[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6088483,"mediaKeyId","2880247-2bdf89d6094f7d4d5a340f09e832f90c","parentId",2880247,"title","Commission discusses regular bills, purchasing concerns amid tariffs and new juror payment system","audioSeconds",639,"startMs",1532000,"endMs",2171000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880247-2bdf89d6094f7d4d5a340f09e832f90c&start=1532&end=2171","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880247-2bdf89d6094f7d4d5a340f09e832f90c/thumbnail_1532000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088483/Wichita-County/Texas/Commission-discusses-regular-bills-purchasing-concerns-amid-tariffs-and-new-juror-payment-system","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088483-657cfdfe3e89e9f4f1b5b799c3c055cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770534993&Signature=I5MLIuniqdZi1PEfNP9Nmwub0X9pFQKt9OM0mDK19JCiuySiI4vMPmJleJnlI96Qp3iA1MsNlVxl-~hmezwKSpJd2vyZLtlw5wE3eQAFbbx~Z~VHJjcb2DNxm4Z1eN-iU1-5qKA9uKILWGrmBe9gJt1dQ~6xPE5~03x9eaYOQ-ixIBWMne-kbEvLHFrHX2EjvmSxGBHeQLZBdUZLNo0i4lhKpt7Njp5xp8YUEdJDupahdnzabavudIsCTF8-TWl3Sy3WS7noX7egxRb3-YsRvP3DT-etoPzn2vbmkz2ZuWJBAMxSjAEJ0C7DogDvDBMdSIa9efru~yiuKlujG0kRGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wichita County, TX","date","2025-04-05T04:22:20.643Z","article","Wichita County Commission Court reviewed regular bills and discussed purchasing strategy in light of recently announced tariffs, then heard details about a new prepaid juror-payment system that staff say will reduce check processing and administrative time.

During the review of regular bills, staff noted some timing changes to when invoices and notices were distributed. Commissioners asked whether newly announced tariffs might prompt the county to accelerate purchases of equipment or supplies; staff said most heavy equipment and tires are American-made locally and that immediate large purchases were not clearly necessary.

On jury administration, staff reported that the county spent $36,516 for juror-related costs in January–March 2024 and that the jury system is currently running at about half of last year’s pace. The court was told a presentation would be made on April 15 outlining a prepaid juror-payment system similar to debit-card vendors such as Pitney Bowes. Under the plan, the county would issue one lump check to the vendor, which would load and distribute juror payments via debit cards; unclaimed balances would revert to the county after the vendor’s unclaimed-funds window.

Court members said the new system would reduce the number of juror checks the county must process and cut staff time spent issuing and reconciling multiple checks. No formal procurement decision was made at the meeting; staff said they would present more details on April 15.

The court also briefly discussed supply availability and pricing for road materials and soil binders; staff noted some materials had become more expensive and suggested some equipment or techniques might be reconsidered if prices continue to rise.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioner's Court 4/4/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Court reviewed regular bills, considered whether to accelerate purchases because of recently announced tariffs, and heard a presentation on a prepaid juror-payment system to reduce check processing.","taxTitle","Wichita County, Texas","taxId",2723,"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},6088488,"Wichita County reviews salaries, overtime and payroll reimbursements; staff to check Munis configuration",669,651000,1320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880247-2bdf89d6094f7d4d5a340f09e832f90c&start=651&end=1320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880247-2bdf89d6094f7d4d5a340f09e832f90c/thumbnail_651000.jpg","/articles/6088488/Wichita-County/Texas/Wichita-County-reviews-salaries-overtime-and-payroll-reimbursements-staff-to-check-Munis-configuration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088488-dff81abed73ae0fb5071e169d47edf7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770534993&Signature=bk~K9Bub4aop8PJPq7BWui5tQZGrnYwCfi5pW9mp2dR57zKBS6Nv26lOtpVDVVEOIMd9gUQofkhHR-syerFGJT6TFkKLau6xZW4NHxU5bbJ2XRtu7qKWemoiU4L~uqTHgDSgfIt~usI2cv8EvOPhnlQcd16C58dqvFkTTPg3eYOrBe7L9I~O4KK3lhs3WTPycBuYRs2wgVPXz9mSqWN3VUnecyJzOBHZKyBT1r6L~pC30DEj7HcVwNVEMpGPrsHZEXR3iP76-bgyBPljbGFgR10coRFB83HeAlDQ1TBSljr~VdZHwerrTxcBIZQnE3sZbYt5yLcjUbPdZ55H7QCZSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wichita County Commission Court heard a status report on salaries and overtime and debated whether certain reimbursements should be included on employees' W-2s and in gross pay for tax and retirement reporting.

