Tuesday, January 17
11:30 a.m.
Steers weighed/classified
12:30 p.m.
Steer Show
Beef Heifer Show
3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Goats & Lambs weighed/classified
Wednesday, January 18
8:00 a.m.
Goat Show
Lamb Show
2:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Barrows weighed/classified
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Rabbit check-in
7:00 p.m.
Rabbit Show
Thursday, January 19
8:00 a.m.
Barrow Show
3:00 p.m.
Dairy Heifer Show
Saturday, January 21
1:00 p.m.
Premium Sale
The Friona City Council met in regular session on Monday January 9, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 617 Main in Friona, Texas. The meeting began with roll call, an invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
The regular session began with the reading and approval of the Minutes of the December 12, 2022 meeting.
Fire Department members Gary Stowers, Danny Campbell, and J'Lond Jarecki were appointed to serve with City Council Members Bruce Fleming and Alan Monroe on a Planning Committee to study the possibilities of expanding the Friona Fire Station. Bruce Fleming abstained from voting.
Consideration to approve an FEDC incentive agreement with TW&M Properties LLC concerning the housing project west of Legacy Pointe Senior Apartments was tabled until amendments concerning possible building supplies shortages and project deadlines can be rewritten. An agreement between the City of Friona and TW&M Properties LLC was also tabled until the next meeting.
Andy Alexander, Holly Campbell, and Henry Clark were reappointed to serve on the Friona Economic Development Board of Directors for two-year terms.
A special warranty deed for real property located at Lot 9 and the north half of Lot 8 in block 44 of the original town of Friona in the amount of $10 was approved. The old Girl Scout building is located on this property. Planning is underway for the possibility of operating daycare centers at the Girl Scout building and at the Redeemer Center at 1304 Virginia.
The submission of a grant application for a Friona Police Department School Resource Officer was authorized. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant is for 5 years and will be awarded on February 9th.
An interlocal agreement with the City of Hereford for food inspector and code enforcement services was approved. Danny Campbell was hired by the City of Friona to serve as Fire Marshall and Code of Compliance Officer. Services from the City of Hereford would only be used when Danny was unavailable.
EMS Director Nik Baucom reported that the EMS is fully staffed at the present time. That includes 5 medics, 3 advanced EMTs, 7 EMTs, 2 drivers, and 1 driver in training. Friona EMS is now able to take most of the transfer calls from Parmer Medical Center.
In other business, the accounts payable for December 2022 were approved. The financial statement for December 2022 was also approved. The first quarter financial statement, October-December 2022, was also discussed and approved.
The upcoming City of Friona Election is May 6, 2023. Three council positions are up for election as the terms of Council Members Bruce Fleming, Alan Monroe, and Esmeralda Mills are expiring. Candidate election packets are available at the City office.
An addendum to the farm lease agreement with Hough Cattle Company was approved. Approximately 37 acres of the lease property was deemed as unusable farm land. This action reduced the lease payment by $1,293.43 for Year 2023.
All meetings are open to the public. Information in this article is only a summary.
$33B Budget Surplus - Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar released the Biennial Revenue Estimate showing the state is projected to have a record $188.2 billion in revenue available for general-purpose spending during the 2024-25 biennium, a 26.3 percent increase from the 2022-23 biennium. Hegar urged state policymakers to spend money wisely and prudently to benefit Texans now and in the future.
***
Drought continues - Parmer County is still in a stage 2 and stage 3 drought according to the Texas Water Development Board's Water Weekly report. 2022 was the second driest year for Texas since 2000. It was the worst drought year since 2011.
***
Save The Date - Laurie McAfee, LBSW from the Area Agency on Aging will be presenting a free educational program at Legacy Point, 1500 N. Main, Friona Texas on January 26th at 10:30 AM. Donuts and coffee will be provided. The presentation will include information about new changes for Medicare 2023, new preventative services and how to avoid getting scammed. Every year seniors fall prey to scams which can cost them thousands of dollars. This presentation will help to bring awareness and show how to prevent scams.
