Apr 21, 2026 Commissioners Court

OKAY.

UH, THEY

[00:00:01]

OKAY.

ALRIGHT,

[Call to Order]

THE REGULAR MEETING HERE TODAY ON TUESDAY, THE 21ST OF APRIL.

AND WE'RE IN THE ANNEX.

AS USUAL.

WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH AN INVOCATION LED BY COMMISSIONER LANE AND OUR SHERIFF BEAVERS GONNA LEAD US IN THE PLEDGES IF YOU JOIN ME.

AND STAND, PLEASE THAT PRAY.

LORD, THANK YOU FOR JUST A GLORIOUS DAY.

THANK YOU FOR THE, THE RAIN YOU SEND TO US.

LORD, WATCH OVER EVERYONE.

KEEP US SAFE.

THANK YOU FOR ALL OUR CA COUNTY EMPLOYEES, ALL OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND ALL OUR MILITARY.

KEEP THEM, KEEP THEM IN, IN OUR, IN OUR MINDS, OUR HEARTS AND KEEP THEM SAFE.

LORD, HELP US TODAY DO IN COURT WHAT IN YOUR EYES NEEDS TO BE DONE.

CHRIST AND WE PRAY.

AMEN.

AMEN.

TO GOODBYE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

LIBERTY, JUSTICE FOR ALL HONOR OF TEXAS LIFE.

ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD.

ONE INDIVISIBLE.

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT, DOES ANYONE

[1. ROUTINE CORRESPONDENCE]

YEAH.

AND UP TO $15 WILL GO TO OUR PET ADOPTION CENTER.

SO WE WILL POST THIS ON OUR WEBSITE AND SO THOSE ARE LISTING ONLINE.

YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE TODAY AND UH, WE'LL HAVE IT THERE IN CASE YOU PUT IT UP THERE FOR US.

SO THAT'LL HELP US WITH OUR PET ADOPTION CENTER, WITH WHATEVER THEIR NEEDS MIGHT BE.

YEP.

YOU WANNA HAVE ANYTHING ELSE? AND THE LINE, THE LINE'S GONNA BE REALLY LONG.

THIS ONE TO WARN EVERYBODY ON THAT ONE.

OKAY.

WE HAVE FIVE

[2. CONSENT AGENDA]

Y'ALL HAVE HAD TIME TO LOOK AT THOSE.

ANY CORRECTIONS NEED TO BE MADE OR ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANYTHING THAT'S THERE? DON'T SEE ANYTHING.

I NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION FOR YOU.

MR. PHIS MAKES THE MOTION TO HAVE A SECOND.

I'LL SECOND.

MR. CROW MAKES SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

MOTION CARRIES.

NUMBER THREE, CASEY

[3. Casey Morris: Discuss/Consider/Approve adding a temporary part-time position to accommodate reduction in hours of permanent part-time position resulting in no-budget impact.]

DISCUSS, CONSIDER AN APPROVED, ADDING A TEMPORARY PART-TIME POSITION TO ACCOMMODATE REDUCED HOURS OF PERMANENT PART-TIME POSITION RESULTING IN A NO BUDGET IMPACT.

MORNING CASEY.

GOOD MORNING.

HOW Y'ALL DOING? GOOD.

UH, TALKED TO TOMMY AND KELLY ABOUT THIS, UH, THE NEW SOLID WASTE OR THE CONVENIENCE STATIONS.

UHHUH.

.

UM, THEY'RE ALREADY GOT TWO PART-TIME POSITIONS.

WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR A THIRD TO FILL IN IN CASE ONE'S SICK OR OUT.

UM, THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE'RE NEEDING.

IT WON'T AFFECT THE BUDGET AT ALL.

IT'S IF YOU'RE PAYING ONE, YOU'RE PAYING THE OTHER.

OKAY.

JUST TO KIND OF HAVE A COVER PERSON TO KIND COVER IF THE TWO CAN'T DO IT, SO.

RIGHT.

OKAY.

YES.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT.

ALRIGHT.

HAVE A MOTION FOR MR. LAN TO A SECOND.

I'LL SECOND.

MR. WILL MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

A THANK YOU GUYS.

MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU CASEY.

ALRIGHT BILL, YOU

[4. Constable Johnson: Discuss/Consider/Approve the deputation of Cedrick Rosewell as a Deputy Constable with Precinct #2 Constable's Office to fill a vacant patrol contract position in (192) Devonshire.]

CONSIDER PROVE THE DEPUTATION OF CEDRIC ROSEWELL AS A DEPUTY CONSTABLE WITH PRECINCT TWO CONSTABLE'S OFFICE TO FILL A VACANT PATROL CONTRACT POSITION IN UH, 1 92 DEVONSHIRE.

MORNING BILL.

