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

OPEN SESSION:

PRESENTATION

1. Presentation of employee recognition, longevity certificates, and service pins.

COURT ORDER

ROAD AND BRIDGE

2. Consider and take necessary action to accept the completion of the construction contract for RB-17-24, Paving and Drainage Improvements to E. Centennial Blvd., with an underrun amount of $257,912.93, authorize the county judge to execute the Reconciliation Change Order, and authorize final payment to W. M. Miller Construction Company, Inc.

Comments:

We accepted the completion of the construction contract for RB-17-24, Paving and Drainage Improvements to E. Centennial Blvd. The total underrun came in at $257,912.93. County Engineer Davis explained the underrun came mainly from needing less lime treatment than planned, saving over $100k due to soil conditions, and less erosion control because of the time of year the work was completed. W. M. Miller Construction Company delivered the project keeping things tight, which means your tax dollars went exactly where they were supposed to. 

3. Consider and take necessary action to approve the professional services agreement with The Brannon Corporation for providing Construction Administration Services in the amount of $18,000.00 for the paving & drainage improvements to Young Place (CR 3179) and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We approved a $18,000 professional services agreement with The Brannon Corporation for construction administration on the Young Place (CR 3179) paving and drainage improvements. The full 6-page agreement spells out exactly what we’re getting: on-site construction administration, daily inspection and documentation, review and approval of contractor pay applications, change-order processing, project close-out, and final punch-list verification. This is straight oversight insurance on a fixed-fee basis with no hourly rates or mark-ups. I supported this because every dollar spent on administration here protects the much larger construction dollars already committed. 

CONSTABLE – PCT 1

4. Consider and take necessary action on confirming the appointment of a Deputy Constable for the Smith County Constable Precinct 1 Office pursuant to Texas Local Government Code 86.011.

Comments:

We confirmed the appointment of retired Smith County Sheriff’s Deputy Jose Terrazas as a part-time Deputy Constable for Precinct 1. Chief Brown highlighted his 15 years of experience. Strengthening our law enforcement presence in the precincts is common-sense government—keeping our neighborhoods safer and supporting the men and women who put on the uniform every day to protect Smith County families.

ANIMAL CONTROL AND SHELTER

5. Consider and take necessary action to approve the proposed update to the Smith County Animal Shelter Policy.

Comments:

We approved the proposed update to the Smith County Animal Shelter Policy. Mr. Parcell walked the Court through the better-defined policy and explained the practical reasons for the changes. The shelter is operating as an open-intake facility, meaning when citizens call about stray or problem dogs, we respond and take them in rather than turning people away with “we’re full.” Dogs receive a required 72-hour hold with minimal handling so they can decompress. After that, a standardized evaluation scores them on behavior, medical needs, and adoptability.

The tiered system is straightforward:

• Tier 1 (intake/72-hour hold): Basic care only—no major decisions.

• Tier 2 (rescue/reclaim): Animals with medical or behavioral issues that need special handling or treatment we can’t provide in-house. These are available for qualified rescues with proven success rehabilitating and placing them.

• Tier 3 (highly adoptable): Fully vetted, heartworm-free, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and ready for homes—the animals we focus resources on for quick adoptions.

There are no arbitrary time limits, such as the old 30-day rule, that would force rushed, bad decisions on euthanasia or placement. Some animals need more time to show their true personality or recover medically; others are ready sooner. Decisions are now based on evaluation and the animal’s best interest instead of an artificial clock.

The men and women who work at the Animal Shelter and Animal Control love animals—that’s why they chose this work. Nobody there wants to euthanize dogs. When it does happen, it is for clear, documented reasons outlined in the policy, such as severe aggression that makes the dog unsafe for the public or serious medical issues that are advanced, expensive to treat, or would cause prolonged suffering. This policy gives the team clearer tools and better processes to save more lives overall while protecting both animals and people and making responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

This living document reduces liability, improves outcomes for animals and people, and lets us respond effectively when citizens call about stray dogs. We are taxpayer-funded and expected to solve animal issues in the community. I appreciate Mr. Parcell and the team’s work making operations more transparent and efficient while protecting taxpayer dollars and animal welfare. Several Commissioners noted the positive direction and the need for continued community collaboration with rescues and the public.

RECURRING BUSINESS

ROAD AND BRIDGE

6. Consider and take necessary action to authorize the county judge to sign the:

1. Final Plat for the Piney Woods Addition, Precinct 1, and
   
2. Final Plat for Gavins Ridge II, Precinct 3.

COMMISSIONERS COURT

7. Receive the 2025 Annual Audit for Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 1.

Comments:

We received the 2025 Annual Audit for Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 1. The complete report was prepared by an independent CPA firm and includes the Auditor’s Opinion Letter with a clean unqualified opinion, full financial statements, notes to the financials, budgetary comparison schedule, and compliance section. No material weaknesses or findings were noted.

TREASURER’S OFFICE

8. Consider and accept the Treasurer’s March monthly report as received.

Comments:

We accepted the Treasurer’s Office Monthly Investment Report for March 2026. Mrs. Rawlings, Treasurer, was not in court to give the report. The written report details beginning and ending cash balances by fund, the full investment portfolio including CDs, money-market funds, and interest earned.

AUDITOR’S OFFICE

9. Receive County Auditor’s Report and Executive Summary for March 2026.

Comments:

We received the County Auditor’s Report and Executive Summary for March 2026. Mrs. Sharon Scott sat in for Auditor Karin Smith, who was unable to attend due to a conference. While we had the written report and executive summary, there was no verbal presentation or additional discussion from the Auditor’s Office this month.  This report includes the year-to-date budget versus actual expenditures by department and fund, revenue collections, major variance highlights, encumbrance report, and the Auditor’s one-page executive summary.

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

ADJOURN