March 23, 2021 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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The Hood County Commissioners' Court met on March 23, 2021, to conduct routine county business including service recognition, budget amendments, and vendor payments. The court approved the consent agenda with one dissenting vote and one abstention, and commissioners raised concerns about the transparency and explanation of budget amendments, requesting that department heads present their own amendments in the future. The court also approved invoices totaling $1,218,575.43, discussed options for increased public visibility of vendor payment details, and authorized modifications to an animal control interlocal contract and constable storage space. Two election code authority items were pulled from the agenda pending the county elections administrator's attendance.

• Call to order and invocationThe meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. in the Century Jury Room of the Hood County Justice Center, with an invocation delivered by a local pastor.
• Service award recognitionCynthia Bowling, an audit department employee, was recognized for five years of service.
• Citizens comments and consent agenda proceduresThe court established procedures for public participation and reviewed the consent agenda with commissioners requesting clarification on budget amendments.
• Budget amendments explanationThe auditor explained three separate budget amendments involving information technology expenditure classification, HAVA voting equipment funds, and capital project transfers.
• Budget amendment transparency concernsCommissioners expressed concerns about insufficient explanation of budget amendments and requested future practice of having department heads present their own amendments.
• Property tax transfer and capital projects discussionDiscussion clarified that property tax collections are being transferred from Fund 10 to capital projects Fund 55, with additional budget authority needed due to higher-than-anticipated collections.
• Consent agenda approvalMotion made and seconded to approve the consent agenda; motion carried 4-1 with one commissioner abstaining and one voting no.
• Road division and development itemDevelopment director presented final plat for Laild Addition, a three-lot subdivision in rural Precinct 2.
• Financial report and vendor paymentsAuditor presented invoices and vendor payments over $10,000, with discussion of making vendor payment details visible to the public during meetings.
• Public transparency and check register discussionCommissioners debated the legality and feasibility of displaying check register details on screen prior to formal approval, agreeing to explore options for displaying vendor names and payment amounts.
• Payment approval motionMotion made and passed to approve invoices totaling $1,218,575.43 for period March 3-16, 2021.
• Monthly reports approvalAuditor presented monthly reports received between March 1-15 for February with no issues identified.
• Animal control interlocal contract modificationSheriff and animal control officer presented modification to Hood County and City of Crescent interlocal animal control contract.
• Constable storage space authorizationPrecinct 3 Constable Randy Ellis authorized to use Unit 120 at the Actin Annex for storing seized property and office use.
• Election code authority items pulled from agendaCommissioner pulled two agenda items regarding county elections administrator authority under Texas Elections Code pending administrator attendance and voting equipment vendor presentation.