Commissioners Court Approves Security Updates, Hazardous Mitigation Engineers
Hopkins County Commissioner Court Monday morning scored and selected from the two proposals a hazardous mitigation engineering service provider, a county road inventory, appointed a representative to the Workforce Development Board and approved a security group to install new security upgrades at the new county buildings.
The court held a special 8:30 a.m. work session Monday to open and grade potential engineering service providers to the Texas Hazardous Mitigation Program. The county received two proposals, one from Hayes Engineering which earned just shy of 500 points and one from MTG, which received 584 points.
The court, at the recommendation of the county auditor, adopted a resolution designating MTG as the engineering service provider for the Texas Hazardous Mitigation Assistance Program application and project-related engineering services during their regular court session later Monday morning. The county officials said the work would be on roads in two precincts.
The court also appointed Andrew Mendezona to the local Workforce Development Board. Mendezona was “recommended highly” to serve on the board, which Newsom said is “part of the success of Hopkins County and Northeast Texas.” The judge said the unemployment rate last month was 2.6 percent,” the lowest Newsom can recall. The board consists of 20 people from nine counties in Northeast Texas. Newsom said based on the reports he’s received and the meetings he’s attended, accounts are that Northeast Texas is doing well, as far as employment statistics go, but Hopkins County is “doing better.”
Commissioners approved a contract with Firetrol Protection Systems Inc. to install at the new District Court building, and new District Attorney and Clerk’s Offices for $24,988 security systems that can be monitored at the sheriff’s office.
The county emergency officials were asked to evaluate security systems. Then, the sheriff and his staff recommended having a system that can be monitored by county staff. This would cut out the need for a third party that’d be contacted if a security alarm is triggered, then alert the county officials. This would mean a quicker response time, officials pointed out.
In other business during the regular commissioners court session, Kristy Springfield was recognized for completing Level 3 CJIS Security Training of the Criminal Justice Information System Security and Awareness Training.
Newsom noted the commissioners court would meet again on July 15 and July 29, to work with elected officials and other county employees to develop a 2019-20 budget, with the goal of having a proposal ready by the end of July or first of August.
Week Four Of The Edge Gets Underway Monday Morning
The six-week Edge conditioning program entered week number four Monday morning, July 1, at the Sulphur Springs High School Multipurpose Building.
Despite July 4 coming up Thursday, this will be a complete week of The Edge, including on Thursday the fourth. The Edge will wrap up at around noon Thursday and Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens notes that most 4th of July activities happen in the evening.
There will be an abbreviated two-day Edge next week. The UIL has declared July 9-10 as dead days and athletes are not allowed in athletic facilities on those days.
The last week of The Edge, during the week beginning July 15, will be another full week wrapping up on Thursday, July 18.
Coach Owens estimates that including athletes doing skill work in their sport as well as Edge athletes, about 200 boys and girls are involved at the school each day.
Old Coal Mine Property Another Step Closer To Becoming City Property
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday morning during their regular session approved an order releasing TXU Mining Company LP and Luminant Mining Company LLC from the businesses’ obligation to restore two county roads as agreed upon in previous court orders.
Basically, the Commissioners Court allowed the mine to close or relocate County Road 2307 and County Road 2309 in January 2000 and September 2007 and July 2010. However, the mine company in the documents, agreed to build new or restore the roads within two years of all mining and reclamation.
The City of Sulphur Springs asked the county to make the change to the TXU/Luminant agreement with the knowledge that the city will be annexing the property upon completion of the transfer of the property to the city. The city limits already protrudes into the coal mine so the coal mine property can be annexed. Maxwell said the city has no intention to annex any other area around the mine, only the mining property, according to Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell.
“We made some commitment to Luminant. One of those commitments is that we will get them out of their requirements to rebuild the county roads that they entered into with you. Since we’re going to annex it as soon as it become ours, the road will become our problem anyway. We would ask you to pass the order, letting them out of their responsibility on the date we gain possession of the property,” said Maxwell.
The city anticipates taking possession of the property by the end of the year, according to Maxwell. That’s contingent on three things: releasing Luminant of their commitment to rebuild the County Road 2309, which is almost located completely within the mine, and County Road 2307, which begins where Bill Bradford Road ends just past the overpass; amendment of the water rights; and getting the mining company out of their commitment to remove the overpass on FM 1870.
The city has already posted the notice and are awaiting the 21 days required for further action on the water rights commitment, according to Maxwell. The property has 21 ponds on it and water rights have to be given.
When they release those Lake Sulphur Springs and Coleman will be able to draw 2 inches to 1 foot from Lake Sulphur Springs to compensate for evaporation from the ponds, according to the city manager.
In recent negotiations, city officials expressed agreed to take over County Road 2307 from Interstate 30 back to the mine property, understanding that when there’s significant water due to rains, the road often is out of service or in need of repairs. Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin noted there’s a work order in for a culvert due to recent rains. Maxwell said that might be an area to consider utilizing mechanical concrete for improvements.
The city also has been in talks with Texas Department of Transportation officials for the state agency regarding who will take over care of the overpass; the city and TxDOT have a verbal agreement are awaiting a written document on the matter, Maxwell told the commissioners.
With completion of the transfer of the property from the company to the city, the city would still allow county officials access to a radio tower used for communications on the relinquished county road. Precinct 2 would also still be allowed to dig sand from a specified area so long as the sand lasts, Maxwell assured Anglin.
Aggravated Robbery Reported Saturday At Sulphur Springs Motel
An aggravated robbery was reported to have occurred after 10 p.m. Saturday in a motel room in the 1500 block of East Shannon Road. No one was injured, but a weapon was reportedly displayed during the robbery, according to police reports.
A 69-year-old man staying at the motel reportedly had money stolen from him in his room. According to Suphur Springs police reports, a man entered the 69-year-old’s motel room through an open door.
