Midland County Commissioners Court met July 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the court:
Be it remembered that on Tuesday the 16th day of July 2024 at 9:02 a.m. a meeting of the Midland County Commissioners Court was called to order in the Commissioners Courtroom, located at the Midland County Courthouse, 500 North Loraine Street, Midland, Texas.
The following members were present:
TERRY JOHNSON, County Judge
SCOTT RAMSEY, County Commissioner Precinct No. 1
JEFF SOMERS, County Commissioner Precinct No. 2
LUIS D. SANCHEZ, County Commissioner Precinct No. 3
DIANNE ANDERSON, County Commissioner Precinct No. 4
Recorded by Alison Haley, County Clerk.
1. Call to Order.
2. Invocation given by Pastor Pat Bryant, Travis Baptist Church.
3. Pledges of Allegiances.
County Judge Johnson called item 4-6 and 44.
4. Consideration and possible action to terminate existing delinquent property tax collection contract.
Presented by County Judge Johnson. There are some members of the public wishing to speak.
Karen Hood, Midland County Tax Assessor Collector addressed the court and recommended staying with Perdue. Exhibit: 14-19
Ariel Elliot, Greenwood Superintendent. In support of Tracy Crites and Perdue Brandon. They do a good job for Greenwood, ISD. Exhibit: 20
Tony Fidelie, Perdue Brandon, Fielder Collins & Mott. Addressed the court and their experience with Midland County. Exhibit: 21
No action taken.
5. Consideration and possible action to address the matters contained in Texas Government Code Section 2254.1036(a)(1) and approve resolution authorizing Midland County Judge to execute contingent fee delinquent property tax collection contract with McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen P.C. (MVBA).
No action taken.
6. Discuss and take action approving Contract for Collection of Delinquent Property Taxes with McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen P.C. (MVBA).
No action taken.
7. Consent Agenda:
a. Take action on personnel memoranda.
b. Acknowledge Quarterly Sick Leave Pool Report.
c. Acknowledge Quarterly Investment Report.
d. Take action on submitted applications for permits to use county right-of-way for utility and line installations, driveway construction, road dedication, and mailbox construction.
e. Take action on court minutes from June 25, July 2 & 8, 2024.
f. Discuss and take action on court fees for County and District Clerks’ Offices.
g. Acknowledge Environmental Unit Quarterly Update/Report.
h. Acknowledge Warrant Services Monthly and Quarterly Reports.
i. Acknowledge Constable 4 Monthly Report.
j. Take action reimbursing 4-H Assistant for attending Junior Nationals Show and Judge Contest.
k. Acknowledge Krista Chin as new Extension Agent for Family & Community Health.
l. Acknowledge Sheriff’s Office Report.
m. Acknowledge Detention fees Report.
n. Acknowledge C&W Fee Report.
o. Acknowledge Rebate Check from Ricoh.
p. Take action on Ricoh Lease Agreements for Copier.
Presented by County Judge Johnson.
Motion that we approve the consent agenda except items j o and p, for further discussion.
Motion by: Anderson Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit: 22-97
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
j. Take action reimbursing 4-H Assistant for attending Junior Nationals Show and Judge Contest.
Presented by Brandy Evans, Extension Agent. We now have an Ector County Program Assistant and a Midland County Program Assistant. There was some discussion about funds. County Attorney, Russell Malm, joined the conversation. Veronica Morales, Auditor joined the conversation explaining the agreement we have with Ector County and explained the process moving forward. No action taken. Exhibit: 98-100
o. Acknowledge Rebate Check from Ricoh.
p. Take action on Ricoh Lease Agreements for Copier.
Presented by Kristy Engeldahl, Purchasing agent. Rebate check for $2,250.00.
Move that we approve items o and p in consent agenda without change.
Motion by: Anderson Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit: 101-108
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
Call item 12
Call item 14 and 15
8. Discuss and take action on Grade and Step for Randy Eggleston and Alma Acosta.
Presented by Sheriff Criner. Chief Deputy Bennie Matlock is retiring on July 31, 2024. Randy Eggleston will move from Captain Administration to Chief Deputy. Going from a grade 26 step 6 to a grade 27 step 13. Alma Acosta from C/W Lieutenant will become Captain Administration. Going from a grade 25 step 9.5 to a grade 26 step 11.5.
