May 13, 2025 Commissioners Court

BRITO WILL TELL YOU HERE IN A MINUTE.

HELL NO.

LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE HERE THIS MORNING, MAY THE 13TH.

I'D

[Call to Order]

WE'RE HERE AT THE ANNEX FOR A REGULAR COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING.

WE'RE GONNA BEGIN THIS MORNING WITH AN INVOCATIONS, GONNA BE LED BY COMMISSIONER MOORE.

AND THEN COMMISSIONER CROW IS GONNA LEAD US INTO PLEDGES.

IF YOU'D JOIN, UH, WITH ME AND STAND, PLEASE.

LET'S PRAY DEARLY.

FATHER LORD, WE JUST THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY.

LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THE SUNSHINE THIS WEEK AND WE JUST, UH, GET US READY FOR THE SUMMER.

AND LORD, WE ASK YOU TO BE WITH US AND GUIDE US, LORD, IN OUR DECISION MAKING.

AND, UH, LORD, LET IT BE YOUR WILL, NOT OURS OF AT ALL TIMES.

LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNTY.

WE THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK WITH OUR PUBLIC, UH, SERVANTS AND, AND THE EMS AND THE FIRE, ALL THE, ALL THE DEPARTMENTS HERE IN THE COUNTY THAT WORK HARD, ESPECIALLY ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS, LORD, THE TIME THEY PUT IN.

AND LORD, WE ASK YOU ALSO TO BE WITH OUR GOVERNMENT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, LORD, THAT DECISIONS MADE, THERE WILL BE YOUR WILL AS WELL.

AND WE JUST THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL THE MANY BLESSINGS THAT YOU GIVE US EACH AND EVERY DAY.

JESUS NAME, AMEN.

AMEN.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD IN WITH LIBERTY.

LIBERTY IN JUSTICE.

FOR HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE THE ALLEGIANCE TO TEXAS.

ANY ROUTINE CORRESPONDENCE

[1. ROUTINE CORRESPONDENCE]

FROM ANYONE THIS MORNING? NOTHING GOING ON.

WELL, THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON.

WE MOVE ON.

WE, WE HAD KIN COME.

CONGRESSMAN COME TO COUNTY YESTERDAY.

TO 12 MEETING, MEETING THE REPUBLICAN WOMEN'S DEAL LAST NIGHT.

AND, UH, THAT WAS NICE.

YEP.

ALRIGHT.

ANYBODY ELSE? ANYTHING ELSE? NO, NO CRASH PICKUP OR ANYTHING? NO CLEANUPS OR ANYTHING? UH, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE, UH, GROUNDBREAKING HAS BEEN MOVED.

IT'S GOING TO BE JUNE 4TH, THE FOURTH.

SO MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDAR IS JUNE THE FOURTH.

WE'LL HAVE THE GROUNDBREAKING AND WE DO HAVE PICTURES OF ALL THE OLD COURTHOUSES, INCLUDING THE ONE WITH THE OLD BARN AT THE POOR FARM.

YES.

UH, SO BE INTERESTING AND BE A IT'LL BE A GOOD DAY.

[2. CONSENT AGENDA]

ROUTINE CORRESPONDENCE.

WE HAVE SEVERAL ITEMS THERE TO ACCEPT THE CONVENTIONS.

COURT REGULAR MEETINGS FOR MAY OF SIXTH OF 25 TO PROVE THE STAR TRANSIT RIDERSHIP REPORT FOR APRIL THE 25.

AND ACCEPT THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR'S MONTHLY PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS FOR APRIL.

AND ACCEPT THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR'S MONTHLY AUTO COLLECTIONS REPORT FOR APRIL AND ACCEPT THE 24 NET RMA ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? NO.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

MR. PHELPS MAKES THE MOTION TO ACCEPT AND HAVE A SECOND.

MR. CROW MAKES A SECOND.

SHE'S GONNA DISCUSS AND CONSIDER WE'RE GOING TO APPROVE THE CANVASSING OF THE ELECTION RESULTS FOR THE MAY 3RD, 2025 BOND ELECTION.

[3. Tandi Smith: Discuss/Consider/Approve canvassing the election results for the May 3,2025, Bond Election.]

MORNING, MS. TANDY.

GOOD MORNING.

WELL, I EMAILED THE RESOLUTION OR THE ORDER OUT TO YOU GUYS YESTERDAY.

UM, THE TOTAL VOTES FOUR FOR 3,961 TOTAL VOTES AGAINST 3,781.

SO THE BOND DID PASS.

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THAT? WE APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DID AND ALL OF YOUR POLL WORKERS THANK, THANK YOU.

