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Outgoing Bandera County EMS Director Calvin Plummer delivers his final monthly report to commissioners on Oct. 28.
Photos by Jessica Nohealapa'ahi
November 2, 2021
Briefings from Commissioners Court
Commissioners consider redrawing precinct lines, EMS director delivers final report
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Two Bandera County precinct lines are set to be redrawn after data from the 2020 census data showed the county exceeds the maximum deviation allowable under the one person, one vote principle.
According to attorney Chuck Kimbrough, the county is 13.22 percent out of balance; the maximum is 10 percent. Bandera County’s total population shown by the census bureau demographics report is 20,851, which reflects a modest increase of 366 people, or 1.786 percent, since 2010.
“Everyone is criticizing the census count is an undercount. That’s probably true,” Kimbrough said. “But there’s not anything we can do about an undercount.”
Although each precinct within the differential window of zero to 10 percent, Kimbrough said the county’s cumulative percentage is too high.
A problem, he said, that may be resolved by a simple and uncomplicated move.
Calling the remedy Illustrative Plan 1, Pct. 1 - the precinct with the most people, will give a little land to Pct. 3 - the precinct with the least people.
“Under that plan the county is balanced, leaving Pcts. 2 and 4 unchanged,” Kimbrough said.
The deviation once done will be 7.52 percent.
County Judge Richard Evans said the plan does not displace any elected officials, and does not drastically increase travel time to any voting precincts.
“The least turmoil we want to create, and not divide the city,” Evans said.
The deadline to complete the change is Friday, Nov. 12, because Saturday, Nov. 13, is the first day to file an application to get on the primary ballot for the 2022 election. Commissioners are expected to consider the plan during their next regular session on Nov. 9.
In other business, commissioners approved an amendment to the juror donation list, adding the veterans county service office. Jurors are given the option of donating their district, county and justice of the peace jury duty reimbursement to certain organizations, including the crime victims’ fund and the child welfare department.
* Commissioners set Nov. 23 as the interview date for nine applicants who applied for the county fire marshal’s position.
* In his monthly report, Sheriff Dan Butts said for the month of September, deputies responded to 570 calls for service and traveled 25,425 miles. The average response to on scene time was 13.20 minutes. Twenty-six arrests were made - 10 felony and 16 misdemeanor. In the animal control facility, 22 dogs and two cats were picked up; the average dog population was 14; and the average cat population was one. Incoming 911 calls was 1,430.
* Delivering his final report, outgoing EMS Director Calvin Plummer said for the month of August, EMTs responded to 258 EMS calls and traveled 13,859 miles. The average tone to en route time was 1.15 minutes and the average tone to on scene time was 11.58 minutes.
In September, EMTs responded to 225 calls and traveled 13,022 miles. The average tone to en route time was 1.5 minutes and the average tone to on scene time was 10.22 minutes.
Bandera County EMS has thus far this year received 2,850 calls, 365 calls more than last year this time.
The next EMS monthly report will be delivered by incoming director Shannon Griffin.
“I want to go on record and say it’s been a pleasure working with you,” Pct. 2 Commissioner Bobby Harris said.
According to attorney Chuck Kimbrough, the county is 13.22 percent out of balance; the maximum is 10 percent. Bandera County’s total population shown by the census bureau demographics report is 20,851, which reflects a modest increase of 366 people, or 1.786 percent, since 2010.
“Everyone is criticizing the census count is an undercount. That’s probably true,” Kimbrough said. “But there’s not anything we can do about an undercount.”
Although each precinct within the differential window of zero to 10 percent, Kimbrough said the county’s cumulative percentage is too high.
A problem, he said, that may be resolved by a simple and uncomplicated move.
Calling the remedy Illustrative Plan 1, Pct. 1 - the precinct with the most people, will give a little land to Pct. 3 - the precinct with the least people.
“Under that plan the county is balanced, leaving Pcts. 2 and 4 unchanged,” Kimbrough said.
The deviation once done will be 7.52 percent.
County Judge Richard Evans said the plan does not displace any elected officials, and does not drastically increase travel time to any voting precincts.
“The least turmoil we want to create, and not divide the city,” Evans said.
The deadline to complete the change is Friday, Nov. 12, because Saturday, Nov. 13, is the first day to file an application to get on the primary ballot for the 2022 election. Commissioners are expected to consider the plan during their next regular session on Nov. 9.
In other business, commissioners approved an amendment to the juror donation list, adding the veterans county service office. Jurors are given the option of donating their district, county and justice of the peace jury duty reimbursement to certain organizations, including the crime victims’ fund and the child welfare department.
* Commissioners set Nov. 23 as the interview date for nine applicants who applied for the county fire marshal’s position.
* In his monthly report, Sheriff Dan Butts said for the month of September, deputies responded to 570 calls for service and traveled 25,425 miles. The average response to on scene time was 13.20 minutes. Twenty-six arrests were made - 10 felony and 16 misdemeanor. In the animal control facility, 22 dogs and two cats were picked up; the average dog population was 14; and the average cat population was one. Incoming 911 calls was 1,430.
* Delivering his final report, outgoing EMS Director Calvin Plummer said for the month of August, EMTs responded to 258 EMS calls and traveled 13,859 miles. The average tone to en route time was 1.15 minutes and the average tone to on scene time was 11.58 minutes.
In September, EMTs responded to 225 calls and traveled 13,022 miles. The average tone to en route time was 1.5 minutes and the average tone to on scene time was 10.22 minutes.
Bandera County EMS has thus far this year received 2,850 calls, 365 calls more than last year this time.
The next EMS monthly report will be delivered by incoming director Shannon Griffin.
“I want to go on record and say it’s been a pleasure working with you,” Pct. 2 Commissioner Bobby Harris said.