Local banks named sub-depositories

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners voted to accept bids from both local banks during a regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 23. The bid packages from First National Bank and First Financial Bank had been opened at a previous meeting on Aug. 9.

County treasurer Tammy Brown scored the bids and stated that she felt they were compatible.

“I recommend that we leave both banks as sub-depositories like we have in the past,” said Brown. “We appreciate you both, because many other counties are having to renegotiate with banks outside their communities. We’re lucky you want our business.”

The motion by Lanham Martin to accept both banks as sub-depositories was approved.

Constable Salary

Constable Xavier Perez stated that he felt that  the budget for his office and his salary were portrayed unfairly in last week’s newspaper article about the commissioners meeting.

“I know that it was an uncomfortable discussion,” he said, referring to an Aug. 16 debate about whether to move the $5,000 projected fee portion of the constable’s budget up to the salary line, “but I don’t think it’s fair to say that I got a 55 percent raise.”

Brown had contended that moving the $5,000 projected fee portion of the constable’s budget up to the salary line essentially added up to a 55 percent raise for the peace officer in comparison to the five percent being given to other employees.

Perez maintained that in light of the fees that he collected in the first six months of this year, he feels a flat salary of $15,500 will actually be less than being reimbursed for a portion of the fees.

He also clarified that in any case, he cannot legally keep any portion of collections and must submit the entire amount to the county, but in the current budget year, the commissioners opted to reallocate a percentage of collections in payment for his services.

“I don’t want people to think that I’m taking advantage of the county,” said Perez. “This just makes it simpler not having to turn in receipts for every paper that comes across my desk. I apologize for the discomfort this caused.”

When the budget was proposed last week, all four commissioners were in favor of budgeting a flat salary of $15,500 for the constable, only $500 more than the current year’s salary line of $10,000 plus the projected fee reimbursement of $5,000.

Other Business

•There was no action on the burn ban, leaving it in place for the time being.

•A revised agreement with All Copy was approved, with no change in the monthly amount.

•County judge Robert Skelton presented an “edited” contract with Cary Services for HVAC maintenance with the revisions requested by the county. No action was needed.

•Polling locations for the Nov. 2 amendment early voting and election were consolidated to one site at the Courthouse.

•The commissioners voted to change to National Family Care for employee dental care.

•The treasurer’s reports for June and July were approved.