New patrol vehicles for the sheriff’s office, a vending machine and a new payroll system were among the items approved during the Sept. 8 meeting of Hopkins County Commissioners Court.
New Patrol Vehicles
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tanner Crump asked the Commissioners Court to consider approving a financing agreement for 7 Chevrolet Tahoes for the sheriff’s department. The SUVs would be financed for $366,254 through American National Leasing Company, to be paid back over 3 years at a 2.85 interest rate, according to Hopkins County Auditor Shanna Aulsbrook.
Crump said this will include new vehicles fully outfitted with everything except cameras. Typically, the county is out the cost of the vehicles, then another $11,000 to outfit them.
The sheriff’s office vehicles are stripped of police equipment including lights and cages before they can be sold once reaching very high mileages. The new vehicles will be traded in or sold with about half the miles and should sell for more, a difference of the $5,000-$6,000 typically received and $15,000-$16,000 per unit the ANLC units are projected to receive, thanks to the business’ access to additional vendors and dealership, the chief deputy explained.
“That’s fully equipped new vehicles at the same rate as the last few years. It’s a little higher, but I think it’ll be recouped selling the vehicles at a higher rate,” Crump said.
The court approved the financing agreement for 7 Chevrolet Tahoes to be financed through American National Leasing Company.
Vending Machine
Crump also asked the Commissioners Court to allow Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association to place a vending machine at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center for snacks and drinks. Any funds raised from the sales would go to HCLEA to be applied toward community involvement, such as entry fees for the Stew Contest and other types of cook-offs, as well as projects such as the Blue Santa program and annual Easter egg hunt which help improve relationships between law enforcement and the community, and in the past toward hosting a golf tournament or musical shows to benefit the DARE program. HCLEA is required to donate more than 51 percent of any money it receives to charitable causes.
Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook pointed out that the vending machine currently at the Civic Center typically generates additional revenue for the Civic Center, which they would lose if its removed and the HCLEA machine is put in.
Crump reported that the Civic Center Manager had agreed to the installation of a new vending machine, if the Commissioners Court approved it. The chief deputy said law enforcement and the Civic Center staff have a great relationship, trading off which helps the other, and often work together.
The Commissioners Court agreed to the request for the new ending machine to be place at the facility to be benefit HCLEA.
Other Items
The Commissioners Court also approved an order with Kronos SaaShr, Inc. for a new electronic payroll system. This allows for purchase of the parts needed for the new software system to be ordered. The new system will installed in increments by department throughout the county, until all payroll operations are electronic.
Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley reported an asset disposal. Old SCBAs that were out of date and taken out of service per Texas Commission on Fire Protection were stripped down as required. The cylinders were then disposed of properly at Reed’s Scrap metal. They received $6 for them, Endsley reported.
Also approved were four requests from Farmer’s Electric Cooperative Inc. to construct electrical power distribution facilities across: County Road 2333, northeast of County Road 2332; County Road 2326, east of County Road 2322; County Road 1127, north of County Road 1152; and County Road 4747, south of FM 71.
Beth Wisenbaker also presented an update on grants the county has applied for, has been awarded and are seeking, including CARES Act, FEMA and Texas Department of Transportation funding.
A public hearing was conducted, the second to be held as required, regarding the proposed county tax rate. The first was conducted on Aug. 17. The proposed tax rate will now be be presented Monday, Sept. 14, to the Commissioners Court for approval during a 9 a.m. court session.
