January 13, 2003

Galveston County Commissioners Court

Galveston County Commissioners Court voted 3-2, with Eddie Janek and Ken Clark opposed, to adopt a new salary schedule on Monday, granting virtually every county employee a pay raise.  Clark objected because of budgetary reasons; Janek was opposed because he felt that some top officials should not receive pay raises.

County Judge Jim Yarbrough acknowledged the action's impact on the budget.  

"I know everyone's feeling good about this today, but just remember at budget time, you're/we're going to have to come up with $900,000," warned Yarbrough.  "It's not easy."

However, Yarbrough noted that no elected officials are getting more than $600, and "some aren't even getting that." 

The commissioners court authorized Purchasing Agent Bruce Hughes to advertise for bids for demolition of the cotton warehouses where the new county criminal justice complex will be developed.

The commissioners court approved a professional services agreement with Shiner, Moseley & Associates for engineering services for the design and repair of the geotube projects. 

The commissioners court approved an agreement with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for high volume long distance discounts.  

"This agreement is for special pricing for a period of three years with a county minimum of long distance of $30,000 per year," stated Information Technology Manager Robert Canterbury.  "It works out to be five cents a minute or less."

The commissioners court voted to demolish eight properties which have been declared public nuisances.  The buildings are at 17^th Street at Highway 87 and at 1203 Bahama in Port Bolivar, 4209 Hallen Street in Bacliff, in the 900 Block of 11^th Street in San Leon, 4700 Heron in Freddiesville, 1028 Bay Street in Gilchrist, 2703 Avenue D in Dickinson, and 883 Townsend in Crystal Beach.

The commissioners court proclaimed Monday, January 20, 2003 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  

All other agenda items were approved.

In workshop, the commissioners discussed the Vehicle Inspection Program with Joe Lapeyre and Bob Wierzowiecki of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.  

The pair said that beginning May 1, 2003, vehicle inspection fees will be a maximum of $39.50, which will include the safety inspection fee of $12.50 and the new emissions test fee of up to $27.00.

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