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Court votes to provide housing for CareStar
CareStar 2 is officially operational. Based out of Pecos County Memorial Hospital, the helicopter is slated to be used to evacuate patients within a 100- to 150-mile radius of Fort Stockton, generally south of Interstate 10.
CareStar 2 is the companion helicopter to CareStar 1 and both helicopters are operated by Med-Trans Corporation for Medical Center Hospital of Odessa. CareStar 2 not only brings an improvement in the quality of health care to the area; it also brings in 12 crewmembers to Fort Stockton.
So, where are they going to live, given the housing situation in Fort Stockton?
The Pecos County Commissioners Court took a step toward answering that question, moving to provide housing for the four helicopter crews at its regular session Monday.
Following a discussion in executive session, the court approved in open session a modification of a contract with the Fort Stockton Economic Development Corporation that will allow the EDC to construct a housing facility at Fort Stockton-Pecos County Airport.
The EDC will be the project manager for the 2,304 square-foot building, which will have a stucco-like appearance from the outside. Construction on the $184,320 building is expected to be completed in two to three months, according to Pecos County Judge Joe Shuster.
SandRidge Energy has committed $125,000 to the project and the county will pay for the extension of utilities to the site, Shuster said. Construction will begin after a survey has been completed to determine the exact location for the building at the airport.
The court also approved employing a surveyor to survey part of the airport property.
Among other business Monday, the court:
>> approved an order prohibiting certain fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county, with Rooney Park, Sheffield Park and Alley Oop Park in Iraan exempted; the order prohibits the selling, detonation, ignition or any other use of "skyrockets with sticks" and "missiles with fins"; the order doesn't prohibit common fireworks, small in size classified as Class C explosives, or large fireworks devices designed primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration or detonation and classified as Class B explosives; an offense under the order will be Class C misdemeanor
>> approved a resolution to be forwarded to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department that asks that $2 of every hunting license be used for predator control; the court acted upon a request from the Sutton County Commissioners Court, which is in the process of seeking endorsements from commissioners courts and other bodies in hopes of having the state legislature pass a bill that could raise $5.4 million for predator control
>> approved a proclamation designating Saturday as Flag Day in Pecos County; Flag Day is marked each June 14 in the U.S.; a ceremony has been scheduled at noon Friday at Zero Stone Park
>> approved a contract with Lott Brothers Construction Company out of Austin for the Pecos County Memorial Hospital Physical Therapy and Wellness Center addition; with the approval, the court authorizes Shuster to negotiate the Liquidated Damages article of the contract, which currently is at $1,000 per day for each day of "unexcused delay in achieving substantial completion"
>> approved a request from Justice of the Peace Precinct No. 6 Don Pitts for a part-time employee to work more than 20 hours per week, provided the average hours do not exceed 20 hours per week
>> awarded a bid for a 2008 Ford F750XL water truck for Precinct No. 2 to United Trucking and Equipment out of Phoenix; the bid was for $71,900
>> awarded a bid for 11 On-Site Sewage Facilities Systems for Colonia Grant No. 726045 to Sims Plastics out of Odessa; the expected total cost is to be between $15,000 and $20,000, according to Precinct 3 Commissioner Jay Kent
>> tabled the awarding of a bid for aggregate hauling
>> approved the payment of county overtime, presented by county treasurer Barry McCallister
>> approved the transfer of funds, payment of overtime and accounts payable for PCMH, presented by PCMH chief executive officer Russell Tippin
>> approved the line item transfers and budget amendments, the financial report and all accounts, presented by the county auditor's office
>> called for bids for Vent-A-Hood, commercial range and miscellaneous kitchen equipment for Iraan Senior Citizens Building; bids will be opened at the court's regular session July 14 at 11 a.m.
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