ORDER N0.28993
RESOLUTION
Came to be heard this the 24th day of January 2005 with a motion made by
Commissioner Williams seconded by Commissioner Letz. The Court unanimously
approved by a vote of 4-0-0 act on the resolution in support of Knipling-Bushland effort
to cause United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to do a feasibility study for
funds to construct a replacement Laboratory in Kerr County.
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COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA REOUEST
PLEASE FURNISH ONE ORIGINAL AND NINE COPIES OF THIS
REOUEST AND DOCUMENTS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COURT.
MADE BY: William H. Williams
MEETING DATE: January 24, 2005
OFFICE: Commissioner, Pct. 2
TIME PREFERRED:
SUBJECT: Consider, discuss and take appropriate action on Resolution in
support of Knipling-Bushland effort to cause United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) to do feasibility study for funds to construct a
replacement Laboratory in Kerr County, Texas.
EXECUTIVE SESSION REQUESTED: (PLEASE STATE REASON)
NAME OF PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT: Commissioner, Pct. 2
ESTIMATED LENGTH OF PRESENTATION:
IF PERSONNEL MATTER -NAME OF EMPLOYEE:
Time for submitting this request for Court to assure that the matter is posted in
accordance with Title 5, Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code, is as follows:
Meeting scheduled for Mondays
THIS REQUEST RECEIVED BY:
THIS REQUEST RECEIVED ON:
5:00 P.M. previous Tuesday.

All Agenda Requests will be screened by the County Judge's Office to determine if adequate
information has been prepared for the Court's formal consideration and action at time of Court
Meetings. Your cooperation will be appreciated and contribute towards you request being
addressed at the earliest opportunity. See Agenda Request Rules Adopted by Commissioners'
Court.
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Resolution
WHEREAS For 58 years the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects
Laboratory in Kerrville, Texas, has generated knowledge and
solutions for livestock pest management problems that have
benefited not only livestock producers in the Unites States, but
also livestock producers around the world; and
WHEREAS Almost two decades ago the laboratory was asked to create
technology for the control of ticks that transmit pathogens that
cause Lyme disease and a variety of other human diseases.
Important new methods for tick control that reduce the risk of
human infection with these pathogens have been made available
to the public, and state and federal public health agencies; and
WHEREAS The current research program at the laboratory continues to be a
response to high priority needs identified by the Cattle Fever
Tick Eradication Program of the Veterinary Services of USDA-
AAPHIS, the cattle industry, the U.S. Department of Defense,
and public health agencies concerned about tick-borne disease of
humans; and
WHEREAS The Quonset-type buildings and other temporary-type buildings
that have housed the offices and laboratories of the Kerrville
facility since the early 1960's remain the sites of cutting-edge
research; However, the needs of the research program for
modern, well-designed laboratory space, plus improved facilities
for holding and working with livestock and wildlife, are greater
than ever and increase as the facilities continue to age; and
WHEREAS The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA)
Resolution Number 38, dated October 27, 2004 urges the
Secretary of Agriculture to request adequate funds to construct a
replacement United States Department of Agriculture(USDA),
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) laboratory in Kerr County,
Texas; and
WHEREAS The continuing pressures of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) sp. ticks
along the Texas-Mexican border is a real and measurable threat
to the health of U.S. cattle; practical scientific investigations have
been completed by the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Knipling-
Bushland United States Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in
Kerrville, Texas to assist in the control and eradication of Texas
fever ticks in the United States; and
WHEREAS The Knipling-Bushland United States Livestock Insects
Laboratory in Kerrville, Texas today has several major economic
development projects planned around this tract of land and future
development past this site in the near future; the tract of land
(33.67 acres) the facility is located on today has a very high
market value that could be used to help acquire adequate land
(200 acres for research) outside the Kerrville city limits for a new
laboratory facility in Kerr County; and
WHEREAS The Knipling-Bushland Livestock Insects Laboratory in Kerrville
and it's employees have a major economic impact both directly
and indirectly in Kerrville/Kerr County; and with a new facility
could be expanded from fourteen current scientists to 20 scientist
to do research for USDA; and
RESOLVED The Kerr County Commissioners' Court does hereby support and
recommend to the United States Department of Agriculture the
immediate approval for a feasibility study to be completed on the
laboratory and for funds to construct a replacement United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research
Service (ARS) laboratory in Kerr County Texas.
--~ Pat m ey, County Judge
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H. A. "Buster" Baldwin, Commissioner
Precit~s~t 1 A A A
Lei Commissioner
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1 i >> .UD, ;.... ~1 tl~, I~~~
William H. Williams, Commissioner
Prec' ct 2
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Dave Nicholson, Commissioner
Precinct 4