[{"_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",6273820,"mediaKeyId","2997380-47a108d2b41efa5ec650b321345eeb51","parentId",2997380,"title","Mills County sheriff presents outstanding citizen award to resident who helped confused, elderly man","audioSeconds",122,"startMs",377000,"endMs",499000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2997380-47a108d2b41efa5ec650b321345eeb51&start=377&end=499","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2997380-47a108d2b41efa5ec650b321345eeb51/thumbnail_377000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6273820/Mills-County/Texas/Mills-County-sheriff-presents-outstanding-citizen-award-to-resident-who-helped-confused-elderly-man","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273820-97a6a7d118f2ac2fe69b185d75f06314/orig.mp4?Expires=1775455991&Signature=F8Y050CNfoR4hC6FTrDKQZrigqKcBFBH~128Zym8OXxXBX-aiFie-pSiyQZCUAfOQdXhnU0BZE-6UcI9vIOmWfTvhDDtsPrjJTYQOLvheE~KJkiGrqxO0F61Hg5RJBT-RG-UrP2BbByB1Ac~F6W-hORDikZXFORJzAN4B1mga0ymVFglZ7DjjzDZlq~bSP9xcBw43~n0bF9xZCabf~z2AP~lE0oioBWp9S6ViMh69HHUzaKeY9aTtoHj44ok3V~YiH4DD7qvFr~Ni5envtLY3wL5m50wduFyWjXV50FZc2ZdRFsJEb3~UB4tgUDHgOp06MMgyrwxlsNr2KuCi9WpDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mills County Court, Texas","date","2025-04-15T20:49:10.123Z","article","Sheriff Jones presented an Outstanding Citizen Award at the April 2 Mills County Commissioners Court meeting to resident Stefan Geltz for locating and bringing a disoriented elderly man to sheriff’s deputies.

“Stefan did an outstanding thing,” Sheriff Jones said, describing how the resident found a gentleman suffering from dementia who was unaware of his surroundings and took him to the sheriff’s office after the man had been reported missing. Geltz accepted the recognition and described his actions simply: “I just did what any other person I hope would do in a situation.”

The sheriff’s office said the award recognizes positive community interactions and quick action by private citizens. The court applauded Geltz; the sheriff said the office will use a plaque for future Outstanding Citizen Awards and may publish the recognition in local media.

Why it matters

The award highlights a public-safety success in which a private citizen’s prompt action led to the safe return of an elderly resident who was disoriented.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04.14.2025 Commissioners Court","oneSentenceSummary","Sheriff Jones presented an Outstanding Citizen Award to resident Stefan Geltz for locating and bringing a disoriented elderly man to the sheriff's office on a March morning.","taxTitle","Mills County, Texas","taxId",73734,"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},6273825,"District judge urges Mills County commissioners to consider appointing county auditor",924,628000,1552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2997380-47a108d2b41efa5ec650b321345eeb51&start=628&end=1552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2997380-47a108d2b41efa5ec650b321345eeb51/thumbnail_628000.jpg","/articles/6273825/Mills-County/Texas/District-judge-urges-Mills-County-commissioners-to-consider-appointing-county-auditor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273825-3cc154ab3b70225f9788d5cf8a106bd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775455991&Signature=XmzYpDVNKgxRGxqD5phRu~RWhUkNsz9IQLsRznHKrJ2EcUm0iohstQ4nKun6i7YN~DGP~74EOSarPJBNN9MYN8tXKd6lNxVTmT9-DIXGVeTxEPYtr~RW2~DXRS56jWS4tQYWAu9~RZnmestLNeV9WJFCjprPB1V~GVcJTS-BSOVqJRahKWoZJD503aFNUC0YQXlYBIhNeQibZgXN-Jfi5Bpf-p2tkI4Uog6Xo7l6IOb7B6yAxigqmQzfsn6RIt4plk3LEOT5YvD6bGZmWgH9LwTkyei7sHJGCvxrHG8LjAhlfihwaaL0KnnAhxdP1q1MnRodqAQB3wgxi3xB2ReiHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District Judge Mike Smith visited the Mills County Commissioners Court on April 2 and outlined state law options for appointing a county auditor in counties below the population threshold for a required auditor, urging the commissioners to consider the position in light of growing budget complexity.

“After doing a lot of reading and thinking about this, I would encourage you to look seriously at it,” Judge Mike Smith told the court, adding that appointing an auditor could strengthen financial oversight though it would create a recurring personnel cost. Smith read from Local Government Code chapter 84.002 and explained two statutory pathways for an auditor in counties under the population trigger: a district judge may appoint one on the judge’s initiative if county finances warrant it, or the commissioners court may pass an order certifying the need and request the judge to appoint an auditor.

Smith and commissioners discussed practical matters the position would entail: salary and benefits, office space, whether the auditor must be a certified public accountant (the judge said certification is not statutorily required but relevant experience is), and how an auditor interacts with county budget and accounting systems. County commissioners and staff noted the county’s small size and current outside audit practice and raised concerns about the added cost. One staff-provided figure cited an April 2025 statewide average annual county-auditor salary of about $79,391.

The judge said he has authority to appoint an auditor but did not announce any appointment; he recommended the decision come from the commissioners’ court after consultation with similarly situated counties. He offered to assist with timing and implementation if the court decides to pursue the change, suggesting any new position could begin with one full-time person and expand only if justified by workload.

