Commissioners Court Notes
Please note: All agenda items are considered PASSED unless indicated otherwise.
OPEN SESSION:
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. Receive Public comment regarding the FY 2026 Provider Participation Program Payments pursuant to Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 291A.
Comments:
Nobody from the public spoke up or shared any comments during the hearing.
COURT ORDER
COMMISSIONERS COURT
2. Consider and take necessary action to approve an order authorizing the FY 2026 Smith County Collection of a Mandatory Payment under the Local Provider Participation Fund pursuant to Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 291A, and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.
Comments:
We renewed a no-cost program that helps private hospitals cover the huge bills from treating uninsured or low-income patients. Hospitals pay a 6% fee on their patient revenue (same as last year) into a special fund—the county collects it, sends it to the state, and unlocks big federal matching dollars through Medicaid. This money goes right back to the hospitals to offset “charity care” costs, strengthening local healthcare without any burden on taxpayers or the county budget.
RESOLUTIONS
3. Consider and take necessary action to adopt a resolution proclaiming November 2, 2025, as “Barham Fulmer Day” in Smith County.
PRESENTATIONS
HUMAN RESOURCES
4. Presentation of employee recognition, longevity certificates, and service pins.
5. Presentation of Texas Association of Counties Health Benefit Plan.
Comments:
We are exploring ways to tame skyrocketing employee health insurance costs—our self-funded plan has ballooned over 3 years, straining the budget. Texas Association of Counties (TAC) outlined a Blue Cross Blue Shield pool option for ~900 employees/families starting Jan. 1, 2026, with three strong plans:
Options:
- PPO I: $30 office visits, $10–$45 Rx co-pays
- PPO II: $20 visits, same Rx
- HDHP: 100% after deductible, HSA-eligible
Monthly Premiums:
- Employee only: $1,300–$1,348
- Spouse: $1,874–$1,931
- Child(ren): $1,463–$1,479
- Family: $2,068–$2,145
Potential Savings:
- Current Self-Funded: $17.9M expected (up to $22M max) + risks (run-outs, lasers)
- TAC Pool: Flat $15.4M—no surprises
- Could save $2.5M (14% drop), up to $7.5M protected.
We’re not switching yet—the Oct. 28, 2025, deadline passed, so no quick Jan. start. This was just a smart option to study for future stability, keeping taxpayer dollars for roads/safety while protecting coverage.
FIRE MARSHAL/ EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
6. Presentation from Climavision regarding the installation of a weather radar within Smith County and discussing the potential of partial funding for the project.
Comments:
Smith County explored a proposal from Climavision to install a weather radar in Whitehouse, where the company is already working with the city. This radar would fill a critical gap between the Fort Worth and Shreveport National Weather Service radars, which miss storms below 6,000 feet due to Earth’s curvature—leaving us vulnerable to undetected tornadoes or high winds. The radar, covering a 60-mile radius, would provide real-time, low-level data to improve safety alerts, as shown in a nearby Hamilton, TX case where Climavision caught wind damage federal systems missed.
Cost & Funding: The $1 million project is mostly covered by Climavision, which funds it by selling data to industries like insurance and energy while sharing free data with the community. Smith County’s share is $100,000, funneled through Whitehouse. Setup takes 3-4 months post-approval, with data access soon after. This small investment could save lives and property with better storm prep, though some question if private radar reliance shifts too much burden from federal upgrades—worth watching as the plan moves forward.
COURT ORDERS
COMMISSIONERS COURT
7. Consider and take necessary action regarding expenditure of Opioid Litigation settlement funds received by Smith County.
Comments:
We are looking to disperse $300,000 from our opioid litigation settlement funds through the Opioid Settlement Reimbursement Grant Program. This amount represents a portion of the county’s total received funds ($510,726.68 from 2023–2025, plus an expected $182,217.79 from the Sandoz settlement) and will be dispersed on a reimbursement basis to ensure compliance with settlement requirements.
