Newman not happy with state ruling on landmen, scanners
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

The Jasper County Commissioners' Court met in regular session Friday, Nov. 9; the date was changed to Friday because of the Veterans Day holiday.

County Clerk Debbie Newman told the commissioners she is not happy with a recent ruling that will allow landmen to use their own scanners in the courthouse when researching deed records.

Deeds are subject to public access rights, but Newman has not allowed landmen to bring photocopiers into the courthouse, nor can they remove records from the courthouse. Newman's office had charged $1 per page for photocopies. She estimated that brought in more than $25,000 per month in revenue.

A recent ruling and recommendations from the Texas Association of Counties says counties will have to allow them to come

in and use their own equipment at no charge. They cannot 71131205.BPS 11/7/07 12:10 use flash photography, which damages the pages, but they can use scanners.

The county will be required to provide space and an outlet, but Newman said there are still details to be worked out.

"Sometimes we have 10 landmen a day in our office, so it will be a question of whether they have to wait their turn for space or what," Newman said.

The public also needs access to those records, so Newman recommended that the court standardize a policy that would give everyone a fair turn.

"This policy needs to be set by the court, not by me," Newman said. "I have fought this for seven years. The problem is going to be space."

Kirbyville Airport

The Kirbyville Airport Advisory Committee addressed the court regarding airport hangar leases, which are currently $.04 per square foot. Commissioners debated increasing the lease to $.08-$.12 as it is at the Jasper Bell Field airport. Committee members pointed out that the facilities are not equal. Jasper, for example, has a longer runway and instrument approach.

Committee spokesman Kevin Boyd said, "We are interested in seeing the airport grow."

Boyd told the commissioners, "Your revenue doesn't come from the hangar leases; it comes from the economic impact.

"We've all spent a lot of money on our hangars and volunteer work making it look good, and it's attractive to people (and businesses) looking at moving into our area."

Precinct 3 Commissioner Willie Stark said that the Kirbyville airport has not been maintained as much since Hurricane Rita diverted the county's attention to other priorities.

He said the county needs to improve the runway, redo taxiways and create a parking area, things that "have been put on the back burner."

Stark and the committee also asked if the $10,000 in insurance money to repair the terminal could be used instead as part of a 90/10 matching grant to build a new terminal.

"There is a capital improvement grant available, and it would make more sense to build new than repair the existing structure," Boyd said.

County Judge Mark Allen appointed a committee to look into the options for Kirbyville Airport, and to consider growth options and standardizing policies and procedures for both Jasper County airports. Stark and Precinct 2 Commissioner Roy Parker will serve on the committee with airport advisors.

Other business

Michael Hunter of Hunter and Hunter reported that homes for the Hurricane Rita families approved for TDHCA grants are being installed by McDonald's mobile homes this month.

"We have two on the ground, three more at McDonald's," Hunter told the court. Hunter will submit homes for reimbursement as they are installed and pass inspections.