The Blanco County Commissioners held a Special meeting of the Blanco County Commissioners Court on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioners Courtroom of the Blanco County located in Johnson City, Blanco County, Texas. All four County Commissioners and Blanco County Judge Bill Guthrie attended the Special meeting.
Judge Guthrie called the meeting to order and said that there would be discussion of the Proposed 2014-2015 Budget (Fiscal Year October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015). The general public and any other interest parties or persons were invited to attend and make comments regarding the Proposed 2014-2015 Blanco County Budget. Judge Guthrie asked if anyone from the public wished to speak regarding specifics of the County Budget.
Al Foerster stepped to the podium and said he had questions for Blanco County Commissioner Paul Granberg. Foerster began, “My questions are regarding a project that is not mentioned in the budget, but it is my understanding it will be funded next year. Can you show me your priorities please on how Middle Creek Road needs a bridge more than the Chimney Valley (County Road 407) low water crossing? How is that?”
Blanco County Commissioner Granberg replied, “County Road 407, over previous years, was elevated in 2002 and it has basically been rebuilt. It was designed as a low water crossing and that is all it has ever been or will be. There are no further plans for it. Middle Creek Road, there was never anything there. You just drive in water over the hill. The landowners donated the right-of-way to us and recently the funding became available. The engineering bid will not be completed until the engineering studies are done. The soil core samples must be completed by the geo-techs. If the bid matches our funding we can move forward. If not then we wait for more funds, because there will be no increase in funding.”
Foerster asked, “What about the people on Chimney Valley Road, it seems like they need help when there is heavy rain. This is not a problem on Middle Creek, or a safety issue. Most of the residents are opposed to it. So why do we need it?”
County Commissioner Granberg answered, “Because this is our plan for the future. Low water crossings on the Blanco River sooner or later must be rehabbed. This [project] will be good for 100 years if we do it now. This is with regard to safety and additional repairs for a long time…this is the only part of the county road that is not paved.”
Forester asked, “Why a bridge then? It does not make sense to spend money there.” County Commissioner Granberg said, “Low water crossings will flood. County Road 407 was never more than a low water crossing.” Judge Guthrie said, “I would like to comment, because this is a public hearing. No additional money will be added for this project. The County Commissioners have received funds from the refinance of Certificates of Obligation fund for road and bridge projects. There will be no additional funds from the County Budget.”
Judge Guthrie told the Commissioners Court, “There are a few housekeeping matters and a few fee changes pertaining to payroll accounts in the Sheriff’s Office with regard to the proposed 2014-2014 Blanco County Budget.” Judge Guthrie said the issue has been a recurring one for payroll as employees and salaries changed. He directed the attention of the Court to those changes and the changes were duly noted.
Judge Guthrie continued, “The District Attorney (DA) had asked for three thousand dollars toward a matching grant for a special prosecutor on sexual assault cases. My first thought was that this cost will only escalate. However, we have learned that Burnet and Llano Counties approved the requests. What this means is that our three thousand dollars is critical to the DA regarding his grant. We can do this now or wait and pay the full percentage later for this employee. My recommendation is to do this now.”
Judge Guthrie told the Court, “If there is nothing else to add or correct we are ready to make a motion to approve the 2014-2015 Blanco County Budget with corrections.” Blanco County Commissioner John Wood made a motion to accept the 2014-2015 Blanco County Budget with corrections. This motion was seconded by County Commissioner James Sultemeier. No discussion followed and the motion carried. There was no further business, and Blanco County Commissioner Granberg gave a motion to adjourn. County Commissioner Chris Liesmann seconded Commissioner Granberg’s motion and the Special meeting adjourned.
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