Motion to move Randy Eggleston’s grade step and salary to a 27-13 effective August 1st.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 109-111
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
Motion to move Alma Christina Acosta’s salary grade and step to a 26-11.5 effective August 1st.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit: 109-111
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
9. Discuss and take action on donation in the amount of $100.00 from Russ and Mary Beth Ubinger to Mounted Patrol.
Presented by Sheriff Criner.
Motion that we approve the donation in the amount of $100.00 from Russ and Mary Beth Ubinger to Mounted Patrol.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit: 112-115
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
10. Discuss and take action on donation in the amount of $140,000.00 from Bustin for Badges to the Sheriff’s Office.
Presented by Sheriff Criner. Annual Clay shoot.
Motion to acknowledge the donation in the amount of $140,000.00 from Bustin for Badges to the Sheriff’s Office.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Ramsey Exhibit:116-119
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
11. Discuss and take action on budget amendment in the amount of $140,000.00 for law enforcement supplies.
Presented by Sheriff Criner.
Motion to approve budget amendment of $140,000.00 for the Bustin for Badges donation.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit: 120-121
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
12. Conduct public hearing on possible reduction of speed on CR 1065 between CR 160 & CR 135 from 55 mph to 35 mph.
County Judge Johnson announced a public hearing to discuss possible reduction of speed on CR 1065 between CR 160 and CR 135 from 55 mph to 35 mph.
Patti Hollums, Midland County expressed her concern about the speed limit and would like it to be reduced to 45mph
Jan Bell, Midland County expressed she was not for reducing the limit but would like some signage and striping.
Peggy Lowe, Midland County is against lowering the speed limit.
Julia Eckerty, Midland County showed a picture of the condition of the road. Requesting the speed limit to be lowered to 45mph and signage for the dips in the road.
13. Discuss and take action on possible reduction of speed on CR 1065 between CR 160 & CR 135 from 55 mph to 35 mph.
Presented by Ruben Mata, Road and Bridge Director of Administration. Discussed the traffic counts and recommended reducing the speed limit. This item needs to be re agendized. No action taken.
Call item 8
14. Conduct public hearing on the County Clerk’s Records Archive Plan as per Local Government Code Section 118.025.
County Judge Johnson announced a public hearing to the County Clerk’s Records Archive Plan as per Local Government Code Section 118.025. No one came forward. Hearing was closed. Exhibit: 132-136
15. Discuss and take action on County Clerk’s Records Archive Plan as per Local Government Code Section 118.025.
Presented by Alison Haley, Midland County Clerk.
Motion to approve the Records Archive plan and adopt a $10.00 records archive fee.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit: 137-139
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
16. Discuss and take action selecting Salary Grievance Committee members. Presented by Alison Haley, County Clerk and Russell Malm, County Attorney.
Motion to use all public members to make up the Salary Grievance Committee with 9 original members with 18 alternates.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit: 140-141
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
County Judge Johnson pulled 9 names for members and another 18 names for alternates.
9 members: Neftali Luna-Ibarra, Houston K. Petty, Kerrie Suzanne Metcalfe, Yessica Sanchez, Caroline Lockwood Petraitis, Juanita Dominguez Escamilla, Shana Carynn Pitts, Amy Michelle Brantley, and Susan Marie Hagen.
18 alternates: Samuel Albert Duletsky, Ruben Madrid, Jamie Renee Lopez, Keith Wayne Parker, Mima Kay Engelstad, Camille Paige Reynolds, Landon Erick Opheim, Shea Lynne Alford, Lisbeth Arreola Presas, Michelle M. Chavez, Gilbert Ruiz, Ricky Clayton French, Jeremy Thomas Martinez, Hemang Dipakkumar Patel, Evelyn Rachelle Ornelasburgos, Yamel R. Hernandez, Sharla Simpson Moore, Matthew Thomas Miller.
Motion that we approve all the salary grievance committee members.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 140-141
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
10:44 a.m. take a 10 min break
10:53 a.m. back into regular session.
