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 February 25, 2026, as “Judge Quincy Beavers Jr. Day” in Smith County

PRESENTATION

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

COURT ORDERS
COMMISSIONERS COURT

3. Consider and take necessary action to approve a donation from the Twelfth Court of Appeals in the amount of $45,160.00 for upgraded office carpeting.

Comments: 

We accepted this $45,159 (change noted in court) donation from the Twelfth Court of Appeals—a state-funded entity—to upgrade carpeting in their 7th-floor office space in the new courthouse. These partnerships help us complete projects without dipping into the county budget, and I appreciate how it keeps costs down while improving our facilities.

4. Receive presentation from Hoar Construction and take necessary action and to approve a contract change order with Hoar Construction to reduce the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the Courthouse Bond Project by $79,748.00 and extend the completion date by 9 working days due to weather delays and authorize the county judge to sign all related
documentation.

Comments:

Hoar Construction delivered an update on the courthouse project, and I’m encouraged by the progress they’re making despite the challenges. Here are the key highlights from their presentation:

• About 60% of subcontracts have gone to East Texas trade partners, pumping over $75 million into our local economy—that’s real support for our communities.
• An average of more than 250 workers are onsite every day, keeping things moving.
• Major milestones: The jail tunnel tie-in and backfill are complete; permanent power went live on October 31, 2025, and natural gas on February 16, 2026; the structure top-out ceremony was held November 19, 2025; exterior masonry and interior work are advancing on all floors; lower-level (1-3) air handling units (AHUs) are installing this month, with upper-level (4-7) targeted for late next month.
• The dome and cupola prefab framing is underway, with a planned two-day lift using a 900-ton crane in late March to top the building at about 220 feet.
• On weather: They’ve claimed 86 out of 135 potential adverse days so far, mitigating 49 through proactive planning—smart work to avoid bigger delays.

The phasing overview shows Phase 2 (main courthouse) wrapping up by December 2026, and Phase 3 (old courthouse demo and green space) from March to August 2027. We approved the change order, which reduced bond fund usage by $79,748 net after refunding $124,908 for us to buy network switches directly, instead of through Hoar, and incorporating the $45,159 carpeting donation from the Twelfth Court of Appeals. It also adds just 9 working days for weather. 

PRESENTATION

5. Receive annual Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) update from the Andrews Center.

Comments:

The Andrews Center gave their third annual update on the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM), and I’m grateful for the work they’re doing to bridge behavioral health and our justice system. This framework helps address rising demand by easing the load on law enforcement and ERs, diverting folks to treatment early, and ultimately delivering better outcomes at lower costs—smart, compassionate use of resources that benefits everyone in Smith County.

Key highlights from the presentation include:

• The 2022 stakeholder workshop brought together 75 participants (law enforcement, judges, hospitals, attorneys, peers, and more) to pinpoint top priorities:
  • Establishing a Jail Diversion (Deflection) Center
  • Early mental illness identification through the 16.22 process at the start of criminal proceedings
  • Stronger collaboration between mental health providers and law enforcement
  • Securing funding for inpatient beds for children, youth, and adults
• Crisis Response includes 24/7 Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT) for on-the-ground de-escalation, safety planning, rapid assessments, and steering people to the right care instead of jail.
• Competency Restoration programs like Outpatient Competency Restoration (OCR) and Jail-Based Competency Restoration (JBCR) get results fast: 21–35 days versus up to 540 days (about 18 months) on state hospital waitlists—huge time and cost savings.
• Jail Navigators provide that critical bridge for reentry, with 1,352 encounters linking people to Andrews Center services for meds, treatment, housing, and stability (right now, 4 folks are in OCR housing).
• TCOOMMI (Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments) supported 338 unique clients with 2,809 interactions (average 8.3 contacts per client) and hit a low 11.5% recidivism rate—way better than the Texas average of 20–40% and on par with the best programs out there.
• Substance Abuse Services reached 178 total clients in FY25 (163 adults, 15 youth) and 86 adults year-to-date in FY26, maintaining an average active census of 61.

Overall, the SIM initiative has leveraged $6.7 million to build diversion, reentry, and community-based solutions. I truly appreciate this partnership—it’s about real compassion, keeping our streets safer, and using taxpayer dollars more effectively by focusing on treatment over incarceration where it makes sense.

