County updates tax abatement agreement

LONGVIEW — Gregg County Commissioners addressed routine agenda yesterday that included an update the county tax abatement agreement with Sysco Food Services.

According to Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt, the original agreement with Sysco provided for a certificate of occupancy beginning nearly a year ago. Design changes and weather conditions set the company back from the original October 2007 date until next month. Terms of the agreement are for a six-year phase-out abatement based on job creation and real investments.

Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP., was approved for a resolution authorizing the execution of a deed and/or other documents necessary to convey property to Ken Chinn and William Chinn.

Bob Barbee, Precinct 3 commissioner, was granted court approval to move Non-Capital Funds to Repair and Maintenance for purchase of a sprinkler system at the Kilgore Community Building; to move Capital Outlay Funds to the Non- Capital Account to purchase a welding machine; and, ratification for the purchase of two generators from the Non-Capital Account for disaster relief.

John Mathis, Precinct 4 commissioner, was granted ratification for the purchase of a Manitowoc Ice Machine for the Easton Community Center and approval to assist the City of Easton in repairing Pegues Road.

Sheriff Maxey Cerliano was approved for the transfer of $10,000 to purchase 12 tasers. The funds will be transferred from Contract Jail Services Supplies Account to Contract Jail Services Non-Capital Equipment Account.

Cerliano also received ratification for the sheriff 's office to utilize inmate labor to assist the First Baptist Church of Kilgore, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, in accordance with Texas code. The inmates were used for set-up prior to Hurricane Ike, in anticipation of evacuees.

County Auditor Laurie Woloszyn received approval for renewal and payment, in the amount of $500, to Booth Insurance for the Crime Renewal Bond for employees of the District Clerk's office.

The County Organized Drug Enforcement (CODE) Unit received acknowledgment for the unit's proposed 2008-2009 budget.

East Texas Regional Airport was approved for combination of FY 09 budget organizations 100693 Terminal Building, 100695 Airfield, 100696 Maintenance Shop and 100698 Marketing into Organization 100691, Airport Administra- tion.

The elections office received approval of Joint Resolutions between Gregg County and Sabine ISD, Pine Tree ISD and Gladewater ISD for the Nov. 4 election; approval of Kathryn Nealy as the Central Count Manager and Carol Williams as the Tabulation Supervisor for the same election; as well as approval of replacement and alternate judges.

The County Purchasing Department was approved for liquidation of surplus computer equipment with Dell Asset Recovery Service.

In other business comissioners approved bills payable, special bills, a budget amendment and budget transfer amendments, as well as the approval of health plan claims payments.

The next meeting of Gregg County Commissioners' Court is 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29, in the Commissioners' Courtroom on the third floor of Gregg County Courthouse, 101 E. Methvin St.