Lamb County’s Commissioners conducted a regular business meeting Monday, June 14, in their new meeting room of the Lamb County Courthouse.
Lamb County Judge James M. DeLoach called the meeting to order at 10 a.m., then offered the invocation, and led the reciting of the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags.
He asked for anyone who had a public comment about any of the agenda items, and since there was no one, he began with the Consent Agenda items:
a) The minutes of the May 24 2021 meeting of the commissioners court were considered in order for approval.
b) There were no budget and salary amendments and/or lineitem transfers to be made.
c) Bills presented by the County Auditor included $290,928.44 for Lamb County; and $845,225.10 for Lamb Healthcare Center, for a grand total of $1,136,153.54 in bills to be paid.
d) Payrolls presented by the Lamb County Treasurer included: two for Lamb County and two for Lamb Healthcare Center. They are: Payroll ending May 21, 2021, for $142,603.76; and payroll ending June 4, 2021, for $148,530.50 for Lamb County. Payrolls for Lamb Healthcare Center ending May 22, 2021 for $167,435.22; and $167,029.83 for payroll ending June 5, 2021.
e) The departmental reports that were received were considered for approval.
f) County’s 2021-2022 Renewal of Employees Health Insurance, was reviewed by the Lamb County Treasurer, Jerry Yarbrough. She mentioned that the rate could be going up per month per employee.
Judge DeLoach recommended that the rate be kept as it is, and it was approved, along with the other consent agenda items.
5. Commissioners voted to approve the Judge’s early action to approve the Local Disaster Declaration. Judge DeLoach mentioned that due to the local rainfall and the problems Precincts 1 and 2 were encountering, he went ahead and approved the Local Disaster Declaration early for the whole county (all four Precincts).
Cory DeBerry made the motion and Kent Lewis seconded the motion, to approve the judge’s action to approve the Local Disaster Declaration, and the motion passed unanimously.
6. Commissioners unanimously approved the motion to approve Soil Conservation work to remove some dirt in Precinct Four.
7. Commissioner Danny Short made a motion and Kent Lewis seconded the motion to approve a right-of-way crossing in Precinct 3.
Item 4. Cindy Klein, Chief Executive Officer of Lamb Healthcare Center, presented information about the operations of the hospital, regarding things that are to be discussed at the Hospital Board of Managers’ meeting the next day, Tuesday, at their regular business meeting.
She reported: “We’re still paying higher prices on about everything we get.”
She presented each commissioner with print-outs of the information she was referring to, during her review.
In closing, Judge DeLoach urged the fact that the people of Lamb County must use this hospital, so the doors can remain open. He noted that there have been many small rural hospitals that have closed, because their people are not doing their part locally.
Before adjourning, Judge DeLoach advised all of the department heads to have their budgets to him the next day –Tuesday.
He also mentioned that the annual Hamburger lunch will be served on Friday, July 2, starting at about 11:15 a.m.
The Commissioners’ meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.