April 28, 2020 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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The Hood County Commissioners' Court met on April 28, 2020, to address routine administrative matters and COVID-19 response decisions, including approval of invoices totaling $291,675.73, authorization for glass partition installation at license tag offices, and a phased library reopening plan beginning May 4 with curbside services. County Health Authority Dr. Blocker provided pandemic guidance, reporting 19 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hood County, and commissioners directed county employees to return to regular work status on May 1st following expiration of emergency paid leave guidelines. Additional agenda items included approval of corrected development platting, facilities improvements, and a proposal for an external staffing study, while a resolution challenging the Governor's executive order was tabled for further legal review.

• Call to order and openingThe meeting was called to order on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. in the central jury room of the Hood County Justice Center, followed by invocation and pledges.
• Public participation proceduresInstructions given for citizens wishing to participate on agenda items.
• Consent agenda and personnel itemsConsent agenda approved with one date correction and one item pulled for discussion.
• Orchards 13 final plat correctionDevelopment staff presented corrected final plat for Orchards 13 to change street names due to 9-1-1 addressing conflicts.
• Invoice and financial payment approvalFinance director presented invoices totaling $291,675.73 for the period April 9–22, 2020, with no issues identified on payments over $10,000.
• Monthly auditor reportsAuditor's office monthly reports were accepted with note of ongoing issue with tax assessor and library report timing.
• Glass partition installation at license tag officesCounty approved purchase of glass partitions and installation at Annex 1 and Acton license tag counters, selecting Freedom Glass as lowest bidder.
• Acton storage unit for facility maintenanceFacilities management requested approval to use Acton storage unit 125 for facility maintenance inventory to expand workshop capacity.
• Library reopening in phases with curbside servicesLibrary director presented phased reopening plan beginning with curbside services on Monday, May 4, 2020, citing need to manage returned materials through 72-hour quarantine process.
• Evergreen Solutions staffing study proposalCounty HR director presented proposal from Evergreen Solutions (current salary study contractor) to conduct additional staffing study for $18,000, requiring executive session workshop to clarify scope and expectations.
• COVID-19 emergency paid leave guidelines extensionCounty seeking direction on whether to extend emergency paid leave guidelines beyond April 30, 2020, or return to full staffing.
• Health authority guidance on reopening county officesCounty Health Authority Dr. Blocker provided recommendations on resuming government services in light of COVID-19, balancing community risk with operational needs.
• Current case counts and demographics in Hood CountyDr. Blocker reported 19 total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hood County with specific age and recovery data.
• Discussion of death certificate classifications and complicating conditionsCommissioner Eagle questioned whether the two deaths should be attributed primarily to COVID-19 or to underlying medical conditions; Dr. Blocker clarified the death certificate and case classification process.
• Staffing and workplace capacity recommendationsDr. Blocker clarified that staffing levels differ from public access capacity; the 25 percent capacity rule applies primarily to limiting customer/public access, not necessarily staff levels.
• Decision on county employee reporting and work scheduleCommissioners directed that county employees return to regular work status beginning either May 1st or Monday, May 4th, with employment requirements specified by role classification.
• Recognition of proactive departmental planningCommissioner White praised the library director for developing a comprehensive reopening plan that protects both employees and customers.
• Distinction between elected and appointed officials for work schedulesCommissioners discussed whether elected officials and their employees would follow the same return-to-work date as appointed officials.
• COVID-19 emergency paid leave guidelines expiration and employee recallHood County employees were directed to return to work on Friday, May 1st following expiration of COVID-19 emergency guidelines on April 30th.
• Sheriff's Office covered pavilion construction at Law Enforcement CenterThe Sheriff's Office was authorized to construct a covered pavilion at no cost to the county, funded and built by the Hood County Law Enforcement Association and Deputy Daniel Hill Lopez.
• Magazine donation for Constable Precinct 3 Ruger rifleJack Wilson of On-Target LLC donated a $20 replacement magazine for a Ruger .22 rifle awarded to Constable Precinct 3, making the weapon functional for use.
• North Texas Austin-Healey Club event date changeThe North Texas Austin-Healey Club's event was rescheduled from March 1st, 2022 to September 19th, 2020, with proof of insurance received.
• Commissioners' Court meeting date moved back to original Tuesday scheduleThe May 8th, 2020 Commissioners' Court meeting was moved back to the original date of May 12th, 2020 following cancellation of a probate seminar.
• Resolution declaring all businesses essential and challenging Governor Abbott's executive order—tabledA resolution to declare all Hood County businesses essential and to deem Governor Abbott's GA-14 order illegal and unconstitutional was received by commissioners and tabled pending further legal review and investigation.