County adopts computer use policy

County commissioners adopted a computer use policy during their meeting recently.

The policy, which is similar to the one adopted by the Texas Association of Counties, is based on the amount of time employees spend on the internet. While there is allowances for employees who need to be on the internet for work related issues, it is up to the department heads to be watchful as to what their employees are doing.

Resident Mike Mitchell asked why department heads, who are elected officials, are not subject to the policy and was told by Judge Mitchell Davenport that the court was not their boss. Precinct 1 Commissioner Keith Umphress said the leverage department heads have is common sense.

“It hasn’t been an issue and I don’t think it will be (with the new policy),” Umphress said.

In other activity, Davenport encouraged commissioners to work with TxDOT on the yearly material donation. Davenport said the materials vary from year to year but can include pilings, guard rails and beams which can be used elsewhere in the county but commissioners need to be vigilant and go get the items they could use.

Approval was also given for advertising for the purchase or lease with an option to purchase a maintainer for Precinct 4. Commissioner Terry Ward said he wanted to take advantage of getting this year’s price on a maintainer, which Precinct 3 Commissioner Henry Birdwell recently did,  that won’t be bought until next year.

Davenport said he spoke with TAC attorneys and was told to avoid conflict it would be better to go back out for bids on the project. Davenport said the county may need to do a lease purchase for a year at a time.

A penny of road and bridge taxes goes toward the purchase of heavy equipment.

Under consent agenda, commissioners appointed Dr. Sushil Chokshi as infection control officer to go with his duties as county health authority.Giving Chokshi the additional duties will assist the county in the event a forcible evacuation needs to take place.