Commissioners meet

Ector County commissioners are fighting back over what they see as low valuations to oil mineral rights in the state.

The state comptroller's office set an economic factor for the upcoming fiscal year based on $35 a barrel oil. Karen McCord, chief appraiser for the Ector County Appraisal District, said the price is based on a projected average for the year.

McCord said she had expected to see valuations between $45 and $55 a barrel.

That price will lead to a 25 percent decrease in mineral values over last year for the county, McCord said.

"Real estate is still going up, but not enough to compensate for the drop in oil prices," she said.

Commissioners voted to send a resolution to legislators and the appraisal district encouraging them to discuss the value with the comptroller.

County Judge Susan Redford said most other counties in the Permian Basin were passing similar resolutions.

"The results will be a dramatic decrease in revenue to the county," she said. "It's of grave concern across the state."

Commissioners also voted to move $12,000 from the county's building maintenance account to put toward finishing the Westside Senior Center. Cost overruns, mainly due to steel costs, have pushed the price of the 5,100-square-foot building to $185,0000, building maintenance director O.C. Carrillo said.

The project will have an activity room, offices and kitchen with a serving line, Carrillo said. Construction started in December and Carrillo expected it to be finished by mid-May.

"We've been a pretty bunch of busy bees," he said.

Initially, $18,000 was requested to finish the project but that was reduced because of donations for $6,100.

Administrative assistant Debbie Clay said that could be reduced further because an additional $5,000 in donations is expected to be voted on at the next commissioner meeting.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Freddie Garner was pleased the project was nearing completion.

"I have had many, many positive comments from the citizens of West Odessa," he said. "They have expressed to me that they can't wait for it to open."

That wasn't the only action involving senior centers. Regretfully, commissioners accepted the retirement of county senior centers director Joyce Thompson.

In other action, commissioners approved:

>> The announcement of Maria Leyva as the new bilingual coordinator for the elections office.

>> Deferring an immunization administration fee for children 60 months and younger from April 25 through May 2.

>> Renewing the Ector County Library's membership in the Texas State Library System.

>> A request for Ector County to serve as a worksite for a Texas Workforce Network summer youth program.

>> A bid to resurface the Gardendale Park tennis court for $31,000.

>> A bid on water-based traffic paint.

>> A local and long-distance telephone contract.

>> An agreement on the juvenile probation departments participating in the national school lunch and school breakfast programs.

>> Developing requests for proposals for operations services at Schlemeyer Field airport. The county's contract with FarMor Aviation expires Sept. 30.

>> The 2010-2011 Victim Coordinator Liaison Grant application.

>> An interlocal agreement between Odessa College and the Ector County Health Department.

>> An amendment to the Ector County Employee Health Benefit plan.

>> An Odyssey Hardware change order at no change in cost.