MINUTES

The Uvalde County Commissioners Court met in regular session on January 10, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioners Courtroom of the Uvalde County Courthouse with the following members present:

William R. Mitchell, County Judge

Randy Scheide, Commissioner #1

Mariano Pargas, Jr., Commissioner #2

Jerry W. Bates, Commissioner #3

Jesse R. Moreno, Commissioner #4

Lucille C. Hutcherson, County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk

of the Commissioners Court of Uvalde County

ABSENT: John P. Dodson, County Attorney

Also present were County Treasurer Joni Deorsam, County Tax Assessor-Collector Maggie Del Toro, County Auditor Alice Chapman, County Sheriff Terry Crawford, Road Administrator Wayne Everett, and Constable #1 Bob Price.

The Court opened with the Honorable William R. Mitchell giving the invocation; the following proceedings were had:

1. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Moreno

· Second by Commissioner Pargas

The minutes of December 13, 2004 were approved as corrected.

2. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON APPOINTMENT TO FUTURO LOAN COMMITTEE:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Bates

· Second by Commissioner Moreno

The Court voted 3-0-1 to confirm the appointment of Commissioner Scheide to the Futuro Loan Committee. Commissioners Pargas, Bates and Moreno voted in favor of the motion, Commissioner Scheide abstained.

3. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON APPOINTMENT TO THE UVALDE COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Pargas

· Second by Commissioner Bates

The Court unanimously approved the attached list of individuals to serve on the County Historical Commission.

4. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES RELATED TO RIVER CROSSINGS:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Moreno

· Second by Commissioner Bates

The Court unanimously approved the contract with Hunter Associates Texas, LTD. regarding engineering services related to river crossings on the Nueces and Frio rivers. A copy of the contract is attached to these minutes.

The County received State emergency funding to rebuild two water crossings damaged by flooding in 2004. One crossing is located on the Nueces River and the other on the Frio River.

Road Administrator Wayne Everett recommended that the project be insured during the construction phase due to the possibility of flooding. Mr. Everett estimated that construction would take 60-65 days, with construction to start the end of January 2005.

5. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON CONTRACT FOR ADMINISTRATION SERVICES RELATED TO RIVER CROSSINGS:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Scheide

· Second by Commissioner Pargas

The Court unanimously approved the contract with Middle Rio Grande Development Council for administrative services regarding the construction of two water crossing, one located on the Nueces River and one on the Frio River. A copy of the contract is attached to these minutes.

6. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON REQUEST TO LEASE-PURCHASE PATROL VEHICLES:

Sheriff Crawford requested the court approve the lease-purchase of two patrol vehicles. After a full discussion, the Court tabled this item allowing the County Judge, County Auditor, County Treasurer and County Sheriff time to research ways to fund this request.

7. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON RENEWAL OF CONTRACT WITH TEXAS HILL COUNTRY RIVER REGION:

Judge Mitchell informed the Court that the committee that was appointed at the meeting in December met and recommended that the Court enter into an operating agreement with Texas Hill Country River Region allotting 90%

of the net occupancy tax to them. The balance (10%) should be set aside for use by the County’s Sesquicentennial Committee. The committee also recommended that the Court approve the budget for THCRR and that a special fund be added by the Court to allow for the expenditure of funds by the Sesquicentennial Committee.

· Upon motion of Commissioner Pargas

· Second by Commissioner Scheide

The Court approved the above-mentioned recommendation of the committee 3-1, with Commissioner Moreno voting “NO”. The motion also included the Court reviewing the THCRR in June or July with the possibility of going out for proposals to administer the service contract or the other option being to abolish the hotel occupancy tax.

8. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON ROAD ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:

No action was taken on the following activity report given by the Road Administrator Wayne Everett.

· Routine maintenance

· Cutting brush

· Patching roads

· Blading roads

9. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON LINE ITEM BUDGET AMENDMENTS:

None were presented to the Court.

10. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON PAYMENT OF BILLS:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Scheide

· Second by Commissioner Pargas

The Court unanimously approved the bills for payment.

11. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON PAYROLL APPROVAL:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Moreno

· Second by Commissioner Bates

The Court unanimously approved the payroll.

12. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON MONTHLY REPORTS:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Scheide

· Second by Commissioner Pargas

The Court unanimously approved the monthly reports.

13. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS:

None were presented for approval.

With no further business, the Honorable William R. Mitchell adjourned the meeting of January 10, 2005.