July 9, 2024 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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The Hood County Commissioners' Court met on July 9, 2024, to address routine administrative matters, policy adoption, and capital expenditures. Major actions included unanimous adoption of a pipeline permit policy modeled after Jefferson County standards, approval of the county's tax abatement policy guidelines following substantial debate, and authorization of several operational expenses including a $652,000 brush yard grinder and Amazon Business Prime subscription. The court also approved the July 10 launch of the redesigned county website, processed emergency animal shelter memoranda of understanding, and accepted grant management updates showing $775,000 in awarded grants. Additionally, commissioners approved invoices totaling $450,000.62 and authorized various personnel and property matters including a property sale closing date amendment and out-of-county inmate housing cost transfers.

• Call to order and pledgesThe meeting was called to order and opened with invocation and pledges of allegiance.
• Awards presentation for Hood County Youth Services blood driveCarter Care presented the Battle of the Badges trophy for the fifth annual blood drive hosted by Hood County Youth Services.
• Proclamation for pre-trial probation and parole supervision weekThe Commissioners' Court proclaimed July 21st through 27th, 2024 as pre-trial probation and parole officers supervision week.
• Citizens comments at large—district clerk appointment concernsA private citizen (former Judge Cotton) spoke against the executive committee's marginalization of the District Judge's appointed candidate for District Clerk.
• Miscellaneous business—acceptance of Hood Central Appraisal District overpayment returnThe Commissioners' Court accepted the return of assessment overpayments from Hood Central Appraisal District.
• Tax abatement policy discussion and adoptionThe Commissioners' Court considered adoption of Hood County tax abatement policy guidelines with significant debate over specificity, discretion, and economic development strategy.
• Tax abatement policy discussion and approvalCommissioners debated and approved Hood County's tax abatement policy guidelines, with discussion about balancing economic development incentives against blanket denials.
• Emergency Management grant applications and funding updateEmily Campbell, the county's grant writer, provided an annual report showing $775,000 in awarded grants from over 100 applications reviewed, with multiple pending decisions and new applications in progress.
• Property sale closing date amendmentCommissioners authorized the County Judge to sign an amended closing date for the sale of property at 1322 Pixy Highway Road, moving the closing date to August 5, 2024.
• Amazon Business Prime subscription approvalCommissioners approved a subscription to Amazon Business Prime at $1,299 per year following a free trial period, projected to save approximately $2,500 annually in shipping costs.
• Out-of-county inmate housing cost transferSheriff Deeds requested transfer of $400,000 from fund 55 to cover out-of-county inmate housing costs through end of fiscal year based on current population estimates.
• Hood County pipeline permit policy adoptionCommissioners unanimously adopted a pipeline permit policy requiring permits and bonds to protect county roads from damage caused by pipeline construction, modeled after Jefferson County's policy.
• Hood County website launch approvalCommissioners approved July 10, 2024 as the launch date for the redesigned Hood County website, with auto-redirect from old domain to new hoodcountytexas.gov URL.
• Emergency animal shelter memoranda of understandingCommissioners separately approved memoranda of understanding with Triple Cross Cowboy Church and Hood County Livestock Raisers Association designating both as emergency animal shelters.
• Texas EMS coverage rate increase approvalCommissioners approved Texas EMS rate increase from $10 to $18 per employee for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, with notice of further increase to $36 next year.
• IT personnel daily reporting process discussionCommissioners discussed but did not act on implementing a daily activity reporting system for IT department personnel, with County Judge expressing strong support for IT staff performance and concern about adding requirements.
• IT Department timekeeping and tracking discussionCommissioners debated whether IT staff should track time spent on different projects and tasks for management and budget accountability purposes.
• Library bookmobile storage facility relocationThe library director requested approval to store the bookmobile at Guard Box Storage facility in Granbury instead of the current free facility in Acton, with the Friends of the Library agreeing to pay rental fees.
• Election administrator out-of-state travel approvalThe court approved the elections administrator's travel to Detroit, Michigan for the 39th Annual National Conference held by the election center in September to maintain her national certification.
• Brush yard grinder purchaseThe court approved purchase of a new grinder for the county brush yard at a cost not to exceed $652,000, as the current grinder remains in repairs.
• Adams Tracks final plat approvalThe court approved the final plat for Adams Tracks subdivision, creating three residential lots in Precinct 3 within the water quality district.
• Adams Tracks final plat approvalThe court approved the final plat for Adams Tracks Lots 1 through 3, second.
• Invoice approval and payment authorizationThe auditor presented invoices totaling $450,000.62 for court approval and payment.
• Meeting adjournmentThe meeting was adjourned.