CCAD wants to buy Tosh Insurance building
5-year note will finance CCAD's expansion
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Commissioners approved a request from Lee Flowers, chief appraiser at the Cherokee County Appraisal District. Mr. Flowers will seek approval from all taxing entities to purchase the Tosh Insurance building. The insurance agency is located in the building adjacent to the appraisal district office. Mr. Flowers said the building is appraised at $120,000 and the sale price is $110,000. Currently the CCAD office has 6,000 square feet and with the addition of the new building there will be 8,000 square feet. This year's CCAD budget includes between $23,000 and $25,000 to be used for the project. No additional funds will be sought from taxing entities.

"We are required by law to get approval of three-fourths of the entities before we can purchase the property," Mr. Flowers said. "We will install a sprinkler system to our existing building and the new building," Mr. Flowers said. The purchase and renovation will be financed with a five year note.

In another matter, commissioners approved the laying of utility lines in Precinct 4. Approved at the meeting was a resolution in support of House Bill 621 to continue tax on tangible personal property in transit which would otherwise be exempt.

A bid from Bill McRae Ford for the purchase of one or more Ford pickup trucks was approved. The pickup trucks will cost $30,935 each.

Commissioners voted to seek bids for the purchase of seal coat and chip seal for one or more precincts.

The county has secured permission to enter the property of a land owner to destroy a beaver dam on CR 4211. The dam is causing flooding on the county road.

Commissioners heard a request from Judy Beck of the Cherokee County Health Department to increase fees for permits at businesses in the county. The cost of the fees will be determined by the number of employees rather than the amount of revenue generated by the business. If employees are part-time their time will be added together to determine how many eight-hour shifts the company may have.

Inspection fees will be charged for school cafeterias and other non-profit entites.

Barry Hughes of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority presented an annual report to the commissioners court. Currently there are two projects in Cherokee County. Mr. Hughes reported one project is at Wells and the other project is from Anderson County to Jacksonville.

Jim Foreman, veterans service officer presented his monthly report. He said the veterans office has seen 2,154 persons since Dec. 1, 2006.

County Attorney Craig Caldwell introuced his new assistant, Kellie Peacock. "She comes to use with a lot of good experience. She has worked in Cass and Smith counties," Mr. Caldwell said. During August and September the county attorney's office collected 5,055 hot checks bringing the year's total to 46,094

Commissioners met with County Treasurer Patsy Lassiter and her assistant, Mary Blackmond, concerning held over vacation and overtime.

Kevin Pierce said he took care of the overtime every month. "I have one man who has holdover vacation time and he has not taken it because I need him and will not let him take time off." Commissioners will have a workshop with a representative of the Texas Association of Counties.

Wayne Beal, unsuccessful candidate for commissioner precinct 4 in the last election, complained about the commissioners' criticism of Constable Eddie Lee at their last meeting. Attending the meeting were Judge Chris Davis; Commissioners Mary Gregg, Pierce, Moody Glass III and Byron Underwood; County Clerk Laverne Lusk; and County Auditor L.H. Crockett.