Commissioners Court Notes
Please note: All agenda items are considered PASSED unless indicated otherwise.
OPEN SESSION:
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. Receive input regarding the FY26 Proposed Budget; discuss and consider the same.
Comments:
We had 2 speakers.
COURT ORDERS
COMMISSIONERS COURT
2. Consider and take necessary action to adopt the FY26 Proposed Budget.
Comments:
Commissioner Precinct 1 voted no.
3. Consider and take necessary action to adopt the 2025 Maintenance & Operating Tax Rate.
Comments:
Commissioner Precinct 1 voted no.
4. Consider and take necessary action to adopt the 2025 Debt Service Rate.
Comments:
Commissioner Precinct 1 voted yes.
We have a legal obligation to pay the county debt. As a Republican, I believe in fiscal responsibility—managing our money wisely and keeping our promises. As a Christian, I also believe we must act with honesty and not take what isn’t ours.
5. Consider and take necessary action to ratify the property tax increase from raising more revenue from property taxes than in the previous year.
Comments:
Commissioner Precinct 1 voted no.
“This Budget will raise more total property taxes than last year’s budget by an amount of $7,008,320 which is a 7.22% increase from last year’s budget. The property tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year is $2,615,120.“
6. Consider and take necessary action to adopt the FY26 Salary Scales.
RESOLUTION
7. Discuss and take necessary action to adopt a resolution proclaiming September 2025, as “Childhood Cancer Awareness Month” in Smith County.
COURT ORDERS
COMMISSIONERS COURT
8. Consider and take necessary action to give the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) permission to include Smith County in a Consortium feasibility study and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.
Comments:
This was a step towards finding a solution to lower the cost of our employee health insurance.
This feasibility study is to explore forming an Employee Benefit Cooperative for health insurance among East Texas counties via ETCOG and Gallagher. Our taxpayers will benefit from reduced county employee health costs through resource pooling, leading to:
- Lower healthcare expenses because of better negotiations for premiums, claims, and fees.
- Greater budget stability by minimizing volatile increases.
- Improved programs for cost control.
- Enhanced transparency and ownership in governance.
Gallagher’s data shows better performance than standalone plans.
Additional perks include:
- Free study (ETCOG pays $2,500 fee), no initial cost.
- Risk sharing and scalability for reduced exposure and growth.
- County ownership, decision-making control, and interest on assets.
- 3-5 year commitment for long-term benefits.
- Gallagher’s expertise: 40+ years, no failures, comprehensive support.
The first step is data collection that they estimate to take 4-8 weeks, then they will perform an analysis of the data to produce the feasibility study taking another 4-6 weeks potentially. I am excited to bring you the results of this study in a few months.
9. Consider and take necessary action to approve a Smith County Indigent Defense Agreement for appeals with David Colley and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.
Comments:
Mr. Colley is taking over the Indigent Defense Agreement for Mr. Langston who passed away.
Indigent Defense Attorneys
Smith County doesn’t have a full-time public defender’s office like some bigger counties. Instead, we hire private lawyers on contract to step in and handle those cases. These professionals are engaged to ensure that individuals unable to afford legal representation receive the necessary defense services, in compliance with legal standards. The Contract for Legal Services lists these “Standards of Performance”:
- Do a Good Job: Lawyers need to work hard, be skilled, and represent their clients fairly and professionally, following Texas rules for lawyers and court laws.
- Contact Clients Quickly: They should try to reach their client by the end of the first workday after being assigned and meet with them as soon as possible.
- Stick with the Case: Lawyers should keep working on the case unless they’re told to step aside or someone else takes over, as per Texas law.
- Get Help if Needed: They can pass some tasks to other qualified lawyers in their office or firm.
- No Extra Money: They can’t take any payments from the client or anyone else for this work.
- Keep Secrets: They must keep client info and case details private unless the Texas law says it’s okay to share.
- Avoid Conflicts: If representing a client causes a problem (like working against another client), they need to tell the court, and if ordered, step away.
This section is about making sure these lawyers do their job well, stay committed, and keep things fair and confidential while helping those who need legal support.
For their performance, each attorney receives an annual compensation of $120,000. They are permitted to maintain a private practice while also holding a contract with the county. Currently, there are more than 24 contract attorneys serving in this capacity. The Appointing Authority, which oversees their assignments, is the court they serve, while the Contracting Authority, responsible for the contractual agreement, is the Commissioners Court. Our responsibility is to ensure these attorneys fulfill their contractual obligations and to facilitate their monthly payment of $10,000.
TREASURER’S OFFICE
10. Consider and take necessary action to approve the 2025-2026 Investment Policy as written.
Comments:
Our newly appointed County Treasurer, Atonia Rawlings, will reinstate the Investment Committee in late fall or early winter. The Commissioners Court has approved the Investment Policy, which ensures transparency and accountability by requiring dual oversight of all county investments.
The Investment Committee, composed of the County Treasurer, County Auditor, County Judge, and Tax Collector, may also include one impartial financial expert. The committee is expected to propose amendments to the Investment Policy next year.
If you’re interested in serving on the Investment Committee, please contact me. Members serve a two-year term and must have no personal business activities that conflict with the county’s investment program.
RECURRING BUSINESS
ROAD AND BRIDGE
11. Consider and take necessary action to authorize the county judge to sign the:
a. Re-Plat for Hosid Estates, Precinct 4,
b. Re-Plat for Pine Trail Shores, Section A, Precinct 1, and
c. Final Plat for the Mimosa Trail Subdivision, Precinct 3.
COMMISSIONERS COURT
12. Receive monthly reports from Smith County departments.
AUDITOR’S OFFICE
13. Consider and take necessary action to approve and/or ratify payment of accounts, bills, payroll, transfer of funds, amendments, and health claims.
Comments:
- Prescription Claim Cost Billing: $142,153.61 for 8/16/25 – 8/31/25.
- Budget Amendment for an insurance settlement: VIN#3005 for IT Dept in the amount of $7,513.91
- Health Plan Monthly Admin Fee: $92,566.22
- District Clerk request for Jury Drawer: $11,658
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
SECTION 551.087 DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SECTION 551.074 PERSONNEL MATTERS
SECTION 551.071 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY
14. Deliberation and consultation with attorney regarding Texas Tax Code, Chapter 312 tax abatement guidelines and criteria and discussion regarding commercial or financial offers, incentives, or information within Smith County and the downtown area.
15. Deliberation and consultation regarding the employment, evaluation, and duties of the Smith County Animal Control and Shelter Supervisor.
OPEN SESSION:
COURT ORDERS
COMMISSIONERS COURT
16. Consider and take necessary action regarding the employment, evaluation, and duties of the Smith County Animal Control and Shelter Supervisor.
Comments:
During the Commissioners Court meeting, Judge Franklin stated that he would consider a motion authorizing the Human Resources Director to handle all required actions under county policy regarding the employment status and duties of the Smith County Animal Control Supervisor. Commissioner Caraway then made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Moore. The motion passed unanimously.
Later that same day, Amber Greene, the former Animal Control and Shelter Supervisor, was terminated from her position with the county.
ADJOURN