Commissioners Hire Company to Clear Downed Trees, Discuss Lake Limestone Boat Ramps and Bathroom Facilities

Limestone County commissioners spent most of their meeting Tuesday, June 25, discussing infrastructure issues that need attention, including the downed trees and debris on county roads; bathroom facilities; and boat ramps at Lake Limestone.
Commissioners continued their discussion about the restrooms at Lake Limestone (Parks 2 and 3) from the last meeting, and Duncan shed light on the quotes provided by Murphy Septic & Maintenance, and D&M Septic, in a more clear “apples to apples, oranges to oranges” cost comparison.
“I talked with Murphy and got the cost per container (portable restroom) and it will be 80 dollars for each container monthly, which includes weekly cleaning. We have four containers. D&M comes in at 95 dollars per container.”
He also stated Murphy would demolish the existing structure at Park 2 for $1,500, and commissioners approved awarding the job to Murphy Septic & Maintenance.
Commissioners also discussed the posts and PVC pipes that had been added to the boat ramps for guidance at Park 3, which are now under water, according to Road and Bridge Administrator James Trantham.
“The posts that we drove in the ground were covered with PVC pipe extending up so it was visible,” Trantham said. “All the T-posts are underwater, and the pipe is gone.”
County Judge Richard Duncan inquired about putting a taller pipe on the posts, but that would require a boater with the proper equipment.
Sheriff Murray Agnew chimed in that with the pipe being gone and the posts they were on now under water, it poses a risk to boaters, jet skiers and swimmers who may not be aware of their presence.
Commissioners instructed Trantham to contact contractors with boat-ramp building experience, perhaps Limestone Contractors, to inquire about the cost of removing the posts or adding taller PVC pipe so that a decision can be made at the next meeting.
Duncan provided some details on a plan of action for removing the remaining downed trees and debris on county roads after the significant spring storms.
“I met with emergency management folks this past week, and their rules are very strict on getting reimbursed; but, I think we will be able to follow all their rules. The problem we have is, our local policy requires us to get two quotes, and I will tip my hat to anybody that can get me another quote. I submitted a list of roads to this company, Texas Tree Trimmers, and they will do it for $42,000.”
The list Duncan submitted included county Roads 433, 439, 454, 504, 470, 468, 374, 406, 194, 244, and 250; these roads were chosen by the commissioners as in need of the most work.
Commissioner Bobby Forrest noted that the Road and Bridge Department does not have the manpower and resources to do all the work themselves, and even if they focused all their efforts on tree-removal, other responsibilities like shredding and mowing would suffer. He suggested finding the money for the job from a non-taxpayer line of the budget.
Duncan worried that if they are pleased with the work by Texas Tree Trimmers and want to contract them for more tree-clearing work, they’d be in violation of the bid process. County Auditor Natasha Goodman confirmed that the company could not be contracted for more work within this budget year. Forrest inquired about exceptions to the rule, since the county declared a state of disaster and are seeking FEMA support.
“I’ll have to look more into that,” Goodman said. “When you’re paying one vendor more than $50,000 in one budget year, that’s when you’re supposed to go out for the sealed bids, quotes, and the requests for proposals. I would rather get some more information before going forward.”
Forrest felt strongly that the work should be done sooner rather than later. Goodman confirmed that the funding could come from the LaSalle Corrections/Unanticipated Revenue line of the budget. Forrest moved to approve spending up to $42,000 for debris/tree clean up by the Texas Tree Trimmers and the motion passed, with all commissioners voting “aye” with the exception of Commissioner Bill David Sadler, who was absent from the meeting.
Commissioners also briefly discussed possible action on a letter from the Alamo Letter Society regarding a “Victory or Death” plaque, but tabled the matter until a representative can address the court and provide more context.
In other business, the court:
Approved the consent agenda;
Took no action on the county burn ban (it remains OFF at time of press);
Approved a replat of Pedro Valera Survey, A-30, splitting four acres on Hwy 14 into six lots;
Approved paying contract labor for Lori Collins for assisting recently appointed Justice of the Peace 3 Jeff Melasky settle in; and
Approved four budget transfers:
#655 for the Fairgrounds (moving $3734 to cover additional expenses)
#656 for the Co. Court Coordinator (moving $175 to replace a broken chair)
#657 for Road & Bridge (moving $200,000 for the purchase of a backhoe and road materials) and
#658 for Dispatch (moving $300 to replace broken desk chairs)
The next regular Commissioners' Court meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, 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).