The Karnes County Commissioners Court meeting began with guest speakers.

Earl Stimson thanked county officials for their favorable vote for the homestead tax freeze for citizens over 65 or disabled to begin in 2009.

J. D. Smith asked about the status on the repairs and restoration of the courthouse. He inquired about how much the public has been involved and if there had been any town hall meetings.

County Judge Alger Kendall, Jr. replied that all of the meetings about the courthouse had been open to the public and would continue to be so.

A question about the status of building other facilities to house the county offices also was answered by Judge Kendall sharing some of the progress so far on the plans for the annex.

Two resolutions were then passed by the court.

Linda Arriaga-De La Cruz, a spokesperson for the Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter, asked that the month of April be recognized as "National Sexual Assault and Prevention Month" in Karnes County. The reading of the proclamation says that it will be proclaimed in Karnes County "and asks that all citizens observe this month by supporting the goals and ideas of victims and those working toward awareness and prevention, and by participating in community efforts." The Violence Shelter serves the four counties of Guadalupe, Gonzales, Karnes and Wilson. The proclamation was signed by county officials who also were given purple ribbons to wear in April.

The second resolution was a request for the support of the authority of the Commissioners Court to accept the $132,000 and $134,000 from the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant. The grant is for the continued operation of the after-care program and the community service program. The grant, for 2009, will start in August Also requested was a letter from the county judge to confirm the resolution.

The court also approved the relocation of Precinct Box #1 now located in the Karnes County Courthouse to St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes City. Discussion noted that the small room location in the courthouse was inadequate during the recent primary election and with the upcoming national election in November, more space to serve the citizens is needed. Early voting will still take place in the county courthouse location.

A decision was made to start the procedure to close a portion of County Road 150, but only after all of the legal actions required have been processed. County Attorney Robert Busselman will see to these actions being fulfilled, including a petition required to be signed by all of the landowners involved. The matter will be taken up again after this has been completed.

Sheriff David Jalufka requested that the court allow him to hire a certified peace officer to act as a court bailiff as needed on the crowded court dockets. When working as the court bailiff, the hourly salary was requested to be taken from the courthouse security fund. After discussion, the court approved the request with the stipulation that the monthly cost taken from the courthouse security fund and would not exceed $400 per month.

Advertisements for bids for the sale of two items were approved. One is the sale of a 1994 Ford tractor, 7740 Power Star SLE, front end bucket - 7210, metal frame guard around back windows with a starting bid of $15,000. The second is for the sale of a cattle guard, 7’ x 14’, 2 3/8" pipe. The advertisements will run in the paper April 2, 9, and 16. Both bids will be opened April 30.

Judge Kendall then announced that the county’s trash collection station on Riddleville Road (aka Cemetery Road) would start accepting brush from citizens desiring to have a place to put their shrubbery trimmings and collections. With spring the time for a lot of tree and shrubbery trimming, he wants the public to know the following:

The brush may be brought on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

No limbs or trimmings bigger than 12 inches in diameter will be accepted

The cost will be $2.50 per pickup load and $5 per trailer load.

The county also has a chipper and will, from time to time, chip the brush into mulch.

The meeting closed for a closed session meeting. No action was taken at that meeting.