Court approves amendment to TCOG bylaws

By PAMELA ROBINSON, Register Staff Writer

Following discussion regarding a proposed amendment to the Texoma Council of Governments bylaws, members of the Cooke County Commissioners’ Court voted unanimously to vote “yes” for the amendment to the Texas Council of Governments bylaws during the Monday meeting.

County Commissioner Al Smith made the recommendation to approve the amendment after reviewing some of the changes with members of the court, to include changes to the organization of the governing board and representation from elected officials, community representatives, school districts and community college districts within the entity. Both Smith and Cooke County Judge John Roane will vote “yes” on their ballots.

During the meeting, members of the court heard from two citizens during public comments.

Wayne Dodson addressed the court saying,“I want to caution you, I was over at the appraisal office not long ago and I was surprised to see that they had 6,500 delinquent ad valorem taxes on their desk to be mailed out. I want to encourage you all as leaders of our community and those that control costs in the county, to bear in mind that our economy, if you watch the news it’s depressing enough...I will admit after I picked up the January treasury report, that I continue to see that you people have very well managed the money to this point. But, I would caution you about the public and the T.E.A. Party people, (if they) find that you have excesses, if you do, that you need to be very efficient in your deliberations on how you spend the taxpayer’s money.”

His comments to the court included that they should be prepared to answer to the public regarding the expenses involved in the restoration of the Cooke County Courthouse.

Dick Sparkman addressed the court regarding the election administrator responsibilities and said they need to be addressed again now that Judge Freeman is no longer with the court and performing the election administrator responsibilities.

Sparkman also told members of the court that he likes much of the information on the county website, but recommended that the minutes from the meetings be put on-line for the public.

Following executive session, members of the court took action by voting unanimously to authorize Jennifer Eberle, Cooke County Human Resources Director, to contact Kevin Grant and make an offer to him to be the EMS Administrator for Cooke County.

The court unanimously approved a proclamation declaring March 14 to 20 as Poison Prevention Week in Cooke County.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Dorthy Lewis and Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Jason Brinkley addressed the court and reported on the Cooke County Warrant Round-Up. Precinct 1 Constable Terry Gilbert also presented information on the warrant roundup. Their report and an update on the roundup will be in the Wednesday edition of the Gainesville Daily Register.

Roane gave an update concerning the restoration of the Cooke County Courthouse, saying that they met with the general contractor and that there are areas being reviewed for possible revisions to cost and discussion will continue at a meeting scheduled for March 22. No action was taken at this time.

During the meeting the court acknowledged Boy Scout William Lewis, who attended the meeting as part of his project.

The court voted unanimously to approve the following consent agenda items: FY2009 budget amendments; FY 2010 budget amendments; monthly bills; payroll and all related expenses; employee terminations and/or appointments; receive and file internal audit for the Cooke County Tax Assessor Collector; donation from Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Roberts to the Cooke County Library for research in the amount of $20; donation from Mr. Robert Kammerdiener as a memorial donation for the Class of 1949 to the Cooke County Library for research in the amount of $25; accepting the Portal to Texas History grant for the Cooke County Library; interlocal agreement with Lindsay Volunteer Fire Department; annual racial profiling report from the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office; contract for lease agreement for Xerox copier for the Cooke County Human Resources, beginning March 23; agreements with IESI for waste management for the following locations: Precincts 1, 3 and 4 County Road and Bridge Shops and EMS Stations 2 and 4; surplus and trade in of 2001 Marque Amulance for EMS; allow Jennifer Johnson-Spence, Cooke County Library Director to apply for the Wal-Mart 2010 local community grant; accepting the Joseph Rosenstein Memorial Trust Fund to the Cooke County Library; Leon M. Liddell and Minnie Morries Liddell endowment to the Cooke County Library; accepting surplus materials form the Texas Department of Transportation for Road and Bridge Precincts 1, 2, 3 and 4; additional change fund for Tax Office in the amount of $150; maintenance agreement for the District Clerk’s Office copy machine in the amount of $1,100 with Dustin’s Office Machines.

Members of the court pulled four items from the consent agenda to discuss and act upon individually.

Members of the court unanimously approved the consent agenda item for the renewal of lease agreements through July 30, 2011 with B-29 Properties, LLC for 106 W. Main Street, 206 W. Main, 216 W. Pecan and 212 E. California, all located in Gainesville.

Members of the court unanimously approved the consent agenda item for the Local Project Advance Funding agreements and attached resolution with the Texas Department of Transportation for bridge replacement or rehabilitation off the State System for a bridge located at CR 122 at Hickory Creek in the amount of $23,126.76.

Members of the court unanimously approved the consent agenda item to hire CHA Engineering for hydrological engineering services on CR 222 located in Precinct 2.

Following discussion, members of the court did not approve the consent agenda item to accept grant funds in the amount of $255,855 from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services Emergency Watershed Protection Program for Cooke County Road and Bridge Precinct 2. This item will be discussed again at a future meeting.

The court voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the regular meeting Feb. 22 and the monthly reports.

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