The Hockley County Commissioners held a busy regular meeting Monday where the court approved an agreement with Lubbock County for the Soto-Chavira trial and extended the disaster declaration.
Two agenda items concerning the Omar Soto Charvira case were addressed by the court. Hockley County Judge Sharla Baldridge presented the court an interlocal agreement between Lubbock County and Hockley County which also covered inmate housing as Chavira is has been housed at Hail County.
Baldridge stated Hockley County Attorney Anna Hord worked on the agreement with Lubbock County.
She added that multiple pairs of eyes have combed through the agreement as the county will be covering all costs associated with the case. The agreement states Lubbock County will be housing Soto-Chavira for $75 per day.
The Hockley County Sheriff’s Office will take charge of initial transport from Hail County to Lubbock County. From there, Lubbock County will be responsible for transporting Soto-Charvira each day to and from court.
Both items regarding the interlocal agreement were approved with little discussion. The trial is set to begin with jury selection in September and will use the 237th District Court’s courtroom.
A brief discussion was held amongst the commissioners regarding the extension of the disaster declaration stemming from the May 29 storm that devastated the City of Levelland and portions of the county.
Baldridge explained that the last renewal was made June 24 through July 31. With loose ends at the debris management sites and additional services needed, she explained that if the commissioners are going to continue to offer assistance to the city the declaration needed to be extended until everything was wrapped up.
The decision to extend the declaration to August 30 was approved.
During the last regular meeting held by the Levelland City Council, City Manager James Fisher proposed two projects that were geared toward revamping the Levelland Airport. Both projects were approved by the council, but awaited the approval of the county commissioners.
The city’s airport is jointly owned by the city and Hockley County. During the commissioners meeting, Fisher was in attendance to present the projects and answer any questions.
Fisher explained that the airport is very underutilized and could be a strong tool in the economic development efforts and a stronger asset to the community.
TxDOT Aviation has informed city staff that they are eligible for a grant, 90-10 match, for an Airport Layout Plan with Narrative. Fisher explained to the council that the last plan was conducted over 20 years ago.
The intent of the new plan will provide valuable information for the future development of the airport, demand, capacity, and facility requirements, a capital improvement plan, recommendations and an evaluation.
The grant match funds would come from the Oil Royalties Fund-Leveland Municipal Airport. There is roughly $324,987 in this account. However, approximately $220,000 has been allocated to the Airport Lighting Project which is also a TxDOT Aviation Project that is a 90-10 grant.
Fisher presented a second item which is a crack seal project at the airport.
The city had received a proposal from CALCO Services, LLC to crack seal several areas along the apron, tarmac and runway at the airport for approximately $49,000.
The project would qualify for the Routine Airport Maintenance Program which allows for partial reimbursement.
Following the presentation of both agenda items, the commissioners approved both items.