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

OPEN SESSION:

RESOLUTION

1. Consider and take necessary action to approve a resolution proclaiming March 13, 2026, as “Bishop Melton Ray Timmons Day” in Smith County.

COURT ORDERS
SHERIFF’S OFFICE/ ENVIRONMENTAL

2. Consider and take necessary action regarding plans for the 2026 Countywide Cleanup program in Smith County.

AUDITOR’S OFFICE

3. Consider and take necessary action to certify grant payments made by Smith County to Meals on Wheels Ministry Inc. totaling $15,000 for the period of October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments: 

We certified that $15,000 of grant payments went to Meals on Wheels Ministry for the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program.

4. Consider and take necessary action to modify the FY26 County Pay Scale to include Assistant Facilities Services Director and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

Since the Smith County Commissioners Court has added several more facilities that require maintenance, the Facilities Department staff has expanded from 20 people in 2008 to 37 in 2026. We’ve added lots of hands-on workers (custodians, mechanics, groundskeepers) to handle more buildings and keep everything safe. But we haven’t added any extra bosses or office help. That means the top leaders are stuck handling daily emergencies and can’t focus on important behind-the-scenes stuff like:

• Checking building systems (HVAC, alarms, etc.)
• Enforcing safety rules
• Tracking parts and equipment
• Planning preventive fixes so things don’t break
• Managing keys and security

This overload creates risks and wastes money in the long run. This change fixes that without spending more taxpayer money:

1. Ed Nichols, Facilities Services Director, had a special HVAC expert job open for months with viable applicants = turn it back into a regular mechanic job (cheaper salary) to help with everyday repairs right away.
2. Use the saved salary difference to bump up an existing foreman (who’s already acting as a supervisor) into a new Assistant Director spot. This gives real management help—no new hires, just a title/salary shift using existing funds.
3. Later, roles shift naturally so buildings get covered better, and future openings get filled by promoting from within.

This sets up better leadership, reduces burnout at the top, plans for more growth, and creates backup if someone leaves = “succession planning”.

It’s a smart, zero-net-cost way to make our county buildings run smoother, safer, and more efficiently—for less hassle and better long-term value. 

5. Consider and take necessary action to reclassify the following Facilities Services positions authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation:

1. #9 Maintenance Skilled Trade Specialist to Maintenance Mechanic, and
   
2. #2 Maintenance Foreman to Assistant Facilities Services Director.

Comments:

This follows directly from Agenda Item 4’s approval to add the Assistant Facilities Services Director to the pay scale. It reclassifies:

1. #9 Maintenance Skilled Trade Specialist to Maintenance Mechanic, and
   
2. #2 Maintenance Foreman to Assistant Facilities Services Director.
   

No new spending required—just formalizing the changes.

6. Consider and take necessary action to approve a Facility Use Agreement between Smith County and the following locations for the May 2, 2026, election and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation:

1. Pollard United Methodist Church, and
   
2. Tyler Fire Department-Station 1.

Comments:

These two places will be additional polling locations for the City of Tyler Mayoral Race and the TJC Bond elections.

7. Consider and take necessary action to approve the Interlocal Agreements for conducting elections between Smith County and Lindale Independent School District for the May 2, 2026, election and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments:

This agreement allows the Smith County Elections office to administer the Lindale ISD election. Estimated Cost for Lindale ISD: $7,281.21

HUMAN RESOURCES

8. Consider and take necessary action on the selection of the recommended grievance committee members.

Comments:

The Grievance Committee handles any employment grievances filed with Human Resources after termination.  The last time a grievance was filed was 2021. 

The Grievance Committee for 2026:

Edgar Nieto – Minimum of five (5) years of service with Smith County as a regular, full time employee in good standing. Investigator V in SO.

Jose Rojas –Minimum of ten (10) years of service with Smith County as a regular, full time employee in good standing. Deputy Constable Pct.1

Gabriella Creel –Employee in supervisory position. Help Desk Manager, IT

Keith Buckner –Department Head. Records Manager

Atonia Rawlings–Elected Official. Treasurer

Alternate member- Jessica Jones, Asst. Chief Deputy, Tax Office

RECURRING BUSINESS
COMMISSIONERS COURT

9. Receive monthly reports from Smith County departments.

Comments:

I’ve invited our Department Heads a few times now to step up during this recurring agenda item and share a quick, positive highlight: maybe praise a standout employee or spotlight some key stats.

I totally understand—no one has felt ready yet. Speaking at the mic during Commissioners Court can be intimidating, and that’s okay.

Our Smith County teams do amazing work every day. I’m truly grateful for their dedication.

I’ll keep encouraging them. I’m hopeful that soon they’ll feel comfortable sharing those inspiring updates with the public—it’ll be a great way to celebrate the heart behind Smith County’s service.

ROAD AND BRIDGE

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

1. Re-Plat for Legacy Ranch Phase 2, Lot 2, Precinct 3,
   
2. Final Plat for Woodland Park Phase 2, Precinct 1, and
   
3. Final Plat for Woodland Park Phase 2, Precinct 1.

11. Receive pipe and/or utility line installation request (notice only):

1. County Road 2116, Charter-Spectrum, install underground fiber optic with pedestals, Precinct 2,
   
2. County Road 472, Metronet, install fiber optic cable, Precinct 3, and
   
3. County Road 1145, 1238, 12478, 1289, 1269, 1179, Metronet, install fiber optic cable, Precinct 4. 

AUDITOR’S OFFICE

12. Receive County Auditor’s Monthly Report and Executive Summary.

Comments:

Click the button below to review the Financial Report.

13. Consider and take necessary action to approve and/or ratify payment of accounts, bills, payroll, transfer of funds, amendments, and health claims.

Comments:

Bank Wire:
The Health Plan Administrative Fee: $88,038.50
Optum Rx for Prescription Claim Cost and Billing for 2/1/26 – 2/15/26: $205,870.28
Optum Rx for Prescription Claim Cost and Billing for 2/16/26 – 2/28/26: $131,017.85
 
Budget Transfer:
Dept: Criminal District Attorney
Transfer From: Salaries $31,200
Transfer To: Extra Help $31,200
Explanation for Request: Full Time Employee is out on FMLA Leave. Temporary Help is needed to cover job duties in their absence.

ADJOURN