Court Discusses PA System, Maintainer
At its Feb. 9 meeting, the county commissioners’ court heard a presentation by a representative from Guardian Security of Lubbock concerning both a public address system for the county courtroom and courthouse security cameras. The PA system was priced at $7,280, while the camera system would cost an additional $13,634. District Judge Robert Moore has insisted on some sort of a PA system in the courtroom for some time, so that both he and everyone in the room can hear what is being said.
The system as presented would have four hard-wired microphones, one each for the bench, jury box, and each of the attorney’s tables. It would also allow the audio of any event in the room to be taped for future reference.
The camera security system would consist of four cameras, one each in the clerk’s office, the courtroom, the first floor hallway and over an additional door. A 19-inch LCD monitor would be located in the clerk’s office.
Although the salesman mentioned the women who work in the clerk’s office after other offices are closed as a partial justification for the camera security system, County Clerk Becky Batla said she knew nothing of such a system being proposed, and that her staff is not at all fearful. She said they would, however, like to have some simple signal that would tell them when an outer door has opened.
Since purchase of either or both of these systems was not on the court’s agenda for Feb. 9, action on the matter will be taken at a special meeting Feb. 12 at 8 a.m.
New Maintainer Probable in Precinct One
A representative from Warren CAT met with the county commissioners Feb. 9 to discuss a new maintainer for Jimmy Strube’s precinct. The company has offered $122,500 as trade-in for the used machine, making the new one cost $107,500. Since it was not on the Feb. 9 agenda, the matter will also be acted upon at the Feb. 12 meeting.
Commissioners approved going ahead with installation of a new courthouse telephone system, even though the cost will be $3,600 rather than the original estimate of $1,700. The increase was necessary to accommodate an additional phone line not included in the original, and because of the necessary equipment, will give the capability of seven more lines if needed in the future.
The county agreed to buy custom-made bulletproof vests for its two deputies, at a total cost of $1,578. They will be worn at all times when the men are working, according to Sheriff Keith Burnett, who said he already has a vest. The vests are county property.
Burnett said the deputies are working eight hours daily, and are doing extremely well together, and with him. He said the three of them meet every day at a set time to discuss their work and to deal with any problems.
Burnett asked the commissioners if they had heard any complaints about his department, and Commissioner Gary Jones joked, “Only from truckers.”
Speed Limits Around School Changing to 20 mph
Burnett asked Commissioner Michael Hoch to change speed limit signs around the school to 20 mph, so the limit is standardized. He said his department has gotten calls complaining of kids speeding in the area, but posted speed limits vary anywhere from 15 to 30 mph, making them hard to enforce.
County Judge Wilburn Bednar said he and Justice of the Peace Marilee Jost don’t think the county is getting full benefit from the county attorney (Hardy Wilkerson of Big Spring). Bednar said Wilkerson’s workload apparently prevents him from coming here regularly. He wants an attorney here one day a month on a regular, scheduled basis so that county and JP cases can be cleared. He said some cases are very old and need to be taken care of. He said hiring another attorney is an option. Bednar said he will check into the matter further and get back to the commissioners.
Commissioners agreed to enter a contract with Panacore Service of Odessa for information technology assistance. Dierschke said with the $1,200 per year contract, their hourly service costs $46.50, and is $95 per hour without the contract. He said the courthouse computer systems are complex enough now that such assistance is necessary. The company will work on hardware problems and also provide Internet security for county computers.
Courthouse Needs Easier Handicapped Access
Batla suggested that the county make at least one door into the courthouse more handicapped accessible. She said the doors are too hard for the handicapped to open, and the north ramp may not be the required slope. Bednar said he would rather see the east door be the handicapped accessible one, because that’s where everyone comes into the building. It needs a ramp, and a door opener or buzzer, he said. Batla and Bednar were to check on costs.
The court gave Batla permission to use records management funds to pay for scanning records into a computer system.
Dierschke asked that a Feb. 19 employee meeting be mandatory, so a representative from the county’s retirement system can make a presentation, and so Dierschke can discuss a wellness plan with all who are in the county’s medical system.
The court was told that 40 hours of Bednar-imposed community service as punishment for damage to the community center in January will include supervised cleaning of EMS/fire department barns and trucks.
Commissioners approved a request from West Texas Boring to cross CR 490 east of Hwy 137 with a pipeline for Pioneer Natural Resources. The line will serve saltwater service lines. The court referred the representative of WT Boring to Josh Hamby, attorney, who they said would do the necessary paperwork.