Commissioners Finalize End of Year Spending; Enact Burn Ban

Limestone County commissioners approved several budget transfers during their meeting Tuesday, Aug. 13, and enacted the county burn ban at the recommendation of Emergency Management Coordinator Matt Groveton.
Following up on a previous presentation, Texas PACE Authority President Charlene Heydinger visited the court to encourage the adoption of her program. She explained the next steps required of the county to establish the financing program focused on commercial property improvement for local business owners at no cost to the county.
After Heydinger answered a few questions from County Judge Richard Duncan, commissioners approved a resolution of intent to establish a PACE program, scheduling a public hearing at the next commissioners court meeting so that citizens have a chance to ask questions or raise any concerns before the county establishes the program.
Regarding the Road and Bridge Department, commissioners approved auctioning nine pieces of surplus equipment, then spent some time conversing with County Auditor Natasha Goodman about how much and which funds to move to purchase a dump truck. With a price tag of about $188,000, the Road and Bridge equipment line does not have sufficient funds for the purchase. The court considered using some of the remaining ARPA funds, as well as the unanticipated revenue line, ultimately deciding to move $150,000 from unanticipated revenue, and $40,000 from the road material line to the Road and Bridge equipment line for the dump truck purchase, and to put any money from surplus equipment sales back into the road material line once it is received.
Duncan briefly explained a proposed interlocal agreement between Limestone County and the Texas Department of Public Safety, which names DPS as the responsible party for management, maintenance and improvements to the Drivers License Office, at no cost to the county. The agreement was approved.
In other business, the court:

• Approved the consent agenda;
• Enacted the county burn ban (now ON);
• Approved the monthly operation reports and safety report;
• Approved the 2024-2025 Holiday Calendar (no change from last year); and
• Approved several budget transfers:

1. 663 - Dispatch - moving $350 from the conferences and schools to pre-employment testing;
2. 664- Road and Bridge- for record, moving $39,000 from contingencies to road equipment for purchase of a dump trailer as discussed in a previous meeting;
3. 665- Emergency Management- for record, moving $6,000 from contingencies to communication tower for purchase of backup repeaters as discussed in a previous meeting;
4. 666- Facility Management- moving $5,000 from repair and maintenance to building repair and maintenance;
5. 667- County Jail- moving $29,0400 from various lines to cover extra labor costs and inspections;
6. 669- Road and Bridge- moving $169,110 from various lines to pay for storm debris cleanup, seasonal labor and overtime; and
7. 670- Sheriff’s Office- moving $3,000 from gas to vehicle equipment for outfitting a new vehicle.

The next regular Commissioners' Court meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, in the county courthouse. The meetings are open to the public but also available for live-streaming or later playback on YouTube (search: Limestone County Commissioners Court).
The agenda and relevant attachments are also available online at https://limestonecotx.portal.civicclerk.com/