County Dumps to Get New Offices
Glasscock County Commissioners discussed new, portable “offices” for use at the county’s two dumpsites at their regular meeting Jan. 10. The present facilities, many years old, are said to be in very bad shape, and not worth repairing. Commissioner Michael Hoch was to talk to Rusty Hollingsworth to see if his students could build the new structures fairly soon. If not, the county will probably purchase portable 8 x 12-foot buildings, which can be insulated and equipped with a bathroom, plus a kitchen sink and counter.
Extension Agent Charlene Belew reported that each extension office in the state recently conducted a survey of volunteer fire departments’ needs, the results of which went first to College Station, then to the governor and to the state forest service. She said the survey hopefully will help get more state funding for VFD’s.
Commissioners discussed, but decided against putting a county burn ban into effect. They didn’t think a ban would help, and would be hard to enforce. Commissioner Mark Halfmann said Sterling and Glasscock are the only counties in the western part of the state without such a ban.
No Fire Protection Coordinator for Now
The court also discussed but decided against having a fire protection coordinator. Commissioner Marck Schafer said a coordinator should come from within the volunteer fire departments, if they want one. A person in such a position would coordinate personnel and equipment, both local and from other counties, in case of a wildfire. County Judge Wilburn Bednar is the county’s emergency management coordinator.
Commissioner Jimmy Strube suggested the county buy two GPS units for aerial mapping of water reservoir locations in the county, then put the units in fire trucks. He said the county should make advance arrangements to enlist the aid of local pilots in the event of wildfires.
County Employee Holidays Set for Year
County Holidays for 2006 were set as follows: Jan. 16 and Feb. 20 (courthouse only); April 14, May 29, July 3 & 4, Sept. 4 (courthouse and road crew); Oct. 9 (courthouse); Nov. 23 & 24 (courthouse and road crew); Dec. 25 & 26 (courthouse); Dec. 25 – 29 (road crew); Jan 1, 2007 (courthouse and road crew).
The court passed a resolution that will allow the county to apply for money from a state pool if it encounters large expenses in legal defense services for indigent citizens. County Treasurer Alan Dierschke said the county has spent $400 for indigent defense so far in 2006. A county must spend a baseline of $1,500 before it can apply for pool money.