[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6309107,"mediaKeyId","2414491-43cd65c0191c7432625b4cfb06043a9e","parentId",2414491,"title","Votes at a glance: key approvals and routine actions from Van Zandt County Commissioners Court","audioSeconds",3968,"startMs",634000,"endMs",4602000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414491-43cd65c0191c7432625b4cfb06043a9e&start=634&end=4602","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414491-43cd65c0191c7432625b4cfb06043a9e/thumbnail_634000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6309107/Van-Zandt-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-key-approvals-and-routine-actions-from-Van-Zandt-County-Commissioners-Court","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309107-6d2cd6917020cf28932cc3748562e522/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165634&Signature=IWk~N236pmJnUVsFmdPRCNySPJctyHP2rdb68mvyVmHrzsUtOP~ChH3NAiu-z4CPQCTVe2swJxXV0vmp2sFKVerwPzthUpRrTiAIL6aEMPAyJjtwDnepdg4HED1JggD1ptY9gTafq8KHxiw4a3c2qYC-F6L7XtvH4EJlEHst4sFW3dpTksAWX5Gw6lV~LcgZpZSP907TFFflui~ee~MoUYA~nucMpiEyIxKUHrEpqMhvN9DS1SdxFao-i5--vQzqm79ZCfaB~3B4473g0WJuB2jJPIvXXHgnafxoL1zKYio9H-o8mkHdMwiOYCsE8PRgbvA~bpp27Lt9s2TuUKy4Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Van Zandt County TX","date","2025-02-26T14:55:59Z","article","Van Zandt County Commissioners Court approved a slate of routine items and programmatic contracts on Wednesday. The court used single motions to clear consent business, accepted nonprofit reports, authorized grant and contract signatures, and approved subdivision and traffic-study permissions. The Komatsu Architecture courthouse contract (item 15) was tabled for public outreach (see separate article).

Votes and key details recorded on the meeting record include:

- Consent agenda (Item 4): Approved by motion and voice vote; routine items were enacted in one motion with no separate discussion unless removed.

- Renewal of Theresa Byrd to ESD No. 4 board of directors for two years (Item 6): Motion made and seconded; passed by voice vote.

- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) grant contract for legal staffing to handle child-welfare (CPS) cases (Item 7): County Judge authorized to sign grant contract; motion passed by voice vote. (Purpose described as indigent defense/processing of CPS cases.)

- Authorization for the County Judge to sign the DebrisTech monitoring contract (Item 8): Approved (covered in separate article); required for FEMA/TDEM reimbursement for May 2024 storm debris removal.

- Permission for TxDOT to conduct a traffic study on Highway 64 at FM 858 near the Big Tex RV Park area (Item 9): Court granted permission so TxDOT can perform a no-cost traffic study.

- Approval for 9 Tree RV Park subdivision on FM 858 in Precinct 4 (Item 10): Approved for bond purposes after fire marshal and septic paperwork were submitted as required.

- Approval of bond for Michelle Kinney, first assistant county auditor, $5,000 (Item 11): Approved by motion and voice vote.

- Acceptance of check from the City of Edgewood for reimbursement of hauled road material (Item 12): Motion to accept the check passed.

