County agrees to help VISD Middle School fix traffic congestion
The Wilbarger County Commissioners Court has agreed to allow the Vernon Independent School District to restructure a parking lot that the county and school district co-own between the Vernon Middle School and Wilbarger Auditorium.
Judge Greg Tyra said that VISD superintendent Jeff Byrd had approached him with a plan to alleviate traffic congestion around the Middle School. Tyra said that when children are being picked up, the entrance to the parking lot ends up with two rows trying to go west and there is no way out of the parking lot.
“He wants to cut a ramp on the south side between the entrance and the bus lane,” Tyra said. “They will pay for it.”
Commissioner John Wright asked if they were talking about on Houston Street. Tyra said yes, north of the school’s gate.
Tyra said that the auditorium would lose a few parking spots in the parking lot when they cut into the Houston Street curb. Commissioner Wright made a motion to approve the agreement and it was unanimously approved.
The commissioners also approved changing vendors for district and county court collections. Judge Tyra said a similar situation had arisen as with the Justice of the peace collections. The commission voted earlier this month to switch vendors due to high outstanding balances from fines and fees.
“There’s money out there that could be collected,” County Clerk Jana Kennon said.
Judge Tyra added that the amount was at least $2 million.
Commissioner Wright asked if there had been any issues with the change for the justices of the peace.
“Nothing,” Tyra said. I don’t think they will ever know it happened.”
Wright made a motion and the commission unanimously approved contracting with Perdue Brandon, Fielder, Collins and Mott LLP for the court collections.
The commission approved the tax sale of properties at 3325 Luna for $570, 3015 Wheatly for $770, 1309 Houston for $650, 2121 pearl for $2,800, at 2613 Lexington for $1,200 and at 2501 Dawson for $2,750. The sale was approved on a motion by Kelly Joe Neel.
County bills were also approved on a motion from Neel.
The commission heard during the meeting that Vernon Municipal Judge Lori Adams had been hired into the County Auditor office, effective February 10.