17. Discuss and take action on line item transfers.
Presented by Veronica Morales, Auditor. There were a few exceptions.
Motion to approve all line-item transfers.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit: 142-175
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
Item 17 Recalled
Motion that we approve an additional line item transfer in the amount of $344,034.00 from Risk Management fund 5580 over to Risk Management fund 7060.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
18. Discuss and take action on bills and wire transfers.
Presented by Veronica Morales, Auditor. There was a wire transfer for the County Clerk’s office. There was one exception to the PO’s. Additional bill to Prosperity Bank, an invoice for $3,152.12 for the IT department.
Motion to pay all bills and wire transfers.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit: 175-185
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
19. Receive and acknowledge report from County Auditor for the Library Passport Audit Review for FY2023.
Presented by Veronica Morales, Auditor.
Motion we acknowledge report from County Auditor for the Library Passport Audit Review for FY2023.
Motion by: Anderson Seconded by: Ramsey Exhibit: 186-194
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
20. Acknowledge Financial Statements for May 2024.
Presented by Veronica Morales, Auditor.
Move we acknowledge Financial Statements for May 2024.
Motion by: Anderson Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit: 195-205
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
21. Discuss and take action on Texas Commission on the Arts grant for 2024 Margaret Clauder performance in the amount of $665.00.
Tabled.
22. Discuss and take action on Lucky Diaz Contract for Project Literacy 2024. Presented by Debbie Garza, Library Director. Returning Author.
Motion that we approve Lucky Diaz contract for Project Literacy 2024.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit: 206-213
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
23. Discuss and take action on updated PIO job description and restructuring position under Human Resources.
Presented by M.K. Lang, H.R. Director via phone.
Motion to approve the reconstruction of PIO position under H.R. and approve all the updates to the PIO’s job description.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 214-221
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
24. Discuss and take action on updated job descriptions for Death Investigators.
Presented by M.K. Lang, H.R. Director via phone. The County Judge mentioned they are in the process of getting a Medical Examiner for Midland County.
Motion to approve the updated job descriptions for the Death Investigators.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 222-227
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
25. Discuss and take action on Vandergriff Group Architects contract for 509 Loraine.
Presented by Eddie Melendez, Facilities Director. This is to become an offsite records archive building.
Motion that we approve Vandergriff Group Architects contract for 509 Loraine.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit: 228-233
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
26. Discuss and take action on chiller repair at Library at the Plaza. Presented by Eddie Melendez, Facilities Director. Standard repair.
Motion to approve the chiller repair at the Library at the Plaza.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 234-238
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
27. Discuss and take action renovating elevator cabs at the Courthouse. Presented by Eddie Melendez, Facilities Director. Quote for $17,468.00.
Motion to approve renovating the elevator cabs at the Courthouse.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Ramsey Exhibit: 239-254
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
28. Discuss and take action on purchase of vehicles.
Presented by Kristy Engeldahl, Purchasing Agent. Quote $46,065.37 from Reliable Chevrolet. They would like to purchase 5 extra Tahos for Risk Management. He has the funds in the Insurance these would be replacement vehicles on hand. Justin Bunch, Emergency Management Coordinator joined the conversation. Eddie Melendez, Facilities Director joined the conversation.
Motion that we approve $344,034.00 from Risk Management fund 5580 over to Risk Management fund 7060 for the purchase of 6 vehicles from Reliable Chevrolet.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Ramsey Exhibit: 255-257
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
Motion that we also approve the request from Facilities, his vehicle, Reliable Chevrolet $46,100.00.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 255-257
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
Recall item 17
29. Discuss and take action on updated Horseshoe pricing.
Presented by Ken Olson, Horseshoe Director. Commissioner Ramsey mentioned that we are losing funds due to not doing food and beverage and we are not taking care of our Horseshoe Facility. Commissioner Sanchez stated that these items are being addressed. Mr. Olson stated that they are doing everything humanly possible to maintain the facility.
Motion that we approve the updated Horseshoe pricing.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit: 258-268
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
30. Discuss updated Horseshoe rental contract.
Presented by Ken Olson, Horseshoe Director. There was a discussion about the $1,000.00 security deposit. Discussed lowering it to $500 for smaller events. No action necessary.
