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COLUMBUS — The Colorado County Commissioners met in regular session on March 27 to discuss approving a law firm that would represent the county in legal issues relating to the Endeavors facility in Eagle Lake.
The court made a motion to approve the law firm of Crain, Caton and James to represent Colorado County in advising it regarding federal and state legal issues and options relating to the proposed permanent residential care facility in Eagle Lake for unaccompanied minors.
As reported by The Citizen, the Endeavors facility in Eagle Lake is projected to open in the summer. It would provide temporary housing, healthcare, youth counseling and mentorship, holistic support services, education and more to male children, ages 1317.
The court approved the motion.
A resolution of respect honoring the life and public service of Judge Francis Truchard was also read before the court. Family members, colleagues, and friends were in attendance to make comments about their time working with Judge Truchard as well as share memories they will cherish.
The court also discussed selecting and defining the procedure the Commissioners Court will use to fill the vacancy of Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 pursuant to Texas Local Government Code 87.041 and Texas Election Code 202.002.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Keith Neuendorff proposed to form a committee between him and the three Justice of the Peace officers from the additional precincts.
Neuendorff said after speaking with Colorado County Election Administrator Rebecka LaCourse, they confirmed that once they find the person the court appoints, he/she would hold office until 2024, but at the end of this year, he/she would have to file to run in 2024. Then, whoever would like to come in during that election would serve as Justice of the Peace for two years. Then in 2026, the person would file to run again. This would put all four Justice of the Peace officers on the same schedule, which is a fouryear rotation.
Emergency Management Coordinator Chuck Rogers also spoke regarding a request for a budget amendment for OEM for unexpected costs to upgrade the Glidden Tower connectivity from the current T-1 line to a Fiber Optic Connection utilized for the Harris County Radio System.
“Motorola had warned a couple years back that they would be abandoning the T-1 lines and upgrading all their equipment to operate on fiber only but at the time, they never gave a date,” Rogers said.
Rogers said he received an email last month that the city has to be on fiber optics by October. He said he reached out to AT&T and Harris County Radio to get some guidance.
He said construction costs would need to be taken into consideration as well as connectivity and towers. He said Harris County has offered to help and will contract with AT&T. Rogers will work on a budget.
A motion was presented and the court approved.
