Always putting YOU first!
Serving Smith County – Precinct 1
Government Transparency & Accountability
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Coming up in Commissioners Court...
The latest update
Apr 14, 2026 – Commissioners Court
Commissioners Court Notes
Please note: All agenda items are considered PASSED unless indicated otherwise.
OPEN SESSION:
RESOLUTIONS
1. Consider and take necessary action to adopt a resolution proclaiming April 25, 2026, as “Founders Classical Academy of Tyler Day” in Smith County.
2. Consider and take necessary action to approve a resolution proclaiming April 17, 2026, for RISE Academy and Early College High School; April 24, 2026, for Tyler High and Legacy High Schools; and May 1, 2026, for Whitehouse High School, as “Decision Day” in Smith County.
COURT ORDER SHERIFF’S OFFICE
3. Consider and take necessary action to approve the annual FY2025 US Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for the Sheriff’s Office and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.
Comments:
We approved the annual FY25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for the Sheriff’s Office. These federal funds will purchase ammunition needed to meet the mandatory firearms training required by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement for all peace officers. The grant is filed jointly with the Tyler Police Department — total $63,261 split evenly at $31,810.50 each. These federal dollars help keep our deputies trained and ready without additional cost to Smith County taxpayers.
RECURRING BUSINESS COMMISSIONERS COURT
4. Receive monthly reports from Smith County departments.
Comments:
Ed Nichols, Director of Facility Services, personally presented the March 2026 monthly report in open court — exactly what I’ve been asking every department head to do so the public can see the real work your tax dollars are funding.
Facility Services completed 1,518 work orders last month (1,167 preventive maintenance + 351 regular work orders) at an average cost of just $24.34 per order. That’s 9,329 total work orders so far in FY26.
Mr. Nichols gave us a solid overview of the significant workload his team is handling across our county facilities. I appreciate him making the time to appear in person and keep the Court well-informed. This is exactly the kind of direct accountability and transparency Smith County residents deserve.
ROAD AND BRIDGE
5. Consider and take necessary action to authorize the county judge to sign the re-plat for the LingGate Subdivision Lots 5A and 25, Precinct 3.
6. Receive pipe and/or utility line installation request (notice only):
- County Road 2249, Southwire for Oncor Electric Delivery, road bore for underground electric cable, Precinct 2,
- County Road 21 and County Road 234, Charter Spectrum, road bore for fiber optic cable, Precinct 3, and
- County Road 2205, Southwire for Oncor Electric Delivery, road bore for underground electric cable, Precinct 2.
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.
Budget Amendments
Dept: FCIC
Insurance Settlement: $2,367.27
Budget Transfer
Dept: Facility Services
Transfer From:
Housekeeping Supplies $13,424
Ordinary Repairs/Courthouse $33,000
Capital Expenditures Equipment $23,079.49
Total: $69,503.49
Transfer To:
Ordinary Repairs – Jail $69,503.49
Explanation: To cover cost of compressor for jail tower chiller.
Dept: Road & Bridge
Transfer From:
Road Oil $12,500
Equipment Rentals $10,000
Total: $22,500
Transfer To:
Sign Material $2,500
Miscellaneous $10,000
Equipment Repairs $5,000
Miscellaneous Equipment $5,000
Explanation: Additional funds for sign material and for contracted tree removal. Funding for purchase of tire changing equipment.
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
8. Receive report on status of Smith County jail operations, inmate population, employee overtime, and employee vacancies.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
SECTION 551.071 – CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY
9. Deliberation and consultation with Attorney regarding County of Smith v. Purdue Pharma, L.P., et al., MDL PRETRIAL CAUSE NO. 2018-63587, in the 152d District Court of Harris County, Texas, removed to MDL 2804, N.D. OH.
