September 10, 2024 Hood County Commissioners' Court

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Hood County Commissioners' Court met on September 10, 2024, to address proclamations, public concerns, and routine county business. The court proclaimed Constitution Week and designated Camp Fire El's 90th anniversary celebration, while residents raised concerns regarding Sheriff's Office staffing and compensation, proposed air pollution from Wolf Hollow power plant expansion, and budget transparency. The court approved several operational and capital items including emergency management grants totaling over $82,000, staff promotions, vendor contracts, and infrastructure projects, while tabling budget and tax rate discussions to a special meeting scheduled for September 24th to address salary matrix and sequencing concerns.

• Call to order and invocationThe meeting was called to order with invocation and pledges of allegiance.
• Constitution Week proclamationThe court proclaimed September 17–23, 2024, as Constitution Week to commemorate the 237th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution's framing.
• Camp Fire El 90th anniversary proclamationThe court designated September 27–29, 2024, as Camp Fire El's 90th anniversary celebration in Hood County.
• Sheriff's Office budget and pay concernsA Sheriff's Office employee presented detailed salary comparisons and operational concerns during public comment, arguing that the county has stalled on promised improvements and is effectively defunding law enforcement.
• Wolf Hollow power plant and air pollution concernsA resident urged the county to file for contested hearing with TCEQ regarding Constellation Energy's proposed third gas turbine at Wolf Hollow power plant, citing significant air pollution increases.
• Budget and tax rate transparency concernsA resident raised procedural concerns about the lack of hyperlinks and detailed information on four agenda items related to budget and tax rate.
• Granberry Santa House toy drive authorizationThe court authorized the Granberry Santa House to host a Toys for Tots toy drive on December 4th, 2024.
• Granberry fire department training facility grantThe court authorized a $25,000 grant to Granberry Volunteer Fire Department from excess tax sale proceeds for burnhouse repairs, contingent on completing an interlocal agreement with the city of Granberry.
• Brazos River Corvette Club car show authorizationThe court authorized the county judge to sign the city of Granberry's event application for the 18th Annual Brazos River Corvette Club charity car show.
• Hot mix asphalt concrete vendor awardThe court awarded the RFB 2024-07 hot mix asphaltic concrete contract to Reynolds Asphalt and Construction as primary vendor with Vulcan Construction Materials as alternate.
• RFB 2024 rental materials awardThe court awarded RFB 2024 for rental materials to primary and alternate contractors.
• Tex 21 annual membership dues paymentThe court approved payment of $10,000 for Tex 21 annual membership dues from Contract Services budget.
• Interlocal agreement for 911 telecommunication towersThe court approved an interlocal agreement with North Central Texas emergency communications District for a 911 tower on west side of county.
• Sheriff transport officer promotionThe court approved promotion of transport officer JLR11 to transport Corporal at $50,000 effective September 9th.
• County Clerk office manager promotionThe court approved promotion of County Deputy clerk one to county clerk office manager at $40,000 effective September 9th.
• TAC insurance adjuster report and retaining wall project authorizationThe court authorized County judge to sign initial project order with Kimley Horn and Associates for ACT and Annex retaining wall for task one, two, and three at $15,000.
• Manager travel and reimbursement policy revisionsThe court approved revisions to the manager travel and reimbursement policy with modification to remove denial of reimbursements outside fiscal year.
• Tyler Technologies credit return funds updateThe court tabled item 11 regarding return funds from Tyler Technologies for discontinued ExecuTime implementation until September 24th.
• Hood County Animal Control interlocal agreements renewalThe court approved annual interlocal agreements for Animal Control with six cities.
• Budget and tax rate discussion tablingThe court tabled budget items 13, 14, 15, and 16 until special called meeting on Monday to address salary matrix and tax rate sequencing concerns.
• AADCARE membership payroll deduction methodThe court discussed but did not yet approve a payroll deduction method for AADCARE membership after raising concerns about administrative burden and alternative options.
• AirCare plan payroll deduction discussionThe court considered employee AirCare membership offerings and determined to allow a one-time payroll deduction per year.
• Public Safety Office bullet resistance shield grant applicationThe court approved a resolution to accept a $75,400 Public Safety Office grant for nine bullet-resistant shields with no matching funds required.
• Public Safety Office rifle-resistant body armor grant applicationThe court approved a resolution for a $6,890.50 Public Safety Office grant to purchase rifle-resistant body armor vests.
• Consent agenda approvalThe court approved the consent agenda without pulling any items for separate discussion.
• Sabine River and Pacus River Drive traffic safety hearing and stop sign installationA public hearing was held regarding safety improvements at the intersection of Sabine River Drive and Pacus River Drive, resulting in approval to install two stop signs.
• Pirate Village correction plat approvalThe court approved a correction plat for Pirate Village addressing building setback restrictions on properties designated as patio homes.
• Sunset Ridge letter of credit acceptanceThe court accepted a letter of credit for two-year street and right-of-way maintenance at Sunset Ridge in Precinct 4.
• Outstanding invoices payment authorizationThe county auditor reviewed and recommended payment of outstanding invoices totaling $981,000 for the period August 21 through September 3, 2024.