Audit gives Rusk County clean bill of health
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

Rusk County Commissioners received a clean bill of health Monday when Richard Laughlin, CPA, presented the annual county audit report.

Laughlin reported the county had taken in more than expected and spent less. He concluded that the county has an end-ofyear balance of $4.8 million.

Commissioners accepted proposals from J. E. Kingham, of Nacogdoches; Barry Clay, of Rusk; and Harrison, Walker and Harper, out of Paris, for construction manager at risk, for the renovation and expansion of Rusk County Jail. The proposals are to be checked for requirements, then a recommendation should be presented to the court at a later date.

John Cloutier, Rusk County representative for North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority, reported on discussions from the June NET RMA meeting, which included talk of completion of the Loop 571 bypass around Henderson, as well as discussion of a proposal to abolish the state transportation commission as it exists and convert to a single commissioner.

"We do not know exactly what will happen," Cloutier said.

Commissioners also approved a request from Matt B. Gabriel, to approve an interlocal agreement with the City of Kilgore, Kilgore Independent School District and Kilgore College, for assessment and collection of taxes.

In other business, commissioners approved a resolution of support for Luminant Mining Company LLC and Texas Department of Transportation to move a 12 million-pound dragline across FM 1716.