The Ector County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to earmark $1,084,060 to purchase new vehicles and equipment needed to maintain county roads, during their 2021-22 budget hearing on Monday.
Funding for the equipment, which includes two new dump trucks and a street sweeper, will be paid for with road maintenance funds and county sales tax dollars, County Judge Debi Hays said.
During their Monday afternoon budgeting session, commissioners focused on road maintenance, parks, motor vehicle repairs, airport capital improvements, equipment services and road and projected traffic-related sales tax revenues.
Commissioners received several department requests for additional staff, but did not take action on those requests.
“I would like us to defer all additional staff requests until all budgets are completed,” said Hays, whose motion to postpone hiring decisions was supported by the commissioners present.
Hays said it would be wiser to wait until all staff requests are heard so commissioners could determine which departments have the greatest needs.
County airport officials explained that they needed more capital improvement funds next year to repair the airport tower’s leaky roof.
The roof was damaged by hail during a storm a year and a half ago, and the damage has grown worse. The county has an insurance policy for the roof, but the problem is it comes with a $250,000 deductible, meaning the county will have to cough up the first $250,000 before the insurance policy kicks in.
County officials believe the repairs will cost less than $250,000 and plan to use general funds to repair the roof.
Commissioners agreed to postpone a decision on the airport’s budget until the cost of the roof repairs is known. They also directed airport staff to return later with an inventory list of all motor vehicles and equipment owned by the airport.
The Commissioners Court will reconvene at 1 p.m., Tuesday to continue reviewing their proposed 2021-22 budget. The hearing will be held in commission chambers and is open to the public.
The budget and tax rate are scheduled to be adopted Sept. 28.
