The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

It was business as usual Monday when commissioner met during their regular scheduled meeting.

First on the agenda was for commissioners to approve action for Orange County Judge Carl Thibodeaux to appointed to serve on the Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District, Inc. Appointments are for three year terms.

According to Thibodeaux, they recently received a $4 million grant from the General Land Office to conduct a feasibility study. Orange County has already completed a study. The project is expected to include counties from Brazoria to Orange.

Commissioners approved action to make a $3 million payment for the remaining balance of the tax and revenue anticipation note.

Accepted into the minutes of the court were the financial audit report for the fiscal year 2012 for Emergency Services Districts 1, 2 and 4.

County Court at Law Judge Mandy White-Rogers was given approval to attend the Texas College of Probate Judges Conference March 12th to 14th on Fort Worth. Her trip will be at no costs to Orange County since it will be paid out of other funds.

Also approved was travel for three Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace employees. Their travel expenses will be paid for from the Justice Court Technology Fund.

Also approved for travel were members of the County Extension office. The budgeted item will allow county extension agents to travel to locations in Liberty and Houston.

Commissioners also granted permission to fill the job position vacated by Paula Tacker, of the Orange County Extension office. Tacker’s job duties included nutrition services, the food service management program, senior rally day and assisting with the 4-H program among other things. The job opening will be posted internally for two weeks before becoming open to the public. Fritz hopes to return to commissioners court in the near future with a potential job candidate for approval from the court.

Early voting locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 18th through Feb. 22 and again Feb. 24 through Feb. 28th. The locations include: First Baptist Church in Mauriceville, Orange Public Library in Orange, Bridge City Public Works Building in Bridge City and The Raymond Gould Community Center in Vidor.

Also approved was action approving hiring election judges and workers for the March 4th general election.

In other county business, Sabrina Gray, Orange County Expo Center, was appointed to the Keep Orange County Beautiful Committee and Thibodeaux was authorized to sign an aerial waiver for the Orange County Mosquito Control District to operate aircraft in accordance with all Federal and State Rule and Regulations.

Gray also gave her first departmental report to commissioners. Gray stated she began her job in October and since then she has had numerous inquiries in renting the Expo Center. From the inquiries, she has booked five non-profit events, one class reunion, two business events, one trade show, two county entity events and two wedding receptions. The revenue collected to date has been $5,221 and provided the rentals do not change the remaining balance due is $11,975.

She also told commissioners she has worked with the operations staff to set up the venues with each one being a learning experience. They are creating the best foot print for table placement as they go along.

Recently, Gray had some inquiries from a gun show promoter from Arkansas inquire about bringing a show to the Expo Center. However, when Gray asked why they did not book the expo center for their event, she was told the prices were too high. Gray said she plans to meet with a committee and will look at other centers to compare prices. She is expected to return to commissioners court with her findings.

The building dedication of the Expo Center scheduled for Tuesday was rescheduled for Feb. 8. Tours of the building will start at 9 a.m. for the public to visit all the departments. The dedication and ribbon cutting will take place at 4 p.m. in the ballroom.