Online records access possible with new system
The Grimes County Commissioners Court held a Regular Meeting Wednesday, July 10, and accessing a variety of public records in Grimes County will become easier. Commissioners approved an agreement with Kofile Technologies, Inc. for the Vanguard Records Management and Imaging System for the county clerk’s office.
County Clerk Vanessa Burzynski advised that the contract with current vendor Avenue expires the end of September. She cited a number of issues that included frequent change of ownership, equipment problems and slow response time. The cost of the Kofile system is $4,900 per month but 50% of online search fees will be credited to the county’s account.
Burzynski said, “They have an excellent website as far as search goes for our public to use. They can go online and search any land records. We’ll also be able to include marriage records, probate records – anything that is a public record will be included in this search. Currently, this company (Avenue) only offers search for land records.”
Dispute resolution available
to Grimes litigants
Commissioners approved an agreement between Grimes County and the Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) in Bryan, Texas, for alternative dispute resolution services. The county will pay the DRC $1,000 per month and County Attorney Jon C. Fultz will serve as a representative on that board.
Funding comes from fees assessed by the county clerk and district clerk. The agreement with the DRC allows litigants in civil or family law cases to seek mediation on a sliding scale or reduced cost basis and perhaps resolve the matter before incurring extensive court costs.
As for the success of dispute resolution, Fultz said, “In my experience, about 80% of the cases I’ve gone to mediation on have been settled.”
PILOT payment
Commissioners approved the contract for PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) for a transmission line owned by the City of Garland that runs from Limestone to Gibbons Creek in Grimes County. Section 35.009 of the Texas Utilities Code authorizes municipally owned utilities “to make payments to another taxing entity in lieu of ad valorem taxes,” and the amount paid must be the same amount as the utility would have paid if subject to ad valorem taxes.
Garland Power & Light Utility Director Ray Schwertner told commissioners, “The portion in Grimes County is about $78,000 per year… this would continue as long as there is asset value in the transmission line.”
Schwertner continued, “Like all transmissions owners, we receive a transmission rate and these costs go into our rate, so we recover it from transmission users, like every other company. What we put in here is if they change the law, if there is some reason, they disallow municipals from collecting these expenses, then we have the right to stop making the payments. The reason is we can’t subject the citizens of Garland to paying for something we have no way of recovering.”
Bridge work match waived
Commissioners approved a Resolution related to the Federal Off-System Bridge Replacement or Rehabilitation Program and authorized County Judge Joe Fauth to submit a Letter of Waiver for the county’s 10% participation match.
According to Road and Bridge Engineer Harry Walker, bridges on CR 201 at Mill Creek, CR 215 at Bums Creek and CR 412 at Grassy Creek have been identified by Tx-DOT for replacement in 2023. TxDOT has waived the participation match opting for alternative bridge replacement work that will be performed by the county.
Walker said, “The equivalent matching projects that we agreed to do to satisfy that matching component are CR 323 at Beason Creek, CR 204 at Small Creek and CR 112 at a one of the Bedias Creek tributaries.”
Other court action:
• Approved consent agenda items that included the Treasurer’s list of claims and bills, payroll, and minutes from the June 5 Special Meeting, June 5 Workshop Meeting and Regular Meeting, June 12.
• Received a quarterly report on Texas AgriLife activities from Extension Agent Allen Homann.
• Approved the appointment of Mark Fowler as a commissioner to fill a vacancy on the Iola Emergency Services District.
• Tabled until July 24 review and approval of the final plat for Anderson Ridge Subdivision, Phase II.
• Tabled approval of the Code of Conduct Policy to schedule a workshop that will include a representative from the Texas Association of Counties (TAC).
• Approved the auction of three used county vehicles, a Chevy Tahoe and two Dodge Durango’s, described as “at end of life.”
• Tabled reconsideration and action on adjusting pay rate for County Court at Law Clerk, on status change to full time, pending completion of budget meetings.
• Approved the current Interlocal Agreement with the City of Iola regarding services for On-Site Sewer Facilities rather than accept Iola’s counteroffer to pay only mileage for calls resulting from unwarranted complaints.
• Approved the award of a construction contract to Knife River in the amount of $134,415.45 for reconstruction of CR 421.
• Received a Road and Bridge report from Harry Walker regarding maintenance, mowing, ditch work and chip seal prep. Walker advised of receipt of reimbursement from contractors for damage to county CR 446 – see Public Comments.
Burn ban
The burn ban was not reinstated.
Public comments:
• Received from Jim Britt regarding damage to CR 446 by contractors and their heavy equipment.