County to help Streetman VFD by refurbishing grass truck

County to help Streetman VFD by refurbishing grass truck Subhead County to help Roxanne Thompson Wed, 04/24/2024 - 15:58 Image

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by refurbishing grass truck

Freestone County Commissioners have agreed to pitch in funds to help Streetman VFD with the cost of refurbishing their grass truck.

The court made that decision at its April 17 meeting, when the commissioners also heard an update on tax sale funds held by the district clerk; learned about new court confidentiality policy; committed to paying a percentage of the courthouse renovations; and made other decisions regarding the county’s finances and well-being.

As for Streetman’s grass truck, Streetman firefighter John Sutton told the court members that the 21-year-old vehicle is constantly having to be repaired. Supporters and well-wishers have been pledging donations and holding fundraisers to come up with the funds to not only purchase a new chassis but also a new pump and motor.

The pledges and fundraisers now total $38,628, leaving $24,580 still needed. Sutton requested the court consider providing those funds.

“We feel like this is absolutely essential to have this,” he said. “We believe this is our primary firefighting vehicle.”

Ultimately, the court voted to give Streetman VFD $24,580 toward the balance of the grass truck.

TAX SALE FUNDS HELD BY THE DISTRICT CLERK

On a separate matter, County Judge Linda Grant reported to the court on the status of tax sale funds being held by the district clerk.

“We have a large number of funds that are being held, and the district clerk has received some funds now,” Grant said. “We had to have the lawyers that work with us in the taxing area go back and research everything and get those orders to the district judge; and a number of those have been completed. But I don’t have the list on them yet; they’re still working on those. Some of them have already gone through, and she does have checks already.”

Grant added that they want to wait until County Treasurer Jeannie Keeney checks the amounts one more time.

COURT CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY AND AGREEMENT

In other business, County Judge Linda Grant told the commissioners the Supreme Court is requiring all courts to have a confidentiality policy and agreement.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Lloyd Lane compared the confidentiality policy to HIPPA confidentiality on medical issues. A training session will take place at a later date.

COURT ASKED TO PAY MORE FOR COURTHOUSE RENOVATIONS

On a separate agenda item, the county has been asked whether it would be willing to pay more than 15 percent of the price of the cost pf renovating the courthouse.

“We’re going to have to do it,” Grant said of the courthouse repair. “The mortar is falling out from between the bricks.”

She reminded the commissioners that the repairs and the payment for the repairs will extend over several fiscal years, making the payment easier to complete.

Ultimately, the commissioners voted to commit to providing the 15 percent share of the cost. They also discussed possibly providing more money if additional funds become available.

OTHER COURT DECISIONS

In other matters, the commissioners:

• Took no action to reinstate a burn ban;

• Accepted a donation of $11,500 to the Sheriff’s Office from Atmos Energy;

• Agreed to apply for credit with a company called Rexel that a repairman has been using when removing light ballasts as lights go out and replacing the old style light bulbs with LED bulbs, which don’t require a ballast; and,

• Proclaimed April 28 through May 5 to be Soil & Water Stewardship Week for the Freestone County Soil & Water Conservation District No. 424.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

During the Pubic Comments portion of the meeting, retired civil engineer Charles Morgan addressed the court, telling how he believes the low-frequency noise produced by oil-andgas compressor stations in the county are the cause of his high blood pressure; and has other deleterious health effects on people.