Freestone County Commissioners met five times during the month of December, with three specially called meetings in addition to their two regularly scheduled meetings.
At these meetings, Commissioners voted to approve the sale of fireworks from December 20, 2024, through January 1, 2025, except for skyrockets with sticks and missile-style rockets in unincorporated areas of the County.
Approval was given for a contract with Freestone County Soil and Water Conservation District #424 for services. A total of $2,000 is set aside in the County budget and the State will match those funds.
Authorization was given to the County Judge to execute the settlement participation and release forms regarding settlement offers from Kroger in the matter of Texas opioid multi-district litigation for the County in the matter of County of Freestone v. Purdue Pharma, L.P. et al. The total, so far, due to the County comes to $118,536.67.
Commissioners approved a new contract for services that offers state of the art protection by securing data being transferred between laptop computers in sheriff deputies’ vehicles and dispatch. This program has a superior firewall and is used by the FBI.
An agreement was approved for services with Windstream for the Senior Services building. With the updated plan, the monthly cost will be about $100 per month less than what is currently being paid.
Commissioners voted to transfer Fairfield VFD’s Engine #83 to Dew VFD for the use of its chassis, once Fairfield VFD receives its new Engine later this year.
Precinct 3 was awarded a tractor shredder in the amount of $17,592.12 and a mini excavator in the amount of $5,725 using ARPA funds.
Commissioners approved a Tax Abatement Agreement with Greenalia Solar Power Ratcliff, LLC relating to solar facilities and equipment in Zone 7. This project is projected to produce 85 megawatts of solar power on 459 acres in Oakwood ISD with $88,800,000 in capital investments, $76,891 Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT), with a $10,000 upfront payment. Project should be complete at the end of 2026.
Another Tax Abatement Agreement was approved, this one with Palmera Solar Development, LLC relating to solar facilities and equipment in Zone 8. This project is projected to produce 221 megawatts of solar power on 16,059 acres in Buffalo ISD with $230,000,000 capital investments, $189,974.00 PILOT, with an upfront payment of $15,000. The project should be complete in the third quarter of 2027.
Commissioners heard from Freestone County resident Charles Morgan, who was seeking help from the County with noise frequencies that he claims are negatively affecting him and others in the County. He was informed that, unfortunately, the County has no authority to pass any type of laws regarding oil and gas noise or frequencies. He was recommended to plead his case with the State Legislature.
Security Cameras were approved for coverage in the District Attorney’s office, the County’s communication building, and for Courthouse Security in the amount of $45,000.
Precinct 3 will be receiving a Ford Truck in the amount of $79,000 from the ARPA fund. The remaining amount of $105,255.34 was divided between the four precincts’ Road and Bridge funds in the amount of $26,313.84.
Also, during these meetings, Commissioners voted on the following:
–Approve Louise Brown, Mandy Chavers, and Christal Smith to the CPS Board.
–Approve the Mitsui Road Use Agreement.
–Approve the engagement letter for outside auditing services with Davis Heinemann & Company, P.C.
–Renew Workers Comp with an increase of $3,000 from last year.
–Approve the Dowdy to Momentum 12” Pipeline Road Use Agreement.
–Approve the So Shiney 12” Pipeline Road Use Agreement.
–Approve the Wilderness Phase IV, Section II Cab. B, Env. 167 Replat Lots 1, 2, & 3 Final Plat Lot 1-R.
–Renew ongoing contract for Medical Services for Freestone County Inmates with Limestone Medical Center.
–Renewed adoption of filing fees in the District Clerk’s office.
–Approve agreement for Reimbursement for Mental Health Counseling Services from HOTCOG in the amount of $1,392 for 2024.
–Reschedule the January 1, 2025, Commissioners Meeting to January 2, 2025.
–Approve amendment and assignment of Tehuacana Creek Solar, LLC Tax Abatement Agreement.
–Approve Tax Abatement Agreement with Three Canes Solar, LLC.
–Reappoint County Historical Commission members.
–Add Heather Sutton to the Citizens’ State Bank – Inmate Trust Fund bank account.
–Approve to put out for sealed bids to sell a 2002 Dodge 1-ton flatbed truck for Precinct 1 Road & Bridge.
–Approve to put out for sealed bids to sell a John Deere CX15 Mower for Precinct 1 Road & Bridge.
–Approve to put out for sealed bids to sell a 24’ Tandem Axle Gooseneck Flat Bed Trailer for Precinct 1 Road & Bridge.
–Remove Jeannie Keeney from Active Certificate of Deposit Accounts at Citizen’s State Bank and Prosperity Bank.
–Add Mandy Chavers on Active Certificate of Deposit Accounts at Citizen’s State Bank and Prosperity Bank.
–Approve the Subscription Services Agreement for the Sheriff’s Office.
County Commissioners, presided over by County Judge Linda Grant, meet regularly on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the 2nd Floor Courtroom beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Their next meeting, however, will be Thursday, January 2, 2025, following the swearing-in of County Officials in the District Courtroom, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
