By Sherry Koonce

The News staff writer

BEAUMONT — Jefferson County agreed Monday to accept a settlement offer of $200,000 from AT&T; for 25 years of charges made to disconnected phone lines over a course of 25 years.

Jeff Branick, assistant to county judge Ron Walker, said the overages were discovered about a year ago during an audit performed for the county by Tri-Stem Ltd.

Branick said auditors calculated the county was due $235,000.

County records indicated the county paid $146,000 for phones that were no longer connected.

Branick said the phone company said their records indicated a much lower amount, but in closed session Monday AT&T; agreed to pay the county $200,000.

“AT&T; as been cooperative and they have worked with us to determine the exact amount. The matter was resolved amicably,” Branick said.

For their efforts, TriStem Ltd. will receive 45 percent of money paid by AT&T; as a result of the audit.

Commissioners also approved audit results performed by Gayle W. Botley & Associates for the fiscal year 2008. Auditors examined financial recordkeeping for Jefferson County and Ford Park. Both were described as clean, Patrick Swain, Jefferson County auditor.

In other matters, County Commissioners approved recommendations Hotel Occupancy Grant awards.

Seventeen organizations requested a total of $468,753 in hotel/motel occupancy tax money generated from overnight stays in local hotels.

Kathi Hughes, director of the Ben C. Rogers Regional Convention and Visitors Center, said the 17 organizations will be funded a total of $150,653.

The allocations are part of spring requests made by groups whose activities support tourism. Grants are given twice a year, in the spring and the fall.

Those funded include:

• American Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of American Legions — Department of Texas — $3,000 for state of Texas annual convention.

• Beaumont and Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureaus, $65,941for publication of Visitors Guide.

• Texas Energy Museum, $1,000 for the Texas Coastal Experience Exhibition.

• Beaumont and Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureaus, $5,190 to promote Jefferson County with travel shows.

• Southeast Texas Arts Council, $5,000 for the Beaumont Jazz and Blues Festival.

• The Streetz Dance Convention and Competition, $4,000 for dance competition.

• Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas Inc., $13,001 for concerts, parades, carnival rides, arts and crafts, street entertainment, and food.

• Buu Mon Buddhist Temple, $4,786 for 11th annual Lotus and Bamboo Festival.

• Gator Country, $3,600 for alligator-theme park.

• Stars Over Texas, $15,000 for softball tournaments and college exposure events. Bid fees.

• Art Museum of Southeast Texas, $1,500 for exhibits: The Madonna as Muse; The Paintings of Rene’ Alvarado and Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With; Photographs by Graciela Iturbide.

• Southeast Texas Hispanic Cultural, $2,000 Mercado Days Latin Fest.

• Port Neches Chamber of Commerce, $15,140, Riverfest — Port Neches Park.

• Beaumont Boys Bash, $2,500 for golf tournament, 5K run/2K walk, Songwriters Night, Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament, Concert kids fishing tournament.

• Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, $2,245 facility rack cards.

• Independent Fastpitch Association, $2,500, 2009 16 and 18 National Softball Tournament.

skoonce@panews.com