May 14, 2024 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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The Hood County Commissioners' Court met on May 14, 2024, to conduct routine business including the swearing-in of the new County Clerk, approval of various budget and policy matters, and consideration of infrastructure projects. Major actions included adopting a new nonprofit budget application procedure and fund balance policy, approving funding for the Hood County Clean Air Coalition, and selecting DRG Architects for jail expansion planning. The court also addressed technology matters by discontinuing a Tyler Technologies software project and authorizing migration to cloud-based alternatives, and approved several land development projects and policy revisions. The meeting adjourned at approximately 12:44 noon.

• Call to order and pledgesThe meeting was called to order and opened with invocation and pledges of allegiance.
• County Clerk swearing-in ceremonyChristine Leftwich was sworn in as the new Hood County Clerk by the Honorable Richard Hadex.
• Proclamation designating May 27, 2024 as Memorial Day observanceThe commissioners proclaimed May 27, 2024, as a day to honor fallen military heroes with a ceremony at Jim Burrs Firefighters Memorial Park.
• Senate proclamation for Greater Granbury Military Officers AssociationTexas Senate Proclamation 145 recognized the Greater Granbury chapter of the Military Officers Association of America and its 12th annual honoring of fallen military heroes.
• Citizens comments at large procedures and open-mic speakersThe commissioners received public comments from citizens on various matters, with a focus on cryptocurrency mining noise impacts.
• Transfer of $70,000 for vehicle insurance budget adjustmentThe commissioners approved transferring $70,000 from contingency to cover vehicle insurance premium increases due to a policy renewal-date change.
• Leads Online subscription services agreement renewalThe commissioners approved the county judge to sign a subscription services agreement with Leads Online for updated database and pawn shop search tools, with implementation to begin immediately but payment deferred to October 2024.
• Budget application procedures for nonprofit funding requestsThe commissioners debated and revised a proposed budget application procedure requiring nonprofits requesting county funds to submit financial documentation (tax form 990, audited financial statement, and certificate of good standing).
• Budget application procedure adoptionThe court adopted a new budget application procedure for grant applicants requiring specific documentation.
• Hood County fund balance policy discussion and adoptionThe court reviewed and adopted a fund balance policy establishing target reserves for county funds, with discussion on appropriate reserve levels.
• William Jensen reserve deputy appointment—agenda item pulledThe court pulled agenda item five regarding appointment of William Jensen as reserved Deputy Constable for Precinct 2 after county attorney clarified the court lacks authority to approve individual appointments to elected officials' offices.
• Hood County Clean Air Coalition funding requestThe coalition requested $50,000 total ($25,000 per year for fiscal years 2024 and 2025) to match funding from the City of Granbury for air quality planning and ozone monitoring.
• Clean Air Coalition funding approvalThe court approved funding for the Clean Air Coalition for fiscal year 2024.
• Hood County website migration and URL redirectItem 7 was tabled pending further department conversion and a special called meeting to review the new website.
• Excess tax sales revenue acceptanceThe court accepted $81,158 from excess tax sales into the general purpose fund.
• Jailers' compensatory time payoutThe court approved paying off jailers' compensatory time through May 6, 2024, from deputy line item funds.
• Detention officer promotionsThe court approved promotion of two detention officers to Corporal positions effective May 13, 2024.
• Hit and run statute amendment resolutionA resolution requesting state law change to extend hit and run duties to privately maintained roads was defeated for lack of a second.
• Jail expansion financing explorationThe court authorized the county auditor to explore financing methods for potential jail expansion.
• DRG Architects LLC selection for jail projectThe court declared DRG Architects LLC the most qualified firm for jail expansion project.
• Fee proposal request from DRG ArchitectsThe court requested a fee proposal from DRG Architects for the proposed jail expansion.
• Associated Time software migration agreementThe court authorized the county judge to sign a cloud-based software services agreement with Associated Time.
• Tyler Technologies project discontinuation noticeThe court instructed county attorney to notify Tyler of intent to discontinue execu time implementation and pursue offset for payments.
• Tyler Technologies time and attendance software discontinuationThe court voted to discontinue the ExecutiTime project and pursue offset payments from Tyler Technologies.
• Contract management and software procurement lessonsPublic speaker emphasized need for stronger contract oversight and vendor management on large software projects.
• Employee code of conduct policy revisionsCourt approved revisions to the employee code of conduct policy with addition of disciplinary documentation requirement.
• Resolution denouncing Title IX regulatory changesCourt unanimously approved resolution opposing Biden Administration changes to Title IX regulations affecting women's sports.
• Sunset Ridge subdivision construction plan and final plat approvalCourt approved developers agreement, performance bond variance, and final plat for Sunset Ridge six-lot subdivision in Precinct 4.
• South B Edition Lot 4 replat approvalCourt approved public hearing and replat combining Lots 4 and 5 into single 3.472-acre parcel.
• Invoice approval for April–May 2024Court approved payment of invoices for April 16 through May 7, 2024.
• Meeting adjournmentMeeting adjourned at approximately 12:44 noon.