November 26, 2024 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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Hood County Commissioners' Court met on November 26, 2024, to conduct routine business including recognition of volunteer firefighters and county employees, approval of several infrastructure and public safety grants totaling over $115,000, and authorization of equipment purchases and facility improvements. The court addressed public health concerns by supporting state regulation of PFAS contamination in biosolids, allocated remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds to a volunteer fire department parking lot project, and approved participation in the Kroger opioid settlement. Administrative matters included approval of the 2025 TCDRS retirement plan, release of EMS subsidy funds, and scheduling of development-related public hearings for January 2025. The meeting concluded with executive session discussions regarding a road administrator position and real estate lease matters.

• Call to order and openingThe meeting was called to order on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in the central Jury Room of the Ralph H. Walton Jr. Justice Center in Granbury, Texas.
• Proclamation honoring Hood County HeroesA proclamation was presented to honor volunteer firefighters for their bravery during an apartment fire rescue on November 10, 2024, that saved a 2-year-old child.
• Service AwardsSean Maguire received recognition for 10 years of service to the Sheriff's department, primarily in dispatch and radio system coordination.
• PFAS and biosolids contamination resolutionHood County approved a resolution requesting state regulation of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other harmful chemicals in biosolid fertilizers, joining six other Texas counties in this effort.
• ARPA grant agreement amendment with Pecan VFDHood County approved an amended ARPA grant agreement with Pecan volunteer fire department and EMS, reducing allocated funds by $7,530 for initial planning and design of a fire station addition.
• Kroger opioid settlement opt-inHood County approved an opt-in document for the Kroger opioid settlement as prescribed by the Texas Attorney General to be eligible for settlement funds.
• Constable Precinct 2 replacement truck purchaseAfter public comment questioning the purchase, Hood County considered approving purchase of a 2024 Chevy truck with light package for Constable Precinct 2 to replace a 2009 Ford pickup with 165,000 miles, not to exceed $48,000 from Capital Fund 55 or Fund 10.
• Sheriff's vehicle replacement discussionCommissioners debated replacing a 2009 Ford truck for Constable Precinct 2 that has transmission failure risk and nonfunctional windshield wipers.
• Constable Precinct 2 truck purchase motion and approvalCommission approved purchase of replacement truck with light package for Constable Precinct 2 not to exceed $48,000 from fund 55.
• TCDRS plan 2025 approvalAuditor Melissa Welber presented 2025 Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS) plan with no changes from current year.
• Texas EMS subsidy funds releaseCommission approved release of $450,000 in county subsidies for Texas EMS following failed Hospital District V election ballot measure.
• Tyler Technologies Executive Time software separationCommission approved amendment to separate Executive Time software from other Tyler Technologies products to enable fund reimbursement.
• Tyler VFD parking lot ARPA fundingCommission allocated remaining $23,000 in ARPA funds to Tyler volunteer fire department for asphalt parking lot at newly constructed station 91.
• KBDI fire weather conditions updateFire Marshal provided update on Keetch-Byram Drought Index and fire weather conditions; no burn ban recommended at this time.
• Travel arrangement policy exception approvalCommission approved additional $8,251 travel expenditure outside current policy for Constable Precinct 2 employee who followed previous booking guidelines.
• Public Safety bullet resistance shield grant and purchaseCommission approved $75,845 grant award and sole-source purchase of nine bullet resistance shields for Sheriff's Office from fund 55.
• Public Safety rifle resistant body armor grant and purchaseCommission approved $16,422 grant award and sole-source purchase of five carriers and 16 rifle resistant armor plates for Sheriff's Office from fund 55.
• Consent agenda approvalCommission approved consent agenda items without pulling or questioning any items.
• De Cordova Hills Phase 2 replat public hearing schedulingDevelopment presented replat application for De Cordova Hills Phase 2 lots 78R and 80R in Precinct 3; public hearing scheduled for January 14, 2025.
• Nix Estate final plat approvalDevelopment approved final plat for Nix Estate lot one block one, an 8.97-acre subdivision in Precinct 1 with private water and on-site sewage facilities.
• Financial reports and monthly bill payment approvalAuditor Stephanie Matlock presented old and new budget expenditures; commission approved payment of bills and acceptance of all financial reports and bank reconciliations.
• Executive session convenedCommission convened into executive session to discuss road administrator position applications and Acton and Annex chiropractor building real estate leases.
• Road administrator position recruitment actionAfter executive session, commission directed personnel department to close road administrator position posting and conduct interviews on December 4th at 1 p.m.
• Acton and Annex chiropractor building lease acceptanceCommission accepted amended lease for Acton and Annex chiropractor building real estate following executive session discussion.
• AdjournmentMeeting adjourned following completion of all agenda items and executive session matters.