During Commissioners Court’s last meeting of 2007, Andrew Perez and David Bogel of the Synero Architecture Studio presented a report on the status and progress concerning the new county office building.

The report contained drawings of the proposed building and outlined the current square footage as designed and recommended to fulfill the needs of the various county agencies. But this all reflected a cost well over the $3 million budgeted for the building.

After a lengthy discussion on how best to get the cost within the budget, the architects asked the county officials for direction regarding which square footage should be cut in order to reduce the cost.

The architects reminded county officials that time to make changes and/or rearrange the scope and size of the offices is required soon as building costs will continue to rise.

County officials said Commissioners Court will plan a meeting in early January to discuss this important issue.

In other business, the court welcomed the new county extension agency-family consumer service agent, Meredith Carter. Carter, a recent graduate of Texas A&M University, will begin work on February 4, although her training will begin sooner.

County Judge Alger Kendall, Jr. introduced Emma Garcia of the Camino Real Community MHMR to discuss the proposal that had been brought up at the last meeting concerning transportation of patients by the Karnes County sheriff’s department.

Sheriff David Jalufka joined the discussion concerning a contract presented to be signed to approve the inter-local agreement brought by Garcia to the court. Garcia said there is money from the state to help with the cost of several factors including the sheriff’s department and their assistance. The money could go for training of officers and reimbursement for some transportation costs.

Sheriff Jalufka said he is still concerned about shortages while officers are being trained and being called on short notice or their off-duty days to transport the patients.

"How much money is allocated for providing this service and training?" Commissioner Isidro "Stormy" Rossett asked.

Garcia said that $56,000 is available to be divided among the nine counties that participate.

Kendall said that regardless of whether the county joins in the inter-local agreement, the bottom line is that the county is responsible for transporting and absorbing the cost incurred for those who do not have insurance and who require law enforcement escorts.

"How much does the transport of a patient usually cost?" Commissioner Darrel Blaschke asked.

The commissioner was told that the cost was somewhere between $800 and $1,800 depending on the length of the trip.

Jalufka expressed concerns about changing a system that has been working well so far.

Kendall said he believes the county should have access to the monies available and called for a motion that would accept the contract with wording to say that no changes in the procedure now in effect are to be made. He added that County Attorney Bob Busselman will work with Garcia and Sheriff Jalufka to go over the wording in the contract before it is signed. The motion passed.

Mark Rhodes of the Texas Railroad Commission and David Lewis, engineer for the TRC, spoke on updates concerning abandoned mine project reports, including the Conquista Creek reclamation project.

They reported that they are working toward 100 percent reclamation, assuring that it will not affect the 100 year flood plain. Lewis said that they plan for flood plains to be restored and reclaimed to their status before the mines existed. They requested a letter be submitted to the federal government agency overseeing their project showing that their report had been presented to Commissioners Court.

Several other items were approved by the court. The renewal and continuation of a contract with AR Management and Solutions Account Services LP for collection services for Karnes County EMS was approved.

The authorization to advertise for time warrants in the amount of $50,000 to purchase a 2004 International truck for precinct 2 was approved.

The acceptance of $1,150 for damages caused to a precinct 2 truck with authorization to execute a legal agreement release was approved.

Expenditure of $84,212.80 from the Records Management and Preservation Fund by the county clerk to retain ACS to scan county records Volumes 149-790 and transfer them onto CDs and to install in ACS computers in the county clerk’s office was approved. Most of the cost is covered through the fund’s account.

The county clerk’s office requested authorization to contract with the Democratic and Republican Parties to hold the March 4, 2008 primary and the April 8, 2008 runoff primary. Both parties contribute payment for these primaries and any runoff elections. The authorization was approved.

Also approved was the reappointment of Commissioner Darrel Blaschke as the county’s representative to DE (DeWitt)-GO (Goliad)-LA (Lavaca) RC& D (Resources, Conservation, & Development) organization. Those listed above were the original counties that joined together for a non-profit organization to obtain grants to educate, promote projects and work with schools, and civic and community activities regarding conservation. There are now 18 counties in the organization.

Lastly, after discussion, the 2008 calendar was established with county holidays and meeting dates agreed upon.