San Saba Commissioner’s Court met on Monday, March 11th, at 9 a.m.
After the prayer and pledges to the American and Texas flags, the Commissioners discussed the following items: Commitment to Multi County Radio Tower Our Council of Governments (COG) had submitted for some Federal Grant money that was going to become available. All counties within our COG submitted for proposals for the grant money.
There were meetings on how best to spend it in a way to have the best benefit. The 1.4 million would be given to the San Saba Project” which would be a radio tower in our region. It would cover the following counties: part of San Saba, Mills, Lampasas, and part of Hamilton.
The grant amount would cover the cost of building of the tower.
There were representatives from COG at the Commissioners Court meeting. The relayed that this plan was the best project submitted that would benefit the most people represented in our COG.
The Court voted unanimously to support COG in getting this money to get the tower build with the commitment to use the tower.
Skidsteer purchase Precinct 1 The Court unanimously approved for Precinct to purchase a Skidsteer. They will sell old equipment in order to pay for it. This was unanimously approved.
April 8, 2024 Eclipse Status Marsha Hardy, Emergency Management Coordinator gave updates on the eclipse. The new radios were being tested and will be ready before the eclipse.
There were 175 people who attended the Town Hall Meeting on the eclipse, and it was much better than expected.
Wyatt Deans, San Saba County Liaison Officer, explained about the QR code made available for people to take a survey letting our emergency services know about extra folks that would be in the county, where they would be, and how to get there in case of an emergency. He also talked about reaching out to businesses about the eclipse.
Judge Fauley’s advice for San Saba residents: Stock up and stay home!
Other Items approved:
• Two Line-Item Transfers presented by County Treasurer Ms. Lois VanBeck
• Accounts Payable
• Minutes from previous meetings The item of SSISD Demographic Study was tabled as the School Superintendent was not able to attend the meeting.
No change in the Burn Ban was made. It is currently lifted.
Departmental Reports:
• County/District Clerk Kim Wells reported her office has been busy after the election trying to get caught up on things. She noted that the extended voting hours did not net very many more voters. The later hours during the week saw very little traffic, but the weekend voting hours were better.
• County Treasurer Lois VanBeck's report was approve. There was discussion about modified policies and Family Medical Leave. Ms. VanBeck had some questions she was going to research at her next conference. She also stated she was exploring HSA within their policy to see if it would be beneficial.
• Justice of the Peace Judge Sharon Blossman noted her office has adjusted to the software update, and it is going well. The following report was submitted: Total: $10,124.60 Community Service/ Jail Credit: $812.50 Total to the County: $6,591.54 Small Claims and Civil: $455.00
•Sheriff David Jenkins reported the $700 new door has been installed, and it greatly improved safety. The new Motorola Radios came in and are set up. There is a new console in the jail. The following jail numbers were reported: Jail count was 485 with an average of 16.72.
Commissioner’s Court meeting information provided by Marsha Hardy Commissioner's Court met March 25th, and the following items were approved:
• Proclamation concerning Child Abuse Prevention Month of April. There will be a balloon release presentation at 11:00 a.m. on April 16th at the Gazebo at Mill Pond Park.
• Cooperative Agreement between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services and San Saba County.
• Close access to Regency Bridge during the April 8th eclipse. Foot Traffic only will be allowed for the safety of the public. This is in conjunction with Mills County.
• Disaster Declaration for the Eclipse event by Judge Fauley.
• Payment of bills (No lineitem transfers were presented.)
Marsha Hardy updated everyone on the Total Solar Eclipse. She said starting next Monday 'would be a good time to start with your groceries for the week, fuel your vehicle, check your medications and refill what will run out in the next seven days; and consider just staying at home on Tuesday April 8th and watch the eclipse [in your special safety glasses] from your back yard (out of the traffic and possible congestion).
It was decided that there would be a Burn Ban put into effect from Saturday, April 6, 2024, to Tuesday, April 8, 2024 due to the eclipse.
The item on the new roof for the Library was tabled waiting on more information to be gathered.
Commissioner's Court meeting are open to the public. The next Commissioner's Court meetings are scheduled for April 15th and April 29th; both are at 9 a.m. in the Commissioner's Courtroom on the second floor of the Courthouse.