A proclamation recognizing Oct. 8 as ‘War of 1812 Veteran and Republic of Texas Citizen James Rice Day’ was unanimously approved by the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court during its regular meeting Sept. 28. Standing with VZC Genealogical Library President Carrie Woolverton are left to right, VZC Pct. 2 Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr., VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick, VZC Pct. 3 Commissioner Keith Pearson, and VZC Pct. 4 Commissioner Tim West. Not pictured is VZC Pct. 1 Commissioner Chad LaPrade, who joined the meeting by ZOOM. Photo by David Barber

In their final regular meeting for the 2022 fiscal year, the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a proclamation calling for Saturday, Oct. 8 to be recognized as ‘War of 1812 Veteran and Republic of Texas Citizen James Rice Day.’ The proclamation was presented by VZC Genealogical Library President Carrie Woolverton to the commissioners’ court during their regular meeting Sept. 28.

VZC Pct. 1 Commissioner Chad LaPrade was present at the meeting through ZOOM as he was attending a training session in Oklahoma.

The proclamation reads as follows: “Whereas, the War of 1812 was known as ‘The Second War for American Independence’ and was fought on land and sea from the 18th of June 1812 to the 17th of February 1815; and “Whereas, the sacrifices by sailors, soldiers, and citizens who served in the War of 1812 further defended the liberties previously won in the American Revolution; and “Whereas, veterans of the War of 1812 were among the first settlers of Texas with over 150 of these veterans are known to be buried in Texas; today, thousands of Texas citizens trace their lineage back to these patriotic settlers; and “Whereas, Private James Rice honorably served in the War of 1812 in the 2nd Regiment, Captain Pillow’s Company, West Tennessee Volunteers; and “Whereas, James Rice came to Texas in 1822, married Jane Smith; was a Colonist; was a loyal supporter of the Republic of Texas; and “Whereas, James Rice resided in Anderson, Henderson, and Van Zandt Counties; and “Whereas, James Rice now lies at eternal rest in Elm Grove Cemetery.”

VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick said, “Now, therefore, I, Don Kirkpatrick, Judge of VZC, do hereby proclaim the 8th day of October 2022 as ‘War of 1812 Veteran and Republic of Texas Citizen James Rice Day.”

In other business during their regular meeting Sept. 28, the commissioners’ court approved a public use permit from the St. Therese Catholic Church in Canton.

“They are wanting to have public prayer on the courthouse steps on Sunday, Oct. 9, from 10:20 to 11:30 a.m.,” said VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick prior to the unanimous vote by the commissioners’ court.

A resolution declaring October 2022 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in VZC was tabled as the presenter of the resolution was unable to be in attendance due to illness.

Following a recommendation by VZC Indigent Health Care Administrator Casey Hardin, the commissioners’ court approved the annual ‘Notice to the Public’ regarding VZC Indigent Health Care and Treatment.

The commissioners’ court also renewed the contract with TransUnion for the VZC Indigent Health Program following a separate recommendation by Hardin.

A matching home-delivered meal grant program amount of $3,914 for Texans Feeding Texans (Meals on Wheels ministry) for the period of October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, was approved by the commissioner’s court. The commissioners’ court approved the signing of a resolution to apply for the fiscal year 2023 Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) Formula Grant.

A Memorandum of Understanding between VZC and the City of Grand Saline was approved by the commissioners’ court following a presentation by City of Grand Saline Secretary Dana Clair.

Following a recommendation by VZC Clerk Susan Strickland, the commissioners’ court approved a CSC (Corporation Service Company) Memorandum of Understanding agreement involving the VZC Clerk’s office.

A bond for VZC Assistant Auditor Nicole Nix in the amount of $5,000 was approved by the commissioners’ court.

The fee schedule for fiscal year 2023 for the VZC Fire Marshal’s office was adopted by the commissioner’s court.

The commissioners’ court also approved the fiscal year 2023 fee schedule for the VZC Sheriff’s Department and Constables.

Following a presentation by VZC Sheriff’s Department Property and Evidence Tech Erin McLeaish, the commissioners’ court approved the auctioning of 16 vehicles through Rene Bates Auctioneers Inc.

A restructure in the command staff at the VZC Jail was approved by the commissioners’ court following a presentation by VZC Sheriff Joe Carter.

According to Carter, the VZC Jail will add a jail administrator as well as a jail lieutenant while also moving a vacant transport deputy position to part-time as a transport deputy/case manager.

The sale of a motor grader for $15,000 to the City of Van was approved by the commissioners’ court following a recommendation by VZC Pct. 4 Commissioner Tim West.

A three-month lease renewal for a belly dump trailer from Brazos Trailers for VZC Pct. 1 was approved by the commissioners’ court following a recommendation by VZC Pct. 1 Commissioner Chad LaPrade.

Following a recommendation by VZC Pct. 3 Commissioner Keith Pearson, a one-month lease extension for two belly dump trailers from Brazos Trailers for VZC Pct. 3 was approved by the commissioners’ court.

‘No Thru Truck’ signs will be implemented onVZCR 1818 and VZCR 1110 following approval by the commissioners’court after a recommendation by LaPrade.

A plat for Hill Side Acres located on VZCR 4503 in VZC Pct. 4 was approved by the commissioners’ court following a recommendation by West.

A new local government code addressing spending limits for all elected officials leaving office at the end of the current calendar year was approved by the commissioners’ court following a presentation by Kirkpatrick.

“Any elected official leaving office on Dec. 31 cannot spend over 25 percent on any line item in their 2023 fiscal year budget that begins on Oct. 1,” pointed out Kirkpatrick.

Pearson was authorized by the commissioners’ court to move ahead with needed repairs at the VZC East Annex building on State Highway 64 following heavy rains that flooded the building Aug. 22.

The offices of VZC Tax Assessor- Collector, VZC Fire Marshal, and VZC Emergency Management Coordinator were forced to vacate the building following the floods and those offices will return to the facility once repairs have been made.

The VZC holiday schedule for fiscal year 2023 was approved by the commissioners’ court.

The regular meeting schedule for the commissioners’ court in fiscal year 2023 will remain the same which is every other Wednesday at 9 a.m. beginning Oct. 12, following approval by the court.

A fiscal year 2023 emergency budget amendment to address needed repairs on the VZC Courthouse roof was approved by the commissioners’ court.

The commissioners’ court approved a series of fiscal year 2022 budget amendments. It was pointed out by Kirkpatrick that the Sept. 28 regular meeting was the final meeting of the commissioners’ court for fiscal year 2022.

The August 2022 Financial & Investment Report of the VZC Treasurer’s office was approved and entered into the minutes of the commissioners’ court.

Monthly reports submitted by various offices and departments of VZC government were approved and entered into the minutes of the commissioners’ court as a matter of record.

The minutes of the Sept. 14 meeting were approved by the commissioners’ court as well as the monthly bills as were submitted.

No action was taken by the commissioners’ court following a closed executive session at the end of their Sept. 28 regular meeting.

The next regular meeting of the VZC Commissioners Court, the first regular meeting for fiscal year 2023, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12 in the VZC Courthouse.