Pct. 4 offices on the move

by Michelle Dillon michelle@thecherokeean.com

Cherokee County Commissioners approved the termination of a lease for the offices of Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 and Constable Precinct 4 as of February 1, 2020.

During the regular court meeting held Tuesday, Dec. 10, Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Judge Rodney Wallace presented information regarding a former classroom building that would adequately service the needs of the county, providing a small courtroom, two offices and two restrooms. He noted the 24x64 foot building formerly served as a classroom and was ADA compliant. He also mentioned the building was designed for pier and beam and could be obtained for $50,000.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Billy McCutcheon commented that the New Summerfield City Council had on its Tuesday, Dec. 10 meeting agenda an item regarding the free hookup of water and sewer for the county building if placed on the county-owned property next to the New Summerfield City Hall. It was also noted the Council meeting had not yet taken place.

The information was provided for future discussion of the future location for the offices of Justice of the Peace and Constable for Precinct 4, but no action was taken at that time.

The two items related to a court reporter were again tabled without discussion.

Commissioners voted to approve the laying of five utility lines. One line was for Cherokee County Electric Co-op on County Road 1814, two were for North Cherokee Water Supply on County Roads 3401 and 4211, one was fore Gum Creek Water Supply on County Road 3202 and the last was for Afton Gove Water Supply on County Road 4203.

The sheriff’s monthly report was received and approved by commissioners. The report stated 2,904 calls had been received for the month of November, 16 hours were donated by reserve deputies, 113 civil process papers were completed with $15,316.58 collected.

The greatest number of offense cases were incident intake CPS (17), assault family violence (14) and theft (11) out of 128 total offenses.

Other items approved on Tuesday by commissioners were:

- a budget amendment for road oil and paving materials for Precinct 4;

- two tax refunds greater than $500; one due to overpayment and one in which a payment had been made twice;

- changing the job descriptions of Community Health Worker to Community Health Worker/Project Coordinator for the purposes of obtaining a grant; and changing the title of assistant and 2nd assistant treasurers to deputies;

- acceptance of a donation of crushed concrete from the city of Jacksonville;

- two resolutions and tax resale deeds to resell property previously bid in trust to Bullard ISD at a previous tax sale;

- adoption of the rules of procedure, conduct and decorum at meetings of the Cherokee County Commissioners’ Court to keep in line with state legislature requirements;

- a revision to the resolution declaring Cherokee County a 2A sanctuary to allow Billy McCutcheon, Commissioner Precinct 4, to sign the document; and

- the consent agenda, which consisted of meeting minutes, Jack White’s Constable Precinct 2, monthly report, and the payment of bills, payroll and transfer of funds.
Rescheduling the next regular meeting of the Commissioners’ Court from Tuesday, Dec. 24, to Monday, Dec. 23, was approved. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m., at the Cherokee County Courthouse in downtown Rusk.