COURT ORDERS
COMMISSIONERS COURT

6. Consider and take necessary action to approve the Animal Shelter Development and Infrastructure Upgrades project utilizing ARPA funds and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We approved moving forward with important upgrades to the Smith County Animal Shelter using remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds—those federal COVID relief dollars set aside for infrastructure and public health needs. While I’m genuinely disappointed we aren’t building a brand-new shelter (the plan to purchase property and construct one was set aside during last year’s budget process), downtown Tyler is where we are, and we have to make the current facility the best it can be for the animals who depend on us.

These renovations represent a meaningful step forward, focusing on practical improvements that will directly help the dogs and other animals in our care, as well as make the space safer and more functional for staff and visitors. The key upgrades include:

• Large and small greenspace areas — dedicated play yards so our furry friends can get fresh air, exercise, and some joy during their stay
• Ventilation system enhancements — better air quality and comfort for animals and staff alike
• Drainage improvements — to keep the facility cleaner, drier, and healthier overall
• A new, larger Meet and Greet Room — giving families more comfortable space to connect with potential adoptees and helping more animals find loving homes

Our shelter team does heartfelt, essential work every day—rescuing strays, reuniting lost pets with families, supporting adoptions, and managing control services in a way that prioritizes compassion and community safety. I’m confident our new Animal Shelter Coordinator will take these upgrades and make the absolute most of what we have, turning this into a stronger, more humane environment despite the limitations of the current location.

This is the alternative before us, funded without any new burden on local taxpayers, and it sets the stage for the competitive RFP in the next item. I’ll keep advocating for the best possible care for our shelter animals—they deserve nothing less.

7. Consider and take necessary action to authorize the Purchasing Department to advertise, solicit, and receive competitive sealed proposals for RFP #21-26 Smith County Animal Shelter Development and Infrastructure Upgrades.

Comments:

Tied to the previous item, we authorized putting out RFP #21-26 to get competitive bids on the shelter upgrades—all funded by ARPA, so no new local costs. 

8. Receive the 2025 Racial Profiling Report and Exemption in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 2B for the following Smith County Law Enforcement Agencies:

1. Smith County Constable Precinct 1,
   
2. Smith County Constable Precinct 2,
   
3. Smith County Constable Precinct 3,
   
4. Smith County Constable Precinct 4,
   
5. Smith County Constable Precinct 5,
   
6. Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office,
   
7. Smith County Sheriff’s Office, and
   
8. Smith County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.

Comments:

We received these mandatory 2025 racial profiling reports and exemptions from our county law enforcement agencies, which track traffic stops, searches, and data to guard against bias. This is a key compliance step under state law, but more importantly, it’s about building trust—transparency in policing shows we’re committed to fairness. The full reports are in the packet if you want to dive in; they’re tools for accountability that I believe strengthen our community. 

9. Consider and take necessary action to approve a lease agreement between Smith County and Commercial Vehicle Leasing, L.L.C., d/b/a D&M Leasing for four FCIC vehicles and authorize the county judge to sign all necessary documentation.

Comments:

We approved leasing four vehicles for the Felony Criminal Investigation Center (FCIC)—standard fleet update to keep our investigators equipped without big upfront costs. The FCIC is funded by the state. It’s all within their budget, and leasing like this helps manage expenses responsibly. Strong tools for law enforcement mean safer streets, and I’m glad they’re handling this efficiently.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

10. Consider and take necessary action to approve the submission of a grant application for the Texas Anti-Gang Center for the year 2027 and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We greenlit the annual grant application for the East Texas Anti-Gang Center (TAG) for 2027, with the Sheriff’s Office as the lead since 2019. This fully grant-funded program brings agencies together for prevention, intervention, and suppression—saving millions in local resources while tackling gang issues head-on. No county dollars are at risk, just smart collaboration for safer communities; I support it because it delivers real results without burdening taxpayers.

114TH DISTRICT COURT

11. Consider and take necessary action to approve a Smith County Indigent Defense Agreement with John Dalton Griffin, in the amount of $80,000.00, for the 8-month term of the contract and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We approved this $80,000 contract with attorney John Dalton Griffin for appellate indigent defense in the 114th District Court—ensuring low-income citizens get their constitutional right to counsel. The contract is only for 8 months.

