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

OPEN SESSION:

RESOLUTION

1. Consider and take necessary action to adopt a resolution proclaiming November 11, 2026, as “Ida Mae Ford Day” in Smith County.

COURT ORDERS

COMMISSIONERS COURT

2. Consider request from the Smith County Young Lawyers Association to authorize the Central Baptist Student Center, as the location for 321st District Court proceedings for Smith County National Adoption Day, Friday, November 20, 2026, in compliance with Chapters 291 & 292 of the Texas Local Government Code.

Comments:

We approved the request from the Smith County Young Lawyers Association to use the Central Baptist Student Center as a temporary location for 321st District Court proceedings on National Adoption Day, November 20, 2026. This special day highlights the importance of finding forever homes for children in our community. Using an off-site location allows for a more family-friendly setting while complying with state law for court proceedings. I’m glad we could support this positive community effort at no cost to taxpayers.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

3. Consider and take necessary action to accept the award for the Office of the Governor, Public Safety, Peace Officer Mental Health Program FY27 grant in the amount of $120,000 and authorize the County Auditor to create a special budget for the limited funding purpose as described in the attached Statement of Grant Award pursuant to TX Local Gov’t Code § 111.0706.

Comments:

We unanimously accepted the $120,000 Office of the Governor Peace Officer Mental Health Program FY27 grant for the Sheriff’s Office. No local match is required.

This funding supports a comprehensive wellness program focused on prevention—working “upstream” to keep our first responders out of crisis rather than only responding after problems arise.

Key elements include:

• Implementation of the Checkpoints Program, which proactively checks in with officers after impactful calls (loss-of-life incidents, etc.) that we know can take a toll, even if they seem routine.
• Partnership with R3, part of the American Warrior Association, for trained clinicians, counselors, and resiliency retreats for officers and their spouses.
• Coordination with HR for internal resources when needed like substance issues, insurance-covered care, etc..

Chief Jackson and Chief Ruben Ramirez (retired Dallas PD) presented on how traditional reactive wellness programs often fail because officers hesitate to raise their hands due to stigma, job fears, or because early warning signs look like policy violations. Checkpoints aims to change the culture by making support a normal part of the job, led by influential peers within the department.

I’m encouraged by this proactive approach. Our officers see horrific things every day—they deal with the worst in society, the violence, the pain, the suffering, and the evil that most of us never have to face. Too often they have nowhere to unpack that. They stuff it down, put the uniform back on, and keep working. That pent-up weight can destroy lives. We don’t want officers reaching a point of suicide over thoughts and emotions they never got to process, and we don’t want those same burdens tearing apart their marriages and families. Having someone to talk to—someone who understands the job—can help prevent both.

This is a preventative measure that is fully funded by the state and biblical in its approach. As Galatians 6:2 reminds us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Healthy officers mean safer streets and better service for our residents.

The grant runs October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027. We’ll watch how it performs. As a Commissioner, I can approve this grant funding but as a Christian, I know that this program is successful when I pray for it and our deputies. I ask you to join me in praying for the men and women in law enforcement.

RECURRING BUSINESS

ROAD AND BRIDGE

4. Receive pipe and/or utility line installation request (notice only) for County Road 3506, CenterPoint Energy Gas, install gas line for service, Precinct 1.

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

1. Re-Plat of Lot 1 Troell Subdivision, Precinct 2 and
   
2. Re-Plat of Lots 1 & 2 J & M Addition, Precinct 3.

AUDITOR’S OFFICE

6. Receive County Auditor’s Report and Executive Summary for September 2026.

Comments:

Auditor Tim Hollis presented the unaudited Monthly Financial Report for the month ended September 30, 2026. This is the end of FY26.

The county’s overall financial position remains stable. Key highlights from the discussion and report:

• Estimated remaining budget surplus (READ: Overtaxation) of approximately $4 million.
• About 42% of that, $1.67 million, comes from “vacancy-related savings” (salary lag)—positions budgeted but unfilled.
• Unspent contingency funds in General Operations account for roughly 15%: $593k.
• Utility budgets contributed about $133k due to lower-than-expected usage.
• Criminal justice expenses also showed ample surplus.

The Auditor noted that some grant revenues are reimbursement-based and will be adjusted in the audit. Sales tax projections are strong, with FY26 expected around $30.4M.

We discussed reserves for bond ratings. The GFOA recommends a minimum of 16.7% of operating expenditures, and Smith County’s current policy is 25%. That is the standard we have set. I do not support raising the reserve percentage. The reserve is padded with taxpayer dollars that went unspent from the yearly budget. That is overtaxation that ends up sitting in our savings account. Raising the target just lets the county hold more of the taxpayers’ money. As a fiscally conservative Commissioner, I cannot support that.

Cash balances remain healthy and able to meet obligations while awaiting reimbursements.

I’m appreciative of the detailed reporting. I also applaud the Auditor in his effort to postpone the agenda item because the report was delivered late.  This allowed for the public to receive it in the public agenda packet. You should ALWAYS be able to see where your money went. I hope this change remains permanent without prompting but if it doesn’t, you know I will keep fighting for transparency in government!

7. 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 routine bill payments along with year-end budget amendments to roll forward valid encumbrances (purchase orders already committed) from FY26 into the correct year’s appropriations.

These included items such as:

• Appropriations rollover – Multiple items: $147,755.26
• Courthouse Security Fund: $214,051.05
• Criminal DEA / FCIC: $799,149.18
• 287 (g) Grant Fund Sheriff’s Office: $13,400
• Facility Improvement Fund: $578,388.54
• Various Bond Series / Road & Bridge Labor Division amounts (including $102,242.94, $197,358.57, $2,237.47, $335,237.45, $4,585,679.75)
• Courthouse Construction Fund: $26,235,665.32
• COVID-19 grants: $545,213.69

These are standard year-end accounting steps to ensure we use the proper year’s money for commitments already made. The Auditor created a clearer form this year for these requests, and I thanked him for it. Transparency matters to the people.  We received the transfer about an hour before court. It’s still a work-in-progress.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

8. Receive report on status of Smith County jail operations, inmate population, employee overtime, and employee vacancies.

Comments:

Chief Pinkerton reported the jail currently has 20 openings. That’s the highest vacancy level we’ve seen in a long time.

We’ve discussed this issue repeatedly. Unfilled positions create salary lag—the money budgeted for those spots that sits unused and rolls into surplus or reallocated to purchase other items. 

While that looks like “savings” on paper, it also means the jail is short-staffed. Short staffing drives overtime, strains the remaining officers, and affects safety and operations for both staff and inmates. Month over month, we see 12 openings in the jail. When do you stop the bleeding and to what extent? 

The department is working on hiring—several starting soon, others in background and exams—but 20 openings is still a real operational problem. I’ll keep asking for updates until we get these positions filled and reduce the reliance on salary lag as a budget cushion. You keep an eye on it too!

ADJOURN