GOOD MORNING.

YES SIR.

UH, YES SIR.

UH, CEDRIC JUST GRADUATED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO FROM THE NAVARRO, UH, COLLEGE POLICE ACADEMY.

WE RECRUITED HIM OUT OF HIS CLASS.

EXCEPTIONALLY BRIGHT YOUNG MAN.

HE'S A ALSO IN THE US ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.

HE'S A SPECIALIST IN INFANT TREATMENT AND WE'D LIKE TO ADD 'EM TO OUR DEHI CONTRACT.

OKAY.

ANY QUESTIONS? NO.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION WEIGH.

MR. PHELPS MAKES THE MOTION.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

MR. COLE MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

A AYE.

MOTION CARRIES.

ONCE

[5. Constable Johnson: Discuss/Consider/Approve Deputy Cedrick Rosewell to fill vacant patrol contract position in (192) Devonshire with Precinct #2 Constable's Office.]

YES SIR.

WE DO HAVE A POSITION THAT'S ALREADY BEEN APPROVED IN THE DEVONSHIRE CONTRACT.

WE'D LIKE TO ADD, UH, CEDRIC ROSEWELL IS A DEPUTY TO THAT CONTRACT.

OKAY.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION ALSO FOR THAT.

MR. PHELPS IS YOU IN PRECINCT? MAKES A MOTION.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

MR. COLE MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

YES SIR.

THANK YOU BILL.

OKAY, JEREMY,

[6. Jeremy Mungin: Discuss/Consider/Approve Charter Communications installing fiber on County Road 308, County Road 309, County Road 311, County Road 313, County Road 371 and Grabbs Ln in Precinct 3.]

INSTALLING FIBER ON COUNTY ROAD 3 0 8 AND COUNTY ROAD 3 0 9 COUNTY ROAD THREE 11 AND COUNTY ROAD THREE 13 AND 3 71

[00:05:01]

GOOD MORNING.

YES, SO THE ITEM THAT I'M PRESENTING IS FOR FIBER OPTIC INSTALL AND THIS IS CHARTER COMMUNICATION.

UM, THEY HAVE SUBMITTED A TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN SO THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY DISRUPTION AS REGARDS TO TRAVERSING.

UH, THERE ARE UM, METHODS OF BORING, WHICH MEANS THERE WILL BE, I BELIEVE IT'S A FIVE FOOT DEPTH SO THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY IMPACTS TO COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE.

UM, WE ARE ALSO REQUIRING THEM TO COORDINATE WITH THE UTILITY COMPANIES IN REGARDS TO WATERLINE DISRUPTIONS.

SO IN THAT REGARDS, I'M ASKING FOR THEIR APPROVAL.

NOW YOU SAID THERE'S BEEN SOME ISSUES THERE.

HAS THEM OR SOME? A DIFFERENT COMPANY? A DIFFERENT COMPANY.

DIFFERENT COMPANY.

OKAY.

WE'RE ACTIVELY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO THESE FOLKS ARE.

OKAY.

UM, YES.

IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS.

YES SIR.

OKAY.

SO, UH, COMMISSIONER, I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

MR. LANE MAKES A MOTION TO HAVE A SECOND.

I'LL SECOND.

MR. MOORE MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

A MOTION CARRIES JEREMY ONCE

[7. Jeremy Mungin: Discuss/Consider/Approve Charter Communications installing fiber on Abner Rd and County Road 129 in Precinct 1.]

YES SIR.

SAME METRICS PRETTY MUCH.

UM, I SPOKE WITH COMMISSIONER CROW.

I GOT CONFIRMATION THAT THE COMPANY THAT'S INSTALLING THESE, I WOULDN'T SAY ILLEGALLY BUT AT THE TIME, UM, IT'S NOT THIS COMPANY THAT'S BLIND FOR THIS.

UM, SO LIKE I SAID, WE ARE ACTIVELY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO IS INSTALLING THESE AND TRYING TO BRING THEM FORTH THROUGH THE PERMITTING PROCESS.

UM, AND I ASKED THE COURT TO APPROVE MARK, WE'VE HAD THIS ISSUE THREE YEARS AGO WITH COMPANIES DISRUPTING PHONE LINES, WATER LINES, AND WE SEEM TO PUT A STOP TO IT BACK THEN.

YEAH.

I BELIEVE WE DO HAVE SOME REGULATORY AUTHORITY ON THIS.

I'M GONNA FOLLOW UP WITH KAREN 'CAUSE SHE'S DONE THE PRIMARY RESEARCH.

OKAY.

WE'RE GONNA GET BACK IN COURT ON THAT BECAUSE IT'S VERY DISRUPTIVE TO OUR CITIZENS WHEN THIS THING HAPPENS AND IT GETS IN THERE RIGHT AWAY TOO.

