Milam County Commissioners, meeting Monday morning in a “telephonic” session to observe social distancing guidelines, okayed calling for bids on a proposed remodeling plan for the former Little River-Cameron Hospital.
The county has been pursuing a plan to trade several buildings in downtown Cameron and move several offices to the hospital complex.
SHERIFF VEHICLES—Commissioners approved issuing tax notes through Citizens National Bank, at a rate of 1.988 percent to purchase vehicles for the Milam County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Chris White said the department looks to purchase 11 vehicles in three years with a seven-year payoff—at a total cost of about a half-million dollars.
The county had originally planned to lease but decided to purchase in order to take advantage of credits toward a 3.5 percent capped tax increase.
No tax levy will be necessary and commissioners approved reimbursing the Sheriff’s Department for using its forfeiture funds to make the initial payment.
BEA’S KITCHEN—County Judge Steve Young said the Lester and Beatrice Williams Foundation, which provides $80,000 annually to Bea’s Kitchen in Cameron, elected not to fund it this year due to effects of the COVID-19 economic situation on the Foundation’s portfolio.
Young said the Council of Governments and Hill Country Community Action will combine forces to keep the kitchen open and operating.
COVID LEAVE—Young said the COVID-19 situation has left some county employees with children at home to care for and commissioners need to set policy for payment in the event employees are sent home.
Commissioners voted to allow each department or precinct head to decide on amount of employee paid leave and when to send them home, effectively codifying that is already been enacted.
In other business during Monday’s meeting, commissioners:
• Decided to file an application for TIFF grant funds to fix roadways
• Tabled a request to close CR 202A.
• Purchased a motor grader for Precinct 4, which was approved at a cost of $238,000.
• Accepted certificates of completion for Commissioners Jeff Muegge, John Fisher and Richard “Opey” Watkins.
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