August 13, 2024 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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The Hood County Commissioners' Court held its regular meeting on August 13, 2024, addressing operational and financial matters including a 3% salary increase for elected officials, approval of a proposed tax rate of 30952.4 per $100 valuation, and authorization of a $50 million bond election on November 5th for jail expansion and renovation. The court also approved several personnel and administrative actions, including hiring a deputy recruit, staffing adjustments for Justice Court and Juvenile Probation, and adoption of new employee benefits, while also hearing public comments regarding road conditions and environmental concerns at a local property. Additionally, the court approved architectural services for the jail project, set a public hearing date of August 27, 2024 for the budget and tax rate, and approved various routine consent agenda items and payments totaling $823,365.14.

• Call to order and opening ceremoniesThe regular meeting of Hood County Commissioners' Court was called to order with invocation and pledges.
• Special presentation: Fentanyl prevention and awareness dayHarley Watts, chairperson of the Hood County substance abuse Council, presented a proclamation for Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day.
• Citizens comment at large: Margaret Campbell recognitionRichard Hayes spoke to recognize Margaret Campbell, head of the Emergency Operations Center, for her work coordinating the Community Emergency Response Team.
• Citizens comment: Christian Sano on road conditionsChristian Sano raised concerns about deteriorating street and road conditions in the city and county.
• Agenda item 1: Setting salaries of elected officialsThe Commissioners' Court voted to increase elected officials' salaries by 3% following a workshop discussion the previous day.
• Agenda item 2: Proposed tax rate for fiscal year 2025The court voted to set a proposed tax rate of 30952.4 per $100 valuation for the 2024 tax year and 2025 fiscal year.
• Agenda item 3: Public hearing date for budget and tax rateThe court set August 27, 2024 as the date for the required public hearing on the 2025 proposed budget and 2024 tax year proposed tax rate.
• Agenda item 4: Pulled from agendaItem number four was pulled from the agenda by Leland.
• Agenda item 5: Bronze plaque for Tona Lyn NewmanThe court approved purchase of a 20 by 5 bronze plaque for $1,115 to honor District Clerk Tona Lyn Newman's 33 years of service.
• Agenda item 6: Interlocal contract with Concho Valley Mental HealthThe court authorized the County Judge to sign an interlocal cooperation contract with Concho Valley Mental Health region for transportation services for mental health crisis events.
• Appointment: Ed Selhimer reappointed as Concho Valley trusteeThe court approved Concho Valley director's request to reappoint attorney Ed Selhimer as a trustee for a two-year term.
• Agenda item 7: Purple lighting for substance abuse awareness at courthouseThe court considered allowing the Hood County substance abuse Council to use purple lighting and decorations at the Historical Courthouse for awareness.
• International Overdose Awareness Day – Purple Lighting DisplayHood County Substance Abuse Council requested approval to display purple lighting, ribbons, and a banner at the Historical Courthouse and hold a candlelight vigil.
• Commissioners' Court Agenda Item Deadline AdjustmentsCourt approved adjusted deadline dates for agenda items due to holiday schedule for December 2024 and June–July 2025 meetings.
• Hood County Library Closure Dates – Holiday and Inventory ScheduleLibrary Director Jennifer Logan presented requested closure dates coinciding with county holidays and annual inventory and training.
• Jail Washer Purchase – Dexter T 9006 Washers with WarrantySheriff Deeds requested approval to purchase three new commercial washers for the jail to replace original equipment operating continuously since 1995.
• Out-of-County Inmate Housing Costs – $400,000 TransferSheriff Deeds requested transfer of $400,000 from Fund 55 to cover out-of-county inmate costs through remainder of fiscal year.
• Law Enforcement Deputy Hire – Academy-Enrolled RecruitSheriff Deeds requested approval to hire a recruit deputy already enrolled in law enforcement academy for patrol deputy position at Deputy step one pay.
• Bond Election – November 5th 2024 Jail Expansion and RenovationCommissioners voted to adopt order calling bond election for November 5th 2024 authorizing up to $50 million in bonds for jail expansion adding 209 beds and renovation of existing 192-bed facility.
• Jail population and prisoner housing costsDiscussion of costs associated with sending prisoners out of county versus housing them locally, and the challenge of finding bed space in regional facilities.
• Jail reporting system improvementsDiscussion of needed modifications to the Spillman jail management system to better reflect the most serious offenses for each inmate.
• Bond election scope and cost-benefit analysisCourt discussion of the bond election motion and engagement of volunteer financial analysts to evaluate jail project tradeoffs.
• Bond election authorization and legal frameworkFinancial advisor guidance on bond election language and court authorization to constrain spending through future actions.
• DRG Architects fee proposal for jail projectPresentation and approval of revised architectural fee structure broken into two phases for jail planning and design services.
• Justice Court part-time employee staffingRequest to approve part-time employee position for Justice Court to process high volume of truancy cases.
• Juvenile Probation staffing requestA juvenile probation department request to convert two part-time positions to one full-time position, with temporary full-time hours for an existing part-time employee until the 2024–25 budget is approved.
• Environmental hazard complaint at 3800 MayberryMultiple neighbors addressed an environmental hazard complaint regarding junk accumulation, unauthorized burning, and fire safety concerns at a property on Mayberry Road.
• Fire safety and vehicle violations allegedNeighbors reported unregistered vehicles, illegal burning of hazardous materials, and health concerns from the property's operation.
• Legal counsel and county responseCounty attorney, development director, and environmental health department provided context on legal action and potential ordinance options.
• Fire Marshal remarks on enforcementThe Fire Marshal explained constraints on enforcement action and emphasized the need for immediate incident reporting to enable investigation.
• Tyler Technologies reconciliationCounty discussed recovery of overpaid amounts to Tyler Technologies through software implementation and billing adjustments.
• Universal life insurance product for employeesThe county approved offering a specialized individual universal life insurance product as an optional payroll deduction benefit effective October 1, 2024.
• Fund balance policy implementationCommissioners received a briefing on designating restricted, committed, and assigned fund balance categories and directed staff to clarify the county's cash flow and reserve allocation.
• Fund balance policy and capital projects designationThe court discussed designating a portion of fund balance for future capital projects and establishing committed or assigned fund balance categories with recorded votes.
• Cyber security insurance coverage decisionThe court selected one million dollar coverage for cyber security insurance through Texas Association of Counties effective October 1, 2024.
• Consent agenda approvalThe court approved the consent agenda by motion without pulling any items for individual discussion.
• Hood County road system mileage certificationThe court certified the county maintained road mileage for Hood County Road system as of July 31, 2024.
• Stout Creek estate replat public hearingThe court set a public hearing date for the replat of Stout Creek estate section 4, lots 15R, 16R1, and 16R2.
• White Edition final plat approvalThe court approved the final plat of White Edition lots 1 and 2 block one in Precinct 3.
• Bills payment approvalThe court approved payment of bills totaling $823,365.14.
• Constable Precinct 4 financial records reviewThe court accepted the 2024 financial records review for Constable Precinct 4 with no findings.