Shelby County Today

February 27, 2019 - A computer server to interconnect the Shelby County Justice of the Peace (JP) offices and hosting services, once installed, will be used to help the offices stay up to date on each ones activity and assist those receiving citations.

During the Shelby County Commissioners' meeting held Wednesday, February 27, 2019, County Judge Allison Harbison explained this process and how it will help each office assist citation holders in being at the right office.

"We're going to need to have a server so they can talk to one another," said Judge Harbison.

She said the JP's are in favor of having the server, and if the county ever does establish a central payment location, the ability to view each court would be useful. The one time fee for the proposed equipment was $4,600 with an annual fee of $3,200.

McSwain inquired and Judge Harbison clarified, the software which the commissioners have already approved for the JP's doesn't currently allow for outside viewing by other JP's or county officials, such as the auditor and treasurer.

Judge Harbison confirmed the server would allow for all the JP's to cross reference and confirm if someone has paid a ticket and where they need to if they haven't; however, it won't provide the ability for individuals to pay at any JP office, that would require the county to adopt a centralized location.

What attracted McSwain to having a linked system for the JP offices is allowing for Clint Porterfield, Auditor, and Ann Blackwell, Treasurer, to be able to access that information. He seemed to have expected that was already a feature in the systems the JPs currently are using.

"Are we gonna have to give them access to [the County Clerk's] computer system, and [the District Clerk's] computer system and to the [Tax Collector/Assessor's] computer system? Are they going to be monitoring every elected official?" said Judge Harbison.

McSwain's opinion was it would be easier for Porterfield to audit if he were able to daily access the activities of the JP's.  

"That's true, but are we gonna punish five JP's and stand over them and see every stroke they do, or are we going to trust them?" said Judge Harbison.

McSwain explained he had an underlying reason for entering into that line of questioning is an irritation with a change of service at another county office.

"It irritated me to see the sign on the door to start with that took the, no more passports gave out in this county because of, I don't know what the reason is," said McSwain. "They've got the same amount of employees they've had, and they've got a 80-something-thousand-dollar computer system that's supposed to make everything streamlined and good, and now we have to quit doing passports."

The District Clerk's office issued a statement on February 13 in relation to no longer being able to provide passport services, which can be viewed by clicking here.

McSwain continued, "Now, we've got to do this and add to the JP's to help them do a job that they're elected and paid to do to start with. My whole thing about this is I want Clint to have access to audit more easily."

Porterfield stated the addition of access for his office is not mandatory and he doesn't have to have it, nor is it a demand. He explained the JP's can continue to provide the information from their office as they are mandated to do by law. Porterfield also said he thinks it's a small price to pay for the service and there are funds to afford it in the JP Technology fund.

A motion carried to move forward with the acquisition of the service.

Shelby County was seeking bids for fencing to enclose the Shelby County Sheriff's Department office and jail property. The commissioners approved a bid from AC&C Fencing in the amount of $59,967 for fencing around the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, to be paid out of the Courthouse Repair fund.

The most recent appointees for the Shelby County Historical Commission officers for 2019-2020 were presented to the commissioners for their approval, and they included Teddy Hopkins, Chairperson; David Chadwick, Vice Chairperson; Vickie Martin, Secretary; and Sharon Ratcliff, Treasurer. 

Appointees present for the meeting included, Hopkins and Martin.

A motion carried by the commissioners to approve their appointments.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:31am.

The Shelby County Commissioners granted the purchase of a new vehicle for the District Attorney's office investigator this month and heard a proposal from Tyson representatives on the possibility of a project in Shelby County.

As the commissioners considered the options presented to them during the February 6 meeting Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, explained some of his concerns involving the equipment and markings of the vehicle as they apply to the duties of the DA Investigator. He didn't feel the vehicle needed to be outfitted with such equipment as would be included with a chase car.

"This car is to be going to someone's house to follow up on the Sheriff's Department and PD's investigations to check on the information they've got and get everything in line," said McSwain. "Why would you want a marked unit sitting up there in that person's driveway. If he's not going to be involved in any drug interdiction, I don't see the car needs no markings."

McSwain stated this in reference to a previous meeting where Steven Shires, District Attorney, indicated he would be running roadside drug interdiction activities through his office; however, his investigator wouldn't be involved in those activities.

McSwain said he was only interested in the vehicle having a radio, but not lights or markings.

Although the need for a vehicle in the District Attorney's office has been a longtime issue, and one was not presented during budget time this past year, motion carried to approve the purchase of a 2019 Ford Explorer from Center Motor Company.

McSwain abstained from voting because his step-son is a sales manager.

Judge Harbison explained for the commissioners, an opening became available on the Tri-County Community Action Board of Directors and Ann Blackwell expressed a desire to contribute her time to the organization. 

A motion carried by the commissioners to appoint Blackwell to the board.

The February 6th meeting was adjourned at 9:53am.

During their February 13 meeting, the commissioners met with representatives of Tyson Foods.

Jan Nash, Director of Tax, with Tyson Foods addressed the commissioners about the proposed feed mill project Tyson Foods is considering in Shelby County.

Bob Chavis, Feed Mill Engineering-Project Manager at Tyson Foods, was also present with Nash to speak about the proposed project.

