WICHITA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT

December 10, 2007

The Commissioners’ Court met in regular session to discuss a lengthy agenda.  All items of the Consent Agenda passed with no comment. 

General Business heard a discussion of the Goods and Transit Tax.  In 2001, Texas voters approved Section 1-A to Article VIII, authorizing the State Legislature to exempt business personal property stored off the owner’s premises with certain exceptions.  Effective January 1, 2008, HB 621 will implement this exemption unless the taxing authority (in this case the County)  conducts a public hearing and adopts an order to continue taxing the property.  The Court authorized a notice to be printed in the paper and will conduct a public hearing at a future date.  Following this hearing, the Court will take action on the continuation of this tax. 

The Court received a request from Justice of the Peace Janice Sons to purchase office furniture at an expense of $5,577 for the newly opened Central Magistrate Office.   This item passed, four to one, with Commissioner Presson against the purchase thereof.  Judge Sons also requested forty hours of overtime for the two central magistrate employees for a cost not to exceed $900.  This extra time would allow these employees to complete the Central Magistrate’s office transition for 2007.  Again the Commissioners approved, four to one, Commissioner Presson opposed.

Also approved was an increase in the cost of jail meals furnished by Aramark.  The current agreement with Aramark mirrors the consumer price index (CPI) and will increase the cost of meals for 350-399 inmates to $1.321 per meal, and for 400-449 inmates to $1.272   All other increases in inmate population numbers above these figures were also increased to correspond to the CPI.

Bids recently received for roadway materials, long distance service and office paper were awarded to the low bidders.  Bulk fuel bids were evaluated, and Sanford Oil was awarded the fuel contract for the first six months of 2008. 

The Court continues to comply with the Juvenile Judges’ order to enlarge the Juvenile facility for extra holding areas, safety purposes, and future state compliance.  The first portion of this project is to construct a new parking area on the north side of the current juvenile facility, as the new building construction will encompass the old parking area.  The Court approved a contract with Scales Concrete & Construction at a cost of $102,559 for the concrete project with ninety days’ completion date.

An Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, composed of Wichita County residents who will evaluate the existing emergency and ambulance medical services to assure a quality EMS program for the county was discussed.  The County is allowed two members, the County Judge or his designee, and one other representative from the Court.  Commissioner Miller was selected to this new position.  (It should be noted that the Electra Hospital District is excluded since they have their own ambulance service.)

Should you have any questions, please contact the office of Judge Woody Gossom or Commissioner Bill Presson at 766-8100.