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

Comments:

Commissioners Court meetings always begin with Public Comments. I think it is necessary to address this one.

During Commissioners Court this week, a taxpayer made a public comment that involved the Court’s Decorum Rules, citing the limitation of speaking on an agenda item only. I wanted to have that public discussion with the other Commissioners and Judge. As you can hear in the meeting recording, I committed to including a discussion of the Decorum Rules on a future agenda for the Commissioners Court.

On Thursday morning, the county’s attorney informed me of a new lawsuit filed this week against the county related to this proposed agenda item. The following statement was provided by the District Attorney’s Office:

“Commissioner Drewry, our advice is not to take up altering the decorum rules at the current time given there is pending litigation related to the decorum rules.  As a policy, we do not discuss pending litigation outside the attorney-client relationship.”

Under the advice of our attorney, I will not submit an Agenda Item Request to discuss the Decorum Rules. I wish I could say more about this.

OPEN SESSION: 

PRESENTATIONS

1. Receive presentation on the Smith County Animal Control and Shelter’s Paw-Tastic Bash Adoption Event on May 31, 2025.

Comments:

The Animal Shelter is partnering with Nancy Wright Properties for an adoption event on May 31st from 10AM to 2PM at the Smith County Animal Shelter.

COURT ORDERS

COMMISSIONERS COURT
2. Consider and take necessary action to authorize the resolution of resale for struck-off property, suit number 27,735-A and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments: 

Tax Resale of a .032 acre and a .546 acre tract.

PURCHASING
3. Consider and take necessary action to approve lease agreements between Xerox and Smith County utilizing the DIR Cooperative DIR-CPO-5425 for the following locations and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation:
a. Collections,
b. Purchasing,
c. Technology, and
d. County Court at Law #1

Comments: 

This was a renewal lease with Xerox copy machines.

1. Collections = $115.52/month
2. Purchasing = $154.35/month
3. Technology = $115.52/month
4. County Court at Law #1 = $154.35/month

AUDITOR’S OFFICE
4. Consider and take necessary action to approve the engagement letter with Gollob, Morgan, Peddy PC for the FY25 audit services.

Comments: 

Gollob, Morgan, Peddy PC will conduct our audit. 

TAX OFFICE
5. Consider and take necessary action to approve tax refunds in excess of $2,500, pursuant to Texas Tax Code 31.11, and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.

Comments: 

The county must approve any tax refund over $2500. This was a refund of $4,619.34 due to overpayment.

RECURRING BUSINESS

COMMISSIONERS COURT
6. Receive monthly reports from Smith County departments. 

ROAD AND BRIDGE
7. Consider and take necessary action to authorize the county judge to sign the Final Plat for the Cherry Creek Addition, Phase 3, Precinct 3.
 
AUDITOR’S OFFICE
8. Consider and take necessary action to approve and/or ratify payment of accounts, bills, payroll, transfer of funds, amendments, and health claims.

ADJOURN

The Light Rail Study is Beginning:
I am a member of the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, and we recently held a meeting to discuss the new light rail study. During the meeting, we reviewed potential options to be included in the scope of the study. The primary objective of this study is to develop a proposal for shared use of Union Pacific’s rail infrastructure.

There was interest for a short-term project that would provide light rail service between downtown Tyler and the medical district. The broader, long-term vision includes an expanded rail line running from Winona, through Tyler, and continuing south to Troup. Additionally, an east-west corridor was discussed, which would run through downtown Tyler and extend across Smith County. A single northbound line terminating at Tyler Pipe was also considered; while these northern tracks are currently abandoned, they remain under Union Pacific’s ownership.

At this stage, the initiative is exploratory, and it was noted during the meeting that the projected completion of the overall project could extend to around the year 2050.

I had asked our Elections Administrator to calculate the true cost of our City Council and School Board elections this cycle. I was shocked seeing these numbers. Your voice matters, and local elections are where it counts the most! These officials directly shape property tax rates that hit our wallets, yet voter turnout remains shockingly low. We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines when our financial future is at stake. If you complain about the cost of taxes but don’t vote, you may be a part of the problem.  You have the power to influence the decisions that affect your daily life. Don’t let apathy win. Show up, vote, and be a part of the change. Your vote is your voice—use it!

The next election is the Constitutional Amendment election in November this year.  In 2023, the voters approved approximately $12 billion in state spending through Constitutional Amendments! This was following $12 billion in property tax relief from the State Legislature. It’s very important to do your homework, share with a friend and then show up to vote!