31. Discuss and take action on purchase of Courthouse Camera replacement. Tabled.
32. Discuss and take action on purchase of Cisco phones and licensing for new LEB. Tabled
33. Discuss and take action on purchase of Data Center Core switches. Tabled
34. Discuss and take action on purchase of UPS Battery backups for new LEB network closets.
Tabled.
35. Discuss and take action on purchase of Network and Access control cabling services for new LEB.
Presented by Javier Chacon, IT Director.
Move that we take action on purchase of network and access control cabling services for the new LEB.
Motion by: Anderson Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit: 269-270
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
36. Discuss and take action on donation of plaque valued at $4,500.00 from Alamo Letter Society to Midland County.
Presented by County Judge Johnson. Bronze Plaque of the Travis Letter in every Courthouse in Texas. There was a discussion about the placement of this plaque. Jenny Hilton, County Court Administrator discussed the conversation she had with Dr. Reeves, the head of the Alamo Letter Society.
Motion to approve the donation resolution of the plaque from Alamo Letter Society.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit: 271-274
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
37. Discuss and take action on resolution supporting plaque donation from Alamo Letter Society.
Presented by County Judge Johnson and Jenny Hilton, County Court Administrator.
Motion that we approve the resolution supporting plaque donation from the Alamo Letter Society.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit: 275
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
38. Discuss and take action on donation and payment of $4,500.00 to Alamo Letter Society for plaque to another County in Texas.
Presented by County Judge Johnson and Jenny Hilton, County Court Administrator. Russell Malm, County Attorney joined the conversation. Tabled for more information.
39. Discuss and take action designating officer to calculate the No-New-Revenue Rate, Voter-Approved Rate, and enter in the database.
Presented by County Judge Johnson and Jenny Hilton, County Court Administrator.
Motion to appoint the Tax Assessor Collector as officer to calculate the No-New Revenue Rate, Voter-Approved Rate, and enter in the database.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 276
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
40. Discuss and take action on proposed salaries for Elected Officials.
Presented by County Judge Johnson and Jenny Hilton, County Court Administrator. This must be decided today because it needs to be published in the newspaper before our next meeting. They discussed what has been done over the past 3 years. This year the County Judge is recommending a 2% raise for Elected officials.
Motion to have all raises for elected officials at 2%
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 277
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
41. Discuss and take action on agreement and payment for Senior Life.
Presented by County Judge Johnson and Commissioner Sanchez. Fiscal year 2022 we promised to give $250,000.00 to Senior Life. The amount was not put in the budget this year. County Attorney, Russell Malm stated the Court needs to state a public purpose.
Motion that we move forward and approve the agreement and payment for Senior Life Midland in the amount of $250,000.00. The reason why is Senior Life Midland provides food for our senior citizens, through meals on wheels and this is going to help increase the probability of more customers to help more people out. And that’s a service that Midland County does not do.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit: 278
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
42. Discuss and take action on TCDRS rate and plan for 2025.
Sara Gray, Treasurer presented her recommendation for keeping the required rate.
Motion that we approve the TCDRS rate and plan for 2025 at the elected rate of 13.50%.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
43. Discuss and take action on Cobalt East, Section 2.
Tabled.
44. Conduct Executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.0725 to deliberate business and financial issues relating to contracts being negotiated.
Motion to go into Executive Session to conduct Executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.0725 because deliberations in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the Commissioners Court in negotiations with third persons.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
9:06 a.m. go into Executive Session
9:53 a.m. back into Regular Session
Call item 4
45. Conduct Executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 to consult with County Attorney regarding pending and prospective litigation and other matters.
11:51 a.m. go into Executive Session
12:43 p.m. back into Regular Session
46. Adjourn.
Motion to adjourn.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
Adjourn at 12:43 p.m.
A Meeting of the Midland County Commissioners Court will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, on or after 9:00 a.m., in the Commissioners Courtroom, located at the Midland County Courthouse, 500 North Loraine Street, Midland, Texas.
https://www.co.midland.tx.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07162024-437