Applications and Resumes for County Treasurer Accepted Until September 14, 2020 Commissioners Court

In the new venue, the Jones County Activity Center, 1102 West Court Plaza, Anson, TX, the Jones County Commissioners Court held the second monthly meeting on Monday, August 24, 2020 at 9:00am. Social distancing continues to be observed at the former Senior Citizens Activity Center.
In attendance with Judge Dale Spurgin were the Jones County Commissioners: James Clawson (Pct. 1), Lonnie Vivian (Pct. 2), Ross Davis (Pct. 3), and Joel Spraberry (Pct. 4), County Clerk LeeAnn Jennings, County Treasurer Amber Thompson, County Auditor Gwen Bailey and Jones County Sheriff Danny Jimenez.

The Commissioners approved the minutes of the August 10, 2020 meeting after Judge Spurgin opened the meeting. He then gave an update on Disaster Declaration #4166 and TDEM (Texas Division of Emergency Management), stating this disaster will take more then six months to complete and extensions may need to be submitted.

The Commissioners approved the Order of General Election after County Clerk Jennings stated this is a required formality. Judge Spurgin reminded the Court that the TxDOT Local Government Assistance Program will end the last of August, as the State of Texas begins a new fiscal year.

Judge Spurgin gave an update on TxDOT Local County Transportation Infrastructure Fund (CTIF) Grant for $256,644. He stated a proposed resolution was submitted to the Abilene District Office and they are waiting for them to return the proposed contract for the Court to approve. He participated in a webinar on how this grant will “be played out.” It is basically the same process as the 2014 grant.

Concerning Advertisement for Material and Material Hauling Bids, Lee Stephens and Mike Maples returned their agreements and they passed the SAMs (System for Award Management) background clearance. It was approved for these two vendors to be added to the vendors list.

The Commissioners reenacted the Burn Ban for ninety days and authorized Judge Spurgin to lift it if the weather permits. The current Declaration of Disaster of Local State of Disaster for Jones County expired August 24, 2020. The Commissioners approved to extend it until the second meeting in September, on September 28, 2020. Judge Spurgin stated as of today the count for positive cases of COVID-19 is seven for Jones County. He stated he would like to get input from local schools since school is in session. It was agreed to wait and see if there are more cases reported and revisit applying for a mask exemption at the next Court meeting on September 14, 2020.

Judge Spurgin gave an update concerning the 2020 Census project. The deadline has been moved up 30 days. Local reports have to be turned in by the end of September. Workers have been sent out to go door to door for the next five weeks and will have proper credentials with them.

Three Juvenile Probation Housing Contracts for the next fiscal year were approved by the Court. These locations include the Taylor County Juvenile Detention Center in Abilene, TX; The Grayson County Juvenile Detention Center in Dennison, TX; and Cornerstone in Post, TX.

The county treasurer’s report was presented by Amber Thompson and approved. Judge Spurgin read Thompson’s resignation letter dated August 20, 2020. The reason sited was Thompson and her family will be moving. Applications and resumes will be accepted until 9:00 am, September 14, 2020 at Judge Spurgin’s office.

Interviews will begin on September 28, 2020 and he anticipates a decision will be made by the regular meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. The candidate will begin training on November 2, 2020. Action on the letter will be taken at 8:30 am on August 25, 2020 in the Jones County Commissioners Courtroom.

Amend Budget, Approve Line Item Transfers and Pay Bills were approved. The 2021 Proposed Budget was discussed and accepted, to be adopted at the September 28, 2020 meeting. The 2020 Tax Rate has been decreased by nearly five cents. No Public Hearing is required due to the adoption of the No New Revenue Tax Rate. The Commissioners voted to adopt the 2020 Tax Rate. These documents will be on the Jones County website at co.jones.tx.us.

Judge Spurgin convened the Texas Midwest Board and invited them to attend the Court’s Executive Session. The Executive Session met in the Jones County Commissioners Courtroom on the third floor of the Courthouse, Anson, Texas. During the two-hour Executive Session, Attorney Herb Bristow and Dan Jocelyn of MTC discussed with the Commissioners an ICE modification for staffing to be in place for 500 detainees. The move to the agreed upon 750 beds will be strongly encouraged to happen in the next six months, February 25, 2021. The Commissioners approved the modification from August 26, 2020 to February 25, 2021. With no further business the meeting was adjourned.

The Texas Midwest Board met and approved requisitions pertaining to the operation of the Bluebonnet Detention Center. It was approved to authorize Judge Spurgin to permit regular bills to be paid. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.