Also during meeting, officials honor Scout for his work at annex breezeway
The Lampasas County Commissioners Court voted Monday to reject a $13,760 bid from Legacy Awning & Shade to replace the canopy over the breezeway north of the Lampasas County annex buildings and install bird spikes along the building’s roofline.
The awnings are about 12 years old and in disrepair.
County Judge Randy Hoyer said the awnings are not functional but enhance the courthouse square and help make it appealing to visitors.
“They don’t really serve any purpose. The sun never shines in there,” Hoyer said. “It is strictly aesthetics. I support the endeavor for the simple fact that we have a beautiful courthouse ... it’s all about dressing up the downtown area.”
Precinct 4 Commissioner Mark Rainwater said the awnings should not be replaced but removed.
“I know it’s for looks and all, but you don’t see it unless you walk under it,” he said. “Until last week when this was brought up, I had never noticed [the breezeway], and I’m fixing on my seventh year in office.”
Hoyer supported the motion to accept Legacy’s bid. All four commissioners opposed it.
In another matter, the Commissioners Court recognized Scout John Saucedo for restoring three wooden benches and trash-can surrounds in the breezeway.
Saucedo said he powerwashed and sanded them and rubbed them with teak oil. He replaced missing planks in the benches.
Saucedo completed the project as a requirement for a Catholic sacrament he seeks.
Hoyer said the Scout did a “fabulous job” and presented him with a certificate of appreciation.
Saucedo, a high school sophomore, built the butterfly gateway in Campbell Park for his Eagle Scout project. He said he must earn a few more merit badges to become an Eagle Scout.
The Commissioners Court approved a $6,787 amendment to the 2020 Lampasas Central Appraisal District budget.
Hoyer said the appraisal district incurred additional expenses to comply with COVID-19 requirements, such as installing plexiglass partitions.
In other business, the court voted to adopt an order restricting the sale and use of fireworks classified as “skyrockets with sticks” or “missiles with fins” in unincorporated areas of Lampasas County.
Ronnie Goodwin updated the Commissioners Court on progress of the jail project. He said construction workers are cleaning the site and putting final touches on the building.
“They’re still going in the right direction,” he said.