The court also heard the detailed P25 radio system update and approved Order Number 4 and critical spares with L3Harris (covered in separate article). Several motions were passed by voice vote without recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Van Zandt County Commissioners Meeting 2/26/2025a","oneSentenceSummary","The court handled a mix of routine and programmatic business: the consent agenda was approved, several appointments and bonds were authorized, a DFPS grant contract and multiple development and traffic items were approved, and item 15 (courthouse restoration contract) was tabled after a request for public workshops.","taxTitle","Van Zandt County, Texas","taxId",63777,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6309112,"County accepts Genealogical Society’s 2024 annual report and awards centennial certificates",784,672000,1456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414491-43cd65c0191c7432625b4cfb06043a9e&start=672&end=1456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414491-43cd65c0191c7432625b4cfb06043a9e/thumbnail_672000.jpg","/articles/6309112/Van-Zandt-County/Texas/County-accepts-Genealogical-Societys-2024-annual-report-and-awards-centennial-certificates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309112-34c7027b2502a3d5e1ba62676b802f75/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165634&Signature=Efg9ywK9Bt0nhS2wWTxDVqRjhb0ZgX78uCTy-fXBviIOUAi42vnRhmpRRjZyXautqmu3MkVMS1VeU9b~l31R37KOS32DNDs5NdWXQTrc6UGLdAbzI5kiBEJi9zk5E5FfmeqXifpKeqngELz1Cbenuv7j-sgfiNAkrdAbMFCqP6WfAIQn9SrLqDdva0cpXx8XySFeq04U5mi6hi4Jqr~duLFxPweThoCwFmWxabPDa87I8eiYPXs2pTucALdKaGXaWAbLbXai~v54e4Nf8zIDtecQQTJ43irxEwfTkfEWMS775bohYb4HxbqBPGPZBr-Fwd7tDS708DaqZlaJvLyLew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commissioners accepted the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society’s 2024 annual report after a detailed presentation from Carrie Woolverton, manager of the Van Zandt County Library of Genealogy and Local History and representative of the Genealogical Society.

Woolverton reviewed the society’s volunteer structure and services: 12 volunteer librarians who staffed the genealogy library (open Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., and Friday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.), parking volunteers who fund the library through donations collected on special event days, monthly educational programs (in person, Zoom and Facebook Live), and a youth volunteer librarian program. She reported the library holds almost 7,000 volumes and provided usage statistics for 2024: 347 out-of-county patrons visited and 96 in-county patrons; volunteers logged thousands of hours across library operations and special projects.

Woolverton described preservation efforts including indexing and transcription of historic county records dating back to the 1800s, a project to mark graves of War of 1812 veterans (she reported finding more than 60 such graves in the county), and publication of a quarterly titled Heritage. She also noted the society’s primary operating revenue is parking donations collected during events and that 2024 expenditures for the library totaled $22,558.01.

The society presented certificates acknowledging 100 years of residency for several ancestors of Commissioner Bobby Dean Phillips; the court received the society’s written annual report and approved acceptance by voice vote.

","The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court accepted the 2024 annual report from the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, heard a detailed presentation on society activities and finances, and approved certificates honoring century‑long local residency.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6309117,"Court authorizes DebrisTech contract for storm debris monitoring after FEMA/TDEM reimbursement clarification",278,1568000,1846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414491-43cd65c0191c7432625b4cfb06043a9e&start=1568&end=1846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414491-43cd65c0191c7432625b4cfb06043a9e/thumbnail_1568000.jpg","/articles/6309117/Van-Zandt-County/Texas/Court-authorizes-DebrisTech-contract-for-storm-debris-monitoring-after-FEMATDEM-reimbursement-clarification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309117-b7e894cf57c823c243ad721beb5cf08d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165634&Signature=hlg1HG59Nq-yOCjKVv0E8TPd7N~qk27adwZq-q1URezPKPil1TDcYRI-8z1EaiJx13bPzpFuTUTKsRksfvE6XGXEnsAtjxX1WIGKcxhy9Z66bJp1sG1d8e5xF2QtZSCTY8v6jpIBrUdoh4v~I40pSyXtaLh06wsZN-K9p-Va~Ru1PrwqupmseR5RQdEZo1tHoObif7eqbpRL1jJgeRYTnxzi0PPXRNsISoG-gEjwQIMqp5YG3tG2mmPhNW2qPwXRZprSITDZLk-UXAq0DLsJpenRmBYFeXIkF7hUrNReeQmLCLqpunjpy2Bey4nwB3-4TEKaHrbhUB83au5LJgPYiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commissioners authorized the County Judge to sign a contract with DebrisTech for disaster debris monitoring services related to storm damage declared in May 2024, a move the court said is required to secure FEMA and Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) reimbursement for debris removal work.

The County Judge explained that the 2024 emergency declaration and subsequent FEMA declaration make debris removal work eligible for roughly 75% reimbursement from FEMA, with the state (through TDEM and the governor) typically providing the remaining 25% for eligible costs. The court said the county will pay costs up front and seek reimbursement through FEMA and TDEM.