County payroll staff (Matt) told the court that seven employees started this week and that the county had 13 open positions as of that morning. He said new hires would be in training for several weeks before being counted as fully on the floor.

The court discussed higher overtime hours that appeared tied to recent fire response days. A county official said the overtime hours \"are up a little bit from the last peak period\" and that the extra hours likely stemmed from fire-related shifts.

A notable point of debate centered on reimbursements and how they appear on employee W-2s and retirement reporting. One county official warned that reimbursements added to gross pay meant employees might \"be paying taxes on it again,\" describing the practice as unfair. A finance staff member said reimbursements \"do not add into your gross, and they're not reported as income, and they are not your w 2 because they are a employee related expense.\" The court asked staff to check Munis (the county financial system) configuration and to send clarifying emails to employees about how reimbursable expenses are handled.

The court also discussed classifying certain equipment operators and foremen as nonexempt for overtime. A staff member asked for updated payroll forms to mark those employees \"non exempt,\" and the court directed Debbie to prepare one form for each foreman so departments can process the classification.

No formal pay policy changes were adopted at the meeting; the court directed staff to verify payroll setup, return clarification by email, and bring the matter back to a future agenda if needed.","Commission Court received a status report on staffing and overtime, discussed reimbursements appearing on W-2s, and directed staff to verify payroll configuration and prepare nonexempt forms for foremen.",{"_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},6088493,"Wichita County reviews maintenance work orders; jail kitchen ventilation flagged for repairs",174,448000,622000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880247-2bdf89d6094f7d4d5a340f09e832f90c&start=448&end=622","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880247-2bdf89d6094f7d4d5a340f09e832f90c/thumbnail_448000.jpg","/articles/6088493/Wichita-County/Texas/Wichita-County-reviews-maintenance-work-orders-jail-kitchen-ventilation-flagged-for-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088493-b1878609c80abfb740bc325339966133/orig.mp4?Expires=1770534993&Signature=ArKb574PNGzZKn80vH-lRght6kbWt-nubSELHKf6kCYVAjt471w39qgYWHDEAugSFSyzauL843p9x0X8NdV13yZ8yZ~Qqol6wR7yWqJsAc~vjyrgn16dywW7B~p-Bc4g0Le7kxbjDGzfzOoW3bWZ9VmXiJhVhdBba6ROcnUlqBkkD5Mp1JmuhWyeHmkH3-v32nmoeJFaFsmOit75t4-y-ODE7Qjn1KsL1miUIkZlCzYDwKBQRxEN6LNVV6f6G8QzvhRwmytaVDdo1t9QW9P8yap-e9LRniP3JQjtdb9j8WOHsVJRjM1Pj1z0KKUQqUuDc00sVLw19Wt-fM9RAe8INg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wichita County Commission Court discussed recent facilities maintenance work and identified persistent moisture and steam damage in the county jail kitchen that will require further evaluation and likely ventilation upgrades.

County maintenance staff said Axon had finished installing cameras in CID and on Tarks Road and that HVAC repairs at the jail were completed. \"They did a 16 work orders in last 2 weeks,\" a county maintenance official said, noting recent fixes to a rooftop unit coil and a compressor circuit.

The discussion shifted to the jail kitchen, where staff reported that the north wall near the cleaning area and steam racks is deteriorating from steam and heat. Staff said they have contacted the contractor that installed the shower coating to request a price for a special paint and finish, and that temporary wallboard already installed is wrinkling from the moisture. A staff member said, \"We may have to look at some type of fan or some of the ventilation\" and that adding a hood or other exhaust may be necessary while preserving the facility's security perimeter.

Commissioners and staff agreed an on-site assessment is necessary. One participant said they would \"have to get somebody out there to look at it,\" and the board heard that the kitchen had passed inspection (specific score not specified in the record). The court did not take a formal vote; staff will solicit quotes and report back with options and estimated costs.

The maintenance report also included routine items: courthouse camera work, completion of HVAC repairs, and an overall comment that kitchen staff clean and inspect after each meal. No budget amounts or contractor names beyond those noted were finalized during the discussion.","County staff reported 16 recent maintenance work orders, completion of new camera installs and recurring steam and moisture damage in the jail kitchen that may require ventilation and wall refinishing.","actionData","errors"]

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Commission discusses regular bills, purchasing concerns amid tariffs and new juror payment system

Wichita County reviews salaries, overtime and payroll reimbursements; staff to check Munis configuration

Wichita County reviews maintenance work orders; jail kitchen ventilation flagged for repairs