The funds are prioritized for opioid treatment and recovery support services provided by local Smith County organizations, including:
- Residential and inpatient treatment
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Outpatient therapy or counseling
- Recovery housing that integrates medication-assisted treatment and other supports
Eligible organizations must directly provide these services to Smith County residents. The program is open for applications.
To apply, email Casey Murphy at Cmurphy@smith-county.com with:
1. Services directly provided for opioid-affected patients
2. Any prior opioid settlement funds received (and amounts)
3. Planned utilization of granted funds
Qualified applicants will present to the Commissioners Court, after applications are closed.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
8. Consider and take necessary action to approve a discretionary exemption with the following companies for the purchase and installation of security equipment for Smith County in accordance with Local Government Code 262.024(a)(2) and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.
- East Texas Alarm, and
- Summit Fire.
Comments:
A discretionary exemption from competitive bidding requirements is necessary for purchase and installation of security equipment from East Texas Alarm and Summit Fire under Texas Local Government Code Section 262.024(a)(2), which allows such exemptions for items essential to preserving or protecting the public health or safety of county residents. The original discretionary exemption was granted on February 19, 2019.
9. Consider and take necessary action to approve a contract with SHI for the renewal of the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement in the annual amount of $498,773.60 on the Texas DIR Coop Contract and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.
Comments:
IT needed to approve a three-year contract renewal with SHI for the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, costing $498,773.60 per year through the Texas DIR Co-op Contract. This agreement is essential for daily operations, covering all Microsoft software like Windows for computers and servers, Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email, OneDrive storage, plus ongoing security updates and support to keep everything running safely. The original budget estimate was $440,000 based on Microsoft’s March 2025 quote, but the final amount rose after the required year-end “True Up” adjustments for any changes. The IT department requested $3.56 million for software contracts but got only $3 million approved—a $560,000 cut by the Budget Officer. This shortfall means the extra $58,773.60 for the Microsoft renewal (beyond the original $440,000 estimate) isn’t covered in that fund, and as other software contracts come up for renewal throughout the year, we’ll need to scramble to find additional money elsewhere to pay for them without disruptions.
HUMAN RESOURCES
10. Consider and take necessary action regarding the approval of the administrative updates to the Title VI Policy and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.
Comments:
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in any programs or activities that receive federal funding. Our county must follow this law to ensure fair and equal access to services for everyone, no matter their background. Human Resources has reviewed and updated our Title VI Policy with minor administrative changes to keep it fully aligned with the latest federal requirements and any recent legal updates. These tweaks don’t change the core protections but help us stay compliant.
COUNTY CLERK
11. Consider and take action to approve Records Management and Preservation funds to be used to preserve records of the County Clerk’s office.
Comments:
We approved the County Clerk’s use of dedicated preservation funds—built up since 1991 from record-filing fees—to protect irreplaceable civil court records (“shucks”) from 1922–1960. Partnering with Kofile Preservation, this $1,265,596 project will digitize and safeguard these crumbling historical documents over 6–8 months, pulling entirely from the Clerk’s restricted Funds 46 and 10 with zero impact on property taxes. It’s the Clerk’s legal duty to preserve these pieces of our county’s past—like old marriages, land deals, and lawsuits—ensuring they’re safe from decay and accessible online for generations to come. Smart, responsible stewardship of money already set aside just for this!
AUDITOR’S OFFICE
12. Consider and take necessary action to modify the FY26 County Pay Scale to correct the approved SHRM supplements and authorize the county judge to sign all related documentation.
Comments:
The County already pays an extra $250 per month (a “supplement”) to Human Resource employees with the basic SHRM, Society for Human Resource Management, certification (SHRM-CP, for Certified Professional).
They approved adding a new, higher supplement of $500 per month for the advanced certification (SHRM-SCP, for Senior Certified Professional).
When updating the official pay chart, the Budget Officer unintentionally listed the existing $250 supplement as $500, rather than adding the new $500 one as a separate entry.
This was just a paperwork oversight—no extra money was spent or rules broken. The Payroll Supervisor is now fixing the pay chart to keep the original $250 for the basic level and correctly add the new $500 for the advanced one, matching what was already approved.