County staff said the debris-monitoring contract was selected via an RFP-scoring committee and that DebrisTech was the committee’s recommended monitoring vendor; another firm (Drewry Construction) was identified to perform debris removal. Commissioners discussed complaints about the perceived slow pace of cleanup in heavily affected precincts, with one commissioner noting that Precinct 2 had “80% of the damage” and that residents had expressed frustration.

A motion to authorize the County Judge to sign the monitoring contract with DebrisTech passed by voice vote. The court discussed timing for the contractor to begin work and said reconstruction and debris removal could begin once the monitoring contract is in place.

","Van Zandt County authorized a debris-monitoring contract with DebrisTech to support FEMA reimbursement for storm-related debris removal; commissioners said the project will help the county recover federally eligible costs for May 2024 storm damage.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6309122,"Commissioners approve order 4 and critical spares for county P25 radio system; cutover targeted for May 2025",1274,2082000,3356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414491-43cd65c0191c7432625b4cfb06043a9e&start=2082&end=3356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414491-43cd65c0191c7432625b4cfb06043a9e/thumbnail_2082000.jpg","/articles/6309122/Van-Zandt-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-order-4-and-critical-spares-for-county-P25-radio-system-cutover-targeted-for-May-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309122-639d5622764150a51a7767adf73b7ab6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165634&Signature=g0nVDyLbYZ6b9LJQVI2PgFo1w4NUM6Ot2nVmZuSz-rIIv4~tkIl4-7FGDH9AS--UswEjot1DwQOJLdaTJ~XMaiiWS2v8G37xDcP55mLDqd5I4JZ7ePthkbaqAriHuD5FHwRH97QqHk78ky5nxenFjjUjdeCns6Hv3Z5jjfPNX71vPiFyO3SCjC3EUqaaHCyikoxpiGARp-6Wxd6fzO1dTLoMrlbvkhx4~s~9jgBdz8N7-bRkw04cEKrgPox8zNftepb9fnLTfuho9VMiy6C~EnoTwYe9ABI66LD-yk-ZVzIMPosaXRxofEqrBZyNT-8OirQuQPuNnx80rRBRBrTj6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Van Zandt County commissioners approved Order Number 4 with L3Harris on Wednesday, consolidating prior equipment orders and authorizing purchase of radios, speaker microphones, chargers, batteries and critical spares as part of the county’s new P25 radio system.

Barry Black of Choct Communications Group, the county’s radio consultant, told the court the project has advanced to tower completion and microwave backhaul installation, site acceptance testing and user programming. “After the backhaul system is in place, then you can start optimizing the system,” Black said. He said acceptance testing includes countywide coverage drives and required building interior coverage testing for 14 mandatory buildings; L3Harris is contractually obligated to remedy coverage shortfalls.

Black said mobile radios are being installed in sheriff’s and fire apparatus and that the county is finalizing a radio-user database (to control authorized units) and developing talk groups and an encryption plan. He confirmed ambulances and hospital systems (CHRISTUS) are in coordination plans and that interoperability with neighboring agencies and state partners is a priority. The county judge and Black said those interop plans and radio programming work will continue in coming weeks.

The order approved by the court consolidates previously approved items that were not shipped and adds specific high-temperature-rated speaker microphones, intrinsically safe portables for firefighters and tri-band radios for project staff and emergency management. The total of the consolidated order was presented in the meeting as $104,001.66, described as largely funded through ARPA and grant sources; commissioners said the maintenance contract with L3Harris will begin three years after final acceptance and runs for 15 years.

Court members asked for clarity on warranty and acceptance timing; Black advised the court to withhold final acceptance until all as-built documentation and punch-list items are complete to preserve warranty time. Commissioners and the judge discussed using ARPA grant funding to “buy down” future maintenance costs and noted other agencies (schools, volunteer fire departments) had procured radios separately, which reduced the county’s contract volume.

The court approved a voice motion adopting Order Number 4 and the critical spares order with L3Harris. Commissioners said they expect extensive testing and training before a final cutover to the new system, with an approximate target of May 2025 for full rollout if testing proceeds on schedule.

