Ector County Commissioners accepted the comprehensive annual financial report for the 2017 Fiscal Year on Monday morning, while approving other items during their regularly scheduled meeting.
The financial report wasn’t as favorable as it could’ve been, with revenues lower in 2017 compared to the previous year, commissioners said, but the findings weren’t unexpected, either.
“There wasn’t any real surprises in it,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Simmons said just after the meeting adjourned.
“It was a clean audit, so we didn’t have any operational or accounting issues that were uncovered. Unfortunately, we just spent more money than we made that year.”
The report will be available to the public soon at www.co.ector.tx.us, County Auditor David Austin said later Monday.
“It was just a year where we had lower revenues than we had expenses,” Simmons said. “We can’t do that indefinitely, so we’ve got to work on that for this coming budget more than anything.”
Precinct 1 Commissioner Eddy Shelton echoed that there weren’t any surprises that came with the report, which covers the fiscal year ending September 2017.
“We met with the outside auditors this past week,” Shelton said. “We had already met individually with the county auditor and the outside auditors and went over the report.”
In other business, commissioners approved every item proposed on Monday’s agenda, including the creation of a fundraiser calendar to benefit the Ector County Enrichment Fund.
As reported, the calendar, called the “United We Stand” calendar, will be put together by Ector County Administrative Assistant Debbie Clay in an effort to show appreciation to the law enforcement in the county.
The calendar will feature photos from every sector of Ector County law enforcement, including the Ector County Sheriff’s Office, courthouse security and county environmental officers who have to go out in the field for any type of environmental situation.
The success of a recent Passport Fair was also touted to commissioners during the meeting. The report showed 170 passports were applied for at Ector County Courthouse on Saturday, bringing in revenue of $4,490.90 as residents took advantage of the chance to apply outside of regular business hours.
While the report detailed revenue, Shelton hoped a more comprehensive report also detailing total costs could be presented in the future, before the commissioners approve a second fair.
“It’s not a mandated requirement that we provide a passport service. It’s a courtesy. So as long as the courtesy doesn’t cost too much money, then I’m OK with it,” Shelton said.
“It doesn’t have to be a profit center, but it has to be logical,” he added.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, COMMISSIONERS:
- Approved a proposed resolution approving April 8-14 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
- Accepted a donation of a 2011 Ford Crew Cab F-150 Pickup from Pioneer Natural Resources for the Ector County Sheriff’s Office.
- Approved necessary action regarding the capping of a water well at the Law Enforcement Center addition.
- Approved bids on liquid asphalt emulsions, asphalt patching material, graded base material, seal coat aggregate and water.
- Approved a proposed purchase of computers and monitors.
- Approved action regarding the Other Post Employment Benefits Actuarial Valuations Master Service Agreement and Engagement Letter for Initial Texas Share Master Interlocal Purchasing Agreement with North Central Texas Council of Governments.
- Approved a proposed extension of the Auctioneer Services On-Line award to Rene Bates Auctioneers, Inc. for an additional one-year term.
- Noted the withdrawal of a request to set starting pay for TVFC/Immunization Program Specialist and Outreach Coordinator at a Step 3.
- Approved action on a Meich MHRC 1.03 acres being Lot 12, Block 1, Pecan Ridge Subdivision, Ector County.
- Approved action on a Arroyo MHRC 0.91 Acres, Lots 16 and 17, Block 17, Western Hills Subdivision, Ector County.
- Approved action on a Moody MHRC 5.30 Acre Tract located in Section 18, Block B-16, Public School Lands, Ector County.
- Approved a replat of Lot 4, Block 38, Pleasant Farms Subdivision, Fourth Filing.
- Approved a replat of Lot 8, Block 7, Pleasant Farms Subdivision.
- Approved a replat of Lot 4, Block 2, Gage Acres Section 5, Ector County,
- Approved a proposed budget amendment to Capital Projects Fund 045, Contributions, 045-990-5398 from Unreserved Fund Balance 045-3310 in the amount of $200,000.
- Approved action to establish an Airport Capital Improvement Fund, Fund 046.
- Approved action regatding the Accounts Payable Fund Requirements Report for March 26, 2018, to review County financial statements and reports.
