Judge Brett Bray called the Blanco County Commissioners Court meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. on Aug. 25 with all four commissioners present. The meeting was simulcasted to the county’s YouTube page due to the pandemic. This allows citizens to watch the meetings without being there in person.
The public hearing for the proposed budget was opened after the pledge of allegiance. Kenneth Welch spoke briefly about the inconsistency of the budget. “Over the past few weeks you have discussed numerous changes to the proposed budget that was posted on July 31. The public does not know which of those changes have been included in the budget that you will vote on today,” said Welch. Next, the public hearing on the proposed tax rate took place. However, the video froze. A new video stream began but the public hearings and comments were finished.
Copies of four citizens’ public comments were provided. Kenneth and D’Anne Welch took the floor during public comments to discuss agenda item 18 which focused on transferring election duties to the county tax assessor-collector. Mr. Welch said, “County Clerk Laura Walla has decided that she does not want to perform the duties that she was elected to perform. If one of our deputies in the sheriff’s office decided that he liked to watch fast cars but found issuing speeding tickets unpleasant, and therefore he would not issue any citations, that deputy would be dismissed. You do not have the authority to fire Laura Walla. However, today I am asking that Ms. Walla resign her position as county clerk since she chooses not to perform all of her duties. Although I do not expect her to resign, I do urge you to reduce her salary.”
Mrs. Welch said, ”On Feb. 25 of this year this commissioners court attempted to violate a state statute (Sec. 152.013) when voting to give raises to the county clerk and registrar outside the regular budget cycle. I did not realize at that time what seems evident today within both these budget preparations and this surprise transfer of election duties. It now appears that you have no intention of hiring an elections administrator. And this outcome is troublesome for me. I recommend that you revise your course of action and restore an idea of elections integrity in Blanco County.”
Carlette Lewis, chairwoman of the Blanco County Republican Party, also spoke on agenda 18. “First, I want to take a moment to thank county clerk Laura Walla for all of her hard work and dedication to providing fair, safe, and timely elections. I believe that Blanco County showed to be a model in election safety at the run-off election in July…I want to commend the county on their efforts to support our election officials, and provide constructive guidance...Ms. Walla and Ms. Spies have worked diligently and many long hours throughout these recent elections, to ensure that they are safe, fair, and unbiased. Lastly my comments include my full, and unwavering support for the County Tax Assessor-Collector, Kristen Spies in performing election duties, along with the election clerk...It is my opinion that with the cooperation of both parties, and the election officials, Blanco County Elections will continue to be safe and fair,” said Lewis. Terry Casparis, chairman of the Blanco County Democrat Party, also provided comments about the transfer of election duties agenda item and said “...When this was first discussed in 2019 during a Blanco County Elections Commission meeting I expressed some concerns. After observing Ms. Spies decisions and actions during the 2020 primary and particularly during primary runoff this year, my opinion has changed and I support this transfer. On behalf of the Blanco County Democrats, I offer congratulations to Ms. Spies. We also thank Laura Wall for her service as elections administrator. I look forward to working with Kristen particularly to add an early voting location in Blanco for the 2020 general election.”
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Commissioner Chris Liesmann moved to approve all of the line item transfers and Commissioner Paul Granberg seconded the motion. It carried. The outstanding bills of $126,476.89 were approved.
The commissioners authorized Bray to renew the interlocal agreement with Texas Parks and Wildlife to continue processing boat motor registrations. The judge was also authorized to enter into an interlocal cooperation agreement for prisoner housing with Mason County. Liesmann moved to authorize Bray to sign the memorandum of understanding and multidisciplinary team working protocols with Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center. This is a renewal. Granberg seconded the motion and it carried.
The county judge was authorized to sign a contract with D.A.D. Services Inc. to retrofit/replace the septic system at 2032 Trainer Wuest Road relocation. This relocation will cost $500. Liesmann moved to authorize advertising in the local newspaper for bids for a new or used distributor truck for Precinct 3. Commissioner Emil Uecker seconded the motion and the motion carried. The commissioners approved the pay Ruvalcabas Paving Co. invoice in the amount of $50,000 for the Middle Creek Road paving project. The funds will be paid from the special road and bridge account.
Commissioner Tommy Weir moved to approve the request from the Blanco County Democratic Party of replacing Precinct 102 alternative judge Nova (Claire) Phillips with Lorraine Tingler and Precinct 401 alternative judge Susanne Perkins with Phillips to complete the two-year term ending Aug. 31, 2021. Granberg seconded the motion and it carried. An order for transferring election duties to Kristen Spies, county tax assessor-collector was approved.
Next, changes to the personnel policy to replace current longevity pay for all employees were considered and approved. These include: all employees shall be eligible for the longevity pay benefit; an employee shall be required to work a minimum of two years before receiving longevity; upon completion of the second year of employment, an employee shall receive one-time, three and three quarters percent salary increase over and above any annual increases granted by the commissioners court during their regular budget process. Upon completion of the sixth year of employment and all subsequent years, an employee shall receive a one percent salary increase over and above any annual increase granted by the commissioners court during their regular budget process; and any employee that terminates employment with Blanco County and is subsequently rehired in the same or another position with the county shall begin the longevity process anew and shall lose any previous longevity that may been accrued. Granberg moved to approve the set salaries for the elected officials for the upcoming year.
Full-time elected officials will have a salary of $50,713 and part-time elected officials will have a salary of $25,791. Uecker seconded the motion and the motion carried. The base salaries for the upcoming year were discussed next. The base salaries are the following: secretary/clerk/deputy clerk/road technician/maintenance (non LEC) - $31,500; chief deputy clerk - $33,628; chief deputy - $50,000; deputy, lieutenant - $44,100; deputy, sergeant - $42,000; deputy - $40,000; dispatcher, lieutenant - $38,325; dispatcher, sergeant - $36,500; dispatcher- $33,072; investigator - $42,000; jailer. Lieutenant - $38,325; jailer, sergeant - $35,700; jailer - $33,503; office administrator - $35,000; and maintenance (at LEC) - $33,503. Weir moved to accept the base salaries and Uecker seconded. The motion carried.
Liesmann moved to approve the budget for fiscal year 2020-21 and Uecker seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The tax rate was approved unanimously. Liesmann moved to ratify the tax increase of $526,478 which amounts to $284,380 tax revenue. Granberg seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Weir moved to set the homestead exemption at one percent of the appraised value with a minimum exemption of $5,000. Granberg seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
