Commissioners hear call service proposals, road complaints

It was a day of approving and accepting a number of agenda items during the July 14 Van Zandt County Commissioners Court.

Kicking off the meeting was Precinct 3 resident David Jones. Jones asked the commissioners if there was ever going to be any “vision or forethought” concerning the state of the county’s roads.

Jones said he lived off VZCR 3502 and moved to the county a year ago, but said that he wished he would have “checked things out before buying property.”

“I have ruined my pickup truck in just one year. I had planned to live here for a while but have become disappointed with the state of the roads. I have advertised my property to sell, and the conditions of the roads have turned off a couple of prospective buyers,” Jones said.

The VZC voters recently approve a special road tax that will be specifically used for the maintenance and repair of roads throughout the county.

Anthony Katsoulas and Ronnie Jones also spoke to commissioners regarding the appointment of Jesse Ison to the Constable Pct. 2 position. See related article.

County Auditor Freddy Thomas and County IT Director Scott Slaton teamed up to offer information on a contract regarding the inmate telephone service at the VZC Jail.

Thomas, Slaton and VZC Chief Deputy George Flowers were appointed to a committee to research the best options on communication software and companies, along with obtaining bids for the cost of the service.

Thomas informed the court that the committee had received four bids on the communication service and that the committee deemed that IC Data Communications service was the best fit for the county, based largely off of the fees associated with the service.

Thomas said that every time an inmate makes a phone call, a fee is charged. 

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