[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6238423,"mediaKeyId","3352239-d44fef8c8ccde16b678d97219e834a25","parentId",3352239,"title","Commissioners seek clarity after Humane Society restricts intake of strays; county reviews options","audioSeconds",811,"startMs",3565000,"endMs",4376000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352239-d44fef8c8ccde16b678d97219e834a25&start=3565&end=4376","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352239-d44fef8c8ccde16b678d97219e834a25/thumbnail_3565000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6238423/Wichita-County/Texas/Commissioners-seek-clarity-after-Humane-Society-restricts-intake-of-strays-county-reviews-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238423-05c542c6e4a20fa2d35be2e84aa2206d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770918672&Signature=bzbenAhfJpc0O1UmLXuDJF~EeqgLbmfGebW2hO5G8eU8BntnmkHigeiu1gKq6tBK5qBlMOTQ5x07OisyR1Jgm8wRzxRQNUYfLOIVrSc19WXS5f6Ye57MQeGUMAKnpfUwI3G7JFzU5SAMDvq-6hbDnqw6bXdmymaVS9SQ9HuD6-4lZxUlbtXTs0xCq40j-q1m6UB3sOA9i0if6bnY8tfnDkperwiJM209QEkb~k70HO3gsrH1igSVXkEP8zO3xP64yz5eppYmFSmfuR1oUmnyKlyhAzzwHlaeWdusgTc1vcU4w1Ft3tcbnGiSAOMBhkz0dKns9cLBCrENEBxKdfBZ7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wichita County, TX","date","2025-05-16T19:02:06Z","article","Commissioner Beauchamp told the Wichita County Commissioners Court on May 16 that a constituent reported the Humane Society turned away a stray animal, saying it would only accept animals it deemed adoptable. “They no longer take strays unless they are adoptable,” Beauchamp said, and asked where county residents should direct animals that are abandoned on county roads.

Court members reviewed the county’s prior agreement with the Humane Society. Beauchamp and staff told the court that the last contract the county had with the Humane Society for care of stray animals dated to 2016 and that the agreement was written to handle stray livestock the sheriff could drop off. The 2016 agreement included an automatic two‑year renewal clause and was contingent on appropriation of funds for any county financial obligations.

County officials discussed options for residents who find strays. Several commissioners and staff noted the county has an estray fund that has been used to cover law‑enforcement related animal care costs. One participant said stray‑related spend was about $3,500 last year; officials did not produce a current detailed tally in the meeting and said more follow‑up is needed.

The court explored alternatives: reopening talks with the Humane Society about limited intake or reimbursement, asking the city or the county health district to assist on a case‑by‑case basis, and contacting nearby municipalities such as Iowa Park, which operates a larger shelter facility. Commissioners also discussed disposal and euthanasia costs for animals and noted that the county previously paid for private animal housing before arranging Humane Society services.

Court members asked staff to open discussions with the Humane Society and the health district to clarify intake policies, potential reimbursement arrangements and any public‑health responsibilities. No new contract or appropriation was approved at the meeting.

Commissioners also raised public‑safety and legal concerns: one commissioner said that abandoning domestic animals on county roads is illegal and that enforcement options exist, while the health district’s rabies authority would apply in cases suggesting public‑health risk. Staff will report back with options for county guidance to residents and potential contract or funding approaches.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioner's Court 5/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioner Beauchamp told the Wichita County Commissioners Court on May 16 that a constituent reported the Humane Society turned away a stray animal, saying it would only accept animals it deemed adoptable.","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},6238433,"Wichita County jail maintenance projects move forward; roof and generator issues flagged",740,2046000,2786000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352239-d44fef8c8ccde16b678d97219e834a25&start=2046&end=2786","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352239-d44fef8c8ccde16b678d97219e834a25/thumbnail_2046000.jpg","/articles/6238433/Wichita-County/Texas/Wichita-County-jail-maintenance-projects-move-forward-roof-and-generator-issues-flagged","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238433-2858b59ffa30cd06a562e716398833ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770918672&Signature=N0aFex0~DlvhRPOjPpHPsEnjFQZx5XxQ-Z4RjGd-Ohb7nBFPKHXYUn2m86HstPN-WIns-DhYg3dXqI~XYZ4ok9zrxu05iSMA8m41qOhKvLvW~n3W2au6q~Av-DKl6A8o9WF7itxsQDQedjeKv87pxkY-otV9oT4mfzN9Glv~-n3z~L8feAXqO9ncIAYS9-YqrSkKmeem2XlbgKnYv0MnhfFiu51fs78E98OrbEMRl4aMQjmcd1TThEJVMTqVcC1LCZBY8uvjCOoeXDLflTT0WRaGM3aA6~RFPFqkqFih9zH74spXriRgWSmZmBTqO2WnjBmT2hVNriGTT9C8eZ~Vlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The jail captain updated the Wichita County Commissioners Court on May 16 that a kitchen renovation will start the following week and that pod remediation work inside the jail is nearly finished.

