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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 approve a budget amendment that provides a pay increase to County Engineer Mike Fitzgerald while he serves as temporary road and bridge administrator, as well as to add two heavy equipment operator positions and two dump trucks to the road and bridge department. Listen Download "We are showing it as a temporary road administrator, not knowing what the court will do, if there is a need to have a permanent road administrator," explained Budget Officer James Wilson. County Judge Jim Yarbrough said that Fitzgerald did not seek extra pay for the temporary position, but Yarbrough said it would not be proper to not recognize the extra work. "The statute requires that under our unit road system that the county road administrator be a professional engineer," Yarbrough said. "Mike is the only one on the county staff that meets that qualification." Yarbrough explained that the budget adjustments are required to make the department function as it should. "Here is a case where we certainly have applauded the road administrator through the years for cutting back and continuing to cut," Yarborough said. "Apparently we may have cut a little bit too far because some of the work is not getting done. There is a pretty good backlog apparently in the drainage side of our business." Commissioner Ken Clark questioned the increased expenditures, but Yarbrough defended the action. "There is a potential savings when all the dust settles," Yarbrough said. The commissioners court approved a contract for architectural services with Randall-Porterfield, Inc. AIA for the renovation of the County Courthouse. The commissioners cour approved a resolution recognizing May 5 as National Day of Prayer in Galveston County and recognizing the 20th Annual Bolivar Peninsula Crab Festival, which is next weekend. All other agenda items were approved. All votes were unanimous. Hyperlinks will work if this document is read Online
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