September 24, 2024 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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Hood County Commissioners' Court met on September 24, 2024, to conduct regular business including adoption of domestic violence awareness and National Night Out proclamations, approval of several service contracts and facility modifications, and consideration of county budget and salary matters. The Court adopted a no-new-revenue tax rate of 2.67258, approved the Fiscal Year 2025 budget with adjustments to capital projects and contingency allocations, and made adjustments to the salary matrix for five employees. Additional items addressed included approval of volunteer fire department interlocal agreements, naming the US Highway 377 relief route the Bob Cornett Parkway, and acceptance of various financial reports and planning documents.

• Call to order and meeting detailsThe Hood County Commissioners' Court meeting was called to order on September 24, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in the central Jury Room of the Ralph H Walton Jr justice center.
• Invocation and pledgesOpening prayer and patriotic pledges were recited.
• October domestic violence awareness proclamationHood County proclaimed October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, recognizing the work of Mission Granberry and victim service providers.
• October 1st National Night Out proclamationHood County proclaimed Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, as National Night Out in Hood County, promoting community-law enforcement partnerships and crime prevention.
• Service awardsOne service award was presented, though the honoree was unable to attend.
• Open records request statement from County JudgeCounty Judge Christine Leftwich addressed allegations regarding an open records request on the Bitcoin mine topic, clarifying that no request was received by her office or the Commissioners.
• Public comment on school tax rate and allegations of misinformationPublic speaker Brad Yarber alleged that the Judge made false statements about school board tax increases, providing specific tax rate figures to dispute the claim.
• General election notice authorizationThe Commissioners authorized the County Judge to sign the notice of general election for November.
• Department of Public Safety facility modificationFacilities maintenance approved to remove a non-structural wall between two back rooms in the Department of Public Safety Office and Annex 3 to improve visibility of the lobby.
• Pest control services RFP awardHood County awarded the pest control services RFP 2024-06 to Wise Chem Safe Pest Control, determined to be the lowest bidder and best value among four qualified responses.
• Fire truck maintenance RFP awardHood County awarded fire truck maintenance RFP 2024-08 to Sidens Martin Emergency Group, which came in significantly lower than anticipated among three qualified responses.
• Sheriff's Office budget discussionCommissioner Andrews addressed public accusations of defunding the police, presenting data showing substantial budget increases for the Sheriff's Department over four years and discussing staffing and salary comparisons with surrounding counties.
• Volunteer fire department interlocal agreementsEight 2024-2025 volunteer fire department interlocal agreements were approved for signature, effective October 1st, 2024, contingent on budget passage.
• Bob Cornett Parkway resolutionHood County adopted a resolution naming the US Highway 377 Crescent relief route currently under construction the Bob Cornett Parkway, recognizing former Mayor Bob Cornett's service to the City of Crescent.
• Crescent bypass project updateJudge provided update on Crescent bypass construction progress, noting recent traffic movement to the new northbound section.
• Unanimous approval of prior roadway projectThe Court approved an earlier item regarding roadway work, noting calls for assistance happened to occur on that roadway rather than being roadway-related.
• Tyler Technologies refund for discontinued payroll systemThe County is working to recover funds from Tyler Technologies for equipment, software, and other items purchased for a payroll and timekeeping system implemented by the Treasurer's Office that was discontinued after five months.
• Sheriff grocery budget transfer requestThe Sheriff requested $30,000 transfer from contingency to cover grocery costs through the end of the fiscal year due to increased grocery prices and additional weekend meal preparations.
• SP22 grant fund use plan for District Attorney's OfficeThe District Attorney's Office submitted a grant fund use plan for SP22 state monies to be administered through separate fund accounts with appropriate expense lines for salary, benefits, and other necessary expenses.
• SP22 grant fund use plan for County Attorney's OfficeThe County Attorney submitted a SP22 grant fund use plan requesting $31,283 total, including modest 3–4% raises for two assistants funded from the grant rather than the regular budget.
• Bridge pay replacement at Annex 2 with certified paymentsThe County Attorney negotiated replacement of Bridge Pay payment system at Annex 2 with Certified Payments at no cost to the County, as Tyler Technologies is severing partnership with Bridge Pay.
• Hood Minutes program replacement with Tyler meeting managerTyler Technologies is discontinuing support for Hood Minutes program and offering replacement with new Meeting Manager software at no cost, with automatic transfer of archived documents and staff training included.
• Sheriff fees and commissions for 2025The Sheriff presented updated fees and commissions for 2025 under Texas Local Government Code 118.131, including increases for animal control services.
• Sheriff patrol vehicle and dispatch console purchase deferredThe Sheriff's request to purchase one 2025 Tahoe patrol vehicle ($93,000) and one dispatch console ($30,000) totaling $123,000 from tax sale account excess proceeds was removed from agenda as items would not be received before September 30th fiscal year-end.
• Tax rate and revenue consideration with record voteThe Court considered three tax rate options with varying homeowner impacts, heard public comment, and adopted the no new revenue rate of 2.67258 through a recorded vote.
• Fiscal Year 2025 budget approval discussion with capital projects and contingency adjustmentsThe Court discussed modifications to the proposed FY 2025 budget structure, focusing on separating Capital Projects from contingency fund uses and budgeting fund balance for potential District Court facility needs.
• Capital Projects and Contingency Budget AdjustmentsThe court discussed allocating property sale proceeds to capital projects and increasing contingency reserves.
• Approval of 2024 BudgetThe court voted to approve the proposed budget with the capital and contingency adjustments.
• 2025 Salary Matrix Consideration and AmendmentsThe court addressed adjustments to the salary matrix for five employees with placement or raise issues.
• Animal Control Position Salary AdjustmentThe court adjusted the Animal Control step one salary after discovering a discrepancy in the matrix.
• JP1 Clerk Hire at Step TwoThe court approved allowing JP1 to hire the new fulltime clerk at step two of the salary matrix.
• Additional Salary Matrix AdjustmentsStaff confirmed other placement adjustments to align employees correctly on the matrix.
• Consent Agenda ApprovalThe court approved the consent agenda without pulling any items for individual discussion.
• Stout Creek Estates Replat—Public Hearing and ApprovalThe court held a public hearing and approved the replat of Stout Creek Estates creating new lot configurations.
• Pirate Village Letter of Credit AcceptanceThe court accepted a letter of credit for street and right-of-way maintenance at Pirate Village in Precinct 3.
• Invoice ApprovalThe auditor presented invoices for payment recommendation.
• Financial Reports AcceptanceThe court accepted monthly financial reports and related documents.
• 2023 Annual Financial Review AcceptanceThe court accepted the 2023 annual financial review from Kener Masters in Lunsford LLC.
• Executive Session and Election Administrator ReclassificationThe court convened in executive session and emerged to reclassify the election administrator position.
• Final Salary Matrix Approval with AmendmentsThe court approved the salary matrix incorporating all three amendments made during this meeting.