County makes changes in pay periods
Waxman provides grant update
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

During public meetings on budget hearings last Thursday and Friday, Jasper County Commissioners also considered grants and county pay periods.

Grants

County grant writer David Waxman presented a plan to seek additional grants for debris removal and bridge improvements to alleviate flooding in the county, up to a maximum of $5 million dollars.

Part of Waxman's proposal included a drainage study so the county can develop a master plan. "At least we'll know where our problems are in a little more detail," Waxman said, "and we can consider future projects in terms of how it fits our drainage plan."

Waxman did not endorse retention basins as a solution. He said they can cost more than a million dollars to build and are expensive to maintain.

County Judge Mark Allen said if the county can get these CDBG funds (Community Development Block Grants), the target projects should go a long way to solving flooding in Jasper County.

Of $428 million allocated by HUD for Texas' recovery efforts from the hurricanes of 2005, Houston received $60 million.

Waxman said it's a very competitive field to be approved for any of the $22 million in funding that has trickled down to East Texas. The county can apply for a maximum of $5 million.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Willie Stark reported that two county bridges, CR443 and 480, are likely to be replaced or repaired to bring them up to TxDOT standards for load limits.

"We're looking at a variety of projects and grants to fund them that will enhance the flow of water and traffic throughout the county," Stark said.

County pay periods

The commissioners revisited a topic brought up at previous sessions by Deputy Sheriff Jack Jett and County Treasurer Rene' Kelley.

The county pay period currently ends on Thursday night, and county employees receive their checks Friday morning.

To meet that schedule, employees typically turn in time sheets on Tuesday, so they must estimate of how many hours they will work the rest of the week.

The following week, they have to enter an adjustment for actual hours or sick pay, which causes extra accounting chores for department heads and the treasurer's office.

In previous sessions, the court agreed that the pay period should be changed so that employees receive their checks one week after the period ends, as is normal with most business practices.

The court asked Kelley to come up with a plan that would not put an unnecessary burden on families, even though it would be just a one-time lag in pay.

After discussing several options, the court agreed to move the payday forward one day each pay period, from Friday to Monday, then Tuesday, and so on; by the fifth pay period the county will be on track.

Deputy Sheriff Jack Jetty said, "Just as long as the bottom line is that we get there." He said recalculating comp time and overtime for deputies is a nightmare each pay period.

Allen said, "This is a housecleaning issue that probably should have been corrected 20 years ago. We just needed to figure out how to do it smoothly so nobody is hurt by the delay."

Department heads will be asked to discuss the plans with employees so that they are prepared when the paydays begin to change.