By John Waters, Publisher
The Big Bend Gazette has learned that in December 2014, former Brewster County Judge Kathy Killingsworth authorized two checks totaling $53,106 be written and paid to a New Jersey emergency services vehicle dealership for a vehicle intended for Terlingua Fire and EMS.
According to state law, any purchase over $50,000 needs to put out for competitive bid. The $53,106 Brewster County paid for the emergency services vehicle was made in two separate checks, one for $48,500 to Odyssey Automotive, and the second check to EchoStream (parent corporation of Odyssey) for $4,606. Both checks were written on December 22, 2014 and cashed on December 26, 2014. The contract for the vehicle was not put out for bid.
Last year, without the approval and knowledge of commissioners court,Killingsworth decided to issue checks for the emergency vehicle prior to receipt of it. Had Killingsowrth followed State Homeland Protection grant rules requiring the county to take possession of the vehicle before paying for it, the county could have been reimbursed for the vehicle. The county did not do this, and is now ineligible to be reimbursed for the cost. The county also expects Odyssey Automotive to seek bankruptcy protection. The county does not expect to take delivery of the vehicle or a return of funds and considers the $53,106 to be a total loss.
It is unknown why two separate checks were written. However, in doing so, Killingsowrth apparently avoided having to put the contract out for bid as required by state law for purchases over $50,000.
The Big Bend Gazette has filed an open records request, under the Texas Public Information Act, seeking documents pertaining to Killingsworth’s issuance of checks totaling $53,106 for the new emergency response vehicle.
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