January 26, 2021 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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The Hood County Commissioners' Court met on January 26, 2021, to conduct routine business including approval of several residential development projects, financial matters related to excess sales tax revenue and library loan repayment, and vendor payments totaling over $5 million. The court tabled action on CARES Act revenue certification pending additional documentation and deferred review of updated data contracts to allow newly sworn commissioners adequate time. Significant discussion focused on proposed rules of procedure and citizen input opportunities, with multiple residents advocating for standing public comment periods; the court voted unanimously to table this discussion to allow commissioners to develop comprehensive proposed rules for future consideration. Additional items addressed included approval of a library teen mural project, authorization for military surplus equipment procurement, and designations for agenda clerk duties.

• Call to order and invocationThe meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. on January 26, 2021, in the Hood County Justice Center jury room, and an invocation was delivered.
• Service awardsOne service award was presented during the special presentations segment.
• Public participation rulesThe court explained the process for citizens to comment on agenda items.
• Consent agenda approvalThe court approved the consent agenda with items pulled for separate discussion.
• Replat applications for Orchards on the Brazos and 144 PlaceStaff recommended setting a public hearing for three replat applications in Precinct 2.
• Pecan Plantation Unit 15 lot 1361R replat public hearing and approvalA public hearing was convened and the court approved a replat combining two lots into one 1.257-acre lot in the water quality district.
• Roadstone Estates concept plan approvalThe court approved the concept plan for a 24-lot residential development on 93 acres in Precinct 1.
• Bella Oaks subdivision final plat approvalThe court approved the final plat for a 9-lot residential subdivision.
• Excess sales tax and library note payoffThe court approved line item transfers using excess sales tax revenue to accelerate repayment of the library expansion loan.
• CARES Act revenue certification and table motionThe court addressed special revenue certification for CARES Act funds totaling $2.024 million, with Commissioner Eagle motioning to table pending itemized documentation.
• Public comment on CARES Act accountabilityThree citizens spoke during public comment regarding CARES Act fund transparency and accountability.
• Motion to table CARES Act revenue certificationThe court voted to table the CARES Act revenue certification while approving the excess sales tax portion separately.
• Fund 101 appropriation tabled for clarificationThe court tabled a $2,024,415 Fund 101 appropriation to allow further review before voting.
• Special revenue form and tax note redemption approvedThe court approved the special auto revenue form and resolution calling Hood County's tax note series 2018 for early redemption related to library expansion.
• Invoice certification and vendor payments approvedThe court certified and approved payment of invoices for January 7–20, 2021, totaling $5,208,945, after review of payments over $10,000.
• Monthly departmental reports acceptedThe court accepted monthly reports reviewed and audited by the auditor's office with no issues noted.
• Hood County Library teen mural approvedThe court approved a mural painting project in the teen section of Hood County Library funded by private donors and painted by a local artist.
• Tyler Net data contracts tabled for reviewThe court tabled action on updated Tyler Net data contracts to allow newly sworn commissioners additional time for review.
• Constable Precinct 1 LESO military surplus program authorizationThe court authorized county judge to sign documentation allowing Constable Chad Davis to participate in the Defense Logistics Agency LESO program for military surplus equipment procurement.
• Personal injury claim deferred to executive sessionCounty attorney requested deferral of a personal injury claim discussion to executive session due to threatened litigation against the county.
• Rules of procedure, conduct and decorum discussionThe court discussed existing rules of procedure and conduct last adopted February 26, 2013, with three commissioners taking office in prior two years.
• Citizens comments standing agenda item discussionCommissioner Eagle introduced proposal for standing citizens comments agenda item, citing examples from City of Granbury and other counties allowing public input on non-agenda matters.
• Constitutional Coalition of Texas candidates forum and public feedback on governanceA citizen recounted a May 30 forum hosted by the Constitutional Coalition of Texas where candidates fielded community questions, and summarized subsequent concerns raised about county governance and citizen input opportunities.
• Agenda items 5 and 6 combined; county attorney and new commissioners on rules of procedureCounty Attorney presented agenda items on rules and procedures, addressing transparency, citizen input provisions, and proper protocols for the court.
• Citizen speakers on benefits of citizen input and transparencyMultiple citizens testified in favor of adopting open citizen comment periods, citing the lack of downside risk and the importance of community representation.
• Citizen speaker on emergency items and examples of unplanned discussion needsA citizen provided examples of emergency or time-sensitive issues that arise after agendas are set, illustrating the need for flexible comment opportunities.
• Citizen advocate for compromise on citizen input proceduresA citizen speaker supported the concept of citizen input but proposed operational compromises to ensure orderly meeting management.
• County Judge motion to table rules and seek workshop discussionThe county judge proposed tabling the rules discussion to allow commissioners time to draft comprehensive proposed rules for consideration at a later meeting.
• Vote on motion to table rules discussionThe court voted unanimously to table the rules and procedures discussion to allow commissioners to prepare and circulate proposed rules.
• Granberry Housing Authority 2021 payment in lieu of taxes waiverThe court considered and approved waiving the 2021 PILOT program taxes for the Granberry Housing Authority, continuing prior-year practice for public low-income housing.
• County fleet maintenance and repair service RFB awardThe court awarded a request for bids contract for county fleet maintenance and repair services to Midas as primary vendor and Expressway Car Care as first alternate.
• Executive session convened; personal injury claim and agenda clerk designationThe court convened in executive session to discuss a personal injury claim and agenda clerk designation, then reconvened to vote on those matters.
• Personal injury claim denialThe court voted to deny a personal injury claim after reconvening from executive session.
• Agenda clerk designation for Brenda Lampard and Shannon KaiserThe court designated two administrative staff members to jointly oversee the intake and compilation of proposed agenda items.