November 12, 2024 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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Hood County Commissioners' Court met on November 12, 2024, to address county operations, employee matters, and capital improvements. The court approved numerous items including sheriff vehicle and equipment purchases totaling $853,000.22, a property fraud alert software service agreement with Fiddler Technologies (approved 3–2), federal grants for bulletproof vests and dispatch console upgrades, and various administrative matters such as salary matrix corrections and road system expansions. Citizens' comments addressed meeting decorum concerns and election results, while commissioners discussed a resolution on limiting government emergency powers and considered property fraud protection measures for county residents. The court also approved several proclamations, grants, and facility improvements while tabling a proposed burn ban.

• Call to order and invocationMeeting called to order with invocation and pledge of allegiance.
• Medal of Honor proclamation for Billy BoderHood County Commissioners Court issued an official request to elevate Billy Boder's Distinguished Service Cross to the Medal of Honor.
• Election administration presentationElection Administrator Stephanie Cooper reported on the 2024 election operations and recognized staff contributions.
• Hood County employee holiday lunch announcementHoliday lunch and event scheduled for county employees with donated prizes to avoid tax implications.
• National American Indian Heritage Month proclamationHood County proclaimed November as National American Indian Heritage Month.
• Citizens comment—meeting decorum concernsSpeaker Sandy Stokes addressed perceived disrespect and rule violations during recent Commissioner's Court meetings.
• Citizens comment—election results and Republican performanceGreg Harold, Hood County Republican Party Chairman, highlighted election turnout and results in Hood County.
• Citizens comment—meeting decorum and rules enforcementSteve Biggers raised concerns about rule violations and decorum during recent Citizens comment periods.
• Salary matrix corrections for clerical and animal control positionsCourt adopted adjustments to place clerical supervisory and Animal Control Sergeant positions correctly on the general salary matrix.
• Texas Department of Agriculture meal grant program resolutionCourt authorized County Judge to sign the resolution approving the county grant program for Texans feeding Texans home delivered meal grant program.
• County motor fuel tax exemption resolutionCourt approved a resolution requesting the Legislature exempt counties from paying state taxes on fuel used in county vehicles.
• WFAA Daybreak TV show live coverage approvalCourt approved use of the historical Courthouse parking lot north side for WFAA Channel 8 Daybreak TV show featuring Granbury tourism.
• Property fraud alert software agreement with Fiddler TechnologiesCourt approved service agreement with Fiddler Technologies to provide property fraud alert software to county property owners at no cost to owners.
• County Clerk property fraud concerns and citizen protection effortsThe County Clerk reported ongoing property fraud issues affecting Hood County residents and efforts to address them through public education and fraudulent lien removal.
• Fiddler Technologies property fraud alert service proposalThe County Clerk proposed contracting with Fiddler Technologies to provide property fraud alert software to Hood County citizens at no additional cost, funded through the archive fund.
• Commission debate on Fiddler Technologies contractCommissioners expressed concerns about government partnering with a private company, competitive advantage given to Fiddler, and cyber security liability protections.
• Commission support for notification service rationaleCommissioners supporting the service explained it is a notification tool similar to Everbridge, provides only alerts, and does not compete with insurance-based title protection services.
• County Attorney clarification on cyber security clause intentThe County Attorney explained the cyber security addendum was designed to protect citizen subscriber information and include liability exceptions for negligence and willful misconduct.
• Motion and vote on Fiddler Technologies contractThe court voted 3–2 to approve the contract with Fiddler Technologies for property fraud alert software.
• Sheriff vehicle and equipment purchases requestSheriff Deeds requested approval to purchase three transport trucks and six patrol Tahoes with necessary equipment for a total of $853,000.22.
• Commissioner questions on capital budget fund 55Commissioner Wilson asked for clarification on capital fund 55 allocations and available balances for the current budget year.
• Motion and vote on Sheriff vehicle purchasesThe court unanimously approved the Sheriff's request to purchase vehicles and equipment totaling $853,000.22.
• Bulletproof vest partnership grant approvalSheriff Deeds presented the annual federal bulletproof vest grant for 15 replacement vests with a total eligible amount of $155,100 and federal reimbursement of $77,545.64.
• Motion and vote on bulletproof vest partnershipThe court unanimously approved the bulletproof vest partnership grant for 15 vests.
• Dispatch console purchase and remodeling projectSheriff Deeds requested approval to purchase one dispatch console for $35,000 from Russ Bassett Company and remodel space to accommodate the additional workstation.
• Motion and vote on dispatch console purchaseThe court unanimously approved the dispatch console purchase and remodeling project for $35,000.
• Burn ban discussion and decision to tableThe court discussed and tabled a 90-day burn ban proposal for Hood County based on current fire conditions.
• McLaren Automotive vehicle display approvalThe court approved McLaren Automotive's request to reserve parking on the courthouse south side to display approximately 16 vehicles on November 15th.
• Chime in Time clock tower inspection agreement approvalThe court approved a proposal for quarterly clock tower inspections at the historic courthouse at no cost to the county.
• Resolution to limit government power presentationCommissioner Eagle presented a resolution asking the state legislature to revisit and restrict executive government powers related to Constitution compliance and emergency government authority.
• Public comment supporting resolutionTwo citizens spoke in favor of the resolution addressing government overreach during COVID.
• Commissioner perspective on resolutionA commissioner provided context about COVID emergency actions and consulted legal authorities before executive orders.
• Constitutional rights and COVID-era pandemic response resolutionCommissioner discussed past decisions made during the pandemic and a resolution regarding constitutional rights, clarifying the balance between constitutional protections and government safety powers.
• Rules of decorum and conduct review and public comment proceduresCounty staff clarified the current version of the Commissioners' Court rules of decorum and addressed confusion about speaker opportunities following expert testimony.
• Sheriff Senate Bill 22 grant deputy authorizationThe court authorized the Sheriff to add a third deputy position to the 2025 Senate Bill 22 grant plan, fully funded from the state grant with contingency language.
• Grant writer position transfer to County Auditor's DepartmentThe court approved moving the grant writer position from Emergency Management to the County Auditor's Department effective November 18, 2024, citing financial reporting and compliance responsibilities.
• Park property transfer to Hood County Development District OneThe court approved transferring the Acton Nature Center property from Hood County to Hood County Development District One following U.S. Attorney approval.
• Christmas Parade of Lights event authorizationThe court authorized the County Judge to sign the Christmas Parade of Lights event application for stage and vendor use at the Courthouse parking lot.
• Granberry fire training facility repair agreementThe court approved an agreement with the City of Granberry to repair the fire training facility using County funds, following recognition of recent successful rescue training outcomes.
• Road operations subdivision roadway acceptanceThe court accepted four subdivision roadways from the Commanche Cove development into the county road system following staff assessment.
• Development plat hearings and approvalsThe court scheduled and approved multiple subdivision replats and final plats.
• Bills and financial payment approvalThe court approved payment of county invoices from both the old and new fiscal year budgets.
• Executive session and ACT annex chiropractor building leaseThe court held a brief executive session and authorized the County Judge to sign a lease agreement with revisions.