July 11, 2023 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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The Hood County Commissioners' Court met on July 11, 2023, to address operational and development matters including recognition of county contributors, structural engineering findings for a county facility, information technology updates, and consideration of public sponsorship requests. The court discussed maintenance and capacity needs for the county jail facility, reviewed multiple subdivision preliminary and final plats for approval, and approved several operational requests including temporary staff compensation adjustments and equipment purchases. Public comment addressed concerns about septic system pollution, county clerk office operations, property appraisal practices, and rules governing agenda submission deadlines. The court also approved the consent agenda and routine invoices for the period ending July 5, 2023.

• Call to order and opening remarksThe meeting was called to order with an invocation by Dr. John Knox from the Church of Christ, followed by pledges.
• Carter Blood Care battle of the badges awardThe Hood County Youth Services' annual blood drive battle of the badges award was presented for 2023.
• Dominique Edge recognition certificateDominique Edge was recognized for donating 19 ballistic vests to the Hood County Sheriff's Office.
• Rules of decorum readingDavid Ferris read pertinent sections of the Commissioner's Court rules of decorum and the Texas open meetings act into the record.
• David Ferris on structural engineering reportDavid Ferris discussed the structural engineering report for a facility, noting his background in software development for structural engineering firms and familiarity with 3D mapping and seismic data analysis.
• Steve Biggers on septic systems and Port RicheySteve Biggers raised concerns about septic system failures at Port Richey polluting the lake for 12 years and questioned why homeowners are not held responsible.
• Elizabeth Mercer on county clerk office expensesElizabeth Mercer questioned the necessity of two county clerk offices and raised concerns about a $60,000 payment and raises during budget constraints.
• Michael Davis on veterans disclosureMichael Davis expressed concern about Dave Eagle disclosing a disabled veteran's status to explain away tax non-payment.
• Open meetings act comment on appraisal officeA speaker with 21 years government experience, including 10 years in law enforcement, raised concerns about property appraisal office practices.
• Motion to advance agenda itemA commissioner requested moving agenda item nine forward in the agenda.
• Ronald A. Roberts structural engineer introductionRonald A. Roberts, Professional Engineers and president of his firm, was introduced with credentials in structural and civil engineering.
• Roberts structural observation scope and findingsRoberts explained the scope of his structural observation was visual inspection only to identify any problems with the building's structural systems.
• Roberts response to eddy current testing questionRoberts responded to a question about eddy current testing methods mentioned at the prior court meeting.
• Concrete testing methods discussionEngineer reviewed various non-destructive testing methods applicable to monolithic slabs, concluding visual inspection remains the primary assessment tool.
• Witness credentials and AGCM report agreementEngineer confirmed 43 years experience, membership in Texas Professional Engineers, and complete agreement with AGCM report findings regarding suspected structural issues.
• Original construction drawings acquisitionCourt directed staff to obtain original design drawings from construction company to avoid unnecessary testing and provide better facility understanding.
• AGCM consultant Mike Buzz testimonyAGCM representative confirmed agreement with engineer's report and clarified that exterior walls and slab did not require replacement per AGCM findings.
• Building longevity estimateEngineer estimated structural longevity if recommended maintenance performed.
• Maintenance crew painting capability discussionCommissioner questioned whether county maintenance staff could perform sealant and paint work rather than hiring outside contractors.
• Information Technology updates—video camera systemsIT director reported power supply challenges for central jury room video cameras and ongoing work on PoE alternatives.
• Website refresh project statusHood County website refresh remains in holding pattern with vendor citing queue status; escalation initiated to VP level for status update.
• Tyler software conversion—Phase Two delayPhase Two go-live delayed from August 11 to September 18 due to state legislator updates for district clerk and software version upgrades.
• Upcoming IT expensesIT director presented two potential upcoming expenses pending fund availability: 25 network switches and Emergency Operations Center AV system refresh.
• Lake Granbury Art Association sponsorship requestLake Granbury Art Association requested $1,000 Level One sponsorship for National Druid Fall Art Exhibition from Hood County.
• Lake Granbury Art Association sponsorship requestThe court considered a $1,000 sponsorship request from the Lake Granbury Art Association, with commissioners debating the appropriate use of taxpayer funds for charitable donations.
• Agenda rules and posting deadline proceduresThe court discussed Rule Three governing agenda submission deadlines and whether to maintain a hard-line Wednesday noon cutoff or allow flexibility for items received after the deadline under exceptional circumstances.
• Agenda item procedures and reasonableness exceptionThe court discussed allowance of agenda items submitted after the Wednesday noon deadline, balancing rigid rules against occasional reasonableness.
• Public comment on agenda proceduresMultiple citizens addressed the court regarding rules compliance and whether exceptions should be permitted.
• Motion to table item number threeThe court voted to table the rules discussion item.
• Temporary mail clerk pay increaseThe court approved a rate increase for a temporary mail clerk position to attract qualified candidates.
• Jail inspection procedures and standardsThe court discussed state jail commission inspection protocols and commended the Sheriff and Captain Turbeville for passing 15 consecutive inspections.
• Public comment on jail capacity and new facility needsCitizens addressed concerns about the aging jail facility, population growth projections, and costs of housing inmates elsewhere.
• Jail remediation and capacity expansion discussionThe court discussed two parallel paths for addressing the county jail: remediation of the current facility and options for adding capacity, with a structural assessment revealing potentially less expensive alternatives than a full $100 million replacement.
• Environmental health dissolved oxygen meter purchaseEnvironmental Health requested approval to purchase a dissolved oxygen and bio oxygen demand meter for wastewater strength testing out of Fund 55, not to exceed $1,000.
• Lipan ISD interlocal agreement payment statusCommissioner Wilson raised concerns about a $29,971.83 payment due from Lipan ISD under a December 28, 2021 interlocal agreement for county personnel and equipment use on a building pad and road project.
• Acton Cemetery road maintenance requestThe Acton Cemetery Board of Directors requested county road equipment and personnel to place road base material on driving lanes within the cemetery to correct erosion, with minimal cost of $187 in materials and less than one day of work.
• Consent agenda approvalThe court approved the consent agenda as presented without any commissioners requesting to pull individual items for discussion.
• Brush yard grinder equipment options and fees discussionRoad Operations discussed options for maintaining and potentially replacing the brush yard grinder, including repair costs, trade-in values, and operational fee structures for public use.
• Hire a Village subdivision construction approvalThe court approved commencement of construction on the Hire a Village subdivision in Precinct 3 prior to final plat approval and recording, in accordance with county development regulations.
• The Ranches at Pecan Plantation preliminary plat approvalThe court approved a preliminary plat for The Ranches at Pecan Plantation subdivision proposing 28 lots in Hood County with private streets and equestrian trails, with the developer voluntarily revising the entrance to address a neighboring property owner's concern.
• The Landings East preliminary plat introductionDevelopment Services presented the preliminary plat for The Landings East subdivision, a 503.92-acre development in Pecan Plantation in the water quality district in Precinct 2 that spans Hood County and Johnson County.
• The Landings East preliminary plat reviewStaff reviewed a 304-lot residential subdivision proposal with water and sewage service, recommending approval with all comments addressed.
• Finney Acres final plat approvalStaff recommended approval of a final plat subdividing 11.05 acres into three lots on Xia Meyer Road in Granbury.
• Gordon Acres final plat approvalStaff recommended approval of a final plat subdividing 10.01 acres into four lots on Villa Ridge Court in Granbury.
• Certification of payment of invoicesCommissioners approved payment of invoices for the period June 21 through July 5, 2023.