PURCHASING

12. Consider and take necessary action to approve Purchasing Policy updates.

Comments:

We updated the Purchasing Policy to align with recent state law changes (like the new $100,000 competitive bidding threshold from SB 1173) and make county operations more efficient—no added costs, just smarter processes. Key adjustments include:

• Raising the competitive bidding threshold from $50,000 to $100,000 to reflect rising costs and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy on mid-size purchases.
• Refining cooperative purchasing language to better match Local Government Code.
• Increasing the small “spot” purchase limit to $10,000—a practical change that needs close watching.
• Adding references to the County’s Information Technology Policy.
• Clarifying purchases that require competition but not a formal purchase order.
• Allowing electronic bid submissions for faster handling.

The spot purchase increase to $10,000 will help departments like Facilities Services and IT handle emergency field repairs and urgent needs more quickly by using local vendors who can respond fast and often cheaper—avoiding high shipping costs from out-of-state places like California and keeping more dollars in East Texas. We have real vendor fatigue issues now: We call local businesses for quotes on smaller items, but low thresholds mean we rarely award them contracts, so they stop responding. That leaves us with fewer options, higher prices, and less support for Texas jobs. Raising this limit should encourage more local participation, cut delays on critical fixes, and improve overall value—but only if enforced properly. Departments could abuse it by defaulting to the first convenient vendor without shopping around, so the Purchasing Department must stay vigilant and has the authority to reject any request that doesn’t meet reasonable pricing or justification standards. No free pass here—transparency and accountability remain essential, and these updates must prove they save taxpayers money without opening doors to waste. 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

13. Consider and take necessary action to approve the 3rd Party Data Access Agreement between the Lindale Volunteer Fire Department and Smith County to provide Spillman Hosting Services and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We approved this agreement to link the Lindale Volunteer Fire Department into our Spillman public safety software for their Fire Module—improving dispatch visibility for calls in Emergency Services District 1 (ESD1). It’s a low-key ongoing cost for IT and Sheriff’s support, but the payoff is better coordination that could save lives. Practical steps like this enhance emergency response without big expenses, and I’m all for it.

ELECTION’S OFFICE

14. Consider and take necessary action to approve a Facility Use Agreement between Smith County and Tyler Junior College for the May 2, 2026, election, and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We approved a standard Facilities Use Agreement with Tyler Junior College (TJC) to serve as a polling location for the May 2, 2026, uniform election date. This is a routine arrangement with no additional costs to Smith County taxpayers or the election budget. On the same ballot, Tyler voters will also decide the city’s Mayoral election, while voters in the TJC Tax District will consider a separate $167.3 million bond proposition for campus improvements.

This bond election directly affects property owners and registered voters whose property is subject to TJC ad valorem (property) taxes. The TJC District covers specific portions of Smith County (including areas within certain ISDs such as Tyler ISD and Chapel Hill ISD) and parts of Van Zandt County. You can confirm whether you are in the district by checking your annual property tax statement from the Smith County Appraisal District — look for the separate “TJC” or “Tyler Junior College” line item. Many residents do not realize they pay these taxes every year because the line is small and separate from city or school district taxes.

I strongly caution all voters in the TJC District to do their homework before casting a ballot on this bond. The published $167.3 million price tag covers three new buildings – a Workforce & Academic Building, Student Success Center, and Student Safety & IT Center – plus related infrastructure, but it does not include the interest that will be paid over the life of the bonds.

Two key questions every taxpayer should ask:

1. What is the total interest cost that district taxpayers will ultimately pay on top of the $167.3 million principal, and over how many years will we be repaying this debt?

2. The bond election is scheduled for the May uniform election date — the election period that historically has the lowest voter turnout in Smith County (often single digits to low teens, compared to 50–70% in November general elections). Why schedule such a significant, long-term financial commitment during an election with minimal voter participation instead of a high-turnout November general election where the majority of district residents could weigh in?

Voters should also remember that district taxpayers are still paying on the 2012 TJC bond(approximately $25 million for the Nursing and Health Sciences facility), which was issued with a 30-year repayment period. That debt service continues for years to come.

I encourage every affected voter to become fully informed:

• Review the bond details at TJCBond.com
• Attend public presentations or town halls
• Call TJC directly with questions

Passing a multi-million-dollar bond is a major, multi-decade commitment of your tax dollars. Low-turnout elections make it especially important that those who will actually foot the bill take the time to research, ask hard questions, and vote. Informed participation protects our taxpayers and ensures decisions reflect the will of the community.

