Friday's Internet Edition, September 10, 2010.
|
News editor - Coryell County Commissioners passed a resolution to oppose the establishment of a residential treatment center near Evant at its court meeting on Monday. The move garnered applause from a group present at the meeting to oppose the center’s opening.
After much discussion, Commissioner Jack Wall made a motion to pass the resolution opposing the establishment of A Better Place RTC, to be located at 6585 South FM 183, seven miles southeast of Evant.
Gatesville resident Karen Cummings, whose son attends school in the Evant Independent School District, along with other residents of Evant and the surrounding community, spoke in opposition to the center. The residents said it would have a negative impact on the Evant community, Coryell county landowners and taxpayers, Evant ISD and, most importantly, the community’s children.
Cummings said the children who would be served at the facility are wards of the state and have been victims of mental, physical and sexual abuse. She also said the number of children proposed for housing there would generate more than $1 million in tax-free revenue per year.
Coryell County Sheriff Faught said he opposed the treatment center. Faught said a facility of this kind would necessitate additional officers. Plus, the county does not have the facilities to detain juveniles, he said. Faught also said that crime in Evant would go up 1,000 percent.
“Yeah, these kids do need help, but the kind of help these kids need is elsewhere,” said Faught. “Not here and at the taxpayer’s expense,” he said.
In other business, County Clerk Barbara Simpson asked the commissioners to consider whether to chose any election precinct boxes, or polling places, for the September constitutional amendment election. Simpson said any changes must be made 90 days prior to the election.
Every commissioner has to have a box in his precinct, but if a precinct has only that commissioner’s box, some rural voters will face a long drive, said Simpson. This hardship may cause a low voter turner, she said.
On the other hand, opening all of the boxes will incur additional expenses, she said. Commissioners agreed to hold off on making a decision until they hear feedback from Coryell County residents. Voters are encouraged to call their precinct’s commissioner if they foresee a hardship in voting.
During the budget workshop, Faught made a request for a part-time deputy to become a full-time employee to help with criminal investigations. With the increase in the county’s crime rate, he said both he and Chief Deputy Doug West are helping with investigations.
Faught also made a request for two full-time dispatchers. He said he would present more requests at the next budget workshop.
County Jail Administrator Kenneth asked for $10,000 to be added to the inmate food budget because of a projected increase in inmate population. He also asked for $1,000 to $3,000 to replace mattresses and linens for inmates, $15,000 to $90,000 for medical expenses and $30,000 for general maintenance.
Juvenile Probation Chief Ron Clark asked that his department’s budget be increased 36 percent, or $60,000, for detention and placement costs. Clark said the department has overspent its budget for these costs by $83,000, which was taken out of reserve funds. However, the department has exhausted these funds.
Also at the workshop, Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Jimmie Wood asked for $1,587 for a new telephone system for his office as well as e-mail. Commissioners asked Wood to provide more information on the phone system.