Why it matters

A county auditor would have statutory oversight powers and would affect how Mills County prepares budgets, administers accounting software and handles internal financial controls. Commissioners identified cost to taxpayers as the primary trade-off.

Next steps

No action was taken; the item was discussion only. Commissioners indicated they will continue the discussion and may follow up during budget planning and with peer counties to assess costs and models.","District Judge Mike Smith briefed the commissioners on statutory options for appointing a county auditor in small counties and recommended the court consider creating the position, noting duties, costs and timing considerations.",{"_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},6273830,"Mills County commissioners reimpose burn ban, approve grant resolution and personnel changes",95,275000,370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2997380-47a108d2b41efa5ec650b321345eeb51&start=275&end=370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2997380-47a108d2b41efa5ec650b321345eeb51/thumbnail_275000.jpg","/articles/6273830/Mills-County/Texas/Mills-County-commissioners-reimpose-burn-ban-approve-grant-resolution-and-personnel-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273830-11344a4a4ac35e8b3b507e2ea78ca6c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775455991&Signature=JwXX96-wrXsYhk3MMA7b0CrC680pxc3pqPjzKLwsgpkQ8IZdb7lrxUkUAEQTO~We9KOBAhulYBvH7s6jjXwXy7k7OJbxsA1-rofoKV8xVPy2irymX-KRs6Ro19wDklg7NPY-saoIX1AWjyhs2FQQNpT3SvOmRHuVPths7R98z4Ji-c-2glhllvnUeWk~Qmc8ZmY14VtLbi0elwbFWsBF9QSlcdv7~l7mypIvJ1qE3WQWlvSdvmMJxQUKCP6xj6KI~bWUJhpr6fjCZQHBJ9HIMfMYxfYPt7olHsx7NVwaSFAM3J-mQ1xcHPxicsUQTdXUq8-bHhF2XdYvNou8LwHKWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mills County Commissioners Court on April 2 voted unanimously to reimpose an outdoor burn ban, citing dry conditions and high winds, and approved multiple administrative and grant items including a criminal-justice grant resolution and a change to COBRA administration for county employees.

The action on the burn ban came after county officials said local and neighboring fire chiefs urged restrictions. “I’ll make a motion that we put the, prohibit outdoor burning, put the burn ban back on,” the County Judge said during discussion. Commissioners voted in favor; the ban takes effect when the judge signs the written order later the same day.

The meeting also approved a resolution supporting a criminal-justice grant application of roughly $37,000 that requires no local match, county staff said. David Shaw, who presented the grant item, told the court the resolution is the second part of the application and that he planned a presentation to the regional scoring committee the following day to support Mills County’s request.

County staff and commissioners also approved a contract change affecting COBRA administration. Beginning May 1, 2025, COBRA administration for groups in the TAC HEBP program will move from a direct contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield to a contract with the Texas Association of Counties Health & Employee Benefits Pool (referred to in the materials as TAC HEBP). The new COBRA administrator (Willis Towers Watson’s Benefit Connect/COBRA) will charge $20 per qualifying-event notice after a transition period; TAC HEBP will cover notices issued between May 1 and Sept. 30, 2025, the packet said.

Other routine items approved without discussion included the March 24, 2025 minutes, accounts payable, and the consent agenda. The court also drew and approved a nine-member grievance committee (with nine alternates) from the jury pool and declared a 1991 International dump truck surplus and set it for auction on April 26, 2025.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (03/24/2025): Passed (motion by Commissioner Williams; second by Commissioner Henn).
- Accounts payable: Passed (motion made on the floor; second by Commissioner Williams).
- Consent agenda (monthly departmental reports): Passed (motion by Commissioner Williams; second by Commissioner Sullivan).
- Reimpose outdoor burn ban (prohibit outdoor burning): Passed (motion made on the floor; second by Commissioner Williams). Order to be signed by the County Judge.
- Resolution supporting criminal-justice grant (~$37,000; no local match): Passed (second by Commissioner Head).
- TAC HEBP interim COBRA administration (contract shift / $20 per notice after transition): Passed (second by Commissioner Williams).
- Establish grievance committee (9 citizens) and alternates: Passed (second by Commissioner Henn).
- Declare 1991 International dump truck surplus, auction 04/26/2025: Passed (motion by Commissioner Head; second by Commissioner Sullivan).

Why it matters

The burn ban addresses near-term public-safety risk from wildland and structure fires during an extended dry, windy stretch; it may restrict typical outdoor activities such as open burning and the use of burn barrels. The grant and COBRA items affect county resources and administrative costs: the criminal-justice grant adds potential equipment/funding for public safety with no local match, and the COBRA change signals a future per-notice fee that will affect benefits administration budgeting after the transition period.

What’s next

County staff said the burn-ban order will be prepared for signature and posted. The grant applicant will present to a regional scoring committee; if awarded, staff will return with implementation steps. The COBRA contract transition begins May 1, 2025, and county groups will assume notice fees after Sept. 30, 2025, per the packet.","At their April 2 meeting, the Mills County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to reimpose an outdoor burn ban amid dry, windy conditions and approved a $37,000 criminal-justice grant resolution, a change to COBRA administration, and several routine items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mills County sheriff presents outstanding citizen award to resident who helped confused, elderly man

District judge urges Mills County commissioners to consider appointing county auditor

Mills County commissioners reimpose burn ban, approve grant resolution and personnel changes