AirMed contract okayed
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County commissioners approved this year’s commitment to fund the county-wide contract with AirMedCare and decided to obtain a courthouse security assessment during their regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 28.
They also approved a resolution for a Hazard Mitigation Plan update.
Air Ambulance
The membership agreement with AirMedCare, the air ambulance network that serves Shackelford County, was ratified at an cost of $12,000 to the county.
The total annual cost of $24,000 is split with the Shackelford County Hospital District, giving every citizen who lives within the county lines “insurance” to be flown by the company in the event of an emergency.
County judge Robert Skelton will ask an AirMedCare representative to prepare some statistics for the next meeting that show county flights during the past year.
Courthouse Security
Skelton reported on information he had recently obtained about the increasing need for courthouse security, both for technology and facilities.
In addition to presenting a list of “top 10 questions county judges and commissioners should be asking their IT provider,” Skelton also recommended that the county seek a Courthouse Security Assessment from the Office of Court Administration.
The commissioners approved the no cost assessment by Hector Gomez, the U.S. Marshall in charge of courthouse security.
Hazard Mitigation
Jay Hardaway of H2O Partners, representing the West Central Texas Council of Governments (WCTCOG), presented a resolution to formally adopt the required Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.
The county’s plan must be updated every five years, but is an amendable document.
Shackelford County is part of a region that includes entities in 19 counties, Hardaway said.
The plan is separate from the emergency response plan.
Other Business
•The commissioners voted to leave the current burn ban in place.
•Precinct 2 commissioner Ace Reames reported that he was continuing to evaluate changing from natural gas to propane at the county show barn.
•The commissioners opted not to approve a request for a letter of support to WCTCOG’s Dept. of Environmental Services, which is hoping to apply for a Brownfields Assessment grant.
•A resolution was passed authorizing a county grant program for home-delivered meals through the Texas Department of Agriculture.
•Discussion continued about a handicap ramp for the JP building, with Precinct 3 commissioner Lanham Martin offering to contact a bleacher company about constructing one that would not be a permanent part of the building. No action was taken.
•A unanimous vote will give the county’s surplus computers and printers to the county library once the hard drives are removed.
•Ladonna Viertel was added as a member of the Shackelford County Historical Committee.
•The September treasurer’s report was approved.
