KingWm #LibertyMatters

The Court should not cede the power of the purse.

In this special session, the Grant Specialist, the Sheriff & Commissioner Brossman have alleged that the Sheriff alone will have full discretion to use SB22 grant funds to increase salaries, and obligate future budgets to cover those increases, without the consent of the Court.  To do otherwise would be to “defund the police”.  They said the Court, while being told what budget amendments they would have to approve, would simply get a report of how the funds were spent.  It is a shocking claim.  Surely, logic will prevail, and we will soon learn the Court maintains sole control over the budget and these grant funds.  Don’t miss this 12 minute discussion beginning @±8:30.

Today in Commissioners Court, there was a little more discussion than normal.  There was a brief EMS report and most other matters were routine, except for the hangar lease and the budget stuff.  After a lengthy closed session and comments in open court, the hangar lease was acknowledged.  There was quite a bit of informative discussion on 2023 budget amendments and ending fund balances.  It looks like the court has unofficially adopted a policy to increase our fund balances to the recommended 6-mont reserves.

The Fayette County [Texas] Republican Party held its third and final candidate forum of the 2024 primary season on 2/17/2024 in La Grange, Texas.  We hear from candidates for County Republican Party Chair,  County Attorney, District 85 State House Representative and US Congressional District 10.  The House Rep race was the main event but the crowd was clearly pleased with Jared Lovelace.  The other races were were good too, albeit abbreviated, so be sure to check out our prior forum videos for many more questions and answers.  Don't miss this excellent opportunity to learn about who is running in this year's primary.

It was another brief Thursday morning meeting.  There was a nice update on some matters affecting the recycling center and a little discussion about ambulances.  The only other substantive discussion revolved around the attempted assignment of an old airport hangar lease that may have expired and that is in serious need of being updated.  The matter was tabled so more research could be done to determine the lease’s validity.

The Fayette County [Texas] Republican Party held its second candidate forum of the 2024 primary season on 2/4/2024 in Ellinger, Texas.  We hear from candidates for County Republican Party Chair, Constable of Precinct 2 and for County Attorney.  We had mostly new questions and the candidates did a fantastic job.  Don't miss this excellent opportunity to learn about who is running in this year's primary.

The Fayette County [Texas] Republican Party held its first candidate forum of the 2024 primary season on 1/28/2024 in Schulenburg, Texas.  We hear from candidates for Constable (Precincts 3 & 4), for County Attorney and County Republican Party Chair.

It was a short afternoon meeting today.  There was some informative discussion about subdivision & flood regulations, specifically related to variances granted, but the main event was the lengthy & informative discussion related to the proposed changes to the personnel policy manual.  I think the matter has been resolved, but I don’t know if everyone got what they wanted.  The bottom line?  The changes proposed a year ago were unlawful, and so a different approach was proposed and approved today.

The Fayette County Republic Women held their January meeting today and the room was filled nearly to capacity.  Ms. Kimberley’s legislative report is always fantastic, but the main attraction was definitely the candidate forum.  This is our first opportunity to hear from candidates this primary season and the highlight, in my opinion, was the Fayette County Attorney’s race.   It was the only race with both candidates in attendance.  I am very thankful for contested races because it gives us an opportunity to discuss major issues, and get candidates on the record, that wouldn’t happen otherwise.  Thanks to all candidates for running, but in particular those who took the time to share with us today.

With limited discussion related to EMS license renewal, airport runway improvements and grant matters, the most newsworthy item of the first meeting of the new year was the public comments by candidate for County Attorney, Mark Elvig.  He questioned the process for making additions to the county personnel policy manual.  Specifically, a rule was adopted by the Commissioners Court late in 2022 in response to the candidacy of Craig Moreau (who happened to be in attendance today), who at the time was a county employee running for public office.  The rule required exempt employees, who are not required to track their time, to do so during a campaign and would have applied to Elvig’s opponent, James Herbrich, had it been implemented.  Apparently, interest in implementing the rule waned after Mr. Moreau’s dismissal, hence the questions and the interesting dynamic in the courtroom.

The last meeting of the year was another short one, and contentious too.  The subject of salaries came up again with agenda items on raises for dispatchers and the permitting and inspections department.  Raises for dispatchers was approved without objection, but when the discussion turned (@23m) to permitting and inspections (subdivisions & development), the fireworks began, and some were clearly not happy.  The Court's division continues.  Happy New Year and may God bless us and keep us safe.