Treasurer announces retirement with county

The Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court met in a regular meeting Monday morning, Jan. 22 and accepted a retirement letter from County Treasurer Karen Bludau.

Bludau served the county for a total of 25 years and replaced former county treasurer Lois Henry in 2011.

In her letter, Bludau said she appreciated and was grateful for all the opportunities she has had in working for the County.

“I genuinely enjoyed working for the constituents of Lavaca County and will miss you and my coworkers,” Bludau wrote in the letter. “Lavaca County has a special place in my heart.”

Bludau said she wants to spend more time with her family and have a chance to travel. Her retirement becomes effective on April 1.

County Judge Keith Mudd said when he came into office in 2020, the first thing he did was talk to Bludau and County Auditor Shana Opela about the financial status of the county.

“I found out we have a strong financial team and that was important to me to know that when I came in,” Mudd said. “Our outside officers had nothing to report the last time they were here and that is something to be said. Between the treasurer’s and auditor’s offices, who work hand in hand in managing a lot of funds, a lot of different people and the different things that come their way on a daily basis, it was handled very well. We’re very appreciative of you.”

After the court accepted Bludau’s retirement letter, it set a deadline for resumes and applications to be submitted for her replacement.

The applications with a resume will need to be submitted to the County Judge’s office by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9. The court will address possibly appointing a new county treasurer at its Feb. 12 meeting.

In other action taken by the court:

• Approved a contract between Kofile and the County Clerk’s office for the imaging of three probate minute books.

• Approved a division order between Rocky Creek Resources, LLC and the county.

• Approved a bond for James Foster as Justice of the Peace Pct. 1.

• Acknowledged a $12 thousand grant from the Dickson-Allen Foundation to the Lavaca County Historical Commission to help in preservation of Lavaca County History.

• Approved a 2022 resolution between TxDOT and the county to include CR 130 over Rickaway Branch and also a resolution to include CR 376 at Mustang Creek.

• Discussed the road plan and paving agreement between county commissioners.

• Approved all consent agenda items.

County Judge Keith Mudd presided over the meeting with commissioners Edward Pustka, Wayne Faircloth, Kenny Siegel and Dennis W. Kocian present for the meeting. skora of Moulton.

According to tournament co-chairman, Glen Bludau, there were 68 teams competing, which was 29 less teams than the previous year.

Bludau said the lower turnout was due mainly to the inclement weather that hit the area early Sunday morning. He said out of the 136 players in this year’s tournament, they came from throughout Texas as well as Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma to compete in the tournament.

Prior to the start of tournament, ceremonies were held with Hallettsville’s John Munson and Kenneth Curtis of Wharton inducted into the Texas State Championship Domino Tournament Hall of Fame.