[{"_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",6272204,"mediaKeyId","3028032-9cb7faefc29ee684a508154f8ef21ac1","parentId",3028032,"title","Votes at a glance: Tarrant County commissioners approve consent agenda, proclamations and a closed-session community development item","audioSeconds",6456,"startMs",2775000,"endMs",9231000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028032-9cb7faefc29ee684a508154f8ef21ac1&start=2775&end=9231","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028032-9cb7faefc29ee684a508154f8ef21ac1/thumbnail_2775000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6272204/Tarrant-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Tarrant-County-commissioners-approve-consent-agenda-proclamations-and-a-closed-session-community-development-item","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272204-a34f05fb8332828a5f9f79bced322080/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651227&Signature=m7DFiqACOR-PAeBD24w5nku7gr9FMBBLs5klylB0dC7EB76CLF0T4l7iVyvaSNMaBqBUHs7dEsZ3mKIcPi-mohSa75dQbQvUmp6xmmqyehuwEsTwkU1j~ruUonsaD8ExD~3PWtB9x2bXoELoQt9WA7e1Jg0xId0awCn7W8stLGbJ9J1aI19ixK5aITX2SEorUXEHt3g7OddskByleaD90LdO8lnqbOU1xb-eLOlA9nzeOeEUrDtPHMG9s3W7ppk6exg4H987fiSHfHs7K0lTPbUnw3tS4xZ4nC7sKZNFLnMRBHo7WlEiUvHOsZboQB~e1srIHgEQvESJ1lh3gFMm9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tarrant County, TX","date","2025-04-17T00:24:01.14Z","article","TARRANT COUNTY — The Tarrant County Commissioners Court on April 15 approved a series of routine and procedural items, proclamations and miscellaneous actions. Several items were discussed and pulled from consent before the court approved the amended consent agenda.

Key votes and outcomes
- Consent agenda (as amended): Approved unanimously. Several items were pulled for discussion and later approved individually or left for later consideration.
- Proclamations: The court passed proclamations recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and April 26 as Community Health Worker Day, and approved Every Kid Healthy Week; each proclamation passed unanimously.
- Travel requests: An out-of-state travel request was approved unanimously after staff explained lodging options.
- Procurement and purchasing: The court approved K1–K11 procurement items and authorized multiple bid solicitations (K13) as presented; these passed unanimously. The court also rejected all bids for asphalt distributors in Precinct 1 (K12) and approved permission to take multiple RFPs and bids.
- Auditor and receiving reports: The court received and filed multiple auditor reports, including a commissary operation report; motions passed unanimously.
- Closed-session item D2 (community development): After returning from closed session, the court voted unanimously to approve item D2, which had been pulled from the consent agenda for closed-session discussion.

Why it matters: Routine votes and proclamations set the county’s calendar, recognize community partners and authorize procurement and travel. The approval of a closed-session item (D2) indicates the court used executive session where permitted by law and then took action in open session.

What happened: The court conducted roll call, heard multiple proclamations and presentations, handled public hearings (including a public hearing on a Program Year 2024 Action Plan amendment with no speakers), and then recessed to executive session. After executive session the court approved the pulled community development item D2 by unanimous vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners Court","oneSentenceSummary","The court approved the consent agenda as amended, passed proclamations recognizing child-abuse prevention and community health workers, approved travel and procurement items, and, after closed session, approved a pulled community development item (D2).","taxTitle","Tarrant County, Texas","taxId",2718,"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},6272209,"Commissioners approve new jail liaison position amid public calls for accountability in jail deaths",309,4811000,5120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028032-9cb7faefc29ee684a508154f8ef21ac1&start=4811&end=5120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028032-9cb7faefc29ee684a508154f8ef21ac1/thumbnail_4811000.jpg","/articles/6272209/Tarrant-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-new-jail-liaison-position-amid-public-calls-for-accountability-in-jail-deaths","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272209-4d1a1536612dc8a2523d2761c55adc5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651227&Signature=cllQyi-HV931GOM04u9XAjfMfUVqWxYNpiQlgtl9Wo6wrELIKA4J3uxIXSnlG45~rRSz~QlsQbEYQgYUrxWji1hxcM1TYilcgso2zFJ43OCk3s55Rx-2OJvG~dZUXUE6mD3EvKq4BphMWAoX-4ozIQXa1O8F-GYGMg3Fx52icm-e6YTJQpg-9P9Hwprb2iCXvCR5QtfH0Mx5EmQi753LHuZad60iTtjAWHA2cUYketyk769yemrmTgk8BHGTq6uDp8Sz0Fs9XpF-XJHPoI03NUFJ9AX-bXl0tfJEBFVuU~mW7l-eT~IjnOW7BavTISj-Lpd1z3GIkP2VQPoibtm1Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TARRANT COUNTY — Tarrant County commissioners voted unanimously April 15 to approve a change to the Sheriff’s Office table of organization that creates a jail commission liaison position and repurposes two vacant corporal positions.

