The county will seek proposals from qualified contractors to assist in the creation of a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan.
The court also approved change orders from McKinstry Essention for projects to replace chillers at the courthouse and for construction at the Hill County Covington Street Annex.
The company discovered issues with the installation of the chiller system in 1998 that had to be addressed, adding $23,825 to the project total.
At the Covington Street Annex, additional charges were incurred due to the relocation of the county auditor’s office, the addition of a door at the tax office, security upgrades at the elections office and other projects. The total addition was $47,731. Lewis said that the project is now complete.
The court approved closing a Wells Fargo bank account opened as an escrow account for the Longview Creek Ranch subdivision in the Itasca area. The county surveyor confirmed the subdivision’s completion.
Commissioners approved preliminary plats for a subdivision on HCR 2128 in Whitney, involving the adjustment of lot lines to sell a property, and another subdivision on HCR 4105 north of Covington, which involves dividing a tract into four lots.
A replat of the Tres Vidas subdivision, located on PR 478 in Hillsboro, was approved to adjust lot lines.
Commissioners discussed sheriff and constable fees, which must be reported to the state comptroller by October 1. The county made no changes to its fees last year. Lewis said that the agenda item was intended to start the conversation about whether the fees are covering the services provided. No action was taken.
A road use agreement was approved with Elawan, Pitts, Dudik II, LLC for the second phase of the company’s solar project near Penelope. The 30-megawatt addition was already in the company’s plans and was previously presented to the community. The agreement lays out protections for the county, specifies which roads can be used by the company and ensures that the company will be responsible for any damages.
In open forum, a Hillsboro resident thanked the court and Commissioner Martin Lake for their leadership of Hill County.
In other discussion, commissioners reported that they are still working on damaged roads and downed trees. Hemrick reported that the county is preparing for wildfire season. Emergency Services District (ESD) 1 President Ken Goins said that it is hot and dry with a lot of tall grass, and departments were as ready as they could be heading into the Fourth of July and summer weather.
Lewis said that with the foundation of the Hill County Cell Block Museum now stabilized, the museum board is doing its portion of the rehabilitation work. Brick work is being completed on the exterior, and brick and plaster work has been underway inside. Roof work at the Support Services Building should also be able to begin soon, as the contractor was waiting for drier weather.
Lewis said that hot weather is nothing new for Hill County residents, but he encouraged the public to be cognizant of conditions when spending time outdoors as temperatures rise.
The court’s next regularly scheduled meeting was set for Tuesday, July 9, at 8:30 a.m. in the County Courtroom of the courthouse.
The Lakelander 