Please note: All agenda items are considered PASSED unless indicated otherwise.

OPEN SESSION:

PUBLIC HEARING:
1. Receive Public comment regarding the FY 2026 Provider Participation Program Payments pursuant to Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 291A.

Comments: 

The Public Hearing Notice posting was not posted within the required timeframe. Judge tabled this item for next week.

COURT ORDERS
 
COMMISSIONERS COURT

2. Consider and take necessary action to approve an order authorizing the FY 2026 Smith County Collection of a Mandatory Payment under the Local Provider Participation Fund pursuant to Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 291A, and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments: 

Item could not be considered due to the improper posting. Judge tabled this item for next week.

RESOLUTIONS

3. Consider and take necessary action to ratify a resolution proclaiming October 15, 2025, as “Genesis Founder’s Day” in Smith County.
 
4. Consider and take necessary action to adopt a resolution proclaiming October 25, 2025, as “Walk to End Alzheimer’s Day ” in Smith County.

COURT ORDERS

COMMISSIONERS COURT

5. Consider request from the Smith County Young Lawyers Association to authorize the Green Acres Student Center, as the location for 321st District Court proceedings for Smith County National Adoption Day, Friday, November 21, 2025, in compliance with Chapters 291 & 292 of the Texas Local Government Code.

Comments:

We approved the Green Acres Student Center as the location for 321st District Court proceedings for Smith County National Adoption Day, Friday, November 21, 2025, where the Smith County Young Lawyers Association (SCYLA), in collaboration with the Department of Family and Protective Services, local adoption agencies, and Judge Robert Wilson, hosts a heartfelt celebration to honor over 100,000 U.S. foster children awaiting adoption, marking the culmination of often lengthy adoption journeys with a joyful reception for newly adopted children and their “forever families,” a tradition that earned SCYLA a national award in 2011 for outstanding community service.

6. Consider and take necessary action to approve the FY26 Public Service Interlocal Agreements between Smith County and the following organizations, and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation:

1. Alzheimer’s Alliance,
   
2. CASA for Kids,
   
3. Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC),
   
4. Civil Air Patrol,
   
5. ETCADA,
   
6. Meals on Wheels,
   
7. Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health),
   
8. PATH,
   
9. Smith County Historical Society,
   
10. St. Paul Children’s Foundation,
    
11. Tyler Economic Development Corporation, and
    
12. Tyler Family Circle of Care.

Comments:

Interlocal agreements are formal contracts authorized under Texas law, specifically the Interlocal Cooperation Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 791). This law allows local governments, like counties, to partner with other governmental entities, non-profits, or organizations to provide public services more efficiently. The core idea is to “increase the efficiency and effectiveness of local governments” by pooling resources, avoiding duplication, and leveraging specialized expertise. These agreements can cover a wide range of services, from public health and emergency response to community welfare and economic development.   

Texas Counties have broad authority to fund services that promote public health, safety, welfare, and economic stability, as long as there’s a clear public purpose. The rationale is often cost-effectiveness: Partnering with established organizations can be cheaper and more specialized than the county building its own programs from scratch.

This is part of the county’s budgeting process, where the Commissioners Court decides how to allocate taxpayer money for what they deem public benefits. Not all are donations of your tax dollars—some are contractual obligations for shared services (e.g., public entities like NET Health), while others support non-profits that deliver services the county might otherwise need to handle directly.

1. Alzheimer’s Alliance: $11,808
   
2. CASA for Kids: $50,000
   
3. Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC): $50,000 
   
4. Civil Air Patrol: $6,000 
   
5. East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ETCADA): $4,000 
   
6. Meals on Wheels: $15,000 
   
7. Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health): $200,000 
   
8. PATH: $6,000 
   
9. Smith County Historical Society: $3,750 
   
10. St. Paul Children’s Foundation: $5,000 
    
11. Tyler Economic Development Corporation: $75,000 
    
12. Tyler Family Circle of Care: $50,000

ROAD AND BRIDGE

7. Consider and take necessary action to approve the Interlocal Agreements between Smith County and the following for Road & Bridge Services, and allow the county judge to sign all related documentation:

1. City of Noonday, and
   
2. City of Winona.

Comments:

This Interlocal Agreement enables Smith County to collaborate with the City of Noonday and the City of Winona to jointly improve city streets. By combining resources, minimizing duplication, and utilizing specialized expertise, the partnership aims to reduce costs for the public’s benefit.

*There was an error on the estimated compensation listed on the City of Winona Interlocal Agreement (pg. 7) that wasn’t caught until after the court meeting. Road & Bridge has been notified and they are working on an amendment.

8. Consider and take necessary action to accept the roadways of Dews Court III into the Smith County Road Maintenance System.

Comments:

We accepted 235 linear feet of roadway into the County Road Maintenance System as CR 2349, Dews Court III Subdivision.

CONSTABLE – PCT4

9. Consider and take necessary action to appoint Terry Linder to serve as a reserve deputy for the Smith County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office.

Comments:

Terry Linder, a Master Peace Officer in good standing with TCOLE, previously served with distinction in the Fire Marshal’s Office before seizing a new opportunity to continue his public service career. To maintain his active peace officer license, Constable Joplin submitted an appointment letter for Terry to serve as a Reserve Deputy with the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, which was successfully approved.

RECURRING BUSINESS
COMMISSIONERS COURT

10. Consider and take the necessary action to approve the Commissioners Court minutes for September 2025.

Comments:

Approved the minutes.

11. Receive Commissioners Court recordings for September 2025.

ROAD AND BRIDGE

12. Consider and take necessary action to authorize the county judge to sign the Final Plat for the Brown Subdivision, Precinct 2.
 
13. Receive pipe and/or utility line installation request (notice only):

1. County Road 245, West Gregg Special Utility District, install service line, Precinct 3, and
   
2. County Road 3168, West Gregg Special Utility District, install service line, Precinct 3.

TREASURER’S OFFICE

14. Consider and accept the Treasurer’s September monthly report as received.

Comments:

If you’re someone who enjoys digging into financial details and wants to track our monthly cash balances, this report is perfect for you. Since Atonia Rawlings became our Treasurer, she has worked hard to improve our processes and increase transparency. Her detailed monthly report, now included in the standard packet, provides a clear picture of the county’s cash balances and investments. Did you know the county handles over 60 bank accounts, each needing regular attention to keep everything in order? That’s a lot to manage! 

These weekly Commissioners Court Reports are posted with the links to the court video and the public agenda packet for your review.  The Treasurer’s Report will begin at page 153 through page 158 of the packet. 

AUDITOR’S OFFICE

15. Consider and take necessary action to approve and/or ratify payment of accounts, bills, payroll, transfer of funds, amendments, and health claims.

Comments:

Budget Transfers and Payments

LIVE CHECK

Recipient: District Clerk

• Jury Payment: $13,660

BUDGET TRANSFERS

Justice of the Peace Precinct 3

• Transfer From: Contingency – $3,700
• Transfer To: Autopsies– $3,700

Explanation for this request:
“Cover expenses.”

Justice of the Peace Precinct 4

• Transfer From: Contingency – $7,500
• Transfer To: Autopsies – $7,500   

Explanation for this request:
“Cover expenses.”

Justice of the Peace Precinct 5

• Transfer From: Contingency – $6,000
• Transfer To: Autopsies – $6,000

Explanation for this request:
“Cover expenses.”

ADJOURN