Commissioners approve loan to Minerva VFD

Milam County Commissioners approved a no-interest loan a local fire department during a meeting on Nov. 8.

Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with Minerva Volunteer Fire Department to provide a $30,000 no interest loan. The Minerva VFD will use that money as part of a Forest Service grant program to purchase a used military vehicle for firefighting purposes. 

The money will become available to Minerva VFD after the first of the year and the county expects to be reimbursed $20,000 almost immediately from the Forest Service. The remaining payoff will come from Minerva VFD, who is hosting fundraisers to try to raise the money to pay back. 

Commissioners also heard an update from County Judge Steve Young about the clean-up for the Thrasher property in Rockdale.

Young said the county has recouped all the costs from the clean-up with the sale of multiple properties.

Young also told commissioners the Alcoa property has sold to a real estate developer and that sale will not impact the potential for the American Statesman Glove Company to put a facility there.

Young said the county’s small business grant program has been closed because the funds have been exhausted.

The county will hold a public hearing to discuss redistricting of the county on Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m. in the courthouse.

Commissioners also voted in favor of purchasing solar panels for the old hospital complex that is being renovated into a county complex. The panels will cost nearly $466,000 but will save the county about $300,000 over 20 years. The purchase will also count toward the county’s in-kind match for the renovation grant for the complex. 

In other business commissioners also: approved interlocal agreements with Milam County fire departments for mutual aid and with the City of Cameron; approved the emergency action plan; adopted the indigent defense grant; heard updates on COVID-19; and approved the purchase of a new asphalt zipper for Precinct 4.