A full agenda coupled with a lack of air conditioning in the Johnson County Courthouse Monday prompted County Judge Roger Harmon to ask commissioners to delay action on the future management of the Johnson County Corrections Center until today. Commissioners agreed to reconvene court at 8:30 a.m.
Hiring an outside firm to manage the jail would save the county a considerable amount of money, Sheriff Bob Alford told commissioners recently.
Calling the matter “possibly the largest decision this court has made in some time,” Harmon said he wanted to make sure commissioners had sufficient time to address the issue.
Commissioners voted to apply for a grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which would help fund a new dispatch center building for the county. The FEMA grant awards up to $1 million and requires a 25 percent match from the county. Should the county receive the grant, commissioners will decide on building specifications and location at that time, said Commissioner John Matthews.
Commissioners also agreed to enter into talks with Somervell, Hood, Bosque and Ellis counties about a mobile, 40 bed hospital, which would be available to the participating counties in times of disaster, commissioners said. Tarrant, Dallas and Collin counties already have such a program in place.
Commissioners authorized Margaret Cook, purchasing department supervisor, to advertise a second auction on two county properties that did not sell the first time around. The first is a building at 1601 N. Anglin St., which previously housed the state health office and Meals-on-Wheels offices. Both have since moved to other locations. The county originally listed the building with a minimum bid of $26,000, the building’s appraised value. There will be no minimum bid on the new auction.
Also to be auctioned once more is a strip of property, about six acres, near the Retreat near Farm-to-Market Road 1434. The minimum bid is $3,000 per acre.
In other news, the commissioners:
zx Voted to accept donations from Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy and Quicksilver Resources. The donations will fund road repairs in Precincts 1 and 4.
zx Appointed Personnel Director Tom Owens as the county’s Americans With Disabilities Act coordinator. Dr. Arthur Raines, who previously handled such duties, retired Monday.
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Related Photos
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Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford, left, presents a plaque of appreciation to Dr. Arthur Raines, right, in honor of 32 years of service as the county’s medical examiner and county jail doctor. Raines retired Monday. Also pictured is Marjorie “Happy” Morris, former head registered nurse at the Johnson County Corrections Center and Cpt. Tom Craig of the sheriff’s office. Matt Smith/Times-Review
Discussion
Jail management decision delayed
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May/June 2012 Community Life magazine
The May/June 2012 edition of Community Life magazine is available for online viewing. Click here to view.
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Primary election today
Because of redistricting as required by the 2010 Census, Johnson County experienced some changes effective Jan. 1, said Patty Bourgeois, Johnson County Elections administrator. Primary election day hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must vote at their precinct location. For information visit the Johnson County Election Office’s website at www.JohnsonCountyElections.com or call 817-556-6197.
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Officials, residents remember those who gave it all
A robust breeze alleviated the heat somewhat Monday morning at Cleburne Memorial Cemetery, but also played pandemonium with the setting up of a memorial table for POW and MIA veterans. Wind tipped a vase holding a single rose shattering it on the pavement. A hastily retrieved replacement held out but at one point toppled causing water to spill inches shy of the public announcement speaker.
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A mother’s love, one day at a time
To everyone else, it was a regular Thursday. It was almost the weekend, almost summer break, time for vacation or time with family.
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Candidates vie for Pct. 2, 3 seats
County voters will weigh in on three Johnson County Commissioners Court seats up for election on Tuesday. In addition to the five-candidate Precinct 1 race, voters living in precincts 2 and 3 will also vote for the commissioner of their choice.
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Primary could decide constables
Ten candidates, all Republican, compete in their four respective precincts in the May 29 primary. With no Democratic opponents to face in November’s general election, the primary should decide the winner of all but one possible race.
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Voters urged to check for possible precinct changes
Because of redistricting as required by the 2010 Census, Johnson County experienced some changes effective Jan. 1, said Patty Bourgeois, Johnson County Elections administrator.
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Early voting numbers well short of ’08
Early voting turnout in Johnson County’s Democratic and Republican primaries totaled 3,914 as of Friday morning. That total includes 309 votes in the Democratic Primary and 3,605 in the Republican Primary.
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Yellow Jackets headed to finals
GRAHAM — The Wichita Falls Rider pitching staff swam with sharks for most of five innings Friday, avoiding all but a few love taps and playful nips from Cleburne batters.
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Changes at Splash Station
Splash Station officially opens for the summer season this weekend, and those who frequented the park in years past may notice some modifications.
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