SO YEAH, THEY PUTTING, UH, SOMEBODY BEEN WORKING OUT THERE ON COUNTY ROAD 1 29 ABOUT TWO OR THREE DAYS AGO.

I CAN'T CATCH 'EM.

YEAH.

AND THEY PUTTING THAT LINE RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE DITCH.

YEAH.

THE TROUBLE IS THEY COME ON THE WEEKEND, THEY COME SATURDAY.

YEAH.

YOU KNOW, THEY RUN IT OUT THERE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

PUT IT IN AND THINKING NOBODY WILL CATCH 'EM.

RIGHT.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

OKAY.

DO YOU KNOW HOW DEEP THEY'RE PUTTING IN? NOPE.

NO.

I JUST GOT PIPES STICKING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DITCH AND I'M GOING TO REDO THAT.

I'M GOING, I'M GOING HAVE TO RIP 'EM OUT.

THEY HAVE TO PULL THE PIPES UP.

THERE YOU GO.

OKAY.

ALRIGHT.

SO LET ME GET BETTER GET OVER THERE AND PULL 'EM OUT RIGHT NOW.

GO BEFORE THEY, THEY GONNA REDO IT? YEAH.

ALRIGHT.

SO DO YOU HAVE A MOTION? I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

HAVE A MOTION FOR COMMISSIONER CROW TO APPROVE.

HAVE A SECOND.

I'LL SECOND MR. FIELDS.

MAKE A SECOND.

ALL THEM FAVORS SAY AYE.

AYE.

MOTION CARRIES.

WE'RE GONNA PASS ON NUMBER EIGHT.

TANYA'S NOT READY FOR THAT.

NUMBER NINE.

MS. LAINA,

[9. Lorena Diaz: Discuss/Consider/Approve awarding bid 2026-002 Lower East Fork Lateral Site 2-Repair to Beavers Contracting and authorization for the County Judge to execute the contract upon final legal review.]

YES MA'AM.

WELL, GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

WE RECEIVED FIVE BIDS AND BEAVER CONTRACTING, UH, SUBMITTED THE LOWEST BID AT 840,000 4 85 20 5 CENTS.

I RECOMMEND THE AWARD TO BEAVER'S CONTRACTING AND REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY TO SIGN THE CONTRACT ONCE LEGAL COMPLETES THEIR REVIEW.

OKAY.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR LORENA? NO ASSOCIATION TO ME EITHER.

.

COME ON.

OKAY.

NO, IN, NO INTEREST IN REPAIRING? NO.

UH, OKAY.

HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

MR. LANE MAKES THE MOTION.

I'LL SECOND IT.

MR. MOORE MAKES THE MOTIONS FOR A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

A A MOTION CARRIES.

OKAY, ONCE

[10. Lorena Diaz: Discuss/Consider/Approve the purchase of Two (2) New Caterpillar lnc Model: 420 Backhoe Loaders for Road & Bridge 3 utilizing Sourcewell Contract 011723.]

THREE USED IN SOURCE WHEEL CONTRACT 0 1 1 7 2 3.

SO THIS ITEM'S FOR TWO PIECES OF EQUIPMENT TOTALING 304,562 WITH A 235,000 TRADING CREDIT NET COST TO THE COUNTY IS 65, NO.

69,562.

IT MEETS SPECIFICATIONS AND PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS.

I MIGHT MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PURCHASE.

OKAY, COMMISSIONER, I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

MAKE A MOTION.

HAVE A MOTION FOR COMMISSIONER.

UH, LANE.

DO YOU HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

MR. KROLL MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR.

CIA.

AYE.

MOTION CARRIES.

NUMBER

[11. Judge Allen: Discuss/Consider/Approve appointment of County Judge Jakie Allen for a 2-year term (July 2026-July 2028) to the Regional Transportation Council Board and Ellis County Commissioner Stinson as the alternate to Judge Jakie Allen.]

DISCUSS, CONSIDER AN APPROVE APPOINTMENT OF COUNTY JUDGE JACKIE ALLEN FOR TWO YEAR TERM.

JULY OF 26TH TO JULY OF 28TH TO THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL BOARD AND ELLIS, UH, COUNTY COMMISSIONER STINSON AS THE ALTER TO JUDGE ALLEN.

[00:10:01]

MM-HMM .

UH, AND FINALLY, UH, COME TO FRUITION.

WE'RE SUPPOSED TO SWAP EVERY TWO YEARS AND SO THIS WILL BE OUR TURN TO HAVE A VOTE AT THE TABLE FIRST TIME.

YEAH.

SO THAT'S PRETTY GOOD.

YEAH, I THINK SO.

WE NEED TO MM-HMM .

WE NEED TO HAVE THAT VOICE.

SO GET A MOTION.

DENY SOMETHING FROM THE, I'M GONNA MAKE A MOTION FOR YOU.

ALRIGHT.

MOTION.

I'LL SECOND.

COMMISSIONER PHILLIPS MAKES THE MOTION.

COMMISSIONER MOORE MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVORS SAY AYE.

A MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT ONE IS MINE.

DISCUSS,

[12. Judge Allen: Discuss/Consider/Approve requesting Disbursement of the Unclaimed Capital Credit Fund from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.]

YOU KNOW, WE DO THIS EVERY YEAR.

YEP.

ANY IDEA OF WHAT HAS BEEN AVERAGING OR BALLPARK FIGURE? I DIDN'T BRING THAT INFORMATION WITH ME.

IT'S SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS.

IT IS.

YEAH.

IT REALLY IS.

MM-HMM .

AND SO THAT MONEY GOES BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND THAT WE CAN USE FOR WHATEVER PROJECTS WE NEED.

MM-HMM .

SO NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE.

I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.

THERE YOU GO.

MR. MOORE MAKES THE MOTION TO HAVE A SECOND.

I'LL SECOND.

MR. KROLL MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

A MOTION CARRIES.

NUMBER 13,

[13. Judge Allen: Discuss/Consider/Approve Resolution regarding statewide 911 service fee and funding model to support modernization of Texas 911 systems.]

CONSIDER AN APPROVED RESOLUTION REGARDING STATEWIDE 9 1 1 SERVICE FEE AND FUNDING MODEL TO SUPPORT MODERNIZATION OF TEXAS 9 1 1 SYSTEMS. UH, AREN'T YOU SITTING ON THAT? YES.

BOARD.

MATTER OF FACT, I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD.

CAN EXPLAIN WHERE WE, I BROUGHT HIM.

I BROUGHT HIM A RESOLUTION TO STABILIZE THE, THE FUNDS THAT WE RECEIVED.

'CAUSE WE DON'T RECEIVE THE SAME AMOUNT.

YOU KNOW, AND THE, AND THE COST KEEPS GOING UP AND UP AND UP AND WE NEED A STABLE INCOME AND WE'RE ASKING THE, THE LEGISLATOR TO DO SO ALONG WITH A LOT OF OTHER COUNTIES AND CITIES ARE ALL ASKING THE SAME THING.

PASSING RESOLUTION TO DO THAT.

BUT IT'S BEEN 50 CENTS A MONTH ON YOUR CELL PHONES AND THAT HASN'T CHANGED IN YEARS.

AND WE DON'T RECEIVE.

YEAH, WE DON'T RECEIVE THAT MUCH.

AND WE NEED KEEP SOME OF THEM.

WE NEED HELP.

'CAUSE COMMUNICATION IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ISSUE FOR US.

VERY MUCH.

HOW MUCH IS THE TOWER WE HAVE TO PUT IN ON THE TOWER? ANOTHER TOWER'S GONNA BE ABOUT ALMOST 1.8 MILLION.

SO YOU, WE CAN'T JUST REACH DOWN AND GET THAT OUTTA THE GENERAL FUND.

NO, WE, SO WE NEED ALL THAT MONEY OUGHT TO BE GOING TO 9 1 1.

IT OUGHT TO BE GOING 9 1 1.

THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S SAFETY FOR EVERYONE.

MM-HMM .

OKAY.

SO Y'ALL KNOW WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

DO I HAVE A MOTION? I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

MR. PHILLIPS MAKES THE MOTION.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

MR. MOORE MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR CI AYE.

AYE.

MOTION CARRIES.

MR.

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

THIS WEEK WE HAVE A FEW ROUTINE LINE ITEM TRANSFERS, UM, AND BUDGET AMENDMENTS.

AND WE ASK FOR THE COURT'S APPROVAL.

YOU HAVE ALL GOT THOSE LAST FRIDAY.

TIME TO LOOK AT THEM.

ANY QUESTIONS? NOPE.

EITHER A MOTION TO APPROVE.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

MR. PHILLIPS MAKES THE MOTION TO HAVE SECOND.

I'LL SECOND.

MR. KROLL MAKES SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

MOTION CARRIES.

MS. AUDITOR ONCE AGAIN

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

THIS WEEK WE JUST HAVE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE INVOICES MOSTLY MADE UP OF GRANT EXPENDITURES AND WE ASK FOR THE COURT'S APPROVAL TO PAY THOSE.

YOU HAVE ALL SEEN THOSE TWO.

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? NONE NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE THEN I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

MR. LANE MAKES THE MOTION.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

MR. MOORE MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE.

MOTION CARRIES.

I'LL

[16. Adjourn Meeting]

WE HAVE A MOTION.

MR. PHIS? DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

MR. CROW MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE.

MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.