After-hours parking prohibited at library

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners, after a lengthy discussion at their Monday, Dec. 12 session, rejected a $12,000 bid for internet security at the county library and approved an ordinance to prohibit after-hours parking at the library.

The question of internet security at the library has been brought up at the last several meetings, but county judge Robert Skelton did not receive the estimated cost from the county’s IT consultant, CTSI, until last week.

After complaints were received about individuals who sit in running vehicles at all hours to use the free unsecured internet at the library, Skelton had been authorized last month to move forward with a plan from CTSI with a limit of $5,000, using ARPA funds for the purchase and installation of equipment.

However, when the bid came back at $11,782, plus $358 per month for management, Skelton returned to the commissioners for guidance.

“Do we really need all this extra security if they don’t store anything sensitive on those computers,” said commissioner Cody Jordan. “I really think our best bet is to put up signs about parking and turn the internet off at night.”

Skelton read an ordinance proposal he had prepared about prohibiting overnight parking, which was approved by the commissioners.

Parking Lot

The elected officials also discussed the final invoice from CM3 Services for the parking lot project, eventually agreeing to pay $7,495 of the $10,495 invoice.

The additional $3,000 for striping that was originally bid at $500 was not paid, with commissioners agreeing that they would have done the work themselves for that amount.

Speed Limit Hearing

Precinct 1 commissioners Ace Reames proposed that the speed limit on the county portion of Griffin Road be raised from 20 MPH to 30 MPH, instead installing “Children Playing” signs on that route.

A required hearing was set at 8:45 a.m. Dec. 27 in order to make the change.

Other Business

•The 2023 holiday calendar was approved.

•Joe Stephens from the Big Country Regional Public Defenders Office presented an update on that project.