May 11, 2021 Hood County Commissioners' Court

Open with transcript & summary →Search this meeting's transcript →

Hood County Commissioners' Court met on May 11, 2021, to address operational and development matters including approval of four residential and one commercial subdivision projects, several budget line item transfers for equipment and supplies across departments, and adoption of the county's FEMA-approved five-year hazardous mitigation plan. The court also voted to implement Tyler Technologies software across most county departments, approved donations supporting community events and emergency services, and authorized minor capital improvements at county facilities. Citizens provided comments on public safety concerns including tornado warning sirens and election administration accountability. The meeting included recognition of National Police Week and acknowledgment of road department efforts following recent tornado damage.

• Meeting convened with opening remarks and invocationThe Hood County Commissioners' Court meeting was called to order on May 11, 2021, with an invocation and pledges.
• National Police Week proclamation and Friends of Memorial Lane presentationLocal volunteers presented a proclamation honoring National Police Week and recognized law enforcement officers' service and sacrifice.
• Citizens' comment at large procedures and Dr. Victoria Calder remarksCitizens were allowed five-minute comments on any topic not restricted to agenda items, and the first speaker emphasized long-term planning and strategic vision.
• Citizens' comment—emergency siren system concernsA De Cordova resident raised urgent public safety concerns about the absence of tornado warning sirens across the county.
• Citizens' comment—election administration accountabilityA speaker emphasized the need for clear accountability structures for the county elections administrator, particularly regarding sequentially numbered ballot requirements.
• Consent agenda approvalThe consent agenda was approved unanimously without objections or pulled items.
• Roads and tornado debris cleanup acknowledgmentCounty road department was praised for rapid response clearing blocked roads following the recent tornado in Precinct 3.
• Indian Crossing subdivision concept plan public hearing and approvalA 37-lot residential subdivision with water system infrastructure was presented and approved following developer commitment to transfer water improvements to the City of Lipan.
• Sunset Ridge subdivision concept plan public hearing and approvalA six-lot residential subdivision on Monroe Highway was approved contingent upon TxDOT approval of ingress/egress permit.
• Lust Gardens (formerly Stewart Addition) concept plan approval with drainage mitigation requirementsA 64-lot residential development with off-site drainage improvements on neighboring property was approved with mandatory construction sequencing conditions.
• Cox T.I.P (Tuller Industrial Park) site development plan approvalA 34-acre industrial park with mixed-use commercial spaces received staff approval and commissioners' unanimous authorization.
• Constable line item transfer for vest carrier uniform equipmentConstable Chad Davis requested a $300 line item transfer from uniform accessories budget to purchase a professional vest carrier with insignia.
• County Clerk line item transfer for supplies budgetCounty Clerk requested $2,000 transfer from education and travel budget to supplies due to budget depletion by new employees.
• Emergency Management line item transfer for AED and Lucas devicesEmergency Management presented a line item transfer from the 101 fund to capital outlay for previously approved automated external defibrillators and Lucas chest compression devices.
• Emergency Management Fund capital equipment transferThe court approved a budget transfer to increase capital outlay for emergency management equipment.
• Sheriff investigative division software purchaseThe Sheriff's Department transferred funds from the abandoned vehicles budget to purchase software for the investigative division.
• Payment of invoices for April 21–May 4 periodThe court approved invoices totaling $895,899.42 for the audit period after auditor office review and recommendation.
• Adoption of 2021 FEMA-approved hazmat planThe court adopted Hood County's five-year hazardous mitigation plan approved by FEMA and Texas Division of Emergency Management.
• Rolling Hills Shores collection station vouchersThe court issued ten vouchers (six requested) to Rolling Hills Shores for the Hood County Citizens Collection Station with September 30, 2021 expiration.
• Granberry Fourth of July event parking lot approvalThe county judge was authorized to sign the City of Granberry's event application approving use of the square parking lot for the Chamber of Commerce's annual old-fashioned Fourth of July event, contingent on proof of insurance.
• Hood County Elections Code resolution commitment to written formatThe court discussed and adopted a written resolution based on an oral resolution passed April 13, 2021, directing the elections administrator to abide by Texas Election Code 52.062 regarding pre-numbered ballots.
• Tyler and Onedata software selection final reportThe court discussed and received recognition of a comprehensive IT software evaluation report prepared by a nine-member committee at no cost to the county.
• Public comment on county software selectionCounty residents and software vendors provided testimony regarding the proposed switch from NetData to Tyler Technologies.
• Motion and vote on countywide software switch to TylerThe court voted on a motion to adopt Option One of the software evaluation report, requiring all county departments except the sheriff's department to switch to Tyler Technologies.
• Granberry sesquicentennial donationThe court approved a donation to support the City of Granberry's 150-year celebration planned for November 2021.
• Donation of surplus fire vehicle to Station 70The court approved donation of a 2007 Ford Expedition from the fire marshal's fleet to Station 70 volunteer fire department for use as a medical response unit.
• Authorization to construct two offices at Acton AnnexThe court approved construction of two new offices at the Acton Annex to accommodate Commissioner Precinct Two and the commissioner's administrative assistant, with costs of approximately $5,000.
• Award of jail food supply contractsThe court approved awarding food, produce, beverage, and supply contracts for Hood County Jail to two vendors based on competitive bidding.