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Limestone County commissioners tabled a decision on the purchase of a dump trailer during their meeting Tuesday, July 9, where they also heard about AgriLife Extension projects and county showbarn expenses.
Commissioners discussed quotes for a dump trailer for the Road & Bridge Department, inquiring about the $10,000 price difference between the two best quotes for what Administrator James Trantham called, “pretty equivalent trailers.”
Commissioner Micah Anderson moved to table the decision until Trantham can personally examine each company’s trailer and determine which would better suit the county’s needs. The court approved tabling the matter.
Regarding end-of-year expenses at the County Showbarn, Director Tara Hill explained a few unexpected maintenance and repair costs. She also stated that a tractor’s ERG valve replacement may or may not be covered by warranty, and if it is not covered the invoice cost will put her over budget by about $700.
Commissioner Bobby Forrest inquired about any other lines of her budget that they could pull from, but Auditor Natasha Goodman stated that in other lines, she just has enough funds to make it to the end of the fiscal year.
During the course of the discussion, two motions by Forrest to table the decision until warranty coverage is confirmed or denied died without seconds.
Anderson pointed out that Hill still has other expenses and bills that must be paid, and Goodman chimed in that even if the valve replacement is covered by warranty, she will have no remaining funds for repair and maintenance for the final three months of the fiscal year.
Anderson’s motion to move $1,000 from the remaining ARPA funds to the fairgrounds maintenance and repair line passed 2-1, with Forrest voting “ nay” and Stephen Friday not in attendance.
New District 8 Agrilife Extension Administrator Jay Kingston introduced himself to the court and took some time to highlight the projects and initiatives that have been successful over the past year. He noted Sara Peters, who no longer works in the county, and Emily Fisher have provided the Master Gardeners with training and outreach opportunities, held a soil test drive, and helped provide free resources throughout the county, including dental cleanings, cancer screenings, eye checks and more.
“One of the most popular and sometimes the most fun programs is our 4H and Youth Development program,” Kingston said. “We worked together to do an ag day for your local fourth-graders; the knowledge of where food comes from is lacking in our kids. Across the state and this nation, people are forgetting the importance of agriculture, so those ag days really help re-establish that.”
For more information on available Agrilife Extension services, visit their website at https://limestone.agrilife.org/ .
Commissioners also accepted the single bid received from Carter Ranch for hay-cutting rights at LCDC and county-owned parks.
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 the monthly operation reports and safety report;
- Approved the certificate of new revenue from LaSalle to pay the administrative TCOLE coordinator; and
- Approved budget transfer #660 for Facility Management, $170 for a water cooler.
The next regular Commissioners' Court meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, 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/
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