***
Thank You - For the first time in years, the EMS is fully staffed and running the majority of transfers from PMC. Sharon White, Kathryn Goddard, and Kitty Gallman were the driving force behind getting the equipment and funds needed to make this happen. It has taken time, but the fruits of their labor have paid off. A big Thank You to them, and everyone involved, in making this dream a reality for the citizens of Friona. - Bruce Fleming
***
Time 2 Laugh - (1) Why did it get so hot in the baseball stadium after the game? All of the fans left. (2) What do you call a train carrying bubblegum? A chew-chew train. Source: https://www.rd.com/list/short-jokes.
***
Friona Star Office is Moving - The Friona Star office is moving this month and will be consolidated with the Intheden Graphics office at 1215 Elm Ave. Office hours for both businesses will be Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. More details later.
***
National Days
January 12: Pharmacist Day
January 13: Sticker Day
January 14: Dress Up Your Pet Day
January 15: Hat Day
January 16: Fig Newton Day
January 17: Hot Buttered Rum Day
January 18: Winnie The Pooh Day
***
Emma Rector is on the job. The new Executive VP of the Chamber of Commerce & Ag and Executive Director of the FEDC hit the ground running on Tuesday, January 3rd. She conducted her first FEDC meeting this past Monday and is already planning the Chamber Banquet in March.
Emma is a 2019 graduate of Friona High School. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing at West Texas A&M in 2019 and is currently working on a Master's Degree in in Finance & Economics at WTAMU. She was previously employed as a banker in Canyon, Texas. Her parents are Jason and Karla Rector.
As the Executive Director of the Friona Economic Development Corporation, Rector says she has a lot to learn since she has no prior experience in the field. She stated, "My vision for the Friona EDC is to continue to promote and facilitate the development of responsible and properly planned businesses or projects that strengthen the local economy. A thriving Friona is one that is innovative in supporting all potential and current businesses to foster equitable economic development."
Rector continued, "As for the Chamber of Commerce my vision is to continue to foster and promote businesses while establishing way to increase community engagement. I am committed to helping our community grow and prosper by supporting businesses and citizens in Friona."
Rector said she would like to meet personally with all the owners and employees of Friona businesses and see how she can better serve their needs. She will also bring a few ideas from her time in Canyon to get people involved in monthly events throughout the year. She excited and eager to serve Friona in the best way possible.
Parmer County Commissioners Court met in special session on Monday, January 6, 2023 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 Texas Flag.
There were no comments from the public during the open forum. Minutes from the December 19th meeting were read and approved. Commissioners approved the payment of the accounts payables as presented by County Treasurer Sharon May. The Treasurer's Payroll Report was also approved.
Gaylon Rhodes, representing the Bovina Senior Citizens Center, submitted a request for ARPA funds to be used to defray operating costs. Commissioners approved $15,000 in ARPA funds for the Center.
In other business, Commissioners approved the timetable for regular meetings and holiday schedule for 2023. Consideration of the COVID-19 Administrative Leave Policy was tabled until new policies are finalized. An engagement letter from Dosher, Pickens & Grancis, LLC was approved for the 2022 Financial Audit. Also, a Salary Grievance Committee for 2023 was selected by drawing names from the jury pool.
Parmer County Sheriff Eric Geske informed the Court that the Parmer County Law Enforcement Center is currently housing 37 inmates of which 11 are paying customers from Deaf Smith County and 5 are paying customers from Dawson County.
Newly elected Parmer County Judge Isabel Carrasco and Commissioner Pct. 1 Kirk Frye are attending a Seminar for Newly Elected County Judges and Commissioners on January 9-13 in College Station. Commissioner Frye is the 2022-23 President of the West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for January 23rd.
All meetings are open to the public. Information in this article is only a summary.