June 22, 2009 09:01 pm
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By Bob Belcher
Daily Sun
Navarro County Commissioners heard a complaint Monday from Phil Giacopelli, representing several property owners along SECR 3010. Giacopelli is a resident along the road that runs about a mile between FM 637 and State Highway 287 in Precinct 2. He said the road was home to about 35 residences.
Giacopelli said residents were concerned about the condition of the road, the large rock that was used periodically for fill, and flooding of the road during heavy rains. Giacopelli said residents were experiencing problems such as flat tires and alignment problems with vehicles as a result of the condition of the road.
Giacopelli also said he talked with the Mildred Independent School District, who he said also expressed a concern about the road. The district runs school busses down the road to transport students to and from school.
County Judge H.M. Davenport Jr. explained that the developers of the subdivision along SECR 3010 failed to take into account proper drainage in the area in planning the development, and that most of the culverts in the area were too small to adequately handle runoff during storms.
“Most of those are 12 or 15 inches ... they should be 24 inches,” he said.
Precinct 2 commissioner Faith Holt explained it would cost about $90,000 to pave the one-mile section of roadway — one option requested by Giacopelli — which would represent half of her Precinct 2 road budget for the entire year.
Davenport said the county would look into the maintenance on the roadway, but added “we can’t do a whole lot about flooding.”
Three other road-related issues were on Monday’s court agenda, including the proposed closing of railroad crossings on two Precinct 3 roads. Burlington Northern Santa Fe wants to close crossings at SECR 1037 and SECR 2020, which met with the approval of Precinct 3 commissioner David “Butch” Warren.
“This is something that the railroads are doing all across the country,” said Davenport of the closing of little-used, and sometimes dangerous, crossings.
Also posted for closing was part of another Precinct 3 road — SECR 2218. Warren said property owners in the vicinity were in favor of the proposed closing, saying the area being shut off was a nuisance, with trash dumping, fires and drug-related activity common.
The proposed closings will be posted for public comment, and appear on the commissioners agenda for final action in July.
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Bob Belcher may be reached via e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? E-mail: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com.
COMMISSIONERS MEETING BRIEFS
By Bob Belcher/Daily Sun Staff Writer
Audit report received
Navarro County received an “unqualified” or “clean” audit report for the year ending Sept. 30, 2008 by the county’s auditing firm, Patillo, Brown and Hill. Only two minor notes were reported in a management letter accompanying the audit, both of which had been addressed, said Kathy Hollomon, county auditor.
New cell phone policy adopted
Except for law enforcement, the county will now reimburse employees required to have a cell phone for county business for the cost of cell phone service, instead of providing a county-issued phone. Audits by the Internal Revenue Service of county-provided cell phones prompted the move. Cell phone service will now be in the name of the employee, with the county reimbursing the employee through payroll credits.
Bridge bid approved
Commissioners authorized the county auditor to advertise for bids to build a bridge on SECR 2230 to replace three culverts that washed out in April. Commissioner David “Butch” Warren said a bridge was a much better choice rather than to replace the culverts that washed out during heavy rains.
Aggregate hauling bids accepted
Commissioners accepted all five bids submitted for hauling aggregate from county-approved vendors to precinct barns in the county.
Auction action tabled
Commissioners tabled action on putting surplus equipment and vehicles in an online auction, pending the production of a list of all items to be sold through the service at www.govdeals.com.
No action on presentations
Commissioners took no action on presentations from Eleven-Thirteen Architects on possible state grants for planning a renovation of the courthouse, and from Velvin and Weeks on funds that could be available for utility infrastructure work in the county for more study and information on both projects.
Replat approved
A replat of Lots 19, 20, and an adjacent reserved area of the Eureka Forest Subdivision was approved as requested by Mark and Debra Roller and Crab Creek, Ltd.
Treasurer’s report accepted
County Treasurer Ruby Coker presented the treasurer’s report for the month of May 2009. Coker reported cash on hand of $1,414,902.91, and other assets of $9,337,538.06. Interest earned in May 2009 was $5,378.39, and total disbursements for May 2009 were $2,876,138.10. Coker also presented commissioners with certification of her annual training requirements.
Constable budget amended
Commissioners approved a budget amendment of $1,758 for Precinct 1 Constable Mike Davis. Davis officially assumed duties as constable after completing additional education requirements, and requested the budget amendment to provide additional funding for the rest of the budget year.
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