Texas Department of Agriculture Approves Exception for Tom Green County from Conflict of Interest in Water Grant

SAN ANGELO, TX —Tom Green County Commissioners on Tuesday announced state approval of an exception from a disclosed conflict of interest in a Texas Department of Agriculture grant for water improvements.  Pct. 3 Commissioner Rick Bacon read the following statement:

“On January 17, 2017, the Tom Green County Commissioner’s Court disclosed that the water system improvements under grant #7216459 may financially benefit the family-owned and operated business of Concho Rural Water Corporation (CRWC), and a motion was passed to submit a conflict of interest exception request to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA).  The county’s request was approved in writing by TDA on February 2, 2017.”

County Judge Steve Floyd said the disclosure and approval of the exception had to be read into the public record in open court.  The TDA grant is for water system improvements in Frontier Acres and Indian Creek. 

Frontier Acres is a subdivision located at the corner of Grape Creek Road and Glass Road in northwestern Tom Green County. 

Other Business

Commissioners also approved issuing requests for bids for the installation of water and sewer lines for the new jail project.  The bids will be opened Friday, July 14.

The commissioners' court approved purchasing body cameras for all four constables.  The five body cameras will be purchased from Axon Enterprises, Inc. for $2,022.93.  The precinct three constable’s office will receive two body cameras; precincts one, two and four will receive one body camera each. 

The court is currently in the middle of budget hearings for the 2018 fiscal year.  Preliminary estimates projected the county had a $1.5 million budget shortfall.