Sheriff’s executive chief Shannon Perkaz told the court the request did not eliminate currently filled positions; rather, it converted two vacant PCNs (position control numbers) to create a role to assist the new jail administrator and improve compliance with jail standards. “This position…will give me an opportunity to bring on…someone that understands the rules, regulations, and will help us take our operations to the next level,” Perkaz said.

But public comment during and after the item focused on a string of in-custody deaths and concerns about transparency, oversight and investigations. Multiple speakers urged fuller outside investigations, immediate release of video related to recent deaths, and stronger accountability for jail leadership. One public commenter urged the release of “the full video of the murder of Anthony Johnson Jr. now, and fire Bill Bayborn,” and several family members and advocates invoked multiple jail deaths when addressing the court.

Speakers also questioned whether the new liaison will materially improve detention operations or staffing shortages. “We are creating a new jail liaison position that will release 2 corporal positions, limiting advancement positions for our detention officers,” public speaker Nan Terry said, asking what specific problem the change would solve. Another public speaker said the county has paid for outside experts in the past to remedy jail problems and urged continued oversight.

Why it matters: The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for detainee health and safety; the county has seen multiple in-custody deaths in recent years, and families and advocates are pressing for outside investigations, release of records and footage, and administrative change.

What happened next: The court approved the requested table-of-organization change (I2) unanimously. The sheriff’s office said the two converted PCNs were vacant and the new role was intended to strengthen compliance and management oversight; the court recorded robust public comment demanding further accountability and transparency.","Court approved a change to the sheriff's table of organization to create a jail commission liaison while public commenters called for transparency and accountability over multiple in-custody deaths and demanded release of footage.",{"_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},6272214,"Commissioners accept privately funded 10 Commandments monument for courthouse lawn over objections, 3–1",892,6320000,7212000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028032-9cb7faefc29ee684a508154f8ef21ac1&start=6320&end=7212","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028032-9cb7faefc29ee684a508154f8ef21ac1/thumbnail_6320000.jpg","/articles/6272214/Tarrant-County/Texas/Commissioners-accept-privately-funded-10-Commandments-monument-for-courthouse-lawn-over-objections-31","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272214-9709c74a0f92f2aae83a39745e48f6d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651227&Signature=AHqPsCRGgYeBwCT-lBndwFUfdKVP-KHNQq1ermA-Af8jNN2aDlcH3TZzCnD8H5QZbVAruIF9~4UTGhyLPpy-ocFA7JROi2RPV3Lb9Qr3y9lUonnfW5fTHj6pmFxwZX4FGz9jjJQvJJOXus0SBruusT~lXQ~z~ZwsdqzGfxmOw017ILH7R~AjMdbN04ZWngi6gjeecTCXCUYpYCzaxF5Q1vgHdC01m3pVhB83v4AiztkDnHMrZkGPhnWjncEU7wOOOVlHSEnnSGXulUU~heaYDE9B9pimx8ZqCuQS5IoZiVaAzJ5BOhFmecQ3NmkQIY2nPMhLWEFWrC~OYTZAVe5vHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TARRANT COUNTY — Tarrant County Commissioners Court voted 3–1 on April 15 to accept a privately funded donation of a 10 Commandments monument for placement on the lawn of the 1895 Historic Courthouse.

The monument was proposed and funded by a private group led locally by the American History and Heritage Foundation. Commissioner Matt Krause, who introduced the item, argued the monument affirms “the history and tradition of America and Texas” and pointed to Supreme Court precedent he said supports displays with a historical context.

Commissioner Alisa Simmons opposed the donation during floor debate, saying the county must represent residents of many faiths and beliefs and that placing a religious display on taxpayer property could be discriminatory and invite litigation. “Displaying the 10 Commandments on taxpayer property, excluding specific residents, is disrespectful,” Simmons said during the meeting.

