County extends disaster proclamation

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners extended the winter storm 2021 disaster declaration, voted to allow use of the Courthouse Square for a community event in December 2021, and adopted a resolution that should comply with Texas Senate Bill 944, all during a regular meeting on Monday, March 8.

Although Shackelford County has not yet been approved as a disaster area after last month’s devastating winter storm, county judge Robert Skelton said that extending his initial disaster declaration could help with obtaining funding.

Any county citizens who suffered losses or damages caused by the storm are urged fill out a voluntary survey by contacting Skelton, going to https://arcg.uOrOb or clicking on a link at shackelfordcounty.org.

Bethlehem Village

Ginger Bumguardner and Betsy Parsons asked the elected officials to consider allowing the use of the Courthouse Square for a Ministerial Alliance-sponsored event, Bethlehem Village, planned for Dec. 15-19, 2021, that they hope will generate visitors to town and help downtown merchants.

Members of all local churches will be invited to participate.

The commissioners voted to approve the event.

Other Business

•A resolution passed that should comply with new public information and retention laws in SB944 relating to business-related texts, emails, and social media activity generated on both personal and county-owned devices.

•The treasurer’s report for January 2021 was approved.

•A portion of the county’s indigent burial policy was updated.

•Action to replace or extend the limited warranty on one of the county’s servers was tabled until an IT consultant can present the options.