“Monday, we’re gonna be starting the kitchen project,” the jail captain said, and later estimated about $2,100 to replace expiring batteries on controls identified during a recent fire‑marshal inspection.

Captain remarks and commissioner questions highlighted several maintenance items: a recent fire marshal inspection identified beeping battery backups for HVAC control switches that are near end of life; staff reported an earlier electrical issue with the generator has been resolved; several hallway lights remain out; pod remediation and repainting are almost complete; and some kitchen fixtures and a floor area require follow‑up during the renovation.

The captain invited commissioners to view the updated pods and said staff would email a more detailed roofing quote and related maintenance documentation. Commissioners also raised safety items: a jammed roof hatch and an inaccessible lock for a middle roof hatch that currently lacks an available key; a janitor‑closet light sensor that may not reliably activate when someone enters from above ceiling access; and a front‑lobby door handle that was ripped off during a recent release, which is being secured temporarily until replacement parts arrive.

Inmate housing expansion work was discussed: the trustee/inmate building structure is complete but staff are awaiting IT work to extend fiber and install cameras before moving trustee workers. The captain said funding for camera and internet work will come from two budget lines (one tied to inmate work programs and the other to the general fund) and that he will provide a cost estimate for agenda review.

The court discussed reporting and billing related to out‑of‑county inmate prescriptions and asked staff to add those figures to the jail revenue page so the information covers two weeks rather than single billing runs. No formal motions were made; staff committed to follow up by email and bring quotes and updated reports to the court for future agenda items.

Commissioners praised general facility cleanliness and the progress of recent projects but asked staff to supply the court with the Manasco Roofing quote and any additional roof‑repair information for decision‑making at a later meeting.","The jail captain updated the Wichita County Commissioners Court on May 16 that a kitchen renovation will start the following week and that pod remediation work inside the jail is nearly finished.",{"_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},6238436,"Texas Association of Counties: Wichita County’s employee health plan shows low loss ratio; small rate increase expected",1255,875000,2130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352239-d44fef8c8ccde16b678d97219e834a25&start=875&end=2130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352239-d44fef8c8ccde16b678d97219e834a25/thumbnail_875000.jpg","/articles/6238436/Wichita-County/Texas/Texas-Association-of-Counties-Wichita-Countys-employee-health-plan-shows-low-loss-ratio-small-rate-increase-expected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238436-ab1125357195d2b1a3c3cbd81b8278c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770918672&Signature=j7ia-ofEPpXRnCDDrXNpsoAFyvkWmq~vGrVnMFsff-jgUa5MEwepJQq-~Rjustb0y6V6QPooWG3UHgaR~V~loheLVjwwt0p~B~TmOxOTeYSniJQlX0DWZBBqT7lHdDbZnKRob~VEb3go84LXSv~ip5QDNMGBH1JL9iRXnKazTeE-2w5W7LSQMYmQx9N7qhwKX20s5SsqXzQDzZt8z84L-5ZQHKzfcnhFkAPS9RsZNM4F-oQcjm1yQKUoJLdvhXfQdlAPupffD5~~rwXs8TLoi-mhDN4Ace9q3Wd5tkP-rSwZ588uP~LdRW1d8TjNJ0FmdO37dTGjr9LjaTFd2thlTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jonathan Callender, a health-plan consultant with the Texas Association of Counties, told the Wichita County Commissioners Court on May 16 that the county’s group health plan has performed well relative to the association’s pool and that the county should expect a modest renewal increase this year.

Callender said, “You have been below the state average for over a decade with the health and employee benefits pool,” and that while the pool overall is anticipating a 6% increase, Wichita County’s increase “would be less than 2%,” with current projections around 1.7%.

The finding matters because the county pays premiums and manages benefits for hundreds of employees. County leaders asked whether TAC could provide comparative cost data so local providers and county staff could review claims costs and prices. Callender said TAC would assemble anonymized comparisons for the county and noted TAC would respond to any RFP the county issues.

Michelle Gifford, TAC’s wellness consultant, reviewed utilization and cost drivers and urged continued promotion of available programs. “Musculoskeletal conditions were your top cost drivers,” Gifford said, noting a small number of high-cost claimants are driving a large portion of plan spending. She cited plan statistics showing seven claimants with claims over $100,000 and eight additional claimants over $50,000 in the review period.

