New program expedites county vital records requests

At the Wednesday, July 21, Grimes County Commissioners Court meeting, a request to provide vital statistics services online was approved, an amended animal shelter agreement was postponed, and a motion related to contractor permitting fell short of a second.

Grimes County’s new agreement with Permitium VitalDirector will allow individuals to apply and pay for Grimes County birth, death and marriage certificates online. Currently, individuals must submit a notarized application, make payment and provide identification in person.

County Clerk Vanessa Burzynski pointed out the convenience for those who no longer live in the County, saying, “It expedites the process tremendously because we can turn around in a day.”

She added that because vital records are certified with the clerk’s signature and raised seal, state law still requires they be mailed out or picked up in person.

There is no cost to the County to implement the program but a $4 convenience fee is passed on to consumers.

Animal shelter location pending

Commissioners took no action on a request from Kristen Carroll, president of Grimes County Animal Rescue (GCAR), to amend the lease agreement with Grimes County to relocate the animal shelter. The item will be placed on a subsequent agenda after a site visit and utility placement review with Maintenance/ Project Manager Al Peeler.

The shelter will be built on part of a 40-acre plat adjacent to the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office, and the decision to relocate within the acreage was prompted by decreased visibility after construction of the Anderson VFD’s storage building.

According to Carroll, GCAR has the funds necessary to build and plans to break ground before the end of 2021, but until the exact location is agreed upon, Carroll is unable to determine the revised costs of electrical and sewer lines.

Permitting dies on the vine

Commissioner Phillip Cox’s motion to appoint an advisory committee to study the feasibility of permitting new construction received mix reviews from the public but died for a lack of a second by commissioners.

Cox said, “Just looking at what our potential growth is in the county, I think it might be worthy of a conversation.”

Referring to public comments earlier in the meeting, Cox said, “There are probably some health and safety concerns as pointed out already.”

Discussed were substandard construction in some county subdivisions, licensing, permitting authority granted the County by the Texas Government Code, the lack of complaints or reports of fire caused by faulty electric work, and people choosing rural communities to avoid regulations.

Public comments were received from contractors Charles Abraham, Kevin Clark, and Paul Holbert, and Navasota Grimes Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Johnny McNally.

Abraham opposed the study saying regulations are already in place through Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and funding the necessary staff will result in increased taxes.

Clark and Holbert supported the study but said inspections could be handled by builders at no cost of money or manpower to the County. Both expressed concerns about unlicensed maintenance personnel running businesses on the side.

McNally favored the study, saying it would be “prudent to look at the topic closer” as a public safety issue.

Commissioners Court may be viewed in its entirety at www.grimescountytexas.gov/page/CCVideos.

Other court action:

•Approved consent agenda items which included the Treasurer’s list of claims and bills, payroll, and budget amendments and/or line-item transfers.

•Maintenance/Project Manager Al Peeler gave an update on jail mold remediation and the Justice Center construction.

•Amy Neal, summer intern with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, presented the quarterly report.

•Took no action on IT Director Gregg Cannon’s request to approve rewiring network lines in the GCSO and jail and removing 60-plus old cameras and cables from current budget. Will add these projects totaling $44,201.72 to 2022 budget or fund from America Rescue Plan funds, if eligible.

•Approved renewal of a Special Road Use Agreement with Blue Jay Solar through Aug. 25.

•Received the Road & Bridge report.

Burn ban: The burn ban remains lifted.