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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
The Jefferson County Commissioners Court today voted 3-2, with County Judge Carl Griffith and Commissioner Waymon Hallmark opposed, to transfer the budget preparation process from the Budget Office to the County Auditor's Office. Listen Download However, because Assistant Criminal District Attorney Tom Rugg advised that the budget office can only be abolished during budget time, and that elimination of all of its responsibilities would effectively close the office, the motion was amended to assign new duties to volunteer Budget Officer LeRoy Saleme and his paid staff to replace budget making responsibilities. Listen Download Griffith objected because Texas Comptroller Carol Keeton Strayhorn recommended that the office be expanded, not abolished. Commissioner Eddie Arnold, who sided with Commissioners Everette Alfred and Mark Domingue to make the majority on the motion, contended that the office has not functioned as it should, and suggested that the budget staff use their time to research the duties of budget offices in other Texas counties. Rugg said that the commissioners court could assign any budget-related duties to the staff, within reason. "I wouldn't have them changing tires on cars," Rugg said. An ad hoc committee that will include Arnold will develop a list of duties for the budget office staff, for consideration by the commissioners court at next week's meeting. County Auditor Patrick Swain said that he will attempt to take on the additional duties of preparing the 2006 budget without incurring overtime by using salaried employees. "I will redirect the priorities of the people in our office," Swain said. The commissioners court voted unanimously create a Ford Park Beautification Committee. Griffith named former Beaumont Mayor Maury Meyers as chair. Arnold named Connie Teuscher as a member, Domingue named Jerry McInnis, Hallmark named Fran Amuny and Alfred will name his member later. The committee will develop a mission statement and list of responsibilities for the project and report back to the commissioners court. The commissioners court voted to apply for a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for the Jefferson County Family Treatment Drug Court. The commissioners court approved an amendment to a grant agreement with the United States Department of Transportation under the Small Community Air Service Development Pilot Program. The commissioners court approved proclamations designating this week as Crime Victims Rights Week, National County Government Week and National Public Safety Telecommunications Week in Jefferson County. Hyperlinks will work if this document is read Online
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