County gets clean audit
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Jeff Geese, managing partner with Henry and Peters accounting firm in Tyler presented an audit report at the Monday morning meeting of the Cherokee County Commissioners Court.

The audit was for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2006.

At that time, Mr. Peters said, "The county had $6,019 in undesignated unrestricted funds."

He praised the county for its financial records and said his report was a good clean audit. "There are no finding of any wrongdoing on the part of the county or its officials and employees," he said.

He suggested that the county look at each department and the reports of the internal auditor. He asked that this especially be done in the tax office and that action be taken to strengthen controls in that office. There are certain tasks that are segregated and he suggested that this be eliminated.

"There are no missing funds and this is just to protect the people in that office," he said.

In other matters, commissioners approved the laying of utility lines in Precincts 2 and 3.

James Q. Beene was appointed a reserve deputy sheriff.

A no parking zone was approved for CR 3301

off Highway 175.

An interlocal agreement between the City of Cuney and Cherokee County Precinct 3 was approved to widen, repair and renovate CR 3502 when necessary.

A bid was accepted from Bill McRae Ford to purchase a 250 Crew Cab XLT pickup with a gas engine for $22,078.

The county judge was authorized to sign all documents to finance new dump trucks with Citizens 1st Bank for Precinct 3. A contract for $6,800 with JML Architects was approved to cover services already done by the firm in renovating the old Jacksonville Police Department. Other work will be bid.

Eight new counties were accepted for the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) to include Bowie, Panola, Wood, Cass, Van Zandt, Titus, Anderson and Camp.

Cathy Newman was reappointed as a trustee for ACCESS. Named to the Cherokee County Historical Commission were Dixi Russell and Dr. Richard Hackney.

No action was taken concerning a nomination to the Cherokee County Appraisal District Board. The matter will be discussed at the June 25 meeting.

Proposals will be solicited for a mental health advocate.

Matters approved from the consent agenda include reports from the auditor, Lynn Kelley, Constable Pct. 1, Joe Self, Constable, Pct. 4, Ricky Moore, license and weight officer; expenses for Louraiseal McDonald to attend a meeting in Dallas, July 24-26, Health Unit employees to attend meeting in Tyler June 29 and Austin June 13-14, Judge Vera Foreman, Justice of the Peace Pct. 4, to attend training in Austin June 24-27.

Commissioners will meet again at 10 a.m. Monday, June 25 in the county courtroom.

Attending the meeting were Judge Chris Davis; Commissioners Mary Gregg, Kevin Pierce, Moody Glass III and Byron Underwood; County Clerk Laverne Lusk; and County Auditor L.H. Crockett.