Other commissioners noted precedent and legal counsel offered on the item. Commissioners referenced Van Orden v. Perry, the U.S. Supreme Court 2005 decision that allowed a Ten Commandments monument on Texas State Capitol grounds, and the court discussed the 2022 Kennedy v. Bremerton decision and the current “history and tradition” test. Commissioner Krause said the donation is privately funded, includes proposed maintenance funding, and First Liberty Institute—an outside legal group—offered pro bono representation if litigation arises.

Public comment was strongly divided. Supporters framed the monument as a nonpartisan recognition of historical legal foundations; opponents urged the county to prioritize social services and accused the court of excluding non-Christian residents. Several public speakers also urged the court to instead spend resources on housing and jail oversight.

The motion to accept the monument passed 3–1. Commissioners who voted in favor said private funding and offered legal defense mitigated fiscal risk to the county; Commissioner Simmons cast the dissenting vote.

Why it matters: Placing religious text on government grounds raises constitutional questions under the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause and can prompt litigation. The court proceeded citing historical-display precedent and private funding with an offered outside legal defense.

What happened next: The court approved acceptance of the donation and will work with the donating group on placement and maintenance. Commissioners and speakers noted renderings are similar to the monument currently on the Texas Capitol grounds; renderings were not included in the public agenda packet.

Vote: Passed 3–1.","The court accepted a privately funded donation of a 10 Commandments monument for placement on the historic courthouse lawn; the vote split 3–1 after extended public comment about separation of church and state and potential legal risk.",{"_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},6272219,"Tarrant County approves precinct consolidations and boundary adjustments after legal review",614,3832000,4446000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028032-9cb7faefc29ee684a508154f8ef21ac1&start=3832&end=4446","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028032-9cb7faefc29ee684a508154f8ef21ac1/thumbnail_3832000.jpg","/articles/6272219/Tarrant-County/Texas/Tarrant-County-approves-precinct-consolidations-and-boundary-adjustments-after-legal-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272219-809f4706e96f792166a2cfc33ae1851f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651227&Signature=DvnuVW7SOgBwJkfYdLGuTai1VEy8jBYANgciy7pZ1SYYdeSu1jaBzvwN6DyE06rtNjcpHQZzcMhfEsqyVbaGBhT2oOaTysTklEX957~P5jdiMUYUai7kpHPM-r3tM6LWxMjGqD0VPVbjVuzklwYFs1RufI5h7mfzByNm27TotQHLKpEBxFhJFeFmQweSm3fnvop6slQTOiyy3nvebC19TbTfyoIsifc1t6XIfT5zfKSHwkKY5WVgDDFiEEUX4jVCTp1nXEBu2SUJX7M-xZvcL~rrKHIxhrkrDxRKQV45pqPdX9cq4XsuWsl7NhAXiQ-c-v2DOQPJlpaS6LUYGINCNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TARRANT COUNTY — The Tarrant County Commissioners Court on April 15 approved two election-administration items: combining precincts with no registered voters and adjusting precinct lines where voter counts approached statutory caps.

Elections staff described the work as routine post-redistricting maintenance required in odd-numbered years. Clint, an elections staff member, told the court the county must split precincts that exceed the statutory 5,000-registered-voter guideline and eliminate tiny, uninhabited “island” precincts that can occur after state and federal redistricting. “So we have areas no bigger than a cell phone that are their very own precinct, but nobody lives there,” Clint said.

A public speaker cautioned the court that combining or changing precincts can affect communities of interest and urged more hearings. The speaker cited Texas Election Code language and Secretary of State advice, arguing the county should ensure changes do not conflict with statutes governing precinct combinations and countywide polling programs.

Commissioners said they had run the plan by the secretary of state’s office and received confirmation the actions could proceed. The court voted unanimously to approve item F1 (combining precincts with zero registered voters) and item F2 (splitting precincts to keep voters under 5,000 and adjust boundary lines). Election staff noted the changes do not alter ballots or elected offices; one practical effect is that some precinct chairs will change.

Why it matters: Changes to precinct boundaries affect how neighborhoods are grouped for precinct-level organization, polling place logistics and precinct chairs, and they can raise concerns about preserving communities of interest. Speakers urged caution and more public input.

