BY JERRIE WHITELEY

HERALD DEMOCRAT

SHERMAN -- Grayson County commissioners decided Monday to move some money from one category to another to pay for legal fees related to the Grayson County Jail.

Commissioners David Whitlock, Jackie Crisp, Johnny Waldrip and County Judge Drue Bynum all voted to move $48,000 from the liability and casualty insurance line item to the Court's professional services line item to pay money the county owes Haley & Olson, a legal firm, for legal services related to the county's private jail project and economic development.

Gene Short, the county's longest serving commissioner, voted against the idea.

Short questioned how much, exactly, the county had paid for legal services relating to the plan to build a new jail. Though no one had the exact number available, Bynum said he thought the effort had probably cost $125,000 over a 3-year period.

Bynum said had thought the $48,000 could be paid out of the 2010 budget but was told it had to be paid out of the 2009 budget because the expenses were incurred in that year.

In addition, commissioners also approved the implementation of an Eagle Scout project by Elijah Thomas. Thomas, 13, stood up straight and spoke louder than a lot of the folks who address commissioners when he told them he plans to put 10 wood duck nesting boxes out at Loy Park.

Bynum, also an Eagle Scout, asked Thomas boy a few questions about the project. Commissioners wanted to know where Thomas will get materials for the project and how he will handle the labor required. Thomas said he plans on accepting donations and holding fund raising to get the money needed for the project. He said he expects he might get some help in the labor department from the rest of Troop 911 from Pottsboro.

Bynum asked how the boxes will impact the people of Grayson County, and Thomas said he expects bird watchers might like to see the birds once they settle at the lake. Commissioners commented on the fact that Thomas is rather young to be going after his Eagle designation before approving the request.

Commissioners agreed to extend a work agreement with Experience Works for Justice of the Peace Office in Precinct 2 and they accepted a $200 donation from the city of Dorchester to help pay for Precinct One's Trash Day.

They also approved a request for a variance to the county's subdivision regulations and road standards and approved a final plat of Hilltop Meadows in Precinct 1.

Commissioners tabled a request to award a bid to replace roofs at the Juvenile Boot Camp. Bill Bristow, head of the Camp, sent word through the county's purchasing office that he can't afford to buy a metal roof, which commissioners prefer. Bynum asked if Bristow might be able to come up with the money to pay for half of the preferred roof. Commissioners tabled the request until they could get Bristow's input on the matter.