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 22, 2026, as “Pastor Sharon M. Wickware Day” in Smith County.

PRESENTATION

2. Receive Presentation from GPM Assurance PLLC on the FY25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

Comments: 

The county received its FY25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (covering the year ending September 30, 2025) and a summary from independent auditors GPM Assurance PLLC.

Key points:

• Capital assets (buildings, roads, equipment, etc.) total about $238 million, up roughly $60 million net after normal wear and tear. 
• Cash and investments: about $212 million (down – $31 million as planned from using COVID funds and bond activities).
• Debt obligations: $229 million in outstanding voter-approved bonds for major projects. Paid $8.3 million principal in FY25.

• Overall net position (assets minus liabilities) increased by over $8 million, despite higher expenses. Property tax revenue rose $11 million, and sales tax was up too.
• Paid $8.3 million on revenue bonds and reduced some long-term employee benefit obligations.
• Reserve fund: $59,228,978 – This is significantly above the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommended minimum guideline of roughly 16.7%(about two months of operating expenses). In reality, our reserves now cover nearly six months of General Fund expenditures.

  Think of these reserves as the county’s emergency savings account — money we’ve set aside from unspent funds year after year. Importantly, these dollars can only be used for one-time capital projects or to pay down debt. They cannot be spent on salaries or recurring operations.

  In my view, a reserve fund this large means we have taken too much money out of taxpayers’ pockets over the past several budget cycles.

  When we begin work on the FY2027 budget, I will strongly advocate for using these reserves strategically — especially for legitimate one-time capital expenditures and to buy down some of our existing debt. Pulling from the right pocket for the right purpose reduces the burden on you, the taxpayer, and helps us avoid unnecessary tax increases.

This report shows the county’s financial position at the end of FY25, with strong investments in long-term assets. Thanks to the Auditor’s Office and independent auditors for their work.

If you are a numbers nerd, click the buttons below to review the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the Presentation:

COURT ORDERS
COMMISSIONERS COURT

3. Consider and take necessary action to approve FY 2027 Budget Process.

Comments:

We approved the updated process and timeline for preparing the FY2027 budget. During discussion, I recommended — and the Court unanimously approved — a key amendment to Phase 2.

The original draft stated that preliminary department and elected official meetings would include the Auditor, Budget Officer, and the County Judge. I asked that we strike “and the County Judge” so these early administrative meetings are handled solely by the Auditor and Budget Officer.

My reasoning was simple and focused on fairness and good government: The full Commissioners Court is the body that adopts the budget. Every Commissioner should receive the same information at the same time rather than one member receiving private briefings. This change promotes equity among all Court members, keeps the process neutral, reinforces transparency, and follows best practices used in counties like Johnson, Erath, Tyler, Chambers, and Leon.

Departments and elected officials will still have full opportunity to present their requests directly to the entire Court in Phase 3. The Judge will of course continue to receive every summary and the preliminary baseline budget and will provide the same outstanding guidance during open deliberations that we all value.

This small refinement strengthens fairness, transparency, and alignment with statute for the entire Commissioners Court and the taxpayers we serve. Thank you to the Auditor and the Budget Officer for the excellent work on the updated budget process — the transparency enhancements and ClearGov platform are real steps forward.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

4. Consider and take necessary action to authorize the District Attorney’s Office to pay overtime in lieu of compensatory time for qualifying employees.

Comments:

We authorized this policy adjustment for the DA’s Office. It gives flexibility to pay overtime when needed instead of banking comp time. I supported it because it keeps operations running smoothly without extra cost to taxpayers, as long as it stays within the approved budget.

FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE/ EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

5. Consider and take necessary action to accept the donation in the amount of $1500.00 to the Fire Marshal’s Office from Brookshire Grocery Company (BGC) and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We accepted a $1,500 donation from Brookshire Grocery Company. These funds will go into the Emergency Management Coordinator’s budget line.

Brandon Moore, Emergency Management Coordinator, plans to use the money to purchase equipment for our Smith County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers. As Emergency Management Coordinator, Brandon does not have dedicated staff under him, so he relies heavily on these well-trained CERT volunteers during emergencies and disaster responses. Importantly, all equipment purchased with this donation will remain the property of Smith County.

Private donations like this are always welcome — they stretch taxpayer dollars further and show strong community support for our emergency preparedness efforts. Thank you to Brookshire’s for stepping up and helping equip our volunteers.

6. Consider and take necessary action to approve the Emergency Support Function 13, Public Safety and Security, annex and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We approved the updated Emergency Support Function 13 Annex. This keeps our Emergency Operations Plan current so law enforcement and security teams can coordinate quickly during storms, floods, or other events. Brandon Moore does great work keeping Smith County prepared — another step that protects lives and property at no extra cost.

COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE

7. Consider and take necessary action to approve the one-year renewal option with Neumo (formerly GOVOS/KOFILE) in the amount of $172,041.00 for RFP 11-20, Land and Vital Records Management System, and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We renewed the vital records management system contract for $172,041. This system handles land records and official documents efficiently.

