County Adds Dollars to Reserves
Glasscock County Treasurer Alan Dierschke reported to the commissioners’ court (Jimmy Strube absent) Oct. 12 that in the last two years, the county has doubled its reserve funds. He said at the end of the 2003-2004 fiscal year, he was able to add $207,000 to the general fund, giving a total of $673,000 (which translates to approx. 5 months of operating money). Also, he said $2,500 was added to the Garden City Water System’s reserves, making a total of $56,000.
Dierschke reported that the fund for community center bond debt grew by $40,000 and now has a balance of $183,000, $50,000 more than the amount needed for the next payment.
Sheriff Royce Pruit met with the court regarding two matters, which the court addressed last month: an invoice submitted by Nancy Hillger, and his department’s request for new vehicles. Hillger had invoiced the county for 105 hours of office cleaning dating from January through August, presumably to be paid at the county’s lowest part-time rate of $9.50 per hour. The county court took no action last month on payment of the invoice, saying they had no knowledge of any cleaning arrangement with Hillger. Courthouse custodian Diane Havlak is now cleaning those offices, Pruit said. Commissioner Mark Halfmann said paying Hillger for the work might open the door for other courthouse employees who also did their own office cleaning for several months when they were effectively without a custodian. The court tabled the matter until next month.
Court Changes Decision on Sheriff’s Vehicles
Regarding the vehicles, the sheriff’s department had requested a car and a pickup last month, but the court voted to buy two pickups instead. Pruit told the court Oct.12 that a pickup has been ordered, but Deputy Ken Zunker wants to drive a car, not a pickup, citing the need for trunk space. Pruit also said he personally favors a car for the extra speed it provides. With little discussion, the court agreed to purchase a car (Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor model).
Eugene Jost spoke to the court regarding a need for caliche on an unnumbered county road east of Hwy. 33 in the southeast part of the county. He said the road was approved for improvement two or three years ago, and that should have been enough time to get more of it topped with caliche. Commissioner Mark Halfmann said the road has been kept in good shape except in times of heavy rains. He said he told Jost when the county built the road that it wouldn’t be finished all at once, but would be worked on as the county could get to it. He cited the long haul from available caliche pits to the road in question as one of the problems. Commissioner Michael Hoch agreed with Halfmann, and said there is also a road in his precinct that is in serious need of improvement, and said it, too, will be done as soon as possible.
Warning Siren Discussed
The court again discussed a warning siren for Garden City, with an estimated price tag from $12 – $13,000. The siren would have more than one tone (for different types of emergencies), broadcast in a circular pattern, and be radio-activated. Commissioners discussed the possibility of looking for a location that would be more central than the courthouse for better coverage of the town. They decided to ask a representative of the manufacturer to meet with them in order to get more information.
County Judge Wilburn Bednar reported that an oil company is interested in leasing 14 acres where it plans to reopen an old oil well. He said the offer was for 3/16 royalty and a $75 per acre leasing bonus. No one was sure what the county’s mineral interest is, nor whether it owns the surface. No action was taken, since the item was not on the court’s agenda, but apparently, Bednar is to discuss the matter with an attorney.
Community Center Sign Possible
Extension Agent Charlene Belew asked whether the court would approve the idea of a limestone marker engraved with the community center’s name, similar to the one at the Veterans’ Memorial, for placement at the northwest corner of the center’s lawn. The court agreed with the idea, and said it would handle the installation and electrical work for lighting the sign. She said 4-H youth want to see if they can get the stone donated, and plan to pay for the engraving with funds they have raised.
Belew also asked that something be done to improve drainage in the flowerbeds on the center’s west side, which she says have become eyesores. Halfmann said he and Andrea Hillger had been working on a plan to remedy that problem. Extension agent Randall Rakowitz asked for help in mounting a 10 ft. x 10 ft. projection screen in the large, middle room of the center. He said the screen has been setting in a box, apparently for a long while, and needs to be hung.
The court approved a still unwritten resolution that would allow the county to apply for state money for voting machines.