After about 45 minutes in executive session, the Ector County Commissioners’ Court made the decision to make $250,000 available to the salary committee.
Mike Gardner, Precinct 1 commissioner, made the motion to allocate that money to the salary committee and he spoke with the Odessa American after Tuesday’s meeting about the decision.
“During the year, you will have things come up in departments that are outside of the budget and this is strictly to do with salaries,” Gardner said. “You might need to adjust an area that you need to move people in and you need to make a little adjustment. This gives us some money to have available to us in our budget to make adjustments.
“When we do our budgets, we fully fund our salaries for the whole year. You are never going to have 100% employment for the whole year. You are going to have people leave. You will probably never need that $250,000, but we don’t want to tie our hands to where we can’t retain employees if we need to make some adjustments.”
The commissioners also approved the court and holiday schedule for the 2022 to 2023 term.
The court schedule passed unanimously, while the holiday schedule was met with opposition from Armando Rodriguez, Precinct 4 commissioner. He made a motion to include Columbus Day in the holiday schedule. That motion died after his initial motion wasn’t seconded. The holiday schedule, which includes 12 days, was approved 4-1 with Rodriguez as the lone dissenting vote.
The court also approved to increase contract cap for the agreement between PermiaCare and Ector County.
Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis spoke after commissioners entered executive session. Griffis explained the important relationship Ector County has with PermiaCare.
“We have to utilize (PermiaCare) daily in reference to individuals who are mentally ill and need assistance,” Griffis said. “We couldn’t do without PermiaCare. We have mental health deputies that collaborate and coordinate with the folks (at PermiaCare) daily. They provide services to our jail. They are invaluable.”
Don Stringer, Precinct 3 commissioner, reiterated after Tuesday’s meeting that a partnership that is beneficial for the Ector County Sheriff’s Office is benefits the entire county.
“PermiaCare does play an important role in our community,” Stringer said. “… They are a great asset.”
The court also:
>> Appointed Christy Hamilton of PermiaCare and Javier Gonzales of the Odessa Police Department to the Ector County Sexual Assault Response Team Board.
>> Approved the Joint Election Resolution for the General Election and the City of Odessa Election to be held November 8, 2022.
>> Approved Notice of General and the City of Odessa Election, Ector County Early Voting Schedule, and Election Day Voting Centers.
>> Rejected the proposal for Life, AD&D, and Supplemental Life.
>> Approved the Change Order #1 for Cottonwood Road, Phase II PO #38312.
>> Approved action on an Alley Way Vacation at 8100 N. County Rd. W. Being a Subdivision Establishing Lots 28, 29, 30, in Block 17, Containing 5.010 Acres, Part of Section 40, Block 42, T-1-S, Texas & Pacific Railroad, Ector County, Texas.
>> Approved the following proposed Consent Agenda: Approve a line item transfer to General Fund, Building Maintenance, Motor Vehicle Equipment, 001-710-5505 from Water/Sewer/Trash, 001-710-5354 for $12,150.
>> Approved the Ector County Investment Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2022.
>> Approved a budget amendment to Sales Tax Fund, Jail, Motor Vehicle Equipment, 005-420-5505 and to Sales Tax, 005-4006 for $36,450.
>> Approved a budget amendment to General Fund, Library, Library Supplies, 001-690-5185 and to Donated Revenues, 001-4171 for $4,788.
>> Approved the Accounts Payable Fund Requirements Report for August 9, 2022 to review County financial statements and reports.
