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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
Galveston County Commissioners Court this morning voted unanimously to authorize Information Technology Director Robert Canterbury to explore "options and offers for replacement of the current county telephone system". Canterbury proposes that the county move completely off of current technology by converting to a converged Cisco Voice Over Internet Protocol system as county offices are moved into the new Justice Center. "This change in the IT tactical plan would not only drastically simplify upcoming department moves, in addition to providing financial benefits such as eliminating the decommissioning cost for the old telephones as moves are made," Canterbury said. "The change would also enable IT to assume more direct responsibility for day-to-day desktop level telephone issues currently handled by a third party, thereby reducing the associated expenses." The commissioners court approved a $15,000 professional engineering contract with Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation to assist in the development of a "pass-thru toll agreement" with the Texas Department of Transportation to finish the development of FM 646 between FM 517 and SH 6 as a five-lane urban section. Listen "This pass through toll is a relatively new way of trying to secure TxDOT dollars, funding for projects and reimbursements for projects, in Galveston County. "It is not going to be where people have to pay a toll." "It was a poor selection of terms," agreed Paul Celauro of Dannenbaum, explaining that the state will reimburse the county for the cost of the project, based on the number of vehicles that use it. The commissioners court deferred action on a request by Harold Thomas for a refund of $35.92 in penalty and interest for the delinquent payment of taxes. The appeal had been scheduled for the previous meeting, but Thomas did not show up. Thus it was rescheduled for today. Today Thomas was late, so discussion was delayed until the end of the meeting. Although Tax Assessor Collector Cheryl Johnson assured the commissioners court that the tax bill had been properly mailed, Yarbrough moved to have the issue deferred for consideration at the next meeting. The commissioners court authorized special commissioner Paul Selman to move forward on three transactions to facilitate the development of the old Jack Tar property by 500 Seawall Ltd. The commissioners court approved a license to use a portion of the property, the sale of another parcel and an option to purchase another. All other agenda items were approved. All votes were unanimous. The commissioners court met in workshop with Purchasing Agent Bruce Hughes to discuss specifications for the lease of the existing city jail that will be vacated when it is moved to the new Justice Center. Listen Yarbrough said that community meetings will be scheduled so that the neighbors of the facility can have input into its next use. "While that facility has been a jail for 40-plus years, it is going to be a different type of arrangement," Yarbrough said. "It ought to be a better arrangement because you are not going to have near the in and out traffic, bonding and booking and all of the things that we do at the facility now." The commissioners court had a workshop discussion with Community Services Director Curtiss Brown concerning the county's legislative agenda. Listen Hyperlinks will work if this document is read Online
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