Gray County Commissioners Court held its’ final meeting for the year, December 15. The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. with the absence of Commissioner John Mark Baggerman, the meeting was paused for recess for carolers from Lefors Elementary. Before the recess was called, the court approved agenda items one through three. The approved items were ‘Pay Bills as Approved by the County Auditor,’ ‘Consider Line-Item Transfers,’ and ‘Consider Budget Amendments.’ The only budget amendments were for moving of funds from the general fund account to another. Line items four and five, ‘Accept County Treasurer’s Monthly Report’ and ‘Accept County Clerk’s Monthly Report’ were also approved by the court.
Agenda item six, “Consider Policy Changes to Gray County Health Insurance Benefits plan” was discussed. Before Gray County enters into another term for its’ Health Insurance Plan, the court has asked for wording in the agreement to be changed, for the benefit of the insurance holders. With only slight policy changes needed to be made, the court approved the item with those changes to come. Michael Carr was present on behalf of Panhandle Regional Housing Finance Corporation to ask the courts approval on a housing project on Potter County.
PRHFC (Panhandle Regional Housing Finance Corporation) aids in supplying low income housing, and is planning on rehabilitating Astoria Park Apartments in Amarillo, but has to get approval of all 26 counties. The organization is composed of 23 members that work voluntarily, a decision that was made in ‘94. Carr who is a Hereford resident who serves as a Director for the organization. PRHFC works in association with the governmental and state boards to provide housing. Carr’s reason for speaking was to get the vote of the board, as the motion would have failed without a yes from all counties. Agenda Item eight, ‘Consider Renewal of Workers Compensation Insurance Policy’ was approved by the court.
“Having this is good for both policy parties,” County Judge, Chris Porter said. “We don’t know what could happen to one of our workers, so it’s best to be safe.”
With Jo Mays leaving office as the District Clerk and Scott Hahn leaving the County Treasurer’s office, the court approved signatory changes on both the District Clerk and County Treasurer’s bank accounts. The two will be replaced, Phyllis Carroll will take office in place of Mays and Elaine Morris will fulfill the office of Hahn’s duties. The court approved agenda item 11, ‘Consider Approval of Bonds for County Judge, Commissioner Precinct 2, Commissioner Precinct 4, District Clerk, County Treasurer, County Clerk, County Clerks Deputies, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 & 3, and Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 & 4 and District Clerk Deputies, all of which were approved. There were seven struck off property bids for the court to rule on, all of which were voted yes on.
The Tax Assessor and Collector’s Office sought the approval of a replacement employee and were approved by the court to do so. The court tabled agenda item 14, ‘Consider Consent of Reassignment of Gaines County School Lands Lease by CGS Operating LLC and EOG Resources Inc., to Moss Creek Resources LLC. The court tabled the matter until contact can be made with the parties involved before moving forward in either direction. Also tabled was agenda item 15, ‘ Consider an Inter-local Agreement with Texas Division of Emergency Management for Office Space in the Gray County Courthouse,’ tabled to further discuss the matter with parties in question. There was no miscellaneous items, so the court was convened at 10:30 and will pickup the next meeting January 3 of the new year.