AND THEY DID A A REALLY GOOD JOB.

THEY DID.

IT'S A LONG TIME FROM BEGINNING TO THE END.

IT IS A VERY LONG TIME FROM BEGINNING TO END.

IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE TURNED OUT.

UH, TYPICALLY FOR MAY ELECTIONS, WE SEE A THREE TO 5% TURNOUT ON AVERAGE THIS YEAR WE SAW A 7.3, UM, FOR A NOVEMBER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT LIKE WE'RE GONNA HAVE LATER THIS YEAR, WE'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT ANOTHER THREE TO 5%.

SO WE JUST ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GET OUT AND VOTE AND THEY NEED TO GET MORE, NEED TO GET OUT AND VOTE.

ABSOLUTELY.

CAN'T COMPLAIN IF YOU DON'T VOTE.

NEED A MOTION TO ACCEPT.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

MR. MOORE MAKES THE MOTION TO HAVE A SECOND.

RUSSELL DISCUSSED, CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COUNTY COURT AT LAW DWI COURT AS A DWI TREATMENT COURT TO ENABLE IT TO PROVE, PROVIDE SERVICES FOR NEEDED BY THE CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTY.

MR. LANE MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

[4. Judge Russell: Discuss/Consider/Approve the establishment of the County Court at Law DWI Court as a DWI Treatment Court to enable it to provide services needed by the citizens of our county.]

MORNING JUDGE, IF YOU KINDA EXPLAIN AND GO THROUGH EVERYTHING SO THOSE ARE LISTING CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING AND COST INVOLVED AND STUFF

[00:05:01]

LIKE THAT.

YES, SIR.

UH, WE'RE SEEKING THE, UH, COMMISSIONER COURT TO ESTABLISH, UM, THE KAUFMAN COUNTY COURT AT LAW DWI COURT AS A DWI TREATMENT COURT.

OUR, OUR GOAL IS TO ADDRESS THE HIGH RISK, HIGH NEED PROBATIONERS THAT HAVE FELONY DWI OFFENSES.

UH, OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE THE CITIZENS SAFER, UM, MAKE OUR STREETS SAFER.

UM, THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE COMMITTED MULTIPLE DWIS, UM, AND THAT OTHERWISE ARE PROBABLY LOOKING AT PENITENTIARY TIME.

AND SO OUR HOPE IS TO ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS AND OUR NEEDS WITH THE TREATMENT COURT.

UM, WE RECEIVED OUR TRAINING ALREADY.

UM, WE ALREADY HAVE MONEY FROM A PRIOR GRANT, SO THIS WOULDN'T BE ANY KIND OF, UH, ANYTHING REGARDING THE BUDGET OF KAUFFMAN COUNTY ITSELF.

UM, WE'VE BEEN OPERATING SINCE APRIL 1ST AND BEING ESTABLISHED WILL ALLOW US TO, UH, SEEK ADDITIONAL GRANTS FOR FURTHER FUNDING FOR IT.

AND WE KNOW IT'S NEEDED, OBVIOUSLY.

AND WE KNOW THAT THERE'S SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE GONNA NEED COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS AND HOPEFULLY THESE GRANTS WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT.

AND AT SUCH TIME THAT WE RUN OUT OF THE GRANT MONEY, THEN WHAT DO WE DO TO KEEP ANY BURDEN FROM THEIR TAXPAYERS PROVIDING FREE ATTORNEYS.

YES, SIR.

AND, UM, YOU KNOW, THIS ESTABLISHMENT WILL ALLOW US TO SEEK MONEY FROM THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL OKAY.

FOR IT.

AND, AND WE'VE HAD THIS COURT PREVIOUSLY IN THE PAST AND IT, IT DID A LOT OF GOOD.

UM, AND WE'RE JUST TRYING TO REESTABLISH IT NOW.

ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS? ANYBODY? NO, IT'S DEFINITELY NEEDED.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, I, LIKE I SAID, RAN OUTTA TIME BEFORE AND WENT AWAY.

YES SIR.

MM-HMM.

NOW WE CURRENTLY HAVE A DWI COURT COURT.

WE DON'T HAVE A TREATMENT COURT RIGHT NOW.

THIS TREATMENT COURT.

YEP.

NOW THE CURRENT DWI COURT JUDGE, THAT'S ALSO THE, THAT TAKES CARE OF THE DRUGS AND THE ALCOHOL.

THE CURRENT ONE THAT WE HAVE NOW, RIGHT NOW, JUDGE RICH AND I SPLIT THE DWI CHARGES AND THAT INCLUDES ALL THE FELONY DWIS.