What happened: Both measures passed unanimously. Elections staff said party chairs had been consulted and approved the adjustments. A public commenter suggested waiting for updated census-driven data and additional hearings; the court proceeded after staff assurances and secretary of state consultation.","The commissioners unanimously approved combining unpopulated precincts and splitting overcrowded precincts to keep precinct voter rolls within statutory limits; public speakers urged caution and hearings over possible community impacts.",{"_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},6272224,"Tarrant County delays $216,000 ERP consulting contract after commissioners press for briefings",666,3128000,3794000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028032-9cb7faefc29ee684a508154f8ef21ac1&start=3128&end=3794","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028032-9cb7faefc29ee684a508154f8ef21ac1/thumbnail_3128000.jpg","/articles/6272224/Tarrant-County/Texas/Tarrant-County-delays-216000-ERP-consulting-contract-after-commissioners-press-for-briefings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272224-734090dcd0e55cff36dd8d96147b6e6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651227&Signature=V0FRoSdbs7qp6~K0O0gg0e52rhL0UEHG9fmUlyR6A3jnquKBSH2jr8L9ZiCE8R2wljTmwMpwkJjVCUbX5BthuQ6LptY1t-GvKCMjHgbzVNN-KFOnnmA7B7uabiNgeMUpkl1jjMsU7SosemvAzBS3zC2ACnkf2kN5lCVcmFyUpHC2rkWhdgN5mOhLtVpwZiSOgY~i6O3Zki~VEP2930yqGlQrgBzhNZAjtzxkTE62ch4tuBIe14G852py~hJAj3YifQWrvzH8RyLil4XiSu03O6BRPju5~GJCWaZRQSnqxIS1P7KL~O6sx2Aqpg5uRzf1ZHc43wDT0kOYInGUSn0Ywg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TARRANT COUNTY — Tarrant County commissioners on April 15 removed a proposed $216,000 contract for enterprise resource planning (ERP) advisory services from a larger set of budget items and asked staff to brief each commissioner individually before the court votes.

The request came after county staff described the county’s 20-year-old SAP system and said estimates put total cost of ownership for continuing on the current path as high as $75 million to $80 million over 10 years. “I felt it was the right time to go out and look at alternatives,” staff member Andre said, describing the need for an impartial evaluation of the county’s financial and operational landscape.

County staff said a consultant could identify change-management risks, recommend whether to keep a single integrated ERP or adopt separate systems integrated by the county, and shorten implementation time. “In the grand scheme of things, I would expect that our final decision will lead to a cost savings to the county,” Andre told the court, estimating possible long-term savings but not committing to a quantified contract-level return.

Several commissioners pressed for more detail before approving the consultant. Commissioner Matt Krause said he supported switching off SAP but questioned paying $216,000 to reach a conclusion he expects staff already know. Commissioner Hania Ramirez asked whether the consultant would reduce implementation costs and whether the county could proceed directly to an RFP for replacement systems.

Judge Tim O’Hare proposed, and the court agreed, to schedule individual briefings with Andre and other staff members for any commissioners who want them and to return the consulting contract to a future agenda after those briefings. The court approved the remainder of the C1 appropriations package but explicitly excluded the consulting contract from that vote.

Why it matters: The county’s finance and procurement systems affect long-term budgets and every department’s operations. Commissioners expressed interest in changing systems to gain flexibility and reduce future vendor lock-in, but sought more detail about the proposed consultant’s deliverables, how it would affect implementation choices, and whether it would reduce overall cost.

What happened next: The court voted to approve the remainder of C1 (appropriation adjustments) excluding the consulting contract; the contract will return to the court after staff briefings and additional information are provided. No consultant contract was approved April 15.

Public comment and context: Commissioners and several speakers referenced prior experiences with SAP in local government. One commissioner recalled paying for consultants after an earlier SAP implementation and said the county had spent significant funds on outside help in the past. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate office-by-office briefings over the coming weeks.

The court did not take a substantive vote on the proposed ERP advisory contract during the meeting.","Commissioners asked for one-on-one briefings with county IT and finance staff and removed a $216,000 ERP advisory services contract from a package of approvals to get more detail and assurance before committing to outside consultants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Tarrant County commissioners approve consent agenda, proclamations and a closed-session community development item

Commissioners approve new jail liaison position amid public calls for accountability in jail deaths

Commissioners accept privately funded 10 Commandments monument for courthouse lawn over objections, 3–1

Tarrant County approves precinct consolidations and boundary adjustments after legal review

Tarrant County delays $216,000 ERP consulting contract after commissioners press for briefings