The reason Nash and Chavis were talking with the commissioners at this time is they are seeking a tax abatement in the future. Nash stated to the commissioners the project is currently budgeted at $50-$52 million for the feed mill project which is planned for 308 acres belonging to Claude Lucas Jr. on the south side of Loop 500.

The area has been selected because it is located along railroad tracks where they could take in 110 car units. The potential location of the feed mill according to Chavis would be on the northern part of the property, and an expectation of 14,000 tons of feed a week is what would be running through the mill to supply the Center and Carthage complexes.

Chavis stated at this time their greatest difficulty is access to the property.

At this time, the property itself and surrounding properties have not yet been acquired.

Gary Rholes, County Attorney, advised not going into any specific details regarding a tax abatement until the potential project moves forward. 

Although the property discussed is the preferred location, according to Nash, there are several sites that have been under consideration. 

Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, described TexPool Prime for the commissioners. 

She explained Prime pays a little more for investments than the traditional TexPool investments, because Prime strategies are a little different. According to Blackwell, adding Prime would be in addition to current plans and have the potential for greater gains.

"Since November, since we started investing in TexPool, we've accumulated $16,337 in interest," said Blackwell. 

A motion carried by the commissioners to approve the addition of TexPool Prime to the existing TexPool account for Shelby County.

The February 13th meeting was adjourned at 10:04am.

Agenda items approved during the February 6, 2019 meeting:

1. Pay weekly expenses.
2. Pay current payroll.
3. Commissioner Pct. 1 and Commissioner Pct. 2 to split the purchase of a Paving Machine from KNL Dirt Work for $38,000 dollars to be delivered to Center.
4. District Attorney’s office to purchase a 2019 Ford Explorer.
5. Appointment of Ann Blackwell to the Tri-County Community Action Board of Directors to represent Shelby County.
6. Seek bids on building a fence to enclose the Sheriff’s office and jail property.
7. Adjourned at 9:53am.

Agenda items approved during the February 13, 2019 meeting:

1. Minutes of the January 2, 2019 Special meeting, January 9, 2019 Regular meeting, January 16, 2019 Special meeting, January 23, 2019 Special meeting, January 30, 2019 Special meeting of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court.
2. Pay weekly expenses with the exception of one bill for $171.68.
3. Officers Report.
4. Resolution of Annual Review of County Investment Policy.
5. Resolution to Designate County Investment Officer - Ann Blackwell.
6. Addition of TEXPOOL PRIME to existing TexPool account.
7. Adjourn at 10:04am.

Agenda items approved during the February 27, 2019 meeting:

1. Pay weekly expenses.
2. Pay current payroll.
3. Approve bid from AC&C Fencing in the amount of $59,967 to build a fence at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
4. Purchase of a server and hosting services at a cost of $4,600 plus an annual $3,200 fee, to benefit the 5 Justice of the Peace offices.
5. County Historical Commission Appointees for 2019-2020. Those named include Teddy Hopkins, David Chadwick, Vickie Martin, and Sharon Ratcliff.
6. Adjourn at 9:31am.

February 26, 2019 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding the theft of two ATVs. The incident occurred January 28, 2019, at approximately 10:30 p.m. at a location on County Road 1060 in Center.

Game camera footage captured two suspects, a white male and white female, enter the property and push a green Arctic Cat ATV and a red/blue Polaris Trailboss ATV off the lease.

If anyone has any information concerning this incident, you are asked to contact Investigator Adam Renfro at the SCSO at 936.598.5601.

February 22, 2019 - An arrest has been made in connection with stolen four-wheelers recovered in the Joaquin area. 

The Shelby County Constable Precinct 3 office has been seeking four-wheelers, which were recently stolen from the DeSoto Parish area.

Roy Cheatwood, Precinct 3 Constable, and Newton Johnson Jr., Deputy Constable, located a red 2010 Honda four-wheeler at a residence located off Truitt Cemetery Road on Friday, February 15, 2019. 

According to Constable Cheatwood, the homeowner at that location traded a vehicle for the four-wheeler. The constables confirmed the four-wheeler was one which had been stolen in Logansport.

Mike Armstrong, DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department Investigator, was contacted by Constable Cheatwood and he was also able to confirm the same information when he arrived to view the four-wheeler.

Later in the evening of February 15, Cheatwood was able to locate a 2008 Honda four-wheeler south of Joaquin which also was stolen from Logansport during the same time as the first one.

Both four-wheelers had been altered since they went missing; however, they were able to be identified by their serial numbers.

According to Roy Cheatwood, Johnny Ray Taylor, 22, of Joaquin was arrested and charged with burglary of a habitation in relation to the theft of the four-wheelers and possession of a controlled substance. Additional charges are pending at this time.

The Shelby County Precinct 3 Constables office expresses appreciation to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department, Constable Precinct 1 Zach Warr, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Texas Game Wardens.

February 19, 2019 - U.S. Highway 59 South was the scene of a major two-vehicle crash just outside of Tenaha Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jonathan Stinson, at around 1:30pm Leonard Ryan McGee, 26, of Joaquin was southbound in the outside lane in a grey GMC pickup truck. 

At that time he failed to control speed and collided with the rear of a blue Freightliner truck-tractor belonging to J.S. Helwig & Son, LLC. and driven by Steven Humphries, 55, of  Cleburne. 

McGee was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of minor injuries. He was issued a citation for failure to control speed.

The Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department, Tenaha Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Department assisted at the scene with traffic control.