","The court approved Order Number 4 with L3Harris to consolidate outstanding equipment orders and procure critical spares for the county’s P25 radio system; consultants said installation and testing are underway and cutover is targeted for May 2025.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6309126,"Commissioners table Komatsu contract for courthouse window and door work after public input request",994,3600000,4594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414491-43cd65c0191c7432625b4cfb06043a9e&start=3600&end=4594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414491-43cd65c0191c7432625b4cfb06043a9e/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6309126/Van-Zandt-County/Texas/Commissioners-table-Komatsu-contract-for-courthouse-window-and-door-work-after-public-input-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309126-8fa9f1bdb797f4d88135c41f689e6a4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165634&Signature=eJ28vrr1jD472XB1HGZ0bUfqWsczTu1qnoFGyedkdnbrsMJDIV3WqNS9nW09Pn~4XwFPlpA1UeDFcWUQAzkf3a1zhFIVZqL8yZUNZ~zToT-kRqeaw0kSE-1OBwwvBlygksffKXKZ1a4DXp-FFGN7wItsn4OuBJYd3ubadye71LR-UL2RxKoxo1qWSOc-l9XPQ2Rv5p13xJP9~qELPgD9TqAO37yLr4P3wrMNp-7l37zDOvD0lUdXWJmIy9I9wsHabkDBhvj~KhzA6C0g0DMNDbhXZeZPjHJRDoAxH5DITLjcaCp-jmf1vcYdbYC0YgWn1ARv9AERNnC5UdlIEdgjoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County commissioners on Wednesday voted to table a proposed contract with Komatsu Architecture that would have produced design development, construction documents, permitting review and bidding specifications for restoration work on the Van Zandt County Courthouse’s windows and doors.

The item, described by the County Judge as focused “only for windows and doors. This is for the metal frames,” drew extended discussion about the scope, cost and sequencing of courthouse repairs and repeated calls from several commissioners to hold a public workshop before hiring an architecture firm.

The discussion matters because commissioners said water intrusion around windows is causing interior damage and threatening historic records stored in upper floors of the courthouse. The Judge told the court that the county budgeted $500,000 in public buildings maintenance and that Komatsu’s fee to prepare bid-ready specifications was estimated at about $90,000. The Judge said the firm has experience with similar courthouse restorations, including Falls County, and that Komatsu would coordinate with the Texas Historical Commission on materials and treatments.

Commissioner comments emphasized public outreach and prioritization. Commissioner Curtis (surname provided in discussion as a commissioner) urged a town-hall style workshop so the public could “hear what they have to say” about priorities such as windows, electrical or HVAC. Another commissioner said county residents and professionals should be given a clear, factual presentation before the court moves forward. Several speakers also expressed concern that piecemeal work could leave unanswered questions about total project cost and long-term needs.

Public comments at the start of the meeting included two speakers who referenced item 15. Ann Nelson, identifying herself as “Ann Nelson, I’m with the VanZandt County Democrats. I’m the precinct 2 d chair,” told the court the architecture firm “seems to have the experience and expertise to do a historical restoration” and said the Democrats supported moving forward with a restoration contract. Pete Pearson, a resident, told the court he typically expects a request-for-proposals process and a selection committee and asked for more information about the contract cost and procurement approach.

Rather than approve the Komatsu agreement, the court approved a motion to table the item and directed staff to schedule a public workshop so residents can hear the facts and provide input on priorities. No contract was signed.

Next steps: commissioners said they will set a workshop date and publish an agenda describing the topics to be covered so residents can prepare specific questions. No further timeline for moving the Komatsu contract back to the court was provided at the meeting.

","Van Zandt County commissioners deferred a vote on a proposed contract with Komatsu Architecture to develop design and bidding documents for courthouse window and door restoration, instead directing a community workshop to gather public input first.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key approvals and routine actions from Van Zandt County Commissioners Court

County accepts Genealogical Society’s 2024 annual report and awards centennial certificates

Court authorizes DebrisTech contract for storm debris monitoring after FEMA/TDEM reimbursement clarification

Commissioners approve order 4 and critical spares for county P25 radio system; cutover targeted for May 2025

Commissioners table Komatsu contract for courthouse window and door work after public input request