County commissioners approve grant applications

Milam County Commissioners moved forward with various grant applications during a meeting on Tuesday, May 26. 

During their regular meeting, Commissioners OK’d their previously submitted application for Texas Infrastructure Grant funds. They also approved various requirements from the General Land Office as part of infrastructure work in Rockdale and Brushy Slough Bridge. The requirements included designating signatories for Hurricane Harvey CDGB disaster recovery, approved civil rights policies, and approved April as Fair Housing Month. 

Commissioners also approved a resolution to seek $142,000 in three separate grants through the CARES Act and Help America Vote Act grant funding to assist with the election cycle and voting amid the COVID-19 crisis. 

Commissioners also approved having the Masonic Cornerstone replaced in the courthouse, which will be at no cost to the county. Judge Steve Young said the original cornerstone went missing during renovation and needs to be replaced. 

They also moved to approve employee health and dental insurance. That insurance package increased by over $150 per employee per year and will cost over $9,100 per employee per year in total. 

In an update on the move from downtown Young said the bids are now open and the court will open them at the June 15 meeting and move forward from there.

The commissioners elected to meet in the courthouse with restrictions for the June 15 meeting.

During a COVID-19 update, Young indicated there is no longer anyone in the hospital with the virus. There are four active cases and 12 people are being monitored.