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

OPEN SESSION: 

PRESENTATION

1. Receive Public Service Agency Presentations for FY 2026 Funding.

The following is the list of agencies that were signed up to present their budget request in court. 
 
Public Service Agency Presentations in Commissioners Court
1. United Way of Tyler
2. Andrews Center
3. Northeast Texas Public Health District (NETPHD)
4. Alzheimer’s Alliance
5. Meals on Wheels
6. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Tyler
7. East Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Addiction (ETCADA)
8. Tyler Family Circle of Care
9. Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County
10. Smith County Historical Commission
11. Smith County Historical Society

* Orange italic indicates a “No Show”

The following chart shows the FY 25 Request and Approved Funding followed by this FY26 Budget Request from the Public Service Agencies.

Comments: 

If you’re interested in this portion of the budget, please review the Commissioners Court presentations, as they were the first agenda item, with each agency allocated approximately 10 minutes. Your input is valuable in shaping my decisions for Precinct 1, and I encourage your feedback. After listening to all presentations and evaluating the budget requests from other agencies, I’d like to share my perspective on this section of the budget.

The invaluable work of our community’s public service agencies, like the Children’s Advocacy Center, stirs the heart and demands admiration. No one can deny that their mission alone is worthy of boundless support.  We have to face the hard truth: county government cannot fund every worthy cause.  We must prioritize the core services taxpayers expect—public safety, infrastructure, and essential administration—before allocating funds to public service agencies.

I’m going to say what needs saying, even if it’s tough: It’s not the county’s role to pick winners and losers among charities or act as a conduit for donations. That choice belongs to our taxpayers, who can support the causes they care about through private giving. Mandating contributions through county taxes undermines this freedom and dilutes our ability to deliver essential services efficiently.

When we must make tough choices, the Andrews Center stands out as the undeniable priority for county funding. Its unmatched ability to deliver critical mental health and community services at a fraction of the cost of county-run alternatives saves taxpayers millions while maintaining exceptional quality. By investing in the Andrews Center, we secure a proven, efficient partner that directly reduces strain on our jails, hospitals, and social services—delivering real, measurable benefits to Smith County. No other agency offers this level of impact for every dollar spent, making it the smartest choice to protect our community and our budget.

I welcome your feedback, whether you agree or disagree. This is your government, and it’s your money at stake. 

COURT ORDERS

ROAD AND BRIDGE

2. Consider and take necessary action to accept Change Order No. 3 in the amount of $6,634.00, to the construction contract with SCI Construction for the Road & Bridge Fuel Facility and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments: 

The new Road & Bridge Facility on the Loop included a fuel station for the county fleet vehicles. There is another fuel station at the Emergency Operations Center and at the old Road & Bridge facility. Once the new fuel station has been in operation for a few months, the county intends to shut down the old Road & Bridge fuel station.
 
The Commissioners Court accepted Change Order No. 3 in the amount of $6,634.00 to RB-40-23, Road & Bridge Department Fuel Facility Improvements, being constructed by SCI Construction. This change order is to provide for the installation of an additional electrical cabinet and switches, and all materials, labor, appurtenances, and overhead costs. This addition will support the new FuelMaster inventory software system. FuelMaster is a comprehensive fuel management software designed to automate and secure fuel tracking for commercial fleets, retail fueling, and government operations. It integrates with fleet maintenance software, fuel dispensers, and automatic tank gauges, offering real-time monitoring of fuel transactions, inventory, and vehicle data.

The current contracted amount is $771,207.57 and the new adjusted contract amount, including Change Order No. 3, will be revised to $777,841.57. Funding for this Change Order #3 is provided through the Road & Bridge Department.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

3. Consider and take necessary action to approve the renewal of Salvage and Junk Yard Licenses for the year 2025-2026 for the following:

1. K & L Recycling LLC
2. AESOP AutoParts- Southwest DBA RCS
   
3. DG Auto Salvage
   
4. Auto Parts Warehouse
   
5. Locos Gringos Pick ‘N Pull LLC

Comments: 

Salvage and junk yards, which handle the recycling, dismantling, and resale of vehicle parts or scrap materials, are typically required to maintain an active license to operate legally within a county or state. Deputy Michael Johnson from the Environmental Crimes Unit confirmed that all salvage and junk yards operating within the county have undergone required inspections and have paid the mandated $25.00 license renewal fee for the current licensing period. Deputy Johnson recommended the renewal of the Salvage & Junk Yard licenses for the businesses listed above.

FCIC

4. Consider and take necessary action to approve updated lease agreements between Smith County and Commercial Vehicle Leasing, L.L.C., d/b/a D&M Leasing for two Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) vehicles and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments: 

The Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) is leasing two new vehicles—a 2025 Tesla Model Y AWD and a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD Z71—through D&M Leasing to help with their work fighting financial crimes. The Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program guarantees cost-effectiveness, as it provides pre-negotiated pricing that eliminates the need for individual bidding processes, saving time and administrative resources.

No local Smith County money will be used for these vehicles, their upkeep, or any special equipment they need. Instead, all costs are covered by state funds through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The Tesla Model Y will cost $323.70 a month to lease, plus $5 for maintenance, totaling $328.70. It’s an electric SUV, self-driving and great for saving on fuel. The Tahoe Z71, a tough four-wheel-drive SUV for heavier jobs, costs $409.42 a month to lease, plus $75 for maintenance, totaling $484.42. These vehicles will help FCIC staff get around reliably to do their jobs, and the state funding keeps it budget-friendly for the county. 

RECURRING BUSINESS

COMMISSIONERS COURT

5. Receive monthly reports from Smith County departments.

ROAD AND BRIDGE

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

1. County Road 2169, Reklaw Natural Gas, install gas line for service, Precinct 2,
   
2. County Road 334,344, Conterra Ultra Broadband LLC, road bore for installation of fiber optic cable, Precinct 3, and
   
3. County Road 4118, Lindale Rural Water Supply Company, install water line for service, Precinct 3.

Comments: 

Receipt only items do not require a vote.

AUDITOR’S OFFICE

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

EXECUTIVE SESSION: For purposes permitted by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, entitled Open Meetings, Sections 55 l.071, 55 l.072, 551.073, 551.074, 551.0745, 551.075, and 551.076. The Commissioners Court reserves the right to exercise its discretion and may convene in executive session as authorized by the Texas Government Code, Section 551.071, et seq., on any of the items listed on its formal or briefing agendas.
551.071 – CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY
551.072 – DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY
 
8. Deliberation and consultation with attorney regarding Hughes et al v. Smith County, Cause No. 6:23-CV-0034.
 
9. Deliberation and consultation regarding the exchange, lease, or value of real property located in Smith County and the downtown area.

OPEN SESSION:

10. Consider and take necessary action to approve a settlement agreement in Hughes et al v. Smith County, Cause No. 6:23-CV-0034, and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments: 

We approved a settlement agreement for $1.5 Million in Hughes et al v. Smith County, Cause No. 6:23-CV-0034. In order to prevent a lengthy and costly legal battle the County and Texas Association of Counties have agreed to settle this matter.  This settlement is not admission of liability, but a chance for the County to prevent expensive litigation.
 
Original Complaint Filing on July 11, 2023
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txed.223532/gov.uscourts.txed.223532.1.0.pdf
 
The public can follow the progression of the case through this link:
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67600239/hughes-v-smith-county/
 
Media article from July of 2023 on the case:
https://www.keranews.org/news/2023-07-18/former-east-texas-inmates-accuse-smith-county-of-keeping-them-longer-than-their-sentences

ADJOURN