Another proclamation recognized Lineman Appreciation for the work done by electrical workers that have restored power to Orange County after tropical storms and the recent winter storms.
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