County approves funds for VFDs

By Jay Ermis

HUNTSVILLE — The Walker County Commissioners Court approved Title III funds for three volunteer fire departments in the county to purchase different equipment during a special session Monday morning at the courthouse.

The five-member court approved funds for the Crabbs Prairie Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $1,861 to purchase six hand-held VHF radios; New Waverly Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $2,275 to install the new 800 Mhz radios; and Thomas Lake Road Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $325 to install the new 800 Mhz radios.

The court also passed on two proposals for the Riverside Volunteer Fire Department, which included $759 for matching grant for 10 sets of gear and 20 SCBA bottles and $750 to install the new 800 Mhz radios.

The Crabbs Prairie department has 18 volunteers and covers 191 square miles. Robert Gray is fire chief.

The New Waverly department has 27 volunteers and covers 180 square miles. Jacob Slott is fire chief.

The Thomas Lake road department has 13 volunteers and covers 16.6 square miles. Warren Austin is president.

The Riverside department has 25 volunteers, covering 164 square miles. Jean Goldin is president.

The court also approved the Bailiff Agreement between the 12th and 278th District Courts and Walker County constables, who serve as bailiffs for the courts.

The constables are paid an annual supplement of $2,500 each on a monthly basis

Also Monday, the court:

• Approved minutes for June 8, 2009.

• Approved opening county storm shelter off state Highway 75 North as cooling station during hot period.

• Approved monthly report for May 2009.

• Approved the Post Warranty Agreement with ES&S; Inc. for hardware/software maintenance and support services for the voting machines and related equipment.

• Approved training for EMS personnel from budgeted funds.

• Approved Private Switch Agreement with H-GAC.

• Approved claims/invoices submitted for payment.

• Discussed financial reports ended April 30, 2009.

• Approved award of request for Proposal #C2360-9-008-RFP for Professional Auditing Services.

• Approved request for Proposal #C2360-9-009-RFP for Debris Management.

• Approved selection of Engineering Firm and Grant Administrator for the application for non-housing CDBG funds for Ike Disaster Recovery from Office of Rural Community Affairs.

• Approved specifications and solicitation for Invitation to Bid #C2360-9-006 for Flooring at the Walker County HEARTS Veterans Museum of Texas.

• Approved renewal and price increase for Bid #C2360-7-040 for Janitorial Supplies for the period July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

• Approved specifications and solicitation for request for Proposal #C2360-9-010-RFP for Inmate Phone System.

• Approved bill paying.

• Approved resignation of Larry Miller from the Emergency Service District #1.

• Approved 2009-18 Bailiff Agreement / Resolution between District Courts and Constables.

• Approved requesting Unclaimed Money from Electric Cooperatives from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

• Approved Amending Plat for Tracts 10 and 11b Bobby J. and Thomas O’Bannon Lands Subdivision.

• Approved County Applications Non-Housing CDBG funds for Ike Disaster Recovery from Office of Rural Community Affairs.

• Passed on contracts and/or inter-local agreements required for application for CDBG Disaster Recovery Funds from ORCA.

• Approved application(s) for CDBG Disaster Recovery Housing Funds from Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

• Passed on contracts and/or inter-local agreements required for application for Disaster Recovery Funds from ORCA.

• Addressed scoring of Applications for Non-Housing/Infrastructure Applications for ORCA CDBG Ike funds.