County Commissioners extend disaster declaration

County commissioners voted in favor of extending the disaster declaration for Stephens County for at least the next 30 days. Judge Michael Roach proposed the extension to allow businesses and individuals time to assess for property damage.

“Last week, Mayor Sims and myself, signed a disaster declaration due to the winter storm that came. And we sent that to Austin, which sent it to Washington, and we were also designated one of 77 counties by President Biden as a disaster area in Texas,” Roach said at the meeting on February 22.

According to the document signed by Roach, Mayor Bob Sims and Interim City Manager and City Secretary Heather Robertson-Caraway, it was “determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to mitigate the effects of the severe weather emergency and to facilitate the efficient, rapid, and cooperative response to the emergency.” The declaration implemented the Stephens County Emergency Management Plan on February 17.

The designation of Stephens County as a disaster area may qualify residents for reimbursement on necessary repairs due to the winter storm. Residents with property damage can apply at www.disasterassistance. gov or call 1-800-621-3362.

In addition to the extension, storm related expenses of approximately $800 were approved with the expectation of being reimbursed by disaster relief funds.

In other business, the commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to designate February 22 as Christy Begeman Day. The court passed the resolution in recognition of Begeman’s work for Stephens County during the COVID-19 pandemic. She will be leaving Stephens Memorial Hospital to take on a new role at Hendrick Medical Center.

“Christy is a rare individual who puts her calling as a medical professional first, and serves with compassion,” Roach said.

The commissioners opened sealed bids to replace a 2009 John Deere Motor Grader that was destroyed in a fire. The court approved the sale of the damaged equipment for approximately $8,600 and the purchase of a 2014 John Deere Motor Grader of similar quality for $100,000.

Stephens County Sheriff Kevin Roach updated the commissioners on the cost of a new vehicle for the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office. The cost is expected to be $28,799. The vehicle will be initially funded by the county with the expectation of reimbursement by a grant and auctioning vehicles currently owned by the SCSO. The commissioners approved the expenditure.