Marion County Commissioners formally renamed and dedicated the entire first floor of the Courthouse Annex as the Marion County Justice Center during Monday’s regular meeting.
“This lets us move forward on redesigning the space for better use,” said Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur, “and allows us to more easily explore jail renovations without having to worry about jeopardizing our agreements with the Jail Standards Commission.”
The Jail Standards Commission has issued several waivers of requirements to the Marion County Jail due to its age and an agreement the county is looking at replacing the existing jail. The redesign of the space should also be less expensive on the taxpayer than building an entire jail facility LaFleur said.
Marion County Sheriff David Capps is currently working with architects on the redesign of the first floor of the building.
Marion County Tax Assessor-Collector Karen Jones presented the Court with a copy of the certificate for her new designations.
“These are the two designations I was awarded at Conference at the first of June this year,” said Jones. “Basically, I’ve completed all the requirements for the County Tax Office Professional (CTOP) and Professional County Assessor-Collector (PCAC). This gives me all the available certifications of a County Tax Professional. I have the RTA, PCC, CTOP and PCAC.”
County Auditor Shanna Solomon also presented the Court with a certificate for 24 hours of continuing education credits she received so far this year.
Texas Farm Bureau representative Greg Mabus presented Capps with six tint meters for use by the department. The meters are used to determine the tint level on windows.
“We hope that they prove useful and appreciate the opportunity to help,” said Mabus.
The Sheriff’s office also requested a budget amendment to return $27,503.81 to the Capital Outlay line item for insurance proceeds for a wrecked patrol vehicle. The funds were received after the start of the budget year, thus requiring the amendment.
“This allows them to go ahead and replace the vehicle this year,” said Solomon.
Commissioners accepted a full bid of $1,928 from Dustin Bond and returned Property Tax Parcel 6295, 1.5 acres to the active tax rolls.