Parmer County to purchase new voting machines
The Parmer County Commissioners Court met in regular session on Monday, July 8th at 10:00 a.m. in the County Courtroom of the Parmer County Courthouse in Farwell, Texas. The meeting began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the Texas Flag.
The minutes from the previous meeting were read and approved. Commissioners approved the payment of the accounts payables as presented by County Treasurer Sharon May and the Treasurer’s Report was also approved.
Commissioners approved the purchase of ten new voting machines at a cost of $33,409.07 per year for three years. The machines are approximately the size of a laptop computer. You will vote electronically and a ballot with your vote will be printed out on a card. If you make a mistake, you will be able to cancel your ballot and vote again. The voting machines will not be connected to the internet. The machines will be ready to use in the upcoming November election.
The Court approved a resolution to renew and extend the County’s election to participate in tax abatement and the County’s tax abatement guidelines and criteria pursuant to Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code.
Consideration of the Parmer County Historical Commission having a plaque dedication in honor of the Courthouse being listed in the National Registry of Historic Places was postponed. The company that had been making the plaques for the PCHC in the past went out of business and a new source for the markers has not been determined.
Consideration of maintenance funding to the Parmer County Soil & Water Conservation District #140 for the Running Water Draw dams #2 (Bovina) and #3 (Lazbuddie) was tabled. Commissioners wanted to have more information on how the money was being spent before approving any future expenditures. Maintenance funding is a cooperative effort between landowners, Parmer County, and the Conservation District.
In response to the Texas Legislature requiring more transparency and public involvement in governmental meetings, Commissioners approved adding “public comment” as an agenda item for each session of the Court. The Commissioners also approved rules of procedure, conduct, and decorum that would govern the new agenda item.
Approval was given for the use of the Courthouse lawn for Border Town Days to be held on July 27, 2019.
Sheriff Randy Geries reported that the 4th of July week had been relatively quiet and that he was currently housing 19 inmates at the Law Enforcement Center.
In other news, the FM 145 Bridge Project is underway, the first stage of highway repair from Bovina to Farwell is moving along, the second stage is still in the bidding process, and the second half of the Bovina to Friona highway renovation is expected to begin next year. Also, BNSF is in the process of putting in a third rail line along Highway 60.
All meetings are open to the public. The Commissioners Court reserves the right to go into Executive session at any time. Go to parmercounty.org to find meeting agendas. Information in this article is only a summary. Any questions concerning specific actions should be directed to the court.