OPEN SESSION: COURT ORDER
10. Consider and take necessary action to approve an order authorizing the Settlement and release from Associated Pharmacies, Inc and American Associated Pharmacies, JM Smith Co., Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., Morris and Dickson, N. Carolina Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., and UNFI/SuperValu in the matter of Texas opioid multi-district litigation for the County in the matter of County of Smith v. Purdue Pharma, L.P. et al., and authorize the county judge to sign all necessary documentation.
Comments:
We approved the settlement and release order with multiple pharmaceutical distributors in the ongoing Texas opioid multi-district litigation. Smith County’s allocation from this settlement is $28,392.
I’m glad our Auditor has now set up a dedicated revenue line item specifically for Opioid Settlement Funds. Without it, the money would simply drop into the General Fund. By designating this funding in its own line, we can properly budget and track these dollars for expenses in FY27. We have an active grant program supporting local entities that serve individuals struggling with drug abuse and recovery, and we recently awarded $300,000 to these important organizations right here in Smith County.
This is the accountable way to make sure these settlement dollars deliver real results for our community.
ADJOURN
Smith County Courthouse Construction Progress
This is a time-lapse video of the construction project through January 2025. (2 minutes)
Events
Apr 22 – Cancelled
Commissioner Drewry will be resting to recover from foot surgery.
Apr 29 @ 8:00 am
Coffee with the Commissioner - Precinct One - at Blakeney Hardware
May 4 – Lindale Republican Club
Brisket Love, Lindale @ 6PM
May 6 @ 8:00 am
Coffee with the Commissioner - Precinct One - at Blakeney Hardware
May 12 – Grassroots America
GAWTP – Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month
May 13 @ 8:00 am
Coffee with the Commissioner - Precinct One - at Blakeney Hardware
May 14 – Smith County Republican Club
Meets the 2nd Thursday of each month
May 20 @ 8:00 am
Coffee with the Commissioner - Precinct One - at Blakeney Hardware
May 21 – Smith County Republican Women
Potpourri House @ 11:30AM
May 27 @ 8:00 am
June 3 @ 8:00 am
Coffee with the Commissioner - Precinct One - at Blakeney Hardware
TX GOP State Convention
June 8-13 in Houston, TX
June 10 @ 8:00 am
Coffee with the Commissioner - Precinct One - at Blakeney Hardware
June 17 @ 8:00 am
Coffee with the Commissioner - Precinct One - at Blakeney Hardware
Apr 24 @ 6:30 pm – Town Hall
Town Halls – Save the Date!
Friday, May 29
@ 6:30 pm
My Town Halls…
are held monthly for members of the community to gather together to discuss issues, concerns and ideas. These meetings can provide the citizens with information about the decisions of the Commissioners Court, capital improvement projects, road repair updates and other county business. You can’t do anything about what you don’t know!
From time to time, other elected officials or department heads may want to give a special presentation and/or take questions. I want to encourage any elected official that would like to engage with the public to join me.
Town Hall meetings serve as a way for me to gather feedback about our decisions, input on proposed policies or projects, and address concerns raised by the community. This is my job review! I answer to you.
Just as our founding fathers, I believe in the consent of the governed and I support your right to free speech. I encourage you to come as you are and engage with your elected official about your community. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend.
*No food or drinks will be served at this meeting.
*This is an informal meeting.
*We will not live stream or record.
I hope you can join us! I’m looking forward to meeting the citizens of Smith County.
Remember…
County Commissioners have a duty to:
Protect our citizens’ natural rights against rogue actions of the state or federal government;
Prioritize obtaining “consent of the governed” through transparency and citizen participation;
Ensure every election is secure and the results for every vote cast in every race or ballot initiative can be verified;
Ethically manage county business;
Uphold the rule of law at all times;
Prioritize public safety through effective law enforcement and the court systems;
Represent the people of our precincts over special interests;
Properly maintain county infrastructure (roads, bridges, drainage, buildings, vehicles, equipment, county data, and human resources);
Utilize tax revenue effectively and efficiently, ensuring the highest quality for the best price;
Set a tax rate with the burden of the taxpayer at the forefront of our minds.




