County moves forward with property clean-up
Milam County Commissioners took another step towards cleaning up a property on the east end of Rockdale during a meeting Monday. They also heard an update from Post Oak Savannah Groundwater District Manager Gary Westbrook with some opposition from a citizen.
Commissioners agreed to hold an auction on the Thrasher property on the east end of Rockdale during the meeting. The auction will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 13.
Milam County Judge Steve Young said anything and everything of value will be sold. All proceeds from the sale will go toward cleaning up and clearing the property of trash and debris. He said the court is also likely to place a lien on the property and could eventually foreclose on it to assist in recovering clean up costs. Buyers will have 30 days to remove items purchased and all leftover scrap iron will be sold.
Young said Sheriff Chris White has been looking at ways to make the property safe to have people there.
Commissioners then heard an update from Westbrook about the status of the POSGD. He spoke about the status of the district and announced upcoming hearings and fee schedules.
During the public participation portion county resident Judith McGeary spoke about what she called discrepancies and misleading information regarding the Vista Ridge water project. McGeary is a water law attorney. She indicated to the court that she wanted them to be aware the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District was not even following their own rules. Westbrook disputed that.
Young thanked McGeary for voicing her concerns.
The court will vote on two spots on the POSGD’s board of directors at the end of the year. Commissioners approved posting notice of the opening and taking applications. They will conduct interviews and then vote on new board members before the end of the year.
Judge Young also discussed economic development and introduced a groundbreaking date for the Whinstone project during the meeting. Whinstone will break ground on their new development at the Alcoa site on Nov. 7. The development will be the world’s largest block-chain developer and will eventually employ 200 full-time employees.
In other business commissioners:
- Approved a contract with Kofile and Jack Morris to provide digitized records for the Milam County Clerk’s Office. The cost for this will be $600,000, paying $100,000 down and making payments for the remaining five years. The project will take 14 months to complete.
- Appointed Bryan Burns to take over for the retiring Susan Reinders as Emergency Management Coordinator.
- Approved an interlocal agreement between the Milam County Sheriff’s Department and Cameron ISD for the school’s resource officer.
- Approved a utility installation by Bartlett Electric at Cypress Trail Loop.
- Approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Thorndale for road construction supplies and labor.