Commissioners OK resignation, discuss fuel for county fire departments

Milam County Commissioners accepted the resignation of Precinct 1 Constable James Pratt and discussed providing fuel to county fire departments during a meeting on Monday.

Commissioners accepted the resignation of Precinct 1 Constable James Pratt, who left to take a job in Temple. Commissioners approved having Precinct 2 Constable Charlie West fill in that position until the election in November. West will get the use of the county car and 50 percent of pay.

Commissioners also discussed providing fuel to various fire departments in the county.

Buckholts and Bartlett Volunteer Fire Departments had been getting fuel from Precinct 1, but that agreement had recently ended. A proposal was brought to the court and tabled after concerns were voiced by Precinct 1 Commissioner Henry Hubnik about whether or not funds should be used from the precinct’s road and bridge funds or the county’s general fund.

Precinct 2 has been providing fuel to Cameron Volunteer Fire Department and that agreement will continue after commissioners approved it on Monday.

County Judge Steve Young said construction continues on the County Annex building and it should be finished around the end of June. 

Young also discussed additional mental health services in Milam County.

He said that Central County Services will expand services to the One Stop in Rockdale.

CCS currently has a clinic in Cameron which provides mental health services, child and adolescent services, early childhood intervention services and assistance with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Young said the county plans a Mental Health Symposium in June to discuss ways to provide services in the county.

Commissioners also approved a yearlong lease of space in the Milam County Sheriff’s Office to continue to house the OnMed telehealth station in the lobby.

The telehealth station is now free to the public.

Texas A&M recently secured a grant that will pay for the use of the station for the foreseeable future. Therefore, anyone can use the station and see a medical provider without a charge for the service.

The station was developed and installed with the assistance of a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield and our friends at Texas A&M.  

The station is located at the Milam County Sheriff’s Office for security reasons and it is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.