Commissioners’ Court began a half hour after scheduled start time, awaiting the arrival of County Judge Ray West.
Written by Amanda Coers – The Commissioners Court discussed three agenda items on Monday, including an update for a burn ban and possible fireworks ban for the county. The commissioners agreed to take no action on both items, and there will be no ban for either in place heading into the Christmas holidays. Fireworks may be sold, however, all fireworks purchased must be shot outside of city limits.
The final item on the agenda for the court was in regards to the “McKinstry Project,” a $5.799 million contract with McKinstry Energy Savings for the purpose of (Phase 1) improving several county buildings, including the courthouse, juvenile justice center and the agricultural extension office. The project also included (Phase 2) a $1.25 million bid for the construction of a new elections/treasurer’s building.
Controversy surrounds the McKinstry project, specifically the need for a new building for the elections office, which has been located at the Adams Street Community Center in Brownwood. Initially, the reason for contracting to build a new facility was presented with a concern the elections office would be asked to move out of the community center. There is no record the city of Brownwood has ever asked or suggested the county would need to move the election offices. Opposition to the decision not to solicit bids from local contractors and businesses within the county has also been expressed.
As the new elections/treasurer’s building nears completion, Judge West asked the commissioners to grant him the authority to sign completion documents.
“Before I sign them, I will circulate them to you,” Judge Ray West said. “If you have any notes or comments, you can write on those. I don’t think it constitutes a meeting. However, if you do make comments to the point that I feel I should not sign them, we will have a meeting and discuss it.” Commissioner Joel Kelton expressed his concern regarding a water filtration system and the maintenance contract for that system, asking “If they’re supposed to be providing maintenance on this, why are we paying for a maintenance contract on top of that?”
Judge West explained the maintenance contract in question was to cover equipment (the water filtration system) that could not be warrantied by McKinstry.
West continued with a formal motion for the court to authorize him to sign completion documents for the McKinstry project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Worley, and approved by Commissioners Worley and Shaw. Commissioner Kelton was opposed. The motion was passed with a three to one vote.
After court adjourned, West was asked if there was a schedule in place for moving the offices into the newly constructed building. West gave a tentative answer, estimating move-in to happen in January 2017, explaining, “It all depends on how quickly the parking lot can be paved.” Originally the building was supposed to have been completed in May 2016.
Judge West has currently received two bids for construction of the parking lot for the building. It was not stated whether or not those bids came from local contractors.
