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 the week of October 5, 2025, as “Texas Extension Education Association Week ” in Smith County. 

2. Consider and take necessary action to adopt a resolution proclaiming the week of October 5, 2025, as “National 4-H Week ” in Smith County.

3. Consider and take necessary action to adopt a resolution proclaiming October 2025, as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month ” in Smith County. 

4. Consider and take necessary action to adopt a resolution proclaiming October 10, 2025, as “Paving the Way to Mental Wellness Day” in Smith County.

PRESENTATION

5. Presentation to receive the Round Up Day Award from the East Texas State Fair and its inaugural Rodeo and learn about the economic impact the event had on Smith County.

East Texas State Fair

The 109th East Texas State Fair, held September 19-28, 2025, in Tyler, Texas, drew over 104,000 attendees, generating a record-breaking $28.8 million economic impact on Smith County and Tyler, nearly tripling the average $10 million from prior years.

The fair’s inaugural PRCA-sanctioned pro rodeo, hosted September 19-21, sold out all three nights with 7,500 attendees, contributing significantly to the economic surge.

The events produced approximately $995,000 in sales tax revenue, supporting local infrastructure and public safety. Additional highlights include $2.1 million in scholarships awarded to East Texas students and 2,700+ livestock entries, reinforcing the fair’s commitment to agricultural heritage. The Roundup Day Award, a custom belt buckle, was presented to Smith County in recognition of the support.

Read more: East Texas State Fair and its first-ever pro rodeo made lasting economic impact on Smith County, chairman says

COURT ORDERS
COMMISSIONERS COURT

6. Consider and take necessary action to appoint a Smith County representative to serve on the Smith County Appraisal District Board of Directors for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2026, and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments: 

The Smith County Appraisal District (SCAD) Board manages the district’s operations, like hiring the chief appraiser and setting the budget, but it doesn’t decide property values—that’s the chief appraiser’s job. Two board members’ terms end this year, so the Commissioners Court nominated a new member for a two-year term starting January 1, 2026. The two Board Members that are nearing the end of their term are Annie Dwyer, who will be moving from the area leaving an open seat and Mark Whatley, who would like to remain on the board. Other local taxing entities will also nominate candidates. Once all the nominations have been submitted, the appraisal district will prepare and deliver a ballot listing each candidate alphabetically.  The ballot will be delivered prior to October 30, 2025. We may then cast our votes by resolution and submit it to the Chief Appraiser before December 15, 2025. The Commissioners Court nominated James Sheridan for the open seat.

7. Consider and take necessary action to appoint/reappoint two members to the Andrews Center Board of Trustees, positions three and nine, for a two-year term beginning November 1, 2025, and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We reappointed former County Commissioner, Joann Hampton, and Richard Blake to the Andrews Center Board for positions three and nine. Their new two-year terms start November 1, 2025, and will end October 31, 2027. Both were already serving and wanted to stay, helping the center continue its work with mental health and developmental services in Smith County.

8. Consider and take necessary action to appoint/reappoint a member to the Smith County 9-1-1 Communications District Board of Managers for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2026, and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We reappointed Bobby Garmon to the Smith County 9-1-1 Communications District Board. His previous term was ending December 31, 2025, but he wanted to stay, so he’s been approved for a new two-year term starting January 1, 2026. This board runs the county’s 9-1-1 emergency services, and his return helps keep it running smoothly.

9. Consider and take necessary action to approve the following Indigent Defense Contracts in the amount of $120,000, for the 12-month term of the contract for the 114th and 321st Judicial District Courts, pursuant to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 26.04:

1. Thad Davidson,
2. Cheryl Wulf,
3. Kurt Noell,
4. James Carter,
5. Alicia Barkley,
6. Don Davidson,
7. Kyle Rosenstein,
8. Jennifer Deen,
9. Emily Patton,
10. Karen Bretzke,
11. Amy Daughtrey, and
12. Carey Christie.

Comments:

All Indigent Defense Attorney contracts were approved.

ROAD AND BRIDGE

10. Consider and take necessary action to accept the completion of the construction contract for RB-12-25, Roadway Improvements to CR 1100, CR 1113, CR 1131, CR 1225 & CR 199, with an underrun amount of $122,421.51, authorize the county judge to execute the Reconciliation Change Order, and authorize final payment to Texana Land & Asphalt, Inc.

Comments:

The road projects on County Roads 1100, 1113, 1131, 1225, and 199, were completed by Texana Land & Asphalt, Inc. The original cost was $2.2 million, but it ended up costing $2,077,971.69, saving over $122,000. This improved 7.45 miles of roads.

AUDITOR’S OFFICE

11. Consider and take necessary action to approve the FY26 Discretionary Budgets.

Comments:

Discretionary budgets are special accounts funded by sources other than property or sales taxes. These can include state grants, drug forfeiture funds, DEA Task Force funds, Judicial Education funds, and Ch. 19 Voter Registration funds. The Auditor’s office requires these funds to have an approved budget to ensure the Purchasing department is aware of available resources and can manage expenditures effectively. 

12. Consider and take necessary action to adopt a resolution and allow the Auditor’s Office to apply for the FY26 Texas Indigent Defense Commission Formula Grant and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We authorized the Auditor’s Office to apply for the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) Formula Grant Program. This state-funded initiative supports Texas counties in providing high-quality legal representation to low-income defendants in criminal cases, ensuring fair and timely access to counsel as mandated by law. The grants, allocated based on county population and indigent defense expenses, help counties meet state standards, fund appointed attorneys or public defender offices, and alleviate financial pressures, particularly for rural communities. As Smith County lacks a public defender office, we continue to contract with skilled Indigent Defense Attorneys to deliver essential legal services to low-income defendants, as we have discussed in prior Commissioner Court reports.

Total Awards from 2014 – 2024

FCIC

13. Consider and take necessary action to approve an agreement with Carahsoft Technology Corp. for analyst support services via State of Texas DIR contract # DIR-CPO-5687 in the amount of $303,523.04 and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

We approved an agreement with Carahsoft Technology Corp. to procure analyst support services for the county’s Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) at a total cost of $303,523.04. The services are designed to assist the FCIC in conducting research and analysis for financial crime investigations. Specifically, they involve a dedicated Senior Analyst I from Flashpoint National Security Solutions. The FCIC is fully funded through state allocations designated for financial crime prevention and investigation, ensuring no reliance on local county budgets.

RECURRING BUSINESS

ROAD AND BRIDGE
 
14. Consider and take necessary action to authorize the county judge to sign the:
      a. Final Plat for Hamilton Subdivision No. 2, Precinct 2, and
      b. Final Plat for Twisted Oaks Addition, Precinct 3.
 
15. Receive pipe and/or utility line installation request (notice only):
     a. County Roads 2147, 2151, 2142, 2152, 2154, 2153, 2343, Byers Engineering              Company, install fiber optic cable and pedestals, Precinct 2,
     b. County Roads 2134, 2137, 2138, 2139, 2140, 2141, 2175, 2263, install                        underground and aerial fiber optic cable with vaults and pedestals, Precinct 2,
     c. Metronet, County Road 1125, install aerial and underground fiber optic cable,                Precinct 4,
      d. Metronet, County Road 2188, install underground fiber optic cable, Precinct 2,             and
     e. Metronet, County Roads 2139, 2317, 2172, 2300, install underground fiber optic          cable, Precinct 2.

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.

Comments:

Budget Transfers and Payments

Parking Structure Construction

• Transfer From: Parking Structure – $5,001,962
• Transfer To: Courthouse Construction– $5,001,962

Explanation for this request:
“Allocate funds to transfer from Fund 78 to Fund 79, Courthouse Construction.”

The Parking Structure Fund had leftover funds, which have now been transferred to the Courthouse Construction Fund. The bond issued for both the parking structure and courthouse projects was a combined total, and these funds are restricted to use on these specific projects. The parking garage project is complete and came in under budget, allowing the remaining funds to be reallocated to the courthouse construction.
 

Justice of the Peace Precinct 1

• Transfer From: Contingency – $1,000
• Transfer To: Autopsies – $1,000   

Explanation for this request:
“Cover Expenses.”

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

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

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 551.074 PERSONNEL MATTERS

SECTION 551.071 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY

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

19. Deliberation and consultation regarding the qualifications, responsibilities, and salary of the Smith County Animal Control and Shelter Supervisor Position.

ADJOURN