Gifford summarized plan performance: the county’s 12‑month loss ratio came in at about 85.7%, with a three‑year average near 82%. She also said the county’s employee population is younger than the pool average, which helps the loss ratio, and that county members earned $1,260 in wellness reward dollars last year for employee incentives.

Speakers discussed pharmacy cost pressures, especially for antidiabetic medications and new high‑cost therapies. Gifford said the increase in pharmacy spending is driven largely by drug price, not by a large increase in the number of users, and recommended targeted communications and chronic‑disease management programs such as Teladoc, Omada and Airrosti to reduce avoidable high‑cost care and surgeries.

Callender noted TAC offers multiple plan designs, including HMO, HSA and self‑funded options, and said the association would provide quotes if the county solicits competitive proposals. He reminded the court that renewal timing gives flexibility around an RFP and that TAC will remain available to the county regardless of the procurement outcome.

County staff and commissioners requested the anonymized cost comparisons and confirmed TAC’s willingness to meet with local providers and the county’s wellness staff before the RFP process. No formal procurement decision was made at the meeting.

The presentation closed with staff and TAC agreeing to follow up on data sharing and wellness coordination ahead of the county’s renewal and any RFP.","Texas Association of Counties presented a midyear review to the Wichita County Commissioners Court, reporting a loss ratio below the pool average and projecting a modest renewal increase of about 1.7%. Speakers encouraged continued wellness outreach and offered to provide anonymized cost comparisons and RFP responses.",{"_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},6238428,"Wichita County jail reports 13 openings; supervisors and schedules drive overtime",250,2730000,2980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352239-d44fef8c8ccde16b678d97219e834a25&start=2730&end=2980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352239-d44fef8c8ccde16b678d97219e834a25/thumbnail_2730000.jpg","/articles/6238428/Wichita-County/Texas/Wichita-County-jail-reports-13-openings-supervisors-and-schedules-drive-overtime","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238428-4ac01d3f5f9587662210546c9c577d18/orig.mp4?Expires=1770918672&Signature=muIjyLusEpL9NxK~mm3fRjciA90apbTBK9GkMe8kZlCCGrDapESmHTB0ADaybpfpKg1kp4aLhyXynhsX4AZ5igMLGDWWY4jOBOLLyMHUmi0sczoza9HzMvbx0Cx7wviYBaNUQbARJQIEOzSxt0ykOqG7x4SgboH2pPk2Cb5V4WcrTWBp97dgp6-6Xd6pUZtem2jNzgVbySEyajDa1gYIXckK8uZt1QP4XETDzFNNn-9mtCw2GX3PH1maMX9F2UHV~1qQBxDITAQHNqIBKcYsRR2GzTgSK47vouWUAmfPgDUTYrdx~sEhatT0OC-za78kln2s~rTMNQhDR6r0tBjVGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The jail captain told the Wichita County Commissioners Court on May 16 that the sheriff’s office currently has 13 open jailer positions but expected two new hires to start at the end of the month.

“As of this morning, I have 13 openings,” the captain said, adding that three employees are out on FMLA, workers’ compensation or military leave and that the county is preparing to start jail school on June 1 with several recruits enrolled.

The captain said several staff are in training and that trainees are paired with experienced officers. He explained how supervisory coverage contributes to overtime: the department maintains at least two supervisors in the facility daily and sometimes schedules overlap across housing and booking areas, which increases paid supervisory hours.

Commissioners asked whether non‑jail supervisory staff incur overtime; the captain said overtime can result from out‑of‑town trips, transport duties and minimum‑staffing needs, and that divisions such as compliance and transport occasionally generate overtime when they are called into the jail. The captain also described internal efforts to allow employees to flex time instead of accruing overtime when operationally possible.

Court members noted the department is actively recruiting and running a training pipeline that should reduce vacancies and overtime once new staff complete training. No formal personnel actions were taken in the meeting.","The jail captain reported 13 open jailer positions, two hires starting later in the month and several staff out on leave. The captain explained scheduling and supervisory coverage contribute to overtime, and officials said recently enrolled recruits and jail school in June should help reduce overtime pressure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners seek clarity after Humane Society restricts intake of strays; county reviews options

Wichita County jail maintenance projects move forward; roof and generator issues flagged

Texas Association of Counties: Wichita County’s employee health plan shows low loss ratio; small rate increase expected

Wichita County jail reports 13 openings; supervisors and schedules drive overtime