The Blanco County Commissioners Court regular meeting was called to order by County Judge Brett Bray at 9 a.m. with all four commissioners present. There were no public comments.
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved. The commissioners approved the estimated Sept. payroll of $314,210.79. All of the official reports were in and approved. There were three line item transfers presented. Commissioner Chris Liesmann moved to approve these line item transfers and Commissioner Paul Granberg seconded; the motion carried. The outstanding bills totaled $193,167.81.
Bray was re-appointed as Blanco County’s representative on the 2020 Executive Committee at Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG). The court approved the resolution authorizing and establishing the early voting polling sites and schedule for the Nov. 3 general election. The early voting period will run from Tuesday, Oct. 13, through Friday, Oct. 30, and the voting sites include the Hoppe Room in the Blanco County Courthouse Annex and the Blanco County South Annex.
Commissioner Tommy Weir moved to approve a resolution authorizing and establishing election day polling sites for the upcoming general election. Commissioner Emil Uecker seconded the motion and it carried. The polling sites include: First Baptist Church, Good Shepherd Catholic Church, the Hoppe Room in the courthouse annex, Blanco County Commission Precinct 3 Barn, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and the Blanco County South Annex. Jett Sophia was appointed as an alternate presiding judge to the early voting ballot board for a one-year term from a supplemental list provided by the chair of the county Democratic Party.
The court approved the specifications and authorized purchase of a 2020 Ford Transit 12-passenger van for the LEC detention center. The van provides room for three guard positions and eight prisoners or eleven prisoners in two compartments. Additional options include a camera system, front brush guard, siren, front and rear emergency lights and a two-way radio install. A Motorola radio was approved for purchase for the van; the estimated total is $4,798.76. The funds for the Ford Transit and its accessories will be paid from the sheriff’s office special account.
Bray asked the board to consider authorizing the county grant of $5,000 to the Blanco County Meals on Wheels program from the FY2020-21 budget. All elected officials and department heads must have all bills to be paid from the 2019-20 budget submitted to the treasurer’s office no later than noon on Oct. 6. Judge Bray commented that the Oct. 6 date was generous. All bills received after that date will be paid from the FY2020-21 budget. The commissioners court will continue to convene on the second Tuesday of the month.
Commissioner Tommy Weir presented the preliminary subdivision plat of “Red Oak Mountain” and a lengthy discussion took place. A road design variance has been requested which would make the roads 22 feet and have stripes on both sides. There are 7.45 acres near the county road that will be donated to the county so that the county has a clear use of that road. The subdivision will have a 30,000 gallon fire suppression system; residents will be encouraged to have rain water collection systems. The subdivision will be gated. Weir moved to approve the preliminary plat with the road design variance and accept the donation of the road. Granberg seconded the motion and it carried 3-1 with Liesmann opposing. Commissioner Paul Granberg moved to approve the Rockin J subdivision replat of lots 862 and 863; this new lot will be known as 862R and totals 0.58 acres and the motion carried.
The burn ban was discussed but no action was taken. The burn ban expire at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 8. At 9:54 a.m. the court adjourned into executive session and returned to regular meeting at 11 a.m. There were no discussions regarding matters discussed in the executive session. The meeting was adjourned at 11:01 a.m.
