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

OPEN SESSION:

RESOLUTION

1. Consider and take necessary action to approve a resolution proclaiming March 31, 2026, as “Dee Brock Day” in Smith County.

PRESENTATION
AGRILIFE EXTENSION

2. Receive introduction of Erica Davis, the new Cooperative Extension Prairie View 4-H agent for Smith County.

We were glad to welcome Erica Davis as our new Cooperative Extension Prairie View 4-H Agent for Smith County. Erica has three years of experience with Texas A&M AgriLife, most recently in the Better Living for Texas program. She told the Court she is excited to be back serving the citizens of Smith County, particularly through 4-H and youth development programs.

4-H is one of the best ways we help our young people learn leadership, responsibility, citizenship, and real-life skills right here in East Texas. It’s great to have someone with Erica’s background and enthusiasm working directly with our local youth.

To learn more about 4-H and youth development programs in Smith County or to get your child involved, visit the Smith County AgriLife Extension office or visit 4H Online

EAST TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

3. Receive presentation from the director of the East Texas Council of Government’s Area Agency on Aging, including its programs, the Residential Repair Service and the In-Home Provider Services.

Comments:

Adrian Cornejo, Area Agency on Aging Director for the East Texas Council of Governments, gave us a clear overview of the services they provide across our 14-county region. He explained their case management programs that help seniors returning home from the hospital, respite care for family caregivers, and their restructured residential repair program that now focuses on practical aging-in-place items like ramps, walk-in showers, and raised toilets instead of larger projects like full roof replacements.

He noted that Smith County currently has 27 people needing care coordination and 10 needing caregiver support, and that with only 8 in-home providers serving our county the demand far outpaces supply. His request for $10,000 in local funding (which would be earmarked strictly for Smith County residents) would help serve at least 15 additional individuals.

If you or a loved one need assistance with in-home services, caregiver respite, or aging-in-place home modifications, you can learn more and apply here.

Those interested in volunteering to support seniors in Smith County can learn more here.

I appreciate Mr. Cornejo coming before the Court and being transparent about both the needs and the important services available to help our seniors remain independent and give their families support.

COURT ORDERS
COMMISSIONERS COURT

4. Consider and take necessary action to ratify the bond for District Clerk Gaye Boynton, effective March 30, 2026, pursuant to Texas Government Code, § 51.302.

Comments:

As Civil District Attorney Thomas Wilson explained, former District Clerk Penny Clarkston resigned last week, and Gaye Boynton was appointed by the District Judges to fill the vacancy. She was sworn in and took office on March 30, 2026.

We ratified the required bond for District Clerk Gaye Boynton. This is standard procedure, but it’s another important layer of accountability — ensuring public officials handling court records and funds are properly protected. Taxpayers expect nothing less.

ROAD AND BRIDGE

5. Consider and take necessary action to accept the completion of the construction contract for RB-11-25, Roadway Improvements to CR 313 & CR 3147, with an underrun amount of $178,907.16, authorize the county judge to execute the Reconciliation Change Order, and authorize final payment to Texana Land & Asphalt, Inc.

Comments:

We accepted the completion of RB-11-25 roadway improvements to CR 313 and CR 3147. The original contract was $2,309,085.50. The final construction cost came in at $2,130,178.34, resulting in an underrun of $178,907.16.

Frank Davis explained that a large portion of the savings came because the last mile of CR 3147 had already been reconstructed several years ago, so they only performed an overlay instead of full cement treatment. Additionally, $40,000 in the “Allowance for Unknown Conditions” line item was unspent so that is included in the underrun total of $178,907.16. Overall, this project improved a total of 7.237 miles of county roadways.

6. Consider and take necessary action to accept the completion of the construction contract for the Roadway Improvements to CR 2193 (from FM 756 to FM 2964), with an underrun in the amount of $15,572.27, authorize the county judge to execute the Reconciliation Change Order, and authorize final payment to A. E. Shull & Company, Inc.

Comments:

We accepted the completion of roadway improvements to CR 2193 (FM 756 to FM 2964). Original contract $399,118.54; final cost $383,546.27; underrun $15,572.27; total improved 1.345 miles. I asked Frank Davis to explain the “Allowance for Unknown Conditions” line item and the one-cent Prime Coat bid so the public understands how these contingency items protect taxpayers. He confirmed they are used only at our direction for things like springs, old water lines, or abandoned culverts discovered during construction, and that the prime coat is optional for dust control or sealing when there’s a delay before overlay. In this contract, $10,000 of the underrun is attributed to the line item “Allowance for Unknown Conditions”.

I also asked how often we inspect these projects during the one-year warranty — Mr. Davis said they check at a minimum at 10–11 months and are on the roads multiple times during that year.

7. Consider and take necessary action to accept the completion of the construction contract for the Road & Bridge Fuel Facility Improvements, authorize the county judge to execute the Reconciliation Change Order, and authorize final payment to SCI Construction.

Comments:

We accepted the completion of the Road and Bridge fuel facility improvements project (RB-40-23). This was a lump-sum ARPA-funded project. Original contract $683,580 plus approved change orders brought the total to $777,841.57.

FINANCIAL CRIMES INTELLIGENCE CENTER

8. Consider and take necessary action to approve an amendment to the agreement between Smith County and Thompson Reuters, DBA West Publishing Corporation, for Clear-Proflex software for the Financial Crimes Intelligence (FCIC) in the amount of $12,242.03 per month and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We approved the Clear-Proflex software amendment for the FCIC at $12,242.03 per month. This tool helps our investigators tackle fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes that cost Texas taxpayers millions. Because the FCIC is largely state-funded, this keeps the burden off local property taxes while protecting our economy from criminals who prey on businesses and families. I’m glad we’re equipping our FCIC team with the right technology.

RECURRING BUSINESS
AUDITOR’S OFFICE

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

Comments:

Auditor Karin Smith presented the February Financial Report and Executive Summary. She noted that ad valorem taxes and sales tax collections are trending as expected and remain strong compared to last year. Interest earnings are also on track to meet or exceed budget. On the expenditure side, employee health care costs are running higher than FY24 but lower than FY25, and inmate medical costs are currently trending about $400,000 over budget while overtime is at 69% of budget. I asked specifically about inmate medical expectations moving forward and will continue to monitor both health care and jail costs closely — we have to protect the budget for the things taxpayers expect us to deliver.

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

Comments:

We approved the bills. There was an amendment for a $1,500 budget adjustment for an Emergency Management donation from Brookshire’s that the Court had previously approved. I asked the Auditor about the high number of autopsy invoices on this week’s Bill Pay report – there were 26 autopsies. We were told there is sometimes a lag in billing from the facilities.

ADJOURN