Racial profiling reports lead court meeting

Racial profiling reports from county law enforcement offices were a topic of special interest at the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court meet-

Commissioner Pct. 4 Tom Bellmyer questions filing of racial profiling reports at Wednesday’s commissioner’s court meeting.

David Danley | The Light and Champion u ing February 21.

A racial profiling report submitted by Constable Pct. 4. Taylor Fanguy led to an inquiry from Commissioner Pct. 4 Tom Bellmyer regarding which law enforcement officials are required to file the reports.

“I know last week we got a racial profiling report from the (sheriff’s office),” said Bellmyer. “And I know in the past that the constable from Precinct 4 has done one. Is that the only constable that’s required to do a racial profiling report?”

“They’re all supposed to file a report,” District Attorney Karren Price, replied.

Bellmyer asserted that he would like to see a racial profiling report from the county’s other constables within the next 30 days.

“I just want to say, as a state requirement, all law enforcement departments are supposed to file before March 1st, I believe,” said Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Ruth Gonzalez. “So, these guys can file exempt, and then send that to you all. They just say they don’t report traffic, and that’s all they have to do.”

“Mr. Price and I will talk, and we’ll get in touch with them and have them do their reporting,” County Judge Allision Harbison said.

Bellmyer informed the court County Road 4059 will be closed to build a bridge beginning Monday, Feb. 26. He noted there was a bridge at the location in the past, but was replaced with a culvert when oil field activity in the area increased. He said he had been reluctant to change the culvert due to the disruption to traffic, but the recent rains had deteriorated culvert to the point that it needed to be replaced.

Bellmyer also updated the court on plans to purchase a new work truck for precinct 4. The commissioner said he and County Treasurer Ann Blackwell had listed a request online, but received only one response which did not meet the requirements. Bellmyer said the lack of qualifying bids left the county free to pursue acquiring the vehicle through a sole source avenue.

“I went to the four local dealerships in Shelby County,” Said Bellmyer. “The GMC and the Chevrolet dealerships both declined to submit a quote because neither one of them can sell that truck. But I did get two quotes from the local Ford dealership, and I got one quote from the local Dodge dealership.”

After discussion on financing options for the purchase, the item was tabled to allow time for getting a firm price and a financing plan to fit the precinct’s budget.

Commissioner Pct. 1 Roscoe McSwain affirmed Bellmyer’s efforts in budget management noting replacement of “so many bridges in his precinct.”

“I want to compliment (Bellmyer) in front of the court. It’s well that we hear this discussion about financing for something purchased. To Mr. Bellmyer’s credit, in the last six years, he’s built so many bridges it has killed his budget every year. He inherited 30-something (depleted bridges). So, every time he builds a $40,000 bridge, that’s a knock out of his budget that was unforeseen.”

The last item addressed by the court was the replacement of emergency stairway lighting in the courthouse. Harbison said the lighting problem was discovered recently when electricity to the building was down. She said lighting in the main part of the building was replaced recently, but emergency lighting was not included in that work.

“I spoke to (the electrical contractor), and he said that they were not in the original quote,” said Harbison, adding, “The additional lighting is $11,928.”

County Auditor Clint Porterfield questioned the emergency lighting quote at 52-percent of the original quote, which was $23,000. “That $23,000 replaced 224 fixtures, which is an average of about $120,” he said. “This is only 17 fixtures for 52 percent of that same amount, which is almost a little over $700 a fixture. Do we know why?”

Harbison acknowledged her surprise at the quote as well, and recommended tabling the item until she could talk to the contractor to get an explanation.

In other business, the court paid weekly expenses.