County Opens Search for Ag Agent
At their Jan. 12 meeting, Glasscock County Commissioners decided to open the county agricultural agent’s job immediately, so the search for someone to replace Steve Sturtz can begin. County Judge Wilburn Bednar was to contact the district cooperative extension office to notify them that the job is officially available. The salary is negotiable at this time. According to Commissioner Jimmy Strube, the usual extension organization practice is to make the job available only to internal extension personnel for two or three months, then if no acceptable person has been found, open the job to people outside the system as well. Sturtz recently resigned to take the agriculture agent’s job in San Angelo. Commissioner Mark Halfmann said the county agent in Sterling County is not interested in the job, but at least two other men are interested, including one who is currently outside the extension system.
Commissioners voted to hire the Allison-Bass law firm of San Angelo to do the legal work necessary to be sure that the county has legal possession of all county roads. The work will cost $7,250, assuming no litigation is necessary.
Emergency Management Plan in the Works
A “first reading” of a county emergency management plan was approved. Emergency Management Coordinator Kenny Batla has been working on the plan, a final version of which is due to the state by Feb. 15.
The commissioners questioned a bill from the county appraisal district because the county’s share was more than $7,000 higher than last year, while the school’s portion dropped more than $5,000. No one present could explain the increase, but the bill was approved for payment.
The county’s chief tax appraiser is Royce Pruit. Members of the appraisal board are Hugh Schafer, Vernon Gill and Dale Hillger, representing the county; Dennis Fuchs, Eugene Hirt and Wilburn Bednar representing the school district.
Commissioners passed a resolution concerning an indigent defense grant. The grants provide money to assist counties in providing legal defense as necessary for indigent citizens. County Treasurer Alan Dierschke said Glasscock County spent more than $700 for indigent legal defenses (court-appointed attorneys) in 2003. Dierschke said the state is building a fund for future use as needed by small counties, which could be bankrupt by a case such as capital murder involving an indigent defendant.
New Heating/Cooling for Courthouse Ground Floor; Storm Sirens for G.C.?
Bednar asked commissioners for suggestions regarding where to get bids for an air conditioning/heating unit for the offices and hallways downstairs in the courthouse. A few suggestions were made. He also asked if commissioners were interested in considering storm sirens, saying, “We’ve been talking about it for 20 years.” Commissioners Michael Hoch and Mark Halfmann said they were interested. Bednar said Deputy Keith Burnett was checking into a Homeland Security grant which might provide funding.