Hays County Commissioners To Discuss Travel For Out Of State Training Program, Waiving P&I For Local Taxpayer

By, Terra Rivers, Managing Editor

On Tuesday, the Hays County Commissioners Court will consider approving out of state travel for a county detective and hold a discussion with possible action regarding a request from a taxpayer to refund penalty and interest accrued on a tax payment.

Commissioners will consider approving out of state travel for Detective Nelson Wray to attend the Basic Computer Evidence Recovery Training in Hoover, Alabama this summer.

The 20-day course will begin on July 8 and end August 8 and is designed to train Law Enforcement officers how to understand mobile device seizures, how to track histories on mobile devices and teach basic drafting of court orders and search warrants. The course is a combination of instructor lecture and practical exercise.

All fees, registration, hotel and per diem, will be paid directly by the U.S. Secret Service through the United States Secret Service Grant program.

According to the agenda, having Detective Wray attend the training will help him with investigating crimes that occur in Hays County pertaining to mobile devices such as cell phones, GPS units and tablets.

Commissioners will also consider the approval of a waiver for a Hays County resident’s penalty and interest accrued on their tax payment under section 33.011(h) of the Texas Property Tax Code.

According to the agenda, the taxpayer provided proof of an attempt to pay the original tax amount electronically in the proper manner before the delinquency date. However, the county never received one of her payments.

The agenda states that the taxpayer provided a bank statement showing she had used bill pay to submit her tax payment; however, there was an error in the transmission of the funds.  

After receiving legal counsel, staff submitted an agenda item for commissioners to discuss and consider the waiving of $48.53 under a P&I waiver.

In other news, Commissioners will consider authorizing the Building Maintenance Department to utilize existing funds for the purchase and installation of locking mechanisms for ten Government Center Courtroom doors.

The county was provided with “three quotes from Hull Supply Co. providing the lowest bid.” The company will furnish and install the locks under the supervision of Building Maintenance for $20,710.

According to the agenda, the funds for the purchase are available within the Infrastructure Improvement Fee Fund.