Walker-Sayle contract approved

Shackelford County commissioners voted during their regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 25 to move forward with plans to utilize clients from the Walker-Sayle Unit in Breckenridge for special assignments.

Earlier in the month, the elected officials delayed action in order to evaluate costs of initiating the program.

Information about 15-passenger vans, cost of insurance, and options for furnishing porta-potties were all discussed during Monday’s session.

Although the commissioners had originally considered transportation as their biggest concern, Ace Reames reported that 15-passenger vans with reasonable mileage were available for as little as $4,500, and there may be some for less through state programs.

Insurance through the Texas Association of Counties would depend on the make, model, and value of the van, according to county treasurer Tammy Brown. She added that the insurance would cover any legal driver and the passengers.

Lanham Martin had checked on the cost of portable restrooms, finding that one could be purchased for $740 with a $60 per month service fee. Renting a unit on a trailer is $80 per month plus a $15 per month service fee. 

Martin also said that the rented porta-potty could be taken back to the dealer during months when it was not going to be used, and there would be no charge for that time.

The commissioners were in agreement that renting would make more sense for the county than an outright purchase.

County judge Bob Skelton stated that clients could only work about three hours in the morning and a little less than that in the afternoons unless special arrangements were made,  in order to accommodate meals and required treatment schedules. 

He added that there would be a minimum of six and a maximum of eight workers at a time, with temperature stipulations for both summer and winter.

“Six men with chain saws can get a lot done along a county road in three hours,” said Martin. “I’m concerned about them working on projects like the gazebo repair, because it needs to be done right, and we would need a guarantee that they could be here for two or three days in a row, but I definitely think it would be a good deal overall.”

Eventually, the commissioners voted to authorize Skelton to submit the contract, which will not obligate the county in any way.

The judge said that he will check on the term of the contract, and he asked that each commissioner look at sources for used vans and report back at the next meeting.

Other Business

•Judy Patterson was approved as a new county representative on the Betty Hardwick board.

•Sheriff Ed Miller requested and received endorsement of a resolution for a grant that will provide $26,000 in vehicle and body cameras for four officers, with no matching funds required.

•The treasurer’s report for December was approved.