Published: October 20, 2009 08:17 am      

Commissioners preparing for future

Orange County commissioners worked Monday during a meeting on being prepared in the event there is another hurricane in Southeast Texas.

Commissioners accepted a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program award for generators.

The courthouse generator is at a cost-share amount of $62,500, and a generator for the district attorney’s office is $12,500. However, officials hope to consolidate the generators.

In addition, the cost share will be $31,250 for a generator at the administration building.

Total project cost for all applicants is $1,023,593. The 25 percent cost will be shared between other local entities with two of them being Vidor and Orange. The grant is a 75/25 match program.

Commissioners also discussed accepting the Courthouse Basement 406 Mitigation proposal in the amount of $448,801. However, officials plan to appeal the amount stating the amount is about half of what is needed.

“We don’t have a lot of options, but we have to proceed,” said Jeff Kelley, Orange County emergency management coordinator. “I still feel like we will get more money out of this.”

Orange County Judge Carl Thibodeaux is planning a meeting with goverment officials to discuss the issue further.

Commissioners accepted into the minutes, a direct deposit from the State Comptroller of Public Accounts in the amount of $289,011. These funds represent the 1/2 cent sales and use allocation for the month of August.

Mark Wimberly, Orange County maitenance director, spoke to commissioners about the renovation of the old transportation building located at the Orange County Airport. The renovations are to accomodate the Records Management Department which was damaged by Hurricane Ike.

“It’s a good use for the building,” Wimberly said.

County officials also intend to relocate a single wide trailer in Vidor. The trailer will be utilized by the Community Supervision and Corrections Department at the new location of 200 Border Street in Orange. The four employees are currently in a “cramped space” at the courthouse.

In other county business, Cindy Fertitta, primary prevention specialist/education coordinator at the Rape and Suicide Crisis Center, appeared before the West Orange City Council Monday evening and was given a proclamation. It proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. She reminded council members the impact of domestic violence is wide ranging and affects people of all socio-economic backgrounds.

In 2008, 136 women lost their life due to domestic violence. The numbers have increased to more than 200 so far in 2009, according to Fertitta.



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2609 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.