March 22, 2022 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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

Hood County Commissioners' Court met on March 22, 2022, to conduct routine business including the proclamation of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, approval of four residential plats and two community display projects, and recognition of employee service awards. The court also addressed operational matters such as updates to wrecker service and records policies, approval of the Granberry Wine Walk event, and consideration of on-site sewage facility rule changes. Significant personnel and budgeting actions included rescinding a dispatcher salary order and approving a wage increase to $20.63 per hour funded by an unanticipated economic development refund, as well as approving a May 7 special election order. The court concluded by unanimously voting to join the Texas 21 US 377 Corridor Coalition with a $10,000 annual membership commitment.

• Call to order and opening remarksThe meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, in the Ralph J. Walton Jr. Justice Center.
• Invocation and pledgesReverend Pastor Mike McMahon, founder of the international Bible reading marathon, delivered the invocation and pledges.
• Bible Reading Marathon announcementPastor McMahon announced the upcoming Bible reading marathon scheduled for April 29 through May 5, 2022.
• Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamationHood County Commissioners Court proclaimed April 2022 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with Gayle Joyce presenting on behalf of Mission Granberry.
• Clothesline Project approvalA motion was made and unanimously approved to allow the Clothesline Project featuring victim-designed t-shirts to be displayed on Hood County property during April.
• Service awards recognitionThree county employees received service recognition: Chad Davis for five years, Randy Ellis for 15 years, and William Smith for 15 years.
• Public participation reminder and consent agendaJudge reminded attendees of public participation requirements; commissioners reviewed consent agenda without pulling items.
• Fund 109 budget explanationCounty Finance Officer Becky Kidd explained Fund 109 dedicated education funding adjustments and a credit card processing issue affecting the tax assessor section.
• Consent agenda approval and financial motionCommissioners unanimously approved the consent agenda and authorized payment of bills totaling $386,346.50.
• Monthly financial reports acceptanceCommissioners accepted monthly reports from various departments without identified issues.
• Luca Ranch replat approvalPublic hearing held and commissioners unanimously approved the replat of Luca Ranch lots 1R, 36R, and 37R to relocate lock lines and drainage easement matching detention pond redesign.
• Kramer's Corner final plat approvalCommissioners unanimously approved final plat of Kramer's Corner Lot 1 Block 1 creating a 4.484-acre lot in rural Precinct 1.
• Dixon Edition final plat approvalCommissioners unanimously approved final plat of Dixon Edition creating three lots from 2.00 to 2.462 acres in rural Precinct 1.
• Cedar Rock Edition final plat with variance approvalCommissioners unanimously approved final plat of Cedar Rock Edition Lots 1-3 with variance allowing existing lock line in place of 60-foot road frontage requirement.
• Military Officers Association banners approvalCommissioners unanimously approved allowing Military Officers Association of America to place honor banners for military service members and first responders on Hood County property from May 27 through November 12, 2022.
• Hood County Wrecker Service updateSheriff Deeves initiated discussion on updated Hood County Wrecker Service policy, with work ongoing involving record people and owners.
• Hood County Records Policy fee increaseThe sheriff presented an update to the Hood County records policy to increase rotation record fees from $130 to $255, reflecting increased business costs since 2009.
• Granberry Wine Walk event applicationThe court approved the City of Granberry's event application for vendor parking around the historic courthouse during the Wine Walk on April 23–24, 2022.
• Rolling Hills Shores HOA cleanup vouchersThe court issued 10 vouchers to Rolling Hills Shores HOA for the Hood County citizens collection station with expiration date of September 30, 2022, to assist community cleanup efforts.
• TCEQ on-site sewage facilities rule changesThe court considered submitting proposed changes to Hood County's on-site sewage facility rules to TCEQ, focusing on allowing homeowners to take system-specific training classes instead of a comprehensive 16-hour course covering all 14 aerobic septic system types.
• Temporary salary order rescission for dispatchThe court temporarily rescinded the September 14, 2021 salary order setting dispatchers' pay through September 30, 2022, to allow consideration of a salary increase for the remainder of the 2022–2023 budget.
• Hood County 911 dispatcher hourly rate increaseThe court discussed and took action to increase the hourly rate for Hood County 911 operators, with dispatch director John Hurley requesting a starting wage of $20.63 per hour to address critical staffing shortages and recruitment challenges.
• Dispatcher wage increase decisionThe court discussed and approved a wage increase for dispatchers funded by an unanticipated economic development refund.
• Motion for dispatcher wage increase with economic development fundsThe court voted to increase dispatcher starting salary to $20.63 per hour using the $62,971.33 refund from the Granberry Chamber economic development agreement.
• Budget freeze and unanticipated revenue proceduresThe court reaffirmed the existing budget through September 30, 2022, and clarified that the economic development refund would be processed as unanticipated revenue with detailed budget amendments at the next court meeting.
• May 7, 2022 constitutional amendment election orderThe court approved an order placing two state constitutional amendments on the May 7 special election ballot alongside school and city bond measures.
• Workers compensation refund depositThe court accepted a $1,551 workers compensation refund check and directed its deposit to capital projects fund 55.
• TX21 US 377 coalition membership discussionRepresentatives from TEXT 21 and the City of Granbury presented the organization's mission and invited Hood County to join as an active member on the coalition board.
• US 377 corridor overview and regional impactA presentation outlined the historical significance and economic development potential of US 377, a major highway running 460 miles from Del Rio to Whitesboro affecting 16 counties across Texas.
• Texas 21 US 377 Coalition membership structure and benefitsThe presenter explained the voluntary membership framework, dues structure, and governance benefits of joining the Texas 21 US 377 Corridor Coalition.
• Mayor Jarrett's endorsement and local advocacy effortsThe Mayor of Granberry provided perspective on the coalition's importance, detailing recent outreach to neighboring cities and counties about US 377 improvements.
• Safety concerns and infrastructure coordination on US 377Mayor Jarrett highlighted traffic safety issues and coordination opportunities for infrastructure relocation ahead of construction.
• Motion to join Texas 21 US 377 CoalitionThe commissioners court voted unanimously to join the Texas 21 US 377 Coalition with a $10,000 annual membership payment.