When, the motel guest rose off his bed and walked toward a table where the intruder was standing, the intruder allegedly displayed a handgun and demanded money. The 69-year-old reportedly gave him the cash he had and the intruder demanded more. The older man indicated he didn’t have any more money and the man finally left, according to police reports.
The suspect was described as a skinny white male, possibly Hispanic, with stubble, possibly a mustache. The suspect was reported to have been wearing a dark colored shirt with stripes, “like plaid,” and dark colored pants, possibly jeans.
Officers searched the area at the time of the alleged robbery, but did not immediately locate anyone fitting that description. As of Monday morning, no one had been arrested for robbery in connection with the case, according to police.
SSISD Trustees Approve Teacher Pay Scale Increase For 2nd Year
Sulphur Springs Independent School District trustees during a special meeting Monday morning adopted a pay increase for teachers, which would increase the starting teacher’s pay by $5,000, an approximate 12 percent compensation increase over last year’s pay scale.
“SSISD’s main goal is to educate kids to their fullest potential and this raise directly impacts the success of our students. Our employees are very important to our district, they are the heart and soul of what we are about. The passage of House Bill 3 by the Texas Legislature, combined with our local efforts to compensate staff, have made this significant raise possible. We’re thankful to our local legislators for supporting school finance reform,” said SSISD Assistant Superintendent Rusty Harden in a press release announcing the new pay scale.
The raise marks at least the second consecutive year SSISD trustees have increased the teacher pay scale.
Last summer, both teacher and teacher’s aide pay scales increased. Teachers’ starting salary was raised in June 2018 to $40,000 in SSISD, with pay increases beginning after the first year instead of the third year, and increasing by $100 per year for the first five years, and $200 per year for the next two years. Teachers beginning at year nine during the 2018-19 school year saw an increase of $500 each year for three years. The increase rose to $800 per year from year 12 through year 18. Salaries at year 30 were then increased to $54,950 in the 2018-19 school year.
During a special 8 a.m. meeting Monday morning, school trustees again approved a pay increase, this time for teachers, nurses, counselors and librarians for the new school year, which begins in August.
The starting pay this year for teacher was raised to $45,000. Teachers’ pay would then increase by 100 for the next five years. Starting in year 9, the rate would increase by $200 for three years, then increase by $500 in year 9 to $46,600 and continuing annually for three years. Then, in year 12, the rate would increase by $800 to $48,400, and continue to increase by $800 through year 18. The amount of annual increase would then drop off starting in year 19, but would still include an annual step up in pay through $60,000 for teachers in year 30. Those with a master’s degree or doctorate would receive additional compensation for attaining the certification.
Teachers’ aides in June 2018 were also given a pay increase.
“The board is also currently looking at other staff raises for the upcoming school year. Recommendation for other staff raises will be considered with the approval of the budget in August,” Harden stated.
Greenview Cemetery Memorial Day Sunday July 7
The annual Memorial Day at Greenview Cemetery is set for Sunday July 7 with services beginning at 10:45 am. Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom will be guest speaker. Greenview Church and Cemetery are located on CR 1168 just off FM 1567 West in the southwest part of Hopkins County. Take Highway 19 South and turn west at the Miller Grove exit onto FM 1567 West.
Winners Circle at Summer 42 Tournament at Srs. Center
42 is a popular game in Texas, across the nation and all over the world, actually. And guess what? The game originated in Texas, and since 2011, is the ‘official State domino game of Texas’.
Karon Weather,director of the Sulphur Springs Seniors Center, set the date of the tournament for Saturday June 29, 2019 and 30 teams registered to play. Four people; two teams of two persons each, make up a game of 42. The top four places were recognized at the tournament.
1st Place – Calvin Bain and Paul Bennett
2nd Place – Steve Fox and John Perkins
3rd Place – Bill Eason and Ernest Young
4th Place – Nevil Solomon and Marlene Gore
42 is a domino game first developed by a couple of young teens in response to the general disapproval of card-playing games held by many Protestants of that time. Also known as Texas 42, the trick-taking game is played with a standard set of double six dominoes. 42 is often referred to as the “national game of Texas”. Tournaments are held in many towns, and the State Championship tournament is held annually in Hallettsville, Texas on the first Saturday of March each year. In 2011, the State legislature designated it the official State Domino Game of Texas.
A Request From the City and Luminant Mining Company, Engineering Service Providers On Monday Commissioners’ Agendas
Hopkins County Commissioners Court has a full schedule Monday morning, which includes two work sessions in addition to their regular 9 a.m. meeting.
HCCC is scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m. in the third floor meeting room at Hopkins County Courthouse in order to open and grade potential engineering service providers for the Texas Hazardous Mitigation Program, then enter into a budget work session.
The court will then consider adopting a resolution designating an engineering service provider for the Texas Hazardous Mitigation Assistance Program Application and project-related engineering services.
A request from the City of Sulphur Springs and Luminant Mining Company LLC is also among the topics up for commissioners consideration during their regular 9 a.m. regular court session.
The regular agenda also calls for HCCC to consider the County Road Inventory for 835 miles of county-maintained road mileage for certified funding through Texas Department of Transportation and as well as appointment a representative to the local Workforce Development Board.
A county emergency management employee will be recognized for completing security training.
Immediately following the 9 a.m. regular court session, Hopkins County Commissioner Court is scheduled to return to the third floor meeting room for another work session.
The agenda for the later work session includes discussion with Tom Glosup about county building maintenance and construction projects, with the sheriff and county fire chief about operations and finances within their departments, Shameria Davis about health incentives and programs, a report from Andy Wright on the Upper Lake Fork Watershed, discussion for clarification of new subdivision regulations, and a budget work session.
