The Blanco County Commissioners held a Regular meeting on October 14, 2014.
After Judge Guthrie called the meeting to order the Court stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Blanco County Clerk Laura Walla read the minutes of the Special meeting held on September 23, 2014. There were no additions or corrections to the minutes and the minutes were approved as read. Blanco County Clerk Walla also presented the minutes of a Special meeting of September 30th, 2014. There was no discussion, and the minutes of the September 30, 2014 meeting were approved as read.
Judge Guthrie asked the Court to consider approval of non-compliant purchases by the Blanco County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office. Blanco County Tax Assessor-Collector Hollis Boatright was present and she addressed the Court. “Some of the course requirements for my continuing education have changed and a P.O. was not used.” Judge Guthrie asked Boatright if she had paid for the required coursework on her own credit card, and he was told that she had. Judge Guthrie asked the Court to approve payment for the non-compliant purchases and a motion to approve was made by Commissioner Sultemeier. Commissioner Liesmann seconded the motion, and there was no discussion or opposition; the motion carried.
Judge Guthrie told the Commissioners he had received a request from a constituent to declare November 2014 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in Blanco County. Commissioner Granberg gave a motion to declare November 2014 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in Blanco County and Commissioner Sultemeier seconded the motion. This motion passed.
The Court considered including jurors and election judges under the County Workers Compensation policy. Judge Guthrie told the Commissioners, “Apparently this has not been done in the past, and two or more people have fallen. Sometimes election judges must come and go late at night also. We are holding more and more jury trials, and this would not be a big expense for us, it would not be a problem to cover this. I have been told we need an order from the Court to proceed with this, and I am asking for authorization to cover jurors and election judges under workers comp.” Commissioner Granberg asked if the benefits would be paid under payroll. Judge Guthrie answered that his greatest concern was injuries, and that benefits paid would be very small. Commissioner Wood made a motion to include jurors and election judges under the County Workers Compensation policy, and this motion was seconded by Commissioner Liesmann. There was no further discussion, and the action was approved.
The Commissioners Court considered resetting the Regular Commissioners Court meeting scheduled for November 11, 2014 due to the holiday. Judge Guthrie told the Commissioners that November 12th is the first day to canvas votes, and on that day he has an executive board meeting in Austin. Commissioner Liesmann also has classes scheduled for November 12th. Judge Guthrie asked if the Regular meeting could be moved to 2 p.m. on November 12th. A motion was given and seconded to reset the Regular meeting for November 12th at 2 p.m. No discussion followed and the motion carried.
The Commissioners went on to consider the proposed holiday schedule for Blanco County for 2015. Judge Guthrie asked if there were any suggestions, changes or opposition to the proposed schedule. There were none, and a motion to approve the schedule was presented by Commissioner Liesmann and seconded by Commissioner Wood; this motion passed.
There was discussion of participation in the Texas Colorado River Floodplain Coalition’s Hazard Mitigation Plan update process. According to Judge Guthrie, “We have talked about this before. If we do this on our own the estimated cost is about $65,000. This group has grant update and we have participated with them before. If we do this with them our share is $2,000 of the matching grant. We also want to keep the plan in place for reimbursement and for our Emergency Operations Plan Update.” Commissioner Sultemeier made a motion to authorize participation in the Texas Colorado River Floodplain Coalition’s Hazard Mitigation Plan update process, and County Commissioner Liesmann seconded the motion. There was no discussion and the motion carried.
The Commissioners Court considered resolution authorizing the grant of $5,000 to the Meals on Wheels Program for FY 2014-2015. Judge Guthrie said this item is a budgeted item. Commissioner Granberg gave a motion to authorize a $5,000 grant to Meals on Wheels Program for FY 2014-2015. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sultemeier. No discussion followed and the action passed.
The Commissioners approved the estimated October payroll of $278,999.64 with a motion to approve from Commissioner Liesmann and a second from Commissioner Sultemeier. All official reports were approved by the Court with the exception of Precinct One. Judge Guthrie noted that the Constable of Precinct One is in the hospital. A motion to approve the official reports was made by Commissioner Sultemeier and seconded by Commissioner Wood. Commissioner Wood gave a motion to approve the outstanding bills in the amount of $210,648.06. Commissioner Wood’s motion was seconded by Commissioner Granberg. Judge Guthrie told the Court that the County Treasurer and Auditor were present and asked if there was discussion or opposition; there was none.
Judge Guthrie told the Court there appeared to be no other business of the Regular meeting. A motion to adjourn was given by Commissioner Liesmann and seconded by Commissioner Granberg.
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