Hypothetical Principal & Interest based on AAA rating and 30 year term

15. Consider and take necessary action to approve the Interlocal Agreements for conducting elections between Smith County and the following political subdivisions for the May 2, 2026, Election and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation:

1. City of Tyler, and
2. Tyler Junior College.

Comments:

We approved these interlocal agreements with the City of Tyler and Tyler Junior College to jointly conduct the May 2, 2026 elections—sharing polling places, equipment, staff support, costs, and procedures to eliminate duplication and keep expenses down. This is smart resource management for taxpayers: We charge cities the same fixed amount to run their election whether turnout is high or low, so low voter participation drives up the cost per ballot dramatically. I spoke to this in court on Tuesday—the City of Tyler’s portion is estimated at over $17,000, and low turnout makes the per-vote cost skyrocket.

A recent low-turnout city council election in Troup had fewer than 58 votes cast out of over 1,100 registered voters, pushing costs to about $77.50 per ballot. 

I’ll continue encouraging folks on my Facebook page and email list to show up and vote—higher participation is the best way to bring down those per-ballot expenses and make every taxpayer dollar count further while ensuring a true majority elects our local representation. Local elected officials hit your wallet directly; your vote matters more than ever in these races.

ROAD AND BRIDGE

16. Consider and take necessary action to award annual contracts for the following bids and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation:
    a. RB-15-26 Annual Contract for Roadway Striping,
    b. RB-16-26 Annual Contract for Drainage Culverts, and
    c. RB-19-26 Annual Contract for Asphaltic Materials.

Comments:

We awarded these one-year contracts (with renewal options) for roadway striping, drainage culverts, and asphaltic materials—essentials for keeping our roads safe and drivable, all from the FY26 budget. Competitive bidding ensures we’re getting quality at fair prices, but as I’ve pushed for with the bond audit, we need full accountability on how these funds deliver real results for taxpayers. I check roads firsthand and hear your concerns; these contracts are a step toward better maintenance.

AUDITOR’S OFFICE

17. Consider and take necessary action to modify the FY26 County Pay Scale to include Animal Control Dispatcher and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We added the Animal Control Dispatcher position to the FY26 pay scale at Range 159 (Step 1: $37,440; Step 2: $38,500; Step 3: $39,700). This ties into the shelter upgrades and helps us staff up without new funding—drawing from existing resources. Fair pay attracts good people for roles that handle animal welfare and public calls; it’s a practical move that supports operations efficiently. 

*We discussed the purpose for reclassifying this position on my 2/3/26 report:

RECURRING BUSINESS
COUNTY CLERK

18. Consider and take the necessary action to approve the Commissioners Court minutes for January 2026. 

19. Receive Commissioners Court recordings for January 2026.

ROAD AND BRIDGE 

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

1. Re-Plat for Blue Ridge Estates Phase Two, Lot 52, Precinct 1,
   
2. Final Plat for the Hamilton Subdivision, No. 2, Precinct 2,
   
3. Final Plat for Burkett Estates, Precinct 1, and
   
4. Final Plat for the Cole, Prewitt and Rudisill Addition Phase 2, Precinct 1.

21. Receive pipe and/or utility line installation request (notice only):

1. County Road 136, CenterPoint Energy, Precinct 1,
   
2. County Road 1298, Primoris, Precinct 1, and
   
3. County Road 1298, Primoris, Precinct 1.

AUDITOR’S OFFICE

22. 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 –

ARPA – Fund 74
Amount: $156,801,61
Transfer From: Professional Fees
Transfer To: Animal Facility Reno

Note: The ARPA INTEREST at end of 2025: $4,121,467.43

FCIC – Fund 32
Amount: $20,000
Transfer From: Computer Equipment
Transfer To: Confidential Funds

Facility Services – Fund 10
Amount: $51.13
Transfer From: Office Supplies
Transfer To: Miscellaneous Equipment

Budget Amendments –
ARPA – Fund 74
Amount: $1,417,035.13
Unused Vehicle Upfitting: $23,144.14
Unused URA: $28,500.00
Unused Road Project: $157,140.24
Animal Facility not rolled: $1,208,250.75

Sheriff’s Office – Fund 10
Insurance Settlement for Vehicle Damages
Revenue: $8,800.93
Expenditure: $8,800.93

Wire Transfer –
Bi-Annual Bond Payments
Total: $10,369,808.34
Principal: $5,185,000
Interest: $5,184,808.34

ADJOURN