County
Hires Restoration Architects
Glasscock County’s Commissioners voted March 13 to hire the Vandergriff Group in Midland (who will work jointly with Wagner & Klein of Fredericksburg) to begin planning the historical restoration of both the old courthouse (commonly known as the old jail) and the present courthouse. When actual work begins, it will be done in stages, as grant money from the state is available, and will likely span several years, according to Mary Jo Cope of the county’s historical committee. The historical committee had previously met with and reviewed the credentials and experience of three architectural firms, then recommended Vandergriff
The firm will produce a master plan and grant applications to be presented to the Texas Historical Commission in early July at a cost of $37,000, plus costs for a site survey and possibly a hazardous materials study. Helen Wilkerson, county historical committee chairman, said the county’s cost for the entire project should ultimately be 15 percent of the total restoration, with grants from the state paying for 85 percent. No estimates for the total cost have been made.
Historical committee member Alan Dierschke said public input will be very important in deciding exactly what work is to be done, and that the architects will hold public meetings as part of the master plan process. He said one of the main priorities is to provide more room for the county clerk’s office.
In other matters, the court agreed that 8 or 10-inch sleeves should be put under Highway 158 while it is under construction, for the county’s possible use in the future; agreed to have used road surfacing taken off Highway 158 stockpiled at the county barn for the county’s future use and asked the volunteer fire department to explore options for replacing an engine on a fire truck.
Health Insurance Problems Continue
County Treasurer Alan Dierschke reported on continuing problems with the county’s health insurance.
The insurance carrier is a pool composed of nineteen rural counties in West Texas, and it has had problems paying its claims. However, Dierschke said, “Steps have been taken which will hopefully correct the problems.” He said Glasscock County has collected approximately three times more in claims than it has paid in premiums and is one of the heaviest claimants in the pool. He said the county can expect a premium increase soon. Dierschke said he would like to explore other insurance carriers in the next few months, but didn’t know if another carrier would insure the county’s group, due to its heavy claims history.
Dierschke reported that, as of the end of December, the county had $236,000 in its operating account at 1.76 percent interest, $137,000 in TexPool at 5.5 percent and $330,000 in three certificates of deposit ranging from 3.6 to 4.85 percent.
The commissioners decided to hire Mike Hurlbert to raise the height of the west sidewalk at the courthouse, which gets too much water on it when it rains, and is slick. Custodian Susie Hillger said two people fell on the sidewalk recently. She said the extra water is due to the grading done a few months ago to divert water from the old jail’s foundation.
Only one bid was received
on a used computer desk: $20 from Keith Batla.