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
13. Consider and take action to reclassify Sheriff’s Office Position Number 96 from 705A ($40,958) to 706A ($46,510), with an effective date of 10/05/2025.
Comments:
The Sheriff’s Office Position #96 was erroneously set at Grade/Step 705A ($40,958 for FY25 through Sept. 30, 2025), rising to $42,187 with 3% COLA in FY26 (Oct. 1 onward). Correct classification: 706A at $46,510 pre-COLA. Sheriff Smith obtained approval from former Budget Officer Kari Perkins pre-hire to correct it in the FY26 budget, but the change was omitted, requiring an adjustment.
RECURRING BUSINESS
ROAD AND BRIDGE
14. Consider and take necessary action to authorize the county judge to sign the Final Plat for the Belle Edge Subdivision, Precinct 3.
15. Receive pipe and/or utility line installation request (notice only) for County Road 436, Oncor Electric LLC, road bore and install two new poles, Precinct 3.
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
Law Library
- Transfer From: Permanent Part-Time – $916
- Transfer To: Retirement – $916
Explanation for this request:
“Cover Payroll Accruals.”
County Clerk: Karin Phillips
- Transfer From: Contingency – $300
- Transfer To: Training Expenses – $300
Explanation for this request:
“Cover training on the Citibank card.”
General Operations
- Transfer From: J.P. Delq. Collections – $5,000
- Transfer To: Utility Service-Cotton Belt – $5,000
Explanation for this request:
“Cover shortages.”
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4: Curtis Wulf
- Transfer From: Contingency – $17,500
- Transfer To: Autopsies – $17,500
Explanation for this request:
“Cover one invoice from July and six from September.”
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4: Curtis Wulf
- Transfer From: Part-Time – $1,000
- Transfer To: Utilities – $1,000
Explanation for this request:
“Cover overage.”
Constable, Precinct 1: Ralph Caraway, Jr.
- Transfer From: Contingency – $450
- Transfer To: Training Expenses – $450
Explanation for this request:
“Cover Citibank charges.”
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1: Derrick Choice
- Transfer From: Contingency – $2,500
- Transfer To: Autopsies – $2,500
Explanation for this request:
“Cover expenses.”
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3: James Meredith
- Transfer From: Contingency – $2,700
- Transfer To: Autopsies – $2,700
Explanation for this request:
“Cover expenses.”
Jail
- Transfer From:
- Salaries – $150,930
- FICA – $79,381
- Vehicles – $4,669.00
- Transfer To: Inmate Medical – $234,980
Explanation for this request:
“Transfer to cover costs for August and September invoices.”
Jail
- Transfer From
- Prosecution Exp – Capital Murder – $32,300
- Exp Testimony – Capital Murder – $36,000
- Witness Exp – Capital Murder – $100,000
- Statement of Facts – Capital Murder – $24,000
- Sub Court Rep – Capital Murder – $30,000
- Statement of Facts – Capital Murder – $35,000
- Transfer To: Inmate Medical – $257,300
Explanation for this request:
“Transfer to cover costs for August and September invoices. August – $397,068.26 and September – $392,936.49.”
Jail
- Transfer From
- Capital – Contingency – $260,000
- Transfer To: Inmate Medical – $260,000
Explanation for this request:
“Transfer to cover costs for August and September invoices. August – $397,068.26 and September – $392,936.49.”
District Clerk: $20,000 for Postage
Wire Transfers:
Optum RX for Prescription Claim Cost Billing and Claim Fee Billing fees for 10/1/25 – 10/15/25:
$93,949.20
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.
§551.071 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY
§551.072 DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY
17. Consultation with Attorney and deliberation regarding the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property including but not limited County owned property, property located in the 400 block of E. Ferguson and Smith County owned property located on E. Ferguson.
Comments:
An Executive Session is a private meeting where we talk about sensitive or confidential topics, like personnel issues or legal matters. It’s closed to the public to keep things safe and private.
In this case, we didn’t need to vote or take any official action afterward in Open Session because no big decisions were required—just talking things through.
ADJOURN