County to look into insurance
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

Jasper County Commissioners Court met in special session last Thursday, May 24, to complete several agenda items postponed from the regular session.

The court appointed a committee of five elected officials to evaluate proposals for the county medical insurance: county auditor Dru Miller, treasurer Renee Kelley, tax assessor Bobby Biscamp, Judge Mark Allen and Precinct 4 Commissioner Vance Moss.

The court also approved Dr. John Sessions request to make repairs and improvements to Hanger #7 at Bell Field Airport.

Leslie Waxman, representing grant writer David Waxman's office, reported to the court on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for $350,000 to assist the county in making repairs for the October 2006 flood- -ing. She received permission from the court to submit applications on behalf of Jasper County. If approved, the funds can be used to repairs roads "back to what they were before the disaster."

The court accepted two grants of easement from Temple Inland, one for the right of way for the outfall pipeline near the new fish hatchery, and the other for right of way for pipeline and utilities. Texas Parks and Wildlife had reviewed contracts; Temple made changes per TPW's recommendations.

Allen told the court the price tag initially was expected to be $16,000 for the two, but that Temple Inland waived that and the county acquired the easements at no charge.

In a lengthy address, Robert Hoehn of Paul Davis Restoration reported on the status of hurricane repairs on several county projects, and on supplements his company helped obtain from the insurance carrier.

Work will progress on painting the interior of the Jasper county courthouse, replacing the awnings and repairing the clock tower and glazing on the windows; insurance supplements funded all but about $2,000 of the Buna subcourthouse repairs, not including the sheriff's antennae which was an exclusion on the contract from the beginning.