I supported the renewal because the price remained exactly the same as previous years. This is the second of three possible one-year renewal options, locked in at the same rate through the original competitive RFP process. It’s smart when we can keep critical systems running smoothly without any increase in spending — that helps us protect taxpayer dollars and maintain stability in county operations.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

8. Consider and take necessary action to accept the grant award for the Office of the Governor Public Safety Office Bullet-Resistant Components for Law Enforcement Vehicles, FY2026 grant in the amount of $168,066.00 for a total of 18 units and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We accepted a $168,066 state grant to add bullet-resistant components to 18 Sheriff’s vehicles. This is 100% state-funded — zero extra cost to Smith County taxpayers.

In court I asked Chief Jones exactly which vehicles would receive the upgrade. He explained they will go on the 8 new vehicles purchased this year plus the 10 vehicles with the lowest mileage. Dana will be the installer and will actually pick up the cars to do the work.

I was glad to hear there is no expiration date on these components and they will not need to be replaced during the entire time the county owns the vehicle. Our standard county policy is to keep vehicles under 5 years or 120,000 miles, but the Sheriff’s Office keeps many beyond 120,000 miles due to budget constraints. 

It gives our deputies better protection on the job. I appreciate these grants that put more safety tools in the field without touching your property taxes.

9. Consider and take necessary action to authorize the retirement and subsequent transfer of K-9 Officer Lobo to K-9 Handler Jose Terrazas in accordance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 614, Subchapter L; and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We authorized the retirement and transfer of K-9 Officer Lobo to his handler, Deputy Jose Terrazas, in accordance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 614, Subchapter L.

Smith County currently operates 5 K9 units. With Lobo’s retirement, that number drops to 4. The Sheriff’s Office plans to interview candidates for a new handler so they can bring on another K9 team to replace Lobo and Deputy Terrazas.

I’m glad we could do right by both Lobo and his handler while following state law and protecting county resources.

10. Consider and take necessary action to sign the amended resolution for the Auditor’s Office to submit for the FY2027 Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office, Peace Officer Mental Health grant program on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We approved the amended resolution so the Sheriff’s Office can apply for the Peace Officer Mental Health grant. If awarded, it will come back to court for acceptance — no local match required.

PURCHASING

11. Consider and take necessary action to award a contract to Walker Consultants in the amount of $203,686.00 for RFQ-32-25 Professional Services for Exterior Waterproofing at the Smith County Annex and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We awarded a contract to Walker Consultants in the amount of $203,686 for Phase 1 of the exterior waterproofing project at the Smith County Annex through a competitive RFQ process.

This Phase 1 is an inspection and assessment to identify what needs to be fixed and to develop a repair plan. There are four more phases to this project after this one. The original drawings for the Courthouse Annex are missing, and even after replacing the roof just two years ago, we still have 7 leaks in the building when it rains.

The funds for this phase are coming from the Contingency fund, as this repair work was not included in the budget. Walker Consultants will take approximately 3 weeks to mobilize and then 4 weeks to complete the inspection. We won’t know the costs for the remaining phases until this inspection is finished and contractors can bid on the actual repairs needed.

I supported moving forward with this first phase because we need solid information before spending more significant dollars. Proper assessment now can help us avoid much larger and more expensive problems later. I will keep watching the total project costs closely as more details become available. Good maintenance ultimately protects taxpayer money.

RECURRING BUSINESS

COUNTY CLERK

12. Consider and take the necessary action to approve the Commissioners Court minutes for February 2026. 

13. Receive Commissioners Court recordings for February 2026.

ROAD AND BRIDGE

14.  Consider and take necessary action to authorize the county judge to sign the final plat for the Keith Copley Subdivision, Precinct 2.

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

1. County Road 1332, Pike Electric West, replace existing line, Precinct 1,
   
2. County Road 210, Delek Logistics, road bore, Precinct 2 and 3,
   
3. County Road 213, Delek Logistics, road bore, Precinct 3,
   
4. County Road 246, Delek Logistics, road bore, Precinct 2, and
   
5. County Road 411, 472, 433, 4140, Metronet, install fiber optic cable, Precinct 3. 

AUDITOR’S OFFICE

16. 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.

SECTION 551.071 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY 

17. Deliberation and consultation with attorney regarding contractual compliance and claims submitted under the Smith County Health Plan.

COURT ORDERS

COMMISSIONERS COURT

18. Consider and take necessary action to authorize the Purchasing Department to advertise, solicit, and receive sealed proposals for RFP 18-26 Third Party Administrator (TPA), and all necessary and ancillary services for the Smith County Employee Health Plan, or authorize any other procurement method available for the Smith County Employee Health Plan.

Comments:

We authorized the RFP process for a new Third Party Administrator for our employee health plan (including TPA, pharmacy, reinsurance, and dental options). We’ve been with the current provider for years without shopping the market. It’s time to get competitive bids so we can control rising healthcare costs and deliver the best value for employees and taxpayers. I’ll watch this closely to make sure we drive down expenses.

ADJOURN