[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-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",[32,74],{"_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":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6289305,"mediaKeyId","2532530-d339c8a7db7ed4894d7e37ec7c76f18e","parentId",2532530,"title","Commissioners approve plats, facility assessment and microwave link; library mural, outlet and appointments also cleared","audioSeconds",771,"startMs",4186000,"endMs",4957000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532530-d339c8a7db7ed4894d7e37ec7c76f18e&start=4186&end=4957","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532530-d339c8a7db7ed4894d7e37ec7c76f18e/thumbnail_4186000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6289305/Cooke-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-plats-facility-assessment-and-microwave-link-library-mural-outlet-and-appointments-also-cleared","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289305-19e02b23db64d561eda918c3b3bc3791/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607300&Signature=mTOsgSlvK028WoD9hwb99YX59ZxxtJqspTD7Ia9~pza4o-2BzWFC7cht42u5WitJTej4S5uVpv0uDo83-WxIq6JzIG5ODDDwK-NjVyVpAafUY8P7rcUHwc6m1OcDCWvRChPlLqVWfy~yNk80oneDk2Q7FgwSlkW9Z1Bju8jmNQhWRLM2ilXddCUC9UpmbIwJiuK8hjrdgytIqzJroaSLn3ZLuM7TkhZzyrFVu52~vAKCddF~OxL4lszqSuK5Y1exfAj8fj6Jy-wQsgvjR8AuBF9VTyTNWliTRi3T2~Vd4dfpaYjDaCrDPiGx0MTkh8gALX3iRYrPpnO90fRqjwuESA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cooke County, Texas","date","2025-03-10T14:51:15Z","article","Cooke County Commissioners approved a slate of routine and project items on the consent and regular agendas, including multiple subdivision plats, a facility assessment contract, a microwave link to replace a problematic fiber route, and preliminary approval to proceed on a library mural. The court also approved the appointment of members to the county historical commission and granted a request to install a locked electrical outlet at the North Annex to support an upcoming festival.

The most significant votes recorded during the session included multiple planning items for new and expanding subdivisions, a client agreement with Trane to assess county facilities, a JTS microwave link to remove reliance on commercial fiber between the sheriff's office and Denton County, and approval for Friends of the Cook County Library to proceed with design and required approvals for a mural on the library's front facade.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda: approved 5-0 (routine items consolidated into one vote).
- Treasurer's monthly report for December 2024: approved 5-0.
- Replat of Lots 1084, 1085, 1086 of Lake Kiowa (items 8\u0000\u0000\u0010): public hearing opened and closed; replat approved 5-0.
- Preliminary plat Rock Creek West Phase 1 (158 residential lots): approved 5-0.
- Preliminary plat Tuck Acre Addition Lots 1-40, Precinct 1: approved 5-0.
- Final plat Clear Sky Phase 2 (115 residential lots): approved 5-0.
- Request by David Jones (State Theater) to install a locked electrical outlet in North Annex back parking lot for event power: approved (motion moved and seconded; vote recorded as aye).
- Appointment of Historical Commission members (term 01/01/2025 ' 12/31/2026): approved with 4 votes in favor and 1 abstention by a commissioner who was on the list.
- Friends of the Cook County Library request to fund and paint a mural on the library's front: Commissioners approved taking next steps (seek mockup and required approvals) 5-0.
- Contract with Trane for a facility assessment of the North Annex and associated budget amendment: approved 5-0 (funding from permanent improvements / building funds).
- JTS proposal for a Rice Avenue to Sanger Tower microwave link and related budget amendment: approved 5-0; court approved additional spare hardware to reduce downtime and budgeting for potential Motorola change orders.
- Executive session occurred for attorney consultation (real property, contracts, personnel).
- Post-executive-session motion approving contract for legal services as discussed: approved 5-0.

What commissioners said and context
David Jones, identifying himself as owner of the State Theater, told the court he preferred a permanent locked electrical outlet to running gas generators for a two-day Blues and Tattoos Festival and said he would pay for installation and donate electricity or compensate the county; the court approved the request and asked that the county have access and lock keys.

On the JTS microwave proposal, the county engineer explained the microwave link would replace a commercial fiber route that passes through third-party networks and intermittently disrupts the sheriff's connection to Denton County. A commissioner recommended purchasing the additional $15,000 in spare hardware and budgeting about $20,000 as a potential change-order cost to reprogram tower connections; the majority agreed, noting a roughly six-year payback if a $1,500 monthly service is eliminated.

Friends of the Cook County Library representatives presented concept images and said the group intends to paint only the library's front facade with tall book spines and an open book illustration; the group asked to proceed to the historical commission and to produce a mockup. Commissioners approved moving forward provided requisite historic- and downtown-approval processes are followed.

Contract approvals
The court approved a client agreement with Trane for a facilities assessment of the North Annex and the corresponding budget amendment out of permanent improvements. The court also approved a contract for legal services after executive session.

