Commissioner Gary Bourland presided over the commissioners court on Tuesday in the absence of Judge Rene Mascorro. A glowing audit report was delivered from Wayne R. Beyer of Beyer and Company.
“The county’s finances are in excellent condition,” Beyer said.
The county dipped into its reserves in the general fund last year, leaving them just short of a three-month reserve, which is preferred, the auditor said. However, the road and bridge fund carried over a 7-1/2 month reserve.
The general fund reserve went from $1.4 million to $1.1 million.
The Enron debacle prompted new rules for audit reporting, the auditor said. Some of the comments in the audit drew questions from Commissioner Ann Lopez. Lopez also requested that the written audit be submitted to the court prior to the meeting so commissioners could study it beforehand.
“It makes it seem like we’re lacking something,” Lopez said, referring to a statement in the auditor’s report concerning the auditor not being a part of the controls.
Beyer said there’s no distinction between large and small counties. Large counties hire accountants to prepare its financial statements.
“It wouldn’t be cost effective for small counties,” he said. “All I have to sell is my independence.”
The auditor said the statement was required following the Enron collapse but will not be required in the upcoming years.
In other matters, Commissioner Rod Bernal reported that bees near two public buildings in Tivoli caused quite a stir. Bernal requested legal advice on obtaining permission to exterminate them. One swarm was located across the street from the school and the other was near the post office. Complaints began about two weeks ago.
“We must get consent from the landowner before we do anything,” said Robert McGuill, county attorney.
Bernal said he was unable to locate bees near the elementary school but the bees were still across the street from the post office but he has been unable to contact the owners of the property. The commissioner got the court’s blessing to kill the bees once he contacts the owners.
Six additional names were drawn from the jury wheel for possible service on the Salary Grievance Committee. Six previously drawn citizens refused to serve.
“People just don’t seem to want to serve,” said Ruby Garcia, district-county clerk.
Possible committee members are Juaquin Thomas Flores, Rene Garcia, Jerry Francis Johnson, Moses Delajandro Jr., Patricia Bedynek Breeden, and Julie Ann Nidler.
The commissioners also:
• Acknowledged the completion by Tax Assessor-Collector Ida Turner of a training course on the Texas Public Information Act.
• Acknowledged the employment of Lauren Kay Valderrama as a temporary Meals on Wheels driver for Elderly Services effective March 16 at $9.07 per hour.
• Acknowledged the employment of Leticia Gallegos as a secretary in the DPS office effective April 1 at a salary of $21,691.
• Approved a notary public bond for Sergeant Armando Garza in the DPS office.
• Named a new county road, Roche Tank Road, for 911 addressing purposes.
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