Pope County quorum court approves $1.6 million appropriation, smaller budget measures and ambulance board appointment

Pope County's quorum court on March 5 adopted a set of budget measures including a $1.6 million appropriation from the county's surplus investment fund to the county judge's department, a $14,500 appropriation for the senior citizens department, a transfer of road-fund money to create dry storage, and a resolution appointing Douglas Burns to the county ambulance board.

The court heard the treasurer's monthly report before taking votes. "We have 700,000 through the month of February, which is a good note," Larry Hole Holman, the county treasurer, said during his report, noting that year-to-date tax collections and projected revenue remain above earlier projections and that March collections often change timing. Holman also told the court rebates and refunds are taken from sales tax receipts before distribution to cities and counties.

The largest item was an ordinance to appropriate $1,600,000 from the surplus investment fund for the county judge's department to purchase and remodel an approximately 8,000-square-foot property on El Paso. A presenter described plans to split closing costs, remodel interior spaces to house cooperative extension, juvenile probation and veteran services, and rework an entryway to free space for potential court hearing use. After brief remarks noting the ordinance had been prepared over several months, the court voted. The clerk recorded yes votes from the majority of justices; Justice Suzanne McCall recused herself from that vote. The ordinance was adopted.

The court then adopted an ordinance appropriating $14,500 from the general fund for the senior citizens department to replace a failed 7.5-ton heating and air unit; the presenter noted the installation would require crane service. The floor then approved an ordinance transferring previously appropriated road-fund monies to enclose an existing perimeter shed and create roughly 1,000 square feet of dry storage for the road department, including a 14-foot bay door.

The court also adopted a resolution appointing Douglas Burns to the ambulance board for a five-year term to replace Steve Rogers. A justice noted Burns manages an emergency department at Saint Mary's and brings medical expertise to the board. "He brings a good wealth of knowledge to that," the presenter said.

The court recorded a hot-check report from the prosecuting attorney (noted in the meeting packet) and a notice of discarded items declared junk or scrap by the assessor's office. No members of the public signed up to comment. The court announced a county cleanup scheduled for late April, with pickup days beginning April 27 and continuing through April 30, and recessed for a short workshop to follow.

Votes at a glance: The court adopted the $1,600,000 appropriation from the surplus investment fund (one recusal recorded by Justice Suzanne McCall), adopted the $14,500 senior citizens appropriation, approved the road-fund transfer to create dry storage, and adopted a resolution appointing Douglas Burns to the ambulance board.

The court adjourned and scheduled a brief recess before a workshop to distribute handouts and set up equipment.