Why it matters: The plats approved will enable multi-lot residential development across several subdivisions (including a 158-lot phase and a 115-lot phase), affecting local growth, road acceptance, and future public infrastructure needs. The microwave link and facility assessment are county infrastructure investments intended to improve reliability and plan building maintenance.

Next steps: Developers and applicants will follow county permitting and plat-recording steps; Friends of the Cook County Library will produce a mural mockup and seek required historic/downtown approvals; the county will proceed with procurement and installation steps for the microwave link and Trane assessment in line with the approved budget amendments.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cooke County Texas Commissioners Court 3-10-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Cooke County Commissioners approved multiple subdivision plats, awarded facility and infrastructure contracts, cleared a library mural to proceed to design and approvals, and granted a temporary-power request for an event.","taxTitle","taxId",64433,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6289307,"Commissioners decline action after auditor does not present DA's $804 asset-forfeiture request",2567,848000,3415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532530-d339c8a7db7ed4894d7e37ec7c76f18e&start=848&end=3415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532530-d339c8a7db7ed4894d7e37ec7c76f18e/thumbnail_848000.jpg","/articles/6289307/Cooke-County/Texas/Commissioners-decline-action-after-auditor-does-not-present-DAs-804-asset-forfeiture-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289307-43468c6156b3b798702fc89a20d43c7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607300&Signature=XZX7mMQwMMF5eFOwp7LkNKQ6oxK-h6nM8bKXZFYPgMKF6kYcVY4mGtAtwV16EeMcEso6oRT6xVTv3fAbgTgu~CY7nvIfvvN37arUu5I-m3VXoXfEV6TfdiAGOdXUlshym7XJcpVnVdVRChCkzlvwptfy~eXpD8LPniAZhE2E50jj86eFEKP6QVFb1Eq1j2Wqz-XlglveuH9fkdJrbOIRqqT7Q2BgEjXZ5D4sNPgPsbmEZnvSZcpWzp5TWrLytSgjwDB~r6O6iUDBHjNCpZV4bbRUa~0tcTLujHHyb3b37zdK6mZaV9QaKuMlykgl3gFSazDCYC-l3OgShdGKEkQVdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cooke County Commissioners on an item listed as \"Item 15\" discussed and then took no action on a District Attorney's Office request to use asset-forfeiture funds to pay court reporter Holly Oakley $804 for a requested reporter's record.

The District Attorney's Office representative said the office had an invoice from Holly Oakley and sought permission to pay the $804 out of the forfeiture fund. The representative said, \"We signed it\" and that the auditor, Sharon Giffin, had issued a purchase order initially but later the auditor would not approve payment after the invoice arrived at the auditor's office. The DA's Office representative added, \"We just need it to be approved. The purchase order has already been signed, and as soon as it's approved by this Commissioner's Court, I think we can submit to the treasurer and a check can be issued in the normal course.\"

The request prompted extended discussion among the commissioners and the county auditor about the applicable procurement rules and the timing of requisitions and purchase orders. The DA's Office cited several Attorney General opinions (1971, 1977 and 1993) and argued those opinions permit payment for services after delivery provided the auditor can audit the account. The DA's Office argued the cost should come from an available forfeiture balance and said, \"I think we've got $55,000 that we could use.\"

County Auditor Sharon Giffin (referred to in the discussion as the auditor) explained the auditor's office must examine and approve claims before payment and that the auditor did not forward the claim to the court for approval. Multiple commissioners noted the auditor does not report to the Commissioners Court and said they did not have authority to order the auditor to present the claim. At one point a commissioner summarized the legal tension: \"The auditor doesn't work for us... we don't have the authority as judge and commissioners to tell the auditor what to do.\" Another commissioner said the court could pursue further legal remedies if necessary.

After discussion the court publicly recorded \"Item number 15 is no action.\" The DA's Office said it would consider re-submitting the claim or seeking additional legal guidance, including a possible Attorney General opinion or further legal steps.

Why it matters: County auditors serve as a check on disbursements; a disagreement about whether a requisition must precede a delivered service can delay payment to vendors and create potential legal exposure. The DA's Office pushed that the matter involved a service (a reporter's record) rather than supplies and therefore should be treated under different requisition timing rules, while the auditor relied on the county policy and the requirement that claims be presented in time to be examined and approved.

Next steps noted in court: no formal vote to pay the invoice; the DA's Office may re-submit the claim for a future docket or pursue further legal advice.

","Cooke County Commissioners discussed a District Attorney's Office request to pay court reporter Holly Oakley $804 from asset-forfeiture funds but took no action after the county auditor did not present the claim for court approval.","actionData","errors"]

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Commissioners approve plats, facility assessment and microwave link; library mural, outlet and appointments also cleared

Commissioners decline action after auditor does not present DA's $804 asset-forfeiture request