Commissioners extend declaration of disaster

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Scurry County commissioners extended the county’s declaration of disaster due to the COVID-19 pandemic during a special meeting Tuesday.

The action extends the disaster declaration through Aug. 13. Commissioner Shawn McCowen said the declaration is a step toward the county receiving disaster relief from the state, and has nothing to do with Governor Greg Abbott’s recent order mandating masks and limiting social activity statewide.

“It’s just part of what we’ve got to do, regardless of whether we agree with it or you disagree. I do disagree with it to a point,” McCowen said.

Commissioners voted unanimously to extend the disaster declaration.

Commissioners accepted an oath of office and a surety bond from Kirsta Koennecke, the new county treasurer. Koennecke, formerly an assistant to County Auditor Angela Sanchez, was named county treasurer at a previous meeting, following Nelda Colvin’s retirement.

Commissioners also approved an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation regarding a County Transportation Infrastructure Fund grant for $2.9 million for transportation-related projects around the county. The county is responsible for $729,928 in matching funds.

In other business, the commissioners approved $12,830 in additional revenue in the form of a supplement payment from the Texas Association of Counties for unemployment surplus.

Commissioners met in closed session for about 30 minutes to discuss candidates for director of the Scurry County Youth Center. When they reconvened in open session, they took no action on the matter.