The Refugio commissioners court allocated just under $20,000 on Tuesday to LNV Engineering to determine needed repairs to the community center and oversee the work.

Speaking on behalf of the engineering firm, Ron Foster said the community center has damage on the exterior wainscotting, interior damage resulting from leaks.

“I have not ventured a guess on the cost of repairs over there,” Foster said.

Commissioner Ann Lopez said she was uncomfortable with Foster’s presentation.

“I’d like to see more details...I’d like to see what happens in the construction phase,” she said.

Lopez said part of her apprehension involved the problems with the Expo Center and the community center.

“I think it’s a shame that whoever oversaw the Expo Center failed to ensure it was ADA compliant,” she said. “I expect that we have a clear understanding of who the contractors and vendors are.”

Commissioner Gary Bourlund said the “proposal is to ensure (the work) is done right.”

However, Lopez requested that the commissioners be involved in the discussions and questioned whether there will be more deterioration resulting from postponing the work until the funds can be allocated in next year’s budget.

Foster told the court that the firm has “found the construction documents,” and said that the engineers will work mostly to find the problems.

Robert Viera, also of LNV Engineering, asked the commissioners to approve the second phase of the Wranosky Division project in Woodsboro. The second phase will replace septic systems just outside the town at a cost of $351,090 through a grant. Woodsboro will supply in-kind work as its part in the project.

In other matter the court tabled but did not rule out a decision to apply for a home program through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Donna Johnson of GrantWorks presented information about the program.

Johnson said the program targets qualifying elderly residents who own substandard homes. Commissioner Stanley Tuttle said that two homes are currently being constructed in Bayside under the program.

“It couldn’t have happened to two better people,” Tuttle said.

The court tabled any decision until the next meeting on Feb. 10. The postponement will allow Robert McGuill, county attorney, to research the legal aspects of the grant.

The commissioners also:

• Selected the county judge to appoint a committee to develop and implement a 2010 census awareness campaign.

• Received an update on the historical commission’s past year’s activities from chair James Kelley.

• Approved a request to replace the tiles at the weigh station.

• Appointed Ann Lopez as the county representative on the Coastal Bend Council of Governments.

• Appointed Lenny Anzaldua as the county’s representative to De-Go-La RC&D.

• Acknowledged the employment of Kolton Kendall as a deputy sheriff at a salary of $30, 626; Roseanne Mascorro as a secretary at a salary of $26,000; Miranda Montalvo as a jailer at a salary of $26,528; Steve Schubert as a jailer at a salary of $25,053, all in the sheriff’s department effective Feb. 1.

• Acknowledged a status change for Augustin Guzman in Pct. 4 from Class III roadhand to Class II roadhand at a change in salary from $22,346 to $24,478 effective Feb. 1.