The Governing Body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 8th in the SC Courthouse at 9:30am. All commissioners and the county judge were present.

The Minutes from the February Meeting were Approved. Judge Campbell related, (concerning Item 8 from a previous meeting) that the light poles and protection poles have now been successfully removed from the four corners of Center Square.

He and the commissioners (concerning Item 14 from the previous meeting) stated their approval for the success of making the dumpsters available in the county for trash disposal. All implied that the usage has increased each time and they commended citizens for using them. They also commended the news medias for their assistance in publicizing their availability. Some commissioners stated that they would have the dumpsters available as needed unless the dumping becomes unmanageable.

The Officers’ Reports were Approved but Approval of Paying Monthly Expenses and Amend Budget Line Items was Tabled due to circumstances that have occurred which has left the county without an Auditor at present.

Larry Horn of Bronco Disaster Relief made a presentation, once again, asking that the county consider entering into a contract with his company in case their services were needed for disaster clean-up assistance. He has made two previous presentations but received no word on any decision. The commissioners, once again, expressed concern over cost to the county if FEMA did not pay for the charges and related that they felt they could take care of clean-up problems themselves if needed. Horn stated he did not foresee any problem with charges or reimbursement and felt a special concern since this is his own county. No action was taken at this meeting.

Nancy Smith with TxDot discussed bridge system information. Information that included inspections, photos, and what was wrong with each bridge was passed out to each commissioner as well as the judge. Each commissioner will be able to pick 3 to 4 bridges to be replaced by TxDot from the list sent from Austin. The county must pay 10% of the cost since Shelby County is no longer on the Disadvantaged County List. The county could pay the cost or can substitute “work done” on other bridges. The project is slated to begin in approximately two years but any work done on bridges beforehand can be transferred as credit to other bridges. If any bridge needs attention now, it can be worked on to make it passable for heavy loads until it can be repaired. Smith stated that the state’s main objective is school bus concerns.

Item 6 regarding the increase of budget for Justice of the Peace 1 secretary salary and Tax Assessor employee salary was Approved. Commissioner Lout explained of all the employees pay; theirs were under everyone else’s. The court approved to move their pay rates into a comparable $10.00 range. The salaries will be increase by the next pay date, with no budget adjustment till the end of the year. On an additional Item 10, Approved that any increases in pay scales will now have to be brought through the court for approval. Contract work will not be included in this agreement. This will be for full time, with benefit employees. Judge Campbell stated that the county needs a structured plan in regards to pay.

Item 7 concerning Approving a resolution appointing the County Judge and Assistant County Auditor, Clint Porterfield, as signatories for the 2009 Texas Community Development Program Grant – Tabled due to questions of necessity at the time.

Item 8 to authorize Precinct 2 to advertise for bids concerning the sale of an old cattle guard were Approved. Commissioner Lout explained that the cattle guard had been there for years, and it was in the way. The forest service donated the guard to the county and it can no longer be put to use. It was Approved to go out for bids and if none submitted; permission granted for Lout to dispose of the cattle yard as he sees fit.

Item 9 concerning authorization for Precinct 3 to advertise for bids on the sale of a Bomag twin drum roller packer were Approved as well.

As the meeting was about to be adjourned, a citizen asked to address the court and with permission; he went into criticism of his commissioner, Travis Rodgers, concerning the conditions of the roads on his side of the precinct. Commissioner Rodgers expressed that he and his six men are doing everything they can to keep up the roads, which is difficult during this prolonged rainy weather. After several minutes of back and forth discussion; Judge Campbell declared the meeting adjourned.

(At a previous meeting, it was Approved that anyone desiring to speak in court must be put on the Agenda formally.)