Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

In their regular meeting on Monday, July 14, Stephens County Commissioners approved additional funding for the Stephens County Humane Society, as well as a proposal to explore a federal grant opportunity for an emergency operations center and the purchase of new reporting software for the district clerk’s office.

The commissioners also took care of a variety of other county business during the meeting.

Humane Society Receives Additional Support

Monday morning’s Stephens County Commissioners meeting included an invocation by Father Christopher Columbus from Sacred Heart Catholic Church, center, and was attended by various county officials and staff members. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The commissioners voted unanimously to provide $8,000 in additional funding to the Humane Society, bringing the organization’s total allocation to $10,000 for the year from the county’s $20,000 annual budget for animal services.

County Judge Michael Roach explained the Humane Society’s urgent need for additional funds, saying they “ran to a situation where there was…a bunch of dogs, 30…that they’re trying to foster.”

The situation involved an estate case where a person died, leaving “a considerable number of dogs,” Commissioner David Fambro said.

The Humane Society stepped in and worked to relocate the dogs, saving the local Sheriff’s Office the expense and hassle of seizing and dealing with the dogs, he said.

Roach said the $8,000 allocation, plus $2,000 given to the Humane Society in a previous meeting, represents half of the county’s annual animal services budget. The budgeted funds also will be used to pay for euthanasia of dogs found in the county, when necessary.

Fambro said this would likely be the organization’s final allocation for the current budget year. “This is more than what the court’s given in the past,” he said. “That’s probably it for this budget session.”

Roach said that for the next budget cycle, he wants the Humane Society to present a report on their finances to the commissioners court. “(It’s) something that other people do, just so we can see what’s going on there,” he said. “It’s a nonprofit. And … I don’t want to see their check register, but just balances and kind of what they’re doing.”

Animal Control Interlocal Agreement

In another animal-related item, the county commissioners approved an interlocal agreement between the county and the City of Breckenridge for animal control services.

After several negotiations between City and County officials, the entities eventually agreed that Stephens County will pay the City of Breckenridge $30,000 for animal control services. Those services will include housing, care, feeding, medical treatment and other necessary services, for any animals “delivered to the (Breckenridge) Animal Shelter by the Animal Control Officers, Police Department, Sheriff’s Officers and the public as well as any animal ordered to be delivered to the shelter by the Breckenridge Municipal Court Judge, Stephens County Justice of the Peace, Stephens County Judge, 90th Judicial District Judge,” according to the agreement posted by the City of Breckenridge in its July 1 City Commission meeting agenda.

The County will pay the $30,000 in monthly payments and will also pay for the euthanization of any County-originated animals, as necessary.

The City Commissioners approved the agreement at the July 1 meeting, and the County Commissioners approved the final agreement on Monday, July 14.

Roach and Stephens County Treasurer Kelsey Cornwall said that because the County budget year starts in January, the County will pay the City $17,500 to bring the County up to date on this year’s payments for animal control services.

Emergency Operations Center Grant

During Monday’s meeting, Stephens County Emergency Management Coordinator David Leonard presented commissioners with an opportunity to pursue a $20 million federal grant through the Economic Development Administration for infrastructure improvements, specifically for an emergency operations center for the county.

“The current Emergency Operations Center is very small, very limited, and would not be functional in a large situation,” Leonard told commissioners.

The existing EOC is located in a training room at the law enforcement center with limited capabilities. Leonard suggested examining the county’s annex building at 222 N. Baylor Ave., across the street from the Stephens County Law Enforcement Center, as a potential location for a new command center. The grant would operate on an 80-20 funding split, with the federal government covering 80% of costs.

“We would need TV screens…We would need breakout offices,” Leonard said about the proposed facility’s requirements.

The commissioners unanimously approved allowing Leonard to explore the grant assessment phase and report back with options.

District Clerk Software Purchase

Commissioners approved spending up to $15,000 from the County and District Court technology fund for new reporting software from i3 Verticals for the district clerk’s office.

The software purchase stems from a state reporting requirement that was discovered when the clerk’s office found its case clearance numbers were incorrect.

The purchase includes $2,000 for initial setup, $3,000 for annual maintenance, and up to $10,000 for data conversion services.

Other Business

The commissioners also:

• Approved a lease amendment with All Copy to replace a black and white copier in the elections office with a color unit for the county constable, resulting in a cost increase of less than $200 monthly
• Reappointed Vicki Street to a two-year term on the Betty Hardwick Center board of trustees
• Authorized an updated interlocal agreement for bond supervision officer services, with Stephens County’s portion increasing from $7,000 to $8,546 annually. The agreement includes the City of Olney, City of Graham, City of Breckenridge, Young County and Stephens County.
• Approved applying for a state feral hog grant for trap purchases only, but declined to pursue the bounty portion of the feral hog program.

The next regular commissioners meeting is scheduled for July 28.

Cutline, top photo: During Monday’s meeting, Stephens County Emergency Management Coordinator David Leonard, left, presented commissioners with an opportunity to pursue a federal grant for creating a local emergency operations center. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)