UH, THERE IS A DRUG COURT UNDER JUDGE GIBBS IN THE FOUR 22ND.

THIS IS GONNA BE, UH, SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING, UM, DWI I THE DWIS AND NOT JUST THE ALCOHOLIC TENDENCIES, BUT ALSO THE INSISTENCE ON STILL DRIVING AFTER THE DRINKING.

YOU KNOW, IT'S TWO HANDED, YOU'RE NOT JUST THE ALCOHOLIC DRINKER BUT ALSO THE PERSON INSISTING ON BREAKING THE LAW AND STILL DRIVING AND STILL PUTTING PEOPLE AT RISK.

SHERIFF, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? NO SIR.

I'VE GOT SOMEBODY ASSIGNED TO THE COURT.

? YES SIR.

ALRIGHT, WELL LET ME, UH, LET ME, UH, READ THIS RESOLUTION IF YOU DON'T MIND.

WHEREAS THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT OF KAUFMAN COUNTY FINDS IT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS OF KAUFMAN COUNTY.

LET THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW DWI COURT BE ESTABLISHED AS A DWI TREATMENT COURT PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 1 21 UNDER THE FORMAL LAW.

AND WHEREAS THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES THAT THIS COURT HAS BEEN OR WILL BE OPERATIONAL AS THE FIRST DAY OF APRIL 25, NOW THEREFORE BE RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT DOES AUTHORIZE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW DWI COURT AS A DWI TREATMENT COURT TO ENABLE IT TO PROVIDE SERVICES NEEDED BY THE CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTY.

SO THAT'S THE RESOLUTION.

SO WHAT'S YOUR FAVOR? I'LL MAKE A MOTION FOR YOU MR. PHIS.

IT MAKES THE MOTION.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

MR. CROW MAKES A SECOND.

HE IS GOING TO CALL YOUR NAME JEREMY, DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE SECURITY CAMERAS INSTALLATION ON WAYNE GIT.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU JUDGE.

MM-HMM Y'ALL HAVE A GOOD DAY.

THANK YOU.

YOU TOO.

JEREMY, YOU MIGHT AS WELL COME UP HERE.

[5. Jeremy Mungin: Discuss/Consider/Approve security camera installation on Wayne Gent Dr. One camera in Precinct 1 and the other in Precinct 4, parcel spltts.]

DRIVE ONE CAMERA IN PRECINCT ONE AND THE OTHER IN PRECINCT FOUR PARTIAL SPLITS.

MORNING, JEREMY, SIR, IF YOU TELL US WHY I THINK THE SHERIFF HAS REQUESTED THIS AND YOU MAY NEED TO SHERIFF COME UP AND ASK OR EXPLAIN AND THEN JEREMY CAN TELL US.

NO, WHAT THIS IS IS THE FLOCK CAMERAS THAT WE USE AROUND THE COURTHOUSE, UH, AROUND THE JUSTICE CENTER THAT WE CAN COUNT FOR EVERYBODY COMING IN AND OUT.

AND WITH THE BACK ACCESS ROAD, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COUNT FOR EVERYBODY THAT COMES IN AND OUT, UH, BACK THERE AND WHAT WE'RE DOING.

SO WE'RE ASKING Y'ALL'S PERMISSION TO GET THIS DONE.

UH, APPARENTLY WE WAS TOLD IT WAS IN THE CITY.

WE WENT TO THE CITY.

THEY SAID THAT PART'S IN THE COUNTY.

I SAID, I'M NOT ARGUING, I'M GONNA JUST, LET'S GET IT APPROVED WHERE I CAN GET THESE CAMERAS

[00:10:01]

UP.

'CAUSE WE'VE ALREADY GOT THE ROAD BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BACK THERE.

VERY MUCH THAT'S A SAFETY ISSUE.

IT'S THE BACK OF ALL OUR FACILITIES AT THE BACK OF THE JUSTICE CENTER.

SO I NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHO'S COMING IN AND OUT BECAUSE IT'S STILL DENSELY WOODED.

EASY TO HIDE VERY MUCH.

YES, SIR.

NOW IS THIS THE ROAD THAT'S GOING TO THE TOWER OR IS IT THE NEW ACTUAL YEAH, IT'S THE NEW ACTUAL ROAD.

ACTUAL ROAD.

OH, I THOUGHT IT WAS A DIFFERENT NAME ON THAT ROAD.

NO, NO, UHUH.

THAT'S IT.

THAT'S WHAT SUPPOSEDLY THEY NAMED IT.

