[{"_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",6551698,"mediaKeyId","5330101-2fa03918adb9b545b38d02ae33834269","parentId",5330101,"title","Votes at a glance: Denton County commissioners approve routine contracts, grants and economic incentives on July 8","audioSeconds",1679,"startMs",2975000,"endMs",4654000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5330101-2fa03918adb9b545b38d02ae33834269&start=2975&end=4654","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5330101-2fa03918adb9b545b38d02ae33834269/thumbnail_2975000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551698/Denton-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Denton-County-commissioners-approve-routine-contracts-grants-and-economic-incentives-on-July-8","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551698-10822f1bf4a94fe85a41c284429593e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193057&Signature=OB85GM9JFAcPSJ1qmkw8q6hnsjmC-12feS4i6At~juRUgcLbFACDmAf5eaUZWNcv-O0p~tckJLM16ukwXUtRSeh1mU47EA6s-vjdKSc5kXuh2IBHfAOQyd40bpjGcsbkfGhRLQRNv7vKd~1FhIRJl5LwZ8fuS6~O7KHLKimvJ86r9PsE6Ggca2Uw771wdewYQv81bylh4I3ZqrvQufq2S00iiKqq9xAv-602t5O0XfmIvsVVBHko9rdUpR6sB81971U6eC05JKhmGhIMeHG-i8SN4BJ9U6Z4fLju5Q5IZHA6f6nNAmVoyY9ZY7t~cwtT7ebcliDatCMOEPO2cQwX3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Denton County Texas","date","2025-07-08T13:54:16Z","article","The Denton County Commissioners Court on July 8 approved a slate of routine and substantive items, including purchases, renewals, interlocal agreements, grant acceptance and an economic-development tax-abatement recommendation. The court recorded unanimous votes on the matters listed below.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Approved as presented (motion by Commissioner Mitchell; second by Commissioner Williams). Motion carried unanimously.

- Bill report additions: Accepted payment requests including a $16,495.46 payment to US Bank Voyager Fleet Systems and $676,152.41 total for Citibank RP cards (finance report additions presented for recording). Motion approved unanimously.

- Purchase: Approval to purchase a computer-aided dispatch and alerting system from Honeywell in the amount of $86,004.97 through the Houston-Galveston Area Council cooperative contract EC0723. Motion carried unanimously (mover: Commissioner Williams; second: Commissioner Falconer).

- Contract award: ITB 252870 awarded to LifeWorks Community (City and Jido Park Foundation Inc. DBA LifeWorks Community). The court approved the award and recognized program participants at the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

- Contract cancellation (separate detailed item): Commissioners approved cancellation of the Denton County MHMR guardianship contract under RFP 202575 (see separate article for discussion and continuity plan).

- Jail staffing: Approved reallocating funding for 20 detention-officer positions (pay grade 104) to facilitate ongoing hiring and increased jail staffing; sheriff reported the jail had reached roughly 66% staffing and had about 100 candidates in the pipeline. Motion carried unanimously.

- Grant acceptance: Approved acceptance of the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans Assistance grant for FY2025–26 in the amount of $330,000 to support veteran services and related program benchmarks. Motion carried unanimously.

- Economic development / tax abatement: Approved a resolution finding that the local tax-incentive agreement with Wistron InfoCom USA Corporation (referred to in the meeting as Westron info Com USA Corporation) and the subject property meet Denton County’s economic-development policy criteria and recommended entering a Chapter 312 tax abatement; presenters said the project could bring as much as $687 million in investment and up to 888 jobs with an average salary around $63,000 if both sites are selected. Motion carried unanimously.

- Renewals and interlocal agreements: The court approved a range of routine interlocal agreements for radio-communication and dispatch services with Northlake Police Department, Ponder Fire and Police Departments, Sanger ISD Police Department and others; it approved renewal of an inmate-mail system contract (RFP 202571) with Smart Communications for a one-year extension through Aug. 19, 2026; and it approved several interlocal agreements for tax-assessment and special-assessment collection with municipalities and school districts. All motions carried unanimously.

- Property acquisitions and disposals: Approved purchases and easements for Plainview Road improvement parcels (small acquisitions with amounts $500 and $1,964 plus closing costs as listed in the agenda); approved a total-loss insurance offer in the amount of $51,547.50 (less a $1,000 deductible to be paid by Denton County) for a county-owned vehicle; and corrected an RFP clerical error to reratify an amendment to a county-employee wellness-clinic agreement. All approved unanimously.

Most votes on these routine and negotiated items were unanimous; where presenters offered comments (for example, LifeWorks program representatives and Wistron representatives), commissioners voiced thanks and welcomed new investment and community programs.

The court recessed for executive session at the end of the public meeting items and indicated additional routine and procedural business (some grant and contract items) would return after the closed session as required by the agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Denton County Commissioners Court","oneSentenceSummary","At its July 8 meeting the Denton County Commissioners Court approved the consent agenda and a range of routine procurement, grant and interlocal items, awarded a manufacturing tax-abatement recommendation, and authorized jail staffing reallocations and several renewals. Most motions carried unanimously.","taxTitle","Denton County, Texas","taxId",2701,"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},6551702,"Commissioners approve cancellation of Denton County MHMR guardianship contract; judges outline interim plan and RFP timeline",1131,3069000,4200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5330101-2fa03918adb9b545b38d02ae33834269&start=3069&end=4200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5330101-2fa03918adb9b545b38d02ae33834269/thumbnail_3069000.jpg","/articles/6551702/Denton-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-cancellation-of-Denton-County-MHMR-guardianship-contract-judges-outline-interim-plan-and-RFP-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551702-088df8bc9d37de616bf5a34ef5eef2fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193057&Signature=TOYv3jpJfyuvNdg6qFCnSrq4piiEeR-FQEn6P~quqCTeonlCgROe6E5Po4WkaRhl86Uj1w2QeNZ6Etu22l-naMMLRzMUS1Rz4fZl1ppKxxnumHgrB45uPn9PocWVSAky-Dd~Jg3L6zH3E704UMpmf~SbiI7j6y4KexVMJvGkgf3uiEsrUi5j6iKKzuKNkVNeX9DSfRAT3zl8~2c6SGnmYLVKcZhG8dR4pyMVKGlYTvUxY0Q5FYv1EkyQSSryn4gNXLmiD-MxyFyQRYkn0d9Jn5XQW516dXIFhxHfTWnbkJsfQYA2eKm24WlyMu6nYXQwE~h2bC1Bj5LD~MfