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

OPEN SESSION:

COURT ORDERS
 
COMMISSIONERS COURT
1. Consider and take necessary action to approve a bond for appointed Smith County Treasurer Atonia Rawlings, effective August 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026, and authorize the County Judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments: 

Kelli White, the current Smith County Treasurer, is retiring, and Atonia Rawlings will assume the role of Treasurer starting August 1, 2025. Texas law requires that the Treasurer be bonded to ensure financial accountability and compliance with state regulations.

2. Consider and take necessary action to approve a two-year bond for the Smith County Assistant Treasurer Dylan Simmons, beginning August 1, 2025, and authorize the County Judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments: 

Dylan Simmons, appointed as Smith County Assistant Treasurer effective August 1, 2025, also must provide a surety bond as required by Texas Local Government Code, Section 83.002.

TAX OFFICE

3. Consider and take necessary action to approve the proposed Automated Clearing House (ACH) Processing Services agreement with Accelerated Card Company LLC., DBA Certified Payments and authorize the County Judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments: 

The Tax Assessor, Gary Barber, currently uses “Certified Payments” for auto registration payment processing. He wanted to switch their tax payment processing from “Govolution” to “Certified Payments”. This change would consolidate payment services under Certified Payments. 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

4. Consider and take necessary action to approve an interlocal agreement between Smith County 9-1-1 Emergency Services District and Smith County for Geographic Information System (GIS) Consortium Services for a total annual cost of $35,000 and authorize the County Judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments: 

Smith County participates with the City of Tyler, the 9-1-1 Emergency Services District, and the Appraisal District in a GIS Consortium to share costs for mapping and data services. This creates a shared map website that helps everyone. The County approved a new three-year deal, raising each partner’s yearly cost from $25,000 to $35,000, paid to the 9-1-1 District.

This agreement funds tools like aerial photos and data analysis, helping 9-1-1 responders find callers faster and aiding county planning. By sharing costs, we save taxpayer money compared to each group paying alone. The public map site also gives everyone access to helpful info. This means quicker emergency responses, smarter spending, and better value for you.

5. Consider and take necessary action to approve a contract with Civic Plus for Social Media Archiving utilizing the General Services Administration (GSA) contract #GS-35F-0124U, with an initial cost of $10,998 for Year 1 and $9,998 for all following years and authorize the County Judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

The County is legally obligated to retain public information for specified periods. Recently, Facebook announced the deletion of all videos and live streams, requiring users to back up their data. The Commissioners Court and other county departments utilize Facebook for live streaming and communication. This contract ensures compliance with legal archiving requirements by preserving this data. The initial cost is $10,998, with $1000 being the implementation cost. The yearly cost will be $9,998.

6. Consider and take necessary action to approve a contract with Civic Plus for a Chatbot Website Subscription utilizing the General Services Administration (GSA) contract #GS-35F-0124U for an initial prorated cost of $3,250.79 with a recurring annual cost of $9,950 and authorize the County Judge to sign all related paperwork.

Comments:

The county approved a contract with a prorated cost of $3,250.79 with Civic Plus for a website chatbot, This contract will have a $9,950 annual cost starting in FY2026. This AI-powered chatbot instantly answers public inquiries using website information, saving staff time by reducing phone calls and emails. Available 24/7, it ensures residents get quick answers anytime, boosting convenience and efficiency. The chatbot should have been part of the original website but will now enhance the public’s experience with our new website that is expected to roll out late 2025.

7. Consider and take necessary action to approve a contract with Johnson Control for a Building Automation System Upgrade through the Sourcewell Cooperative Contract #080824 JHN for a total cost of $36,720 and authorize the County Judge to sign all related paperwork.

Comments:

This is a contract with Johnson Controls to upgrade the Juvenile facility’s outdated environmental control system in the amount of $36,720. This upgrade, done through a cooperative contract, will connect the facility to the county’s main Building Automation System. This allows Facility Services to better manage the facility, generate reports, and quickly address issues like heating and cooling.

8. Consider and take necessary action to approve a contract with Johnson Control for a Building Automation System Maintenance Support Contract through the Sourcewell Cooperative Contract #080824 JHN for a recurring annual cost of $26,630 and authorize the County Judge to sign all related paperwork.

Comments:

This is a Maintenance Support Contract in the amount of $26,630 with Johnson Controls to maintain the building control system. This system, managed by Facility Services with IT support, controls the environmental settings of county buildings. Previously, the system lacked a maintenance agreement, posing a risk to the county. The new contract ensures regular security updates and both remote and on-site support to fix any issues, keeping the system running smoothly. 

9. Consider and take necessary action to approve an agreement between Smith County and CSC Holdings, LLC on behalf of Cequel Communications, LLC DBA Optimum/Optimum Business, formerly known as Suddenlink Communications, for a monthly cost of $350 and authorize the County Judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

This agreement with CSC Holdings, LLC, on behalf of Cequel Communications, LLC DBA Optimum/Optimum Business (formerly Suddenlink Communications), costs $350 monthly. It provides Suddenlink services to connect the new Facility Services at Gulf States to the County for technology services.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

10. Consider and take necessary action to approve an agreement between Smith County and Tech Friends for services at Smith County Jail facilities and authorize the County Judge to sign all necessary documentation.

Comments:

Tech Friends provides important services for inmates at the Smith County Jail. These services include banking, phone calls, tablet rentals, video visits, and mail handling for inmates. Since Tech Friends covers the costs, taxpayers don’t have to pay for these services, saving the county money while still ensuring inmates have access to these resources.

RECURRING BUSINESS
 
ROAD AND BRIDGE

11. Receive pipe and/or utility line installation request (notice only):
a. County Road 46, CenterPoint Energy, install service line, Precinct 4,
b. County Road 313 E, Leidos, install service line, Precinct 3,
c. County Road 47, Kaufman Development & Construction, LLC, install water line, Precinct 4,
d. County Road 178, Benchmark Design Group, install sewer main and water line, Precinct 1; and
e. County Road 178, Benchmark Design Group, install storm pipe, headwall and metal beam guard fence, Precinct 1
 
AUDITOR’S OFFICE

12. Receive monthly Auditor report and Executive Summary for June 2025.
 
13. Consider and take necessary action to approve and/or ratify payment of accounts, bills, payroll, transfer of funds, amendments, and health claims.

Comments:

This monthly report gives us a vital snapshot of our financial health.  We can identify vulnerabilities before they escalate. Rather that summarize the entire report, I’ve highlighted two issues that I have addressed in earlier reports: Employee Healthcare & Inmate Medical. Increasing healthcare costs are going to have a significant impact on the FY26 budget. 
 
The Insurance Committee is actively exploring solutions & is working with another firm to secure competitive quotes for employee healthcare plans.  Any decisions that are made will not take effect until FY27 budget cycle. We must plan to manage costs in the interim. 
 
The concerns continue regarding Inmate Medical, particularly with billing transparency. The Auditor’s office is withholding payment for the last invoice from UT Health until they provide supporting documents for the billing. Last week, I proposed seeking competitive bids on Inmate Medical, but I have not had an update on the next steps for this effort.
 
These graphics draw a clear picture of the rising costs of medical services. 

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.

ADJOURN