Economy, growth highlights county staffing needs
Grimes County commissioners responded to a number of staffing requests at the Wednesday, June 1, Regular Meeting. District Attorney Investigator John Wren and Tax Assessor-Collector Mary Ann Waters presented requests for personnel adjustments through the end of this fiscal year which will be factored into their budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year.
The court approved creating a new temporary position in the DA’s office to allow the hiring of a legal assistant in the absence of a staff member on maternity leave. The position will pay $10 per hour for up to 29 hours per week for 8-10 weeks. Wren said the salary will be covered by asset forfeiture funds.
Wren stated that in the past, existing staff covered absences but with two courts in operation since the move to the Justice Center, “It makes it impossible to be in two places at once.”
Waters’ request for a sea sonal fulltime employee from July 11-Sept. 30 was also approved. Waters cited the difficulty in retaining part-time employees who can be there when the demands of the job require it.
Waters said she has funds in this year’s budget to cover the position, but commissioners reminded that the position may or may not be approved in next year’s budget. Waters responded that the terms of employment would be made clear to applicants.
R&B looks ahead
Commissioners approved a $0.45 per hour increase for Grimes County heavy equipment operators who hold a Commercial Driver’s License as well as certification to operate heavy equipment.
This action comes after commissioners approved revising starting pay for CDL drivers to $17.25 per hour at the May 25 Special Meeting.
The rate increase for CDL drivers was initially presented at the May 18 meeting where Walker said, “We are not able to stay competitive on our hiring in particular areas. The most critical one is our CDL drivers. We’ve had two positions open since the beginning of the year. We’re not only not getting applications or anyone to interview, we’re not getting any inquires at all.”
Commissioners also responded to Engineer Harry Walker’s request to add a Subdivision Coordinator/Assistant County Engineer to the County’s salary structure by approving the creation of two separate positions. Funding those positions will be discussed during budget talks.
At the May 18 meeting, Walker stated that with the County’s growth, subdivision work now occupies two-thirds of his time. In addition, he is contemplating retiring the end of 2023 and desires to plan ahead for that transition.
Grievance committee selected
In accordance with Local Government Code 152.014 and 152.015, commissioners approved the selection of a Salary Grievance Committee to hear protests from elected officials regarding their salary for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The committee consists of six elected officials along with three citizens and three citizen alternates selected from the grand jury pool.
Elected official positions include the county sheriff, county attorney, district clerk, county clerk, county treasurer, county tax assessor-collector and the county judge as a nonvoting member. The six citizens selected via drawing will be notified by Administrative Assistant Cherie Wagner.
Citizen input needed for hazmit plan
Judge Joe Fauth announced that Grimes County has begun reviewing and updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan and is need of citizen input. To-date, only 43 of the county’s nearly 30,000 residents have responded to the five-page survey. He stressed that citizen participation counts as an in-kind contribution and could possibly eliminate the County’s match when it comes to hazard mitigation grant funding.
Commissioner Phillip Cox added, “The hazardous mitigation plan encompasses all jurisdictions throughout the County and allows us to be eligible in the event of a hazardous situation for federal aid dollars. If we don’t have an active plan in place, we in some cases, can be disqualified for actual dollars.”
The survey is available on the Grimes County website and the County’s Facebook page. A paper survey is available at the courthouse. The submission deadline is June 30.
Commissioners court may be viewed in its entirety at www.facebook.com/ GrimesCountyCourtHouse.
Other court action:
•Approved Consent Agenda items which a waterline installation permit for Wickson Creek SUD on CR 161 in Pct. 1, treasurer’s monthly report for April 2022, the Grimes County Quarterly Investment Report for period ending March 31, 2022, and budget amendments and/or line-item transfers.
•Approved the appointment/reappointment of the following individuals to the Brazos Valley Homeland Security Advisory Committee: EMS Coordinator David Lilly, GCSO Chief Deputy Todd Greene, 911 Coordinator Katherine Lee, Navasota Fire Chief Jason Katkoski, Grimes County Assistant Auditor Sinda Phelps, Todd Mission City Manager Neal Wendele, and Todd Mission Police Chief Ryan Rutledge.
•Approved Road & Bridge’s request to award the Asphalt Emulsion Contract to current provider Martin Asphalt with Cleveland Asphalt as a backup provider.
•Tabled awarding bid for Contract Hauling to Heise Trucking LLC for 30-days pending completion of their registration with SAM.gov in order to be an approved contractor eligible to be paid with ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds.