County decisions put on hold
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Decisions on how to handle a pair of issues were put on hold by the Wharton County Commissioners during Monday's regular session.

The court opted to delay taking action on where early voting will take place in the future and on which employees will be required to begin recording their working hours on time sheets.

Elections Administrator Judy Owens was requesting commissioners approve a permanent move of the county's main early voting site from the Courthouse Annex to the Wharton Civic Center.

The use of the electronic voting equipment has caused the county to outgrow its annex space, she said, adding that early voting in municipal and school elections were also held at the civic center so voters would be familiar with the location.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Chris King argued against making a move at this time, reminding Owens and the rest of the court the county would soon be renovating the Kleas Building.

He said the idea of renovating the building was to keep all county functions in the same general area.

King added since county voters were familiar with the annex location, moving it could create confusion for voters.

Currently, the Kleas location is being used as a district courtroom and will be vacated when the Wharton County Courthouse goes back into regular use.

In an unrelated election issue, the commissioners approved a recommendation from Owens to consolidate the Danevang Fire Station and St. Robert's Church voting boxes at the Danevang location for the Nov. 6 election. St. Robert's has a previously scheduled function at the church.

In their ongoing discussion of the time sheet situation, commissioners approved holding a workshop to discuss several related issues, including how to handle making adjustments in vacation, sick leave pay and previous hours worked.

The time sheet issue was brought to the attention of the county by the Texas Association of Counties. It advised the county it was violating the Fair Labor Standards Act by exempting various non-exempt employees from keeping a record of hours worked.

County Judge John Murrile pointed out one of the advantages of complying with the federal law was that it would help in any claims made for FEMA reimbursement in emergency situations.

When Precinct 4 Commissioner Jimmy Kainer expressed concerns about the possible cost to the county, King said it was a fairness issue. He added it would allow the county to determine if one department or individual was being overloaded while Precinct 3 Commissioner Philip Miller pointed out it is the law.