SO AS THE SHERIFF UH, ALLUDED THAT YES, THESE ARE SECURITY CAMERAS, UH, THEY SUBMITTED THEIR DETAILS, WE, UH, REVIEWED THEM AND WE'RE SEEKING THE APPROVAL.

ANY QUESTIONS, JEREMY OR THE SHERIFF? NOT, I ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

I CAN'T.

COMMISSIONER LANE BEAT YOU TODAY.

THAT'S FINE.

MR. CROW.

MAY A SECOND.

I, WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS AND APPROVE ALREADY ONE CONCRETE BOX COVERT FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE PRECINCT FOUR, UTILIZING THE COUNTY BID 24 DASH 14.

[6. Lorena Diaz: Discuss/Consider/Approve ordering one Concrete Box Culvert for Road and Bridge Precinct 4 utilizing Kaufman County Bid 24-14,]

GOOD MORNING.

COMMISSIONER MOORE HAS ASKED ME TO PLACE THIS ON THE AGENDA FOR TRANSPARENCY.

THE COST OF THE COVERTS 99,001 20.

THE PURCHASE FALLS UNDER EXISTING BID 24 14.

IT MEETS ALL PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS AND I'M HERE TO JUST MENTION IT.

OKAY? IT'S A BIG COVER.

UH, WITH THE RECENT STORMS ON COUNTY ROAD 40 17, THAT LARGE CUL YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH, IT USED TO BE COMMISSIONER DOWN THERE TOO.

UH, IT WASHED OUT, TOOK THE WHOLE CULVERT OUT, SO IT WE'RE PAST, THERE'S A LOT OF WATER.

THERE'S A LOT OF WATER GOING THROUGH THERE.

SO WE'RE UPGRADING IT.

HOPEFULLY WE WILL NOT HAVE TO GO BACK AND FIX IT AGAIN.

SO, YES, I UNDERSTAND THAT.

MOTION.

SO YOU MAKE THAT MOTION.

MR. LANE MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

[7. Judge Allen: Discuss/Consider/Approve allocations of the Family Protection Fee to Lone Star CASA, Inc., Kaufman County Children's Emergency Shelter, The Genesis Center, and the Kaufman County Children's Advocacy Center in equal shares.]

IS MINE.

DISCUSS, CONSIDER IMPROVE ALLOCATIONS FOR THEIR FAMILY PROTECTION FEE OF LONE STAR CASA KAMAN COUNTY CHILDREN'S EMERGENCY SHELTER, THE GENESIS CENTER AND THE KALIN COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER AND EQUAL SHARES.

THIS IS THE LAST YEAR THIS FEE IS GOING TO BE HAD.

SO WE'RE JUST SPLITTING IT UP EQUAL SHARES AND SENDING IT OUT LIKE WE ALWAYS DO.

SO THAT, I'LL MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE DO THIS.

I NEED A SECOND.

MR. PHIS MAKES A SECOND.

YOUR TURN TO, UH, DISCUSS LINE ITEM AND BUDGET TRANSFERS.

A AYE.

MOTION.

YOUR CARRIES.

THANK YOU MS. AUDITOR.

[8. Auditor: Discuss/Consider line item and budget transfers/corrections.]

GOOD MORNING.

UM, YES, WE JUST SENT ROU ROUTINE, UM, BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND LINE ITEM TRANSFERS LAST WEEK FOR Y'ALLS REVIEW.

IF Y'ALL DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AND WE ASK FOR YOUR APPROVAL, Y'ALL HAVE TIME TO SEE THOSE.

ANY CONCERNS? EVERYBODY LOOKED AT 'EM.

NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE? I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.

MR. MOORE MAKES THE MOTION TO HAVE A SECOND.

SECOND.

I THINK MR. CROW BEAT YOU THAT TIME.

MR. CROW BEAT YOU FOR A SECOND.

AUDITOR ONCE AGAIN DISCUSS, CONSIDER CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT.

AYE.

MOTION CARRIES.

MS.

[9. Auditor: Discuss/Consider claims for payment and/or Financial Information as provided by the County Auditor.]

OUR CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT WERE, UM, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND JUROR CHECKS IN THE AMOUNT OF 1,480,000 1 62 AND 81 CENTS.

WE ALSO HAD A PAYROLL OF 2,050,144 AND 59 CENTS MAKING YOUR TOTAL CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT AT 3,530,300 HUNDRED SEVEN AND 40 CENTS.

AND I ASK FOR YOUR APPROVAL.

NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE? I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.

MR. MOORE MAKES THE MOTION TO HAVE A SECOND.

I'LL SECOND MR. LANE, MAKE A SECOND.

AYE.