East Bernard ESD on county agenda
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Deciding whether to hold a special called meeting regarding a public hearing on the proposed Emergency Services District No. 2 will be part of the agenda for Monday's regular meeting of the Wharton County Commissioners Court.

County Judge John Murrile said signatures submitted by petition by the East Bernard EMS Department requesting a May 10 election on the district have been verified and approved.

A public hearing is the next step in the process.

"We have to have a public hearing," the judge said. "Usually, we hold it during a commissioners meeting but the EMS fell behind a couple weeks when they lost their original petitions. But if we need to, we'll schedule a special meeting for the hearing."

County Elections Official Judy Owens said such a meeting will be required if the commissioners intend to move forward.

"It has to be advertised 21 days in advance, in the newspaper," Owens said.

"Since the East Bernard newspaper comes out only on Thursdays, they would need to hold the special session on March 6. If they approve the petition, they can set the date of the election at the same meeting."

The May 10 date coincides with local municipal and school district elections.

If approved by voters, the election would create ESD No. 2, which would be a taxing entity to support and finance the East Bernard EMS.

The boundaries of the taxing district would be the same as those of the department's service area.

Other agenda items for the commissioners consideration include:

• Accept and review requests for proposal from architects for the planned Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 building in Louise;

• Take all appropriate action for a new phone system for the sheriff's office and jail offices;

• Allow temporary employees to work more than eight months in a calendar year; and

• Consider exempt and nonexempt status for employees in the 329th District Judge's office.

Monday's meeting will start at 9:30 a.m. in the commissioners courtroom in the Wharton County Courthouse Annex Building at 309 E. Milam in Wharton.