Commissioners approve FWSC grant

Due to an upcoming meeting in Frisco, the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court held its regular meeting two days early on May 14 in the VZC Courthouse.

At the beginning of the meeting, VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick reminded those in attendance that Early Voting for the May 22 Primary Runoff Elections was underway and would continue through Friday, May 18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Extended hours were available Wednesday, May 16 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Following a request from VZC Treasurer Teri Pruitt, the commissioners approved her to process the payroll for the pay date of Friday, May 18.

Pruitt agreed to provide the regular payroll reports to the Commissioners Court for ratification at their next regular meeting set for Wednesday, May 30.

“Not all of the time sheets have been turned in as of now (May 14),” pointed out Pruitt . “I have calculated the ones that I have received. The time sheets from the sheriff’s department will arrive at noon today (May 14).”

In other business, the re-platting of the La Fortuna Estate in Pct. 1 was approved following a presentation from Exit Realty Pro Broker/Owner Mike Murdock of Canton.

Following a presentation by Fruitvale Water Supply Corporation Representative Judy Woodrum, the commissioners’ court approved the sponsoring of an application by the FWSC for a $250,000 2019-‘20 Texas Community Development block grant to be submitted to the Texas Department of Agriculture.

 “This grant would allow us to replace almost four miles of water line which serves about 60 customers,” pointed out Woodrum. “This would allow us to upgrade our lines. This would benefit our system. This is the start of a two-year process to try to get this grant application approved.”

Commissioners also approved authorizing the FWSC to proceed with procurement of professional services for the 2019-‘20 Texas Community Development block grant application.

A request to extend the current lease agreement between VZC and the South Van Zandt Volunteer Fire Department for an additional two years was approved following a presentation by South Van Zandt Volunteer Fire Department President Tim Meredith. The agreement will now expire on Dec. 31, 2022.

A request for funds from the Unclaimed Capital Credits from electric cooperatives was approved by the commissioners’ court. Kirkpatrick said that any funds received would go toward economic development.

A contract between VZC and the Office of the Attorney General, Title IV-D, was approved by the commissioners’ court following a presentation by VZC District Clerk Karen Wilson.

“This is an agreement in regards to the attorney general court that we have here once a month,” said Wilson. “What they are wanting to do is install their own routers into each courthouse that they come to because they have so much sensitive data. They want to install their own routers for their protection. We have to provide a room and they have already talked to our IT department about securing a room that they would have access to. There is no cost to the county. If we have to move the room, we have to give their office a 30-day advance notice. They do all of their own installation.”

As required by health and safety codes, the commissioners’ court approved the financial statement from Emergency Service District (ESD) #2 and entered the information into the court’s minutes as a matter of record.

Following a presentation by VZC Pct. 3 Commissioner Keith Pearson, the commissioners’ court agreed to change the mobile equipment deductible on the property renewal policy with the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) from $2,500 to $1,000.

Commissioners agreed to authorize themselves to participate in an upcoming Equify Auction to buy equipment.

Monthly reports submitted by various offices and departments of VZC government were approved and entered into the court’s minutes as a matter of record.

A series of fiscal year 2018 budget amendments were approved following a presentation by Kirkpatrick.

The next regular meeting of the VZC Commissioners Court is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 30 in the VZC Courthouse.