Airport slated for improvements
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

Members of the Jasper County Airport Advisory Board on Monday briefed the Jasper County Commissioners' Court on plans to upgrade the facilities at Bell Field.

Dr. Gerald Cammack and Mike Lout requested three action items regarding airport improvements, received unanimous approval for two and one measure was tabled.

Plan include moving the AWOS (Automated Weather Observing Station), and taking advantage of several federal matching grants.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Charles Shofner Jr. reported that there is $289,000 in funds to be used as a 90/10 match, with the possibility of another $150,000 in funds from 2005, available for various projects.

Shofner said officials from the FAA and the advisory board will meet to explain the different ways the money can be used, but the list is long and includes things like hangar improvement, fencing, taxiways, lighting, and improving drainage.

The advisory board also recommended and the commissioners approved using TxDOT RAMP (Routine Airport Maintenance Program) grants to paint the runways, trim grass around runway lights and signs, repair leaks in the terminal roof, and replace flooring in both restrooms of the terminal building; and they will use funds from capital improvements to seal the runway.

The request to plat the airport was tabled until the AWOS is moved.

Other business

The commissioners approved renewal of county insurance as presented from John Pace of First Insurance Services. The premium increased by $21,000, but Pace noted that property values around the county have increased, more vehicles and high priced vehicles are covered, and the new Precinct 4 barn and equipment to replace the old barn that burned is now on the policy, and the radio towers were added to the policy.

County Judge Mark Allen opened three sealed bids to replace the air conditioners on top of the Law Enforcement center, the old part of the jail which still had the original units that are about 23 years old.

Commissioners accepted the highest of three bids submitted by Doug Williford and Son, for $48,727 for four units, after Billy Williford explained that the higher efficiency units would save approximately $1,500 per year in energy costs, and would more than pay for the difference in price in a few years, and would save a great deal over the estimated life of 15 years.

Allen said, "Considering energy costs may double, it only makes sense."

Jack Jett, Chief Deputy of the jasper County Sheriff's department, told commissioners that the current carrier for inmate telephone calls was going out of business, and recommended that the county contact with Evercom/Securus.

"We looked at three different vendors for phone service. Evercom is the biggest inmate phone service in the country. We looked at reliability and their back up systems and they were clearly better that what we have," Jett said.

Commissioners approved the recommendation unanimously.

Yet another technology company came before the court to request permission to present their software programs to various department in the county; edoc Technologies was approved to make presentations to elected officials and department heads.

Jerry Anderson, edoc representative, said his complany's software runs on the same platform as one the county currently uses at about a third the cost. It is currently used by 125 Texas counties, the smallest being Loving and Dallas the largest.