The Dallas County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday in regular session.

During open forum a resident that spoke last week about a cast voter record report was following up to see if county officials contacted the Secretary of State’s office based on their reply of requesting that information in violation of state code. County Attorney Chuck Sinnard said the county’s voting machines don’t compile that kind of information nor are ballots of how someone voted available to the public. The resident wanted to get a specific example of how that report violated state code and she wanted to be proactive as the county is investing money to purchase new voting machines.

The Board then recognized 23 county employees who had service milestones ranging from five years to 25 years. Next was a county administrative building update from Farnsworth Group. The architectural representatives went over available parking spaces, as well as a general floor plan of tentatively where county departments would be located in the two-story, 55,607 square foot facility across the street from the courthouse. The Board gave direction to create a committee to further review and finalize floor plans before going out for bid late this winter or possibly early next spring for the close to $15 million project.

The Supervisors then approved a right of way purchase on G Trail for $240 for 0.03 acres from the Eldon Coulter Trust for a culvert bridge replacement project. Next, County Engineer Al Miller presented the Local Road Safety Plan Pledge, which would allow access to federal grant money for road projects. The topic was tabled to a future meeting to consider for approval, once the document has been updated. The Board also set October 11th at 9:30am for a public hearing on the first reading of a proposed amendment to Chapter 40 floodplain development ordinance. 

Additionally, the Board approved a cell phone policy whereas any county employee that uses their personal cell phone for work may receive a $50 per month stipend that is now tax exempt. The Board tabled approving the federal procurement and financial policies to next week’s meeting pending final review of each. The final agenda item of election equipment purchase using American Rescue Plan Act funds was also tabled because part of the purchase agreement uses the county’s federal procurement policy.