In the absence of County Judge Alger Kendall, Jr., Commissioner Darrell Blaschke presided over the regular Commissioners Court meeting on November 13.

A briefing on the grant progress for renovation of the Karnes County Courthouse was presented.

Architect Lewis Fisher told the commissioners that "a resolution from county officials is needed by Friday, November 16, to be taken to Austin to complete the application process." He said there are "ups and downs on the restoration" with the final review so far "showing 95 percent of the application approved" and the presentation will probably score "15 to 20 percent higher than before."

He said the "not so good" news involves talks with sub-contractors to help keep costs down on the renovation. The Brown Construction Company shows the current cost estimate as $8.3 million with $6 million the sum of the grant for which the county applied. The county’s share could be about $2.6 million, which is the estimated cost of the new county office building to be constructed as well.

Commissioner Isidro "Stormy" Rossett asked, "How are the chances of getting the grant money requested?"

Fisher said it’s hard to tell but "without the resolution needed by Friday there would be no chance at all."

After discussion about possible cost increases needed to cover the county’s portion, the cost of the additional office building to be constructed, the proposal to possibly restore the building through the Texas Historical Commission and the ability for choosing not to go through with the county’s restoration process if and when grant money is offered, the court voted to meet on Friday the 16^th to decide whether to complete the application process with the needed resolution.

During the special meeting on November 16, the court voted 3-1 to approve the resolution in support of the THC grant application. Commissioners Blaschke, Rossett and Wiatrek voted in favor, while Commissioner James Rosales cast the only vote in opposition stating that he felt the courthouse restoration grant project was not feasible. County Judge Alger Kendall Jr. was not present for the meeting, but indicated his support of the grant application in a written statement that was read aloud during the meeting.

Neva Schmidt spoke to the commissioners to ask for approval of the goals and to update them on the progress of the Community Plan for Karnes County. She said the grant-funded plan "involves many areas of community life that includes programs for juveniles, victims of crime, adult education, daycare, homeland security and law enforcement." She said they are adding another building to their present location but are in need of additional personnel, both part and full-time. Commissioner Rossett asked "if there are any statistics available on how the plan is helping?" She stated that statistics are being updated and will be available for the commissioners to review soon. The court voted for her request for approval of the goals to continue with the plan.

Other actions included approval for the sale of three lots in Kenedy, Lot 4 in the subdivision of Block 87 of the original town site of Kenedy, and lots 6 and 7 in the Pan American Addition #2. A fourth lot in Runge, Lot 3, Block 112A was approved for sale as well.

The commissioners then approved the placement of an ad in the paper in December to seek bids for the sale of Precinct 1’s 1990 Chevrolet pickup.

After discussing a list of changes in the Karnes County Participation Plan in the Texas County and District Retirement System for 2008, the commissioners voted to authorize the changes.

Also, the court used their allocated votes to appoint Benny Lyssy and Tracy Witte as directors of the Karnes County Appraisal Board.

A report from Larry Dement with the Karnes County Soil and Water Conservation District followed the regular agenda items. He reported he had recently attended a statewide conference in Waco. He related he was "surprised to learn that out of 217 districts represented at the conference, only seven counties had not contributed $300 toward the work of educating the people of Texas about the importance of their conservation work. Karnes County was one of those seven." He was hoping that the court would approve the payment of that. Commissioner Jeffrey Wiatrek commented that "the education shared should include how county roads are affected when ditches are flooded and the involvement of farmers and ranchers who often contribute debris to those ditches and stop up the normal flow." Dement said more study and information regarding flood programs and dams as old as 50 years or more are in need of studies and updates. The commissioners noted that $5,000 has been included in the budget for the conservation board to continue their work

A final discussion was held at the end of the meeting about the legality of land owners putting locked gates on county roads that go through their property. The item was tabled for the Nov. 16 special meeting. At that meeting, Commissioner James Rosales made a motion for the gate to be removed. The motion carried on a 3-1 vote with Commissioner Rossett casting the only vote in opposition. Rossett said that removing the gate would encourage poaching of deer along that county road.