March 24, 2020 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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Hood County Commissioners' Court met on March 24, 2020, and addressed operational adjustments related to COVID-19 social distancing, including new livestream capabilities for courtroom access. The court approved the consent agenda, five development replats, a variance for recreational vehicle park density, financial invoices totaling $579,125.82, and monthly financial reports with noted exceptions in the district clerk's records. Additional approvals included use of courthouse facilities for community events, an interlocal agreement with Pecan Valley Mental Health for jail psychiatric services, and an aggregate materials purchasing contract. The court tabled external audit firm selection pending interviews scheduled for April 28 and discussed procedures for District Attorney hiring and compensation study guidance from Evergreen Solutions.

• Call to order and opening remarksThe meeting was called to order on March 24, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. in the central jury room with invocation and pledges.
• Livestream announcement and public participation proceduresThe court announced new livestream capabilities for all courtrooms and clarified public participation procedures due to COVID-19 social distancing mandates.
• Consent agenda approvalCommissioners voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda without amendments.
• Development replats (Items 1–5)The court adjourned from commissioners court into public hearing to consider five replat applications, voting to approve each.
• Variance request for recreational vehicle park densityThe court approved a variance to increase maximum density for recreational vehicle parks in the water quality district from 8 to 18 units per gross acre.
• Financial invoices approvalThe court approved invoices totaling $579,125.82 for payment.
• Monthly financial reports reviewCommissioners approved monthly financial reports with exception of the district clerk's January and February reports, which contained unresolved problems.
• County clerk fiscal year 2020 financial records reviewThe court accepted the county clerk's financial records review for fiscal year 2020 with only one minor exception that has been resolved.
• National Day of Prayer event approvalThe court approved the City of Granbury's application for use of the courthouse parking lot on May 7, 2020, for the National Day of Prayer event.
• Interlocal agreement with Pecan Valley Mental Health (Jail psychiatric services)Sheriff requested authorization to sign an interlocal agreement with Pecan Valley Mental Health for psychiatric services and video teleconferencing for inmates.
• Bible reading marathon date changeThe court approved a date change for the annual Bible reading marathon event at the historic courthouse gazebo from May 1 to May 7, 2020.
• Aggregate materials purchasing contract awardThe court awarded contracts for nonspecific aggregate materials to two vendors to ensure availability of needed materials.
• External audit firm selection—process and timelineThe court tabled the selection of an external audit firm pending evaluation of six responses and scheduled interviews for April 28, 2020.
• District Attorney hiring process and timelineThe court discussed the procedure for reviewing applications, grading criteria, and scheduling interviews for a county position.
• Evergreen Solutions compensation study guidanceThe county sought direction from Evergreen Solutions on a compensation and salary structure study, addressing market positioning, compensation changes, and salary progression.