By V. Hugh Lewis II, publisher
Publisher’s Note: The first 13 minutes of the video recording is missing audio due to a technical problem. As soon as copy of the audio file made by the County Clerk is received, a revised video will be posted and linked.
The Marion County Central Appraisal District (MCAD) Chief Appraiser Ann Lummus gave Commissioners a status update on a lawsuit brought by Midcoast Pipelines on the 2019 values on three parcels where a pipeline exists in Marion County.
“During our December Board of Directors meeting last week a presentation and discussion of firms that are being hired by other districts to represent them in the lawsuits was held in Executive Session,” Lummus said. “In open meeting the Board voted to hire the Greer, Herzand Adams, LLP, of Galveston to represent Marion CAD. They have experience in cases
involving this type of industry. The firm is also being retained by a group of other CADS and we will cost share on many of the expenses needed to litigate this lawsuit. By joining other districts Marion CAD is attempting to keep the cost to our county at a minimum as the cost of expert witnesses and similar filings will be spread out pro rata over all of the CADS involved and not billed to only us.”
Lummus said the taxes for the county on these properties, if MCAD does not win the lawsuit, could fall from about $60,000 to around $14,000.
Indigent Attorney Contracts
Two applications were received by attorney’s wishing to be part of the county’s indigent attorney pool for 2020. Jim Finstrom of Jefferson, and Timothy Cariker of Marshall. Each attorney will receive $3,218.75 per month, a total of $38,625, and will operate as a contractor to the county.
The amount is as was budgeted.
Abernathy hired as consultant
J.P. Abernathy was hired in a 3-1 vote by commissioners to act as a consultant, working on the county’s behalf, for the Courthouse Restoration project. Abernathy will be paid $250 a week through the completion of the project, currently scheduled for October 15, 2020. His duties include reviewing activities of construction to ensure the county is getting their money’s worth. One other application was received, however, upon advice from the state architect, it was rejected.
The funds to be used are a part of the already budgeted project.
J.R. Ashley asked if these funds could be used against the security upgrades the commissioners are currently debating. Commissioners are currently waiting for the project supervisor to submit a cost and approval from the Texas Historical Commission to only put “bump bars” on the exterior doors instead of a “card swipe access system”. The cost of the “card swipe access system,” along with the elected officials panic button system, and other security features is $23,000 and is an extra expense on the project. Joe McKnight advocated against using the funds for anything other than the consultant as he did not know of anyone already employed by the county who had the construction experience to perform the duties. McKnight also advocated for only installing the “bump bars” on exterior doors instead of spending the $23,000.
Ashley voted against hiring Abernathy.
Other items approved
- Approved renewing the subscription with WestlawPRO for $2,179.54 per month for law library services
- Approved QTpod (Petroleum on Demand) service plan for credit card services a the airport fueling station at $1,695 per year
- Approved Salary Ranges for County Employees, as was budgeted
- The Approved Consent Agenda included minutes from December 9, 2019, Continuing Education Hours for Tashia Wilson and Charlie Treadwell, and entering into minutes the Texas Secretary of State’s approval letter for countywide polling places.
The Commissioners Court Packet, which includes copies of all the information the Commissioners use to address agenda items, follows: