North & East Texas
Anderson County received a Gold Leadership Circle Award from the Texas comptroller’s office for “striving to meet a high standard for financial transparency online.” Judge Robert Johnston attributed the honor to work by the auditor (Karin Smith) and IT director (Tommy Waldrop).
Franklin County Commissioners Court approved the sale of the constable’s two drug-detecting dogs for $3,500 to the city of Naples and $4,500 to the city of Winfield.
Hamilton County conducted rededication ceremonies for its courthouse, originally built in 1887, expanded in 1932, and restored in a three-year project with a grant of $6.2 million from the Texas Historical Commission.
Harrison County Commissioners Court authorized participation in the Indigent Defense Discretionary Grant Program to improve indigent legal services. The county will spend up to $5,000 this fiscal year, including video conferencing for indigent inmates.
Houston County conducted a series of events this spring to celebrate its 175th birthday, including display of a Vietnam memorial wall and a re-enactment of the signing of a petition in Crockett to form the county.
Hunt County Commissioners Court adopted a 180-page transportation plan that was two years in development in cooperation with the North Central Texas Council of Governments and other government agencies.
Johnson County held groundbreaking ceremonies for its $4.5 million adult probation building. Pete Durant & Associates is construction manager. Also, commissioners approved a contract with NET Data Corp. of Sulphur Springs for its online payment program.
Nacogdoches County Commissioners Court approved an agreement with the city of Nacogdoches to centralize dispatch for the sheriff and police departments effective Oct. 1.
San Augustine County received a grant of $162,000 for radio equipment for its volunteer fire departments, including Broaddus, Powell, Denning and Attoyac.
Shelby County Commissioners Court voted to join Sabine and San Augustine counties in the formation of a groundwater conservation district.
Somervell County Commissioners Court approved the trade of a parcel of county land for two lots in Glen Rose that contain dinosaur tracks. The Glen Rose Reporter said the county’s acquisition could be leased to a non-profit organization for a visitors center and museum. Paleontologists are scheduled to work at the site this summer.
Titus County Commissioners Court awarded a bid of $8.5 million to H.H. Howard and Sons of Mount Pleasant for the next phase of improvements to FM 2348. Commissioners also approved $5,579 for a second drug detection dog and training of the dog and its handler.
Trinity County Commissioners Court approved the purchase of five buildings in Groveton each used as a courthouse auxiliary building for $675,000.
Upshur County Commissioners Court approved a new contract with UniFirst, one of North America’s largest workwear companies, to provide uniforms for employees of the road and bridge department.
Van Zandt County Commissioners Court approved an emergency action plan to address dams on private lakes determined to be at high risk of failing. Commissioner Virgil Melton told the Van Banner that the TCEQ rated four dams as “high risk or near failure.” He added, “They are nearing the end of their life expectancy.”
Walker County Commissioners Court voted to issue $20 million in certificates of obligation to fund land purchase and construction of a new jail.
South Texas
Aransas County received another grant – this one for $58,000 – for the development of the Live Oak Nature and Education Trail.
Bastrop County has an interim county judge. Jim Wither of Smithville, former county auditor from 1987 to 2002, was selected to replace Ronnie McDonald, who resigned to campaign for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Bexar County Commissioners Court authorized 39 additional high-water detection systems at flood-prone crossings in a $3 million project that will eventually provide online status checks for each crossing. Bexar County is also beginning a $6.2 million restoration of San Pedro Creek downtown and $6.7 million in improvements to four southside dams.
Brazoria County Commissioners Court approved the county’s largest tax abatement since at least 1988 for Dow Chemical, which is considering Freeport as the site of a $1.7 billion natural gas liquids plant that would bring in 800 construction jobs at its peak. Also, Judge Joe King, a former county sheriff and Texas DPS officer, was honored for more than 50 years of service to the Boy Scouts of America.
Caldwell County Commissioners Court approved a short-term tax note of up to $4 million to purchase and renovate a Walmart building for a judicial center. The Lockhart Post-Register said it will house district courts, district and county clerks, and the district attorney’s office.
Colorado County Commissioners Court approved a notice of intent to issue $2.75 million in certificates of obligation to finance restoration of the interior of the courthouse. There is also a $3.2 million state grant for the $5.7 million project.
Fort Bend County Commissioners Court approved an agreement with the University of Houston for an evaluation of the mental health public defender office. “It’s actually succeeding beyond my wildest expectations,” Commissioner Richard Morrison told the Fort Bend Herald. “We’re going to be able to show a significant amount of time not served in jail.” Also, Fort Bend accepted a federal grant of $415,083 for a high intensity drug trafficking program.
Gillespie County Commissioners Court awarded $80,000 in hotel/motel occupancy tax funds, including $16,000 to Friends of Gillespie County Schools, $11,000 to Gillespie County Historical Society, and $8,000 to the Admiral Nimitz Foundation.
Guadalupe County Judge Mike Wiggins, a retired Texas DPS sergeant who was elected in 2006, resigned effective April 30, according reports in the Seguin Gazette. Also, commissioners approved tax abatements for Bandera Ventures, a Dallas company that is proposing a 300,000-square-foot building to be leased to Caterpillar suppliers.
Karnes County opened the Karnes County Civil Detention Center, a $32 million facility near Karnes City in the detention reform program of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Kleberg County Commissioners Court approved grants from the district attorney’s office of $10,000 to Boy Scouts of America and $500 to Kingsville Boxing Club.
Medina County Commissioners Court approved an expansion of a nutrition program for senior citizens into Castroville. It will be housed in facilities of the Zion Lutheran Church. The county program already exists in Hondo and Devine.
Nueces County announced plans to reopen most of Hazel Bazemore Park more than two years after sections of the park were closed to remove illegal dumping, including more than 8,000 tires.
Refugio County received about $300,000 in grants, including a grant from the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, to rebuild the Mission River boat ramp.
Travis County Commissioners Court voted to purchase land in downtown Austin for $7.25 million to construct office space for district attorney and county attorney prosecutors. Commissioners also approved expansions of two roads and scheduled a public hearing to learn plans for a Formula One race in Austin Nov. 16-18 expected to attract 100,000 people.
Washington County Commissioners Court approved an agreement with the Brazos Valley Regional Advisory Council that allows the county to use BVRAC supplies and equipment, including generators and tents, in emergency and disaster response. Tax abatements were also awarded to Blue Bell Creameries for an expansion in Brenham of 99,000 square feet totaling $13 million in construction and equipment (with 50 additional employees).
Webb County Commissioners Court voted to form a regional partnership with local hospitals and seven neighboring counties to leverage federal funding for indigent care into more funds. “More than 40 percent of Laredo residents lack health insurance,” the Laredo Morning Times reported. “That leaves emergency rooms as their primary form of health care.”
West Texas
Bandera County Commissioners Court authorized Houston-based Greenstar Recycling to manage the county’s recycling program.
Borden County Commissioners Court authorized the purchase of portable radios for the county’s volunteer fire department.
Crockett County Commissioners Court approved a bid of $350,630 from Decker Custom Homes for an addition to the courthouse annex vault.
Dawson County Commissioners Court approved a contract with Parkhill, Smith & Cooper Inc., a design firm of architects and engineers based in Lubbock, for a $220,000 project to make the adult and juvenile probation offices at the courthouse annex ADA compliant.
El Paso County Commissioners Court approved Friends of the Lake, an initiative to seek funds from community groups and individuals for events and upgrades at Ascarate Park.
Gaines County Commissioners Court approved an agreement with Plano-based TrafficPayment.com, a division of The Payment Group, to allow citizens to make online payments for traffic fines, warrants and other court-related fees.
Gray County Commissioners Court approved a contract with Kofile Inc. of Rochester, N.Y., for preservation of the county clerk’s records dating back to the beginning of the county in 1881.
Hockley County received two grants totaling $14,650 for library computer software. Also, commissioners approved $425,000 to build a horse barn at Mallet Event Center and Arena with 300 stalls and $642,000 for its operation in 2012.
Kerr County Commissioners Court voted to issue $5.9 million in certificates of obligation to finance capital projects for the next five years.
McCulloch County Commissioners Court approved an agreement with Lohn ISD to provide equipment to help refurbish the high school football field.
Palo Pinto County Commissioners Court voted to award rebates of taxes for September through December 2011 for the owners of 34 homes lost in the 101 Ranch fire last year.
Scurry County Judge Rod Waller, who earlier served as mayor of Snyder, is retiring after three terms. The county also received grants of $57,000 from the State Energy Conservation Office and $22,800 from Oncor to replace lighting in the courthouse with energy-efficient fixtures and bulbs.
Ward County received the Texas Comptroller’s Leadership Award, which is awarded to counties for high levels of financial transparency.
Wise County Commissioners Court approved the purchase of a trailer for firefighter rehab to be stationed at large fires at a cost of $18,000 to $20,000. Commissioners also approved the purchase of mobile radios and related equipment with grants of $75,000.
Young County Commissioners Court authorized NET Data Corp. of Sulphur Springs to provide online access to records from the county clerk and justice of the peace. Residents also may make online payments.