January 6, 2003

Galveston County Commissioners Court
 by Jinelle Boyd

Galveston County Commissioners Court accepted a $350,000 disaster relief grant from the Office of Rural Community Affairs to fund repairs to the Bolivar geotube project. 

ORCA Executive Director, Robert Tessen, explained in his memo that the geotubes were damaged by storm debris from the September 2002 floods.  The grant was made available through the Community Development Block Grant program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The commissioners court approved an interlocal agreement with UTMB for the services of a Medical Examiner and associated supportive elements.  

"The court made a good decision," said Community Services Director Curtiss Brown.

The commissioners court approved a Laboratory Services Agreement with the Houston Department of Health and Human Services.  

"This just puts in an orderly process by which, if we have an issue or incident, we can rely on the big laboratories to help us," confirmed County Judge Jim Yarbrough.

All other agenda items were approved.  All votes were unanimous.

In workshop, the commissioners court discussed some changes to the Narcotics Task Force environment.  

"The task force has been in existence for more than ten years, funded through the Governor's Criminal Justice Division - about 75 percent of funds provided by grant, with the rest provided by cash match and other things," explained Grant Coordinator John Simsen. 

Simsen said that the task force is required to be multi-jurisdictional and multi-county, which is problematic,  since the Brazoria County sheriff has decided not to sign the cooperative agreements that enable the task force to function.  

"So by the 31^st (of May), unless something happens, there will be no task force."  Simsen said, listing three options.  "We can renew it as-is, apply for an anti-terrorism task force, or continue the task force with local funding."

The commissioners court also discussed the implementation of the compensation study.  "We paid good money to have this report done - it's a good road map for us to attract and retain quality employees," said Yarbrough.  "The biggest asset we have to make this county run is its' employees."
                                             

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