August 23, 2022 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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Hood County Commissioners' Court convened on August 23, 2022, to conduct routine business including recognizing county employees and first responders for service and heroic actions, approving proclamations for prostate cancer awareness and Patriot Day, and authorizing equipment purchases and facility upgrades for law enforcement and road operations. The court approved multiple operational items including animal control agreements with municipalities, vending and radio system contracts, and updates to purchasing procedures, though debate arose regarding animal control service boundaries and costs. Major financial decisions included adoption of the 2023 property tax rate at 0.331129 per $100 valuation and approval of the 2023 budget with modifications to law enforcement salaries and certification pay. A substantive discussion occurred regarding a proposed resolution on southern border security, and the court addressed contract payment disputes with Tyler Technologies while approving an $8,000 memorial contribution for Hood County fallen service members.

• Call to order and invocationThe meeting was called to order with invocation and pledges of allegiance.
• Prostate cancer awareness proclamationNorth Texas Prostate Cancer Coalition presented proclamation designating September as prostate cancer awareness month.
• Patriot Day proclamation and 9/11 remembranceHood County designated September 11, 2022 as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.
• Life-saving award to firefightersDavid Hendricks and Isom Williams recognized with life-saving award for heroic actions during July 6, 2022 motor vehicle accident.
• Employee service awardsMultiple Hood County employees recognized with service awards for tenure and departmental contributions.
• Tactical shields donationSheriff reported donation of 16 rifle-resistant tactical shields for law enforcement use county-wide.
• Road operations equipment purchaseRoad Operations Director Donald Lenny requested purchase of replacement grade all equipment, with trade-in of 2005 model.
• Final plat approvals for subdivisionsTwo final plats approved for Orchards subdivision in Precinct 2 with public water, sewer, and concrete streets.
• Replat hearings scheduledFive lot replats set for public hearing on September 27, 2022 Commissioner's Court.
• Bills and financial reports approvalCounty paid $540,176.29 in bills and reviewed monthly financial reports.
• Constable financial records approvalAll four constable precincts' 2022 annual financial reviews approved with minor exceptions being addressed.
• Constitution Week event approvalElizabeth Crockett Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution approved to use courthouse lawn for Circle of Liberty event.
• 2023 Commissioner Court schedule approval2023 meeting schedule approved with modification moving November meeting to avoid Thanksgiving conflict.
• Animal shelter grant approvalHood County approved participation in $10,000 TCAP grant to provide low-cost vaccinations and veterinary services.
• School facilities agreement item removedItem regarding school facilities coordination pulled from agenda pending school board and county collaboration.
• K9 unit statusSheriff confirmed operational status of canine unit and recent drug bust success.
• Abandoned vehicles fund allocationCourt approved paying outstanding legal invoices from the abandoned vehicles fund.
• Spillman investigation module upgrade to Command CentralSheriff's office requested authorization for county judge to sign Motorola Solutions contract to replace outdated Spillman investigation module with upgraded Command Central Investigation version.
• Hood County and Layton City interface contract for radio systemCourt approved contract to purchase interface allowing new Harris L-3 radio system to communicate with Spillman dispatch system.
• Animal control interlocal agreements with municipalitiesCourt approved animal control interlocal agreements with Hood County municipalities, but debate occurred regarding Tolller's exclusion and double-charging city residents.
• Mesquite Ridge Animal Hospital delinquent invoicesCourt approved payment of delinquent invoices from Mesquite Ridge Animal Hospital despite exceeding 45-day submission deadline due to staff changeover.
• Sodexo vending machine agreement for Justice CenterCourt approved vending agreement with Sodexo to place machines in Justice Center for jurors, court participants, and employees.
• Hood County purchasing procedures manual updateCourt approved updates to pages four, five, and six of purchasing procedures manual to transition from paper requisitions to electronic requisitions in Tyler system.
• Vendor liability insurance requirements updateCourt approved updated minimum liability insurance requirements for vendors bidding on county contracts.
• Fuel tank and management system RFP awardCourt approved awarding RFP2022002 for above-ground fuel tank and pump system to B.J. Equipment not to exceed $79,000 including concrete pad site preparation.
• Sale of 7603 Larry Court property to City of LipanCourt tabled consideration of selling 6.303-acre parcel to City of Lipan pending receipt of purchase offer.
• Petition to Governor Abbott regarding southern border invasion declarationCommissioner Eagle presented and opened discussion on resolution requesting Governor Greg Abbott declare an invasion at the southern border based on human trafficking, violence, and drug smuggling.
• Border security resolution debateCommissioners debated a petition resolution regarding border security and immigration, with disagreement over its language and appropriateness.
• Memorial for Hood County fallen service membersThe court approved an $8,000 county contribution toward a memorial honoring Hood County residents killed in action from multiple wars.
• Paranormal investigation charity event at courthouseThe court unanimously approved a paranormal investigation group to host a charity event at the historic courthouse benefiting veteran suicide awareness.
• Tyler Technologies payment for district clerk software workThe district clerk expressed concerns about paying Tyler Technologies invoices for incomplete software implementation work and an unusual payment method from her office checking account.
• Tyler Technologies invoice payment disputeThe district clerk and auditor disputed how to pay Tyler Technologies invoices, with disagreement over account access, responsibility, and payment procedures.
• Public hearing on proposed property tax ratesCounty held public hearing on two proposed tax rates: 0.329164 or 0.331129 per $100 valuation, both less than the prior year.
• Public hearing on 2023 proposed budgetBudget hearing addressed department concerns about cuts, contingency fund adequacy, and constable precinct two administrative support equity.
• Tax rate order discussion and motionCommissioners voted on Hood County property tax rate order, ultimately adopting 0.331129 rate with revenue decrease of $61,424.
• Executive session and property acquisition authorizationCourt went into executive session at 11:58 a.m. and returned at 1:07 p.m. to authorize county attorney and purchasing agent to negotiate property purchases.
• 2023 budget approval with three modificationsCourt approved 2023 budget with three agreed-upon changes to salaries and certification pay for law enforcement.
• Budget appropriation and certification mattersThe court addressed remaining budget items and certification documentation before final vote.
• Record vote on budget approvalThe court conducted a formal record vote on the budget motion, with one dissenting vote.
• 2023 salary matrix approvalThe court approved the 2023 salary matrix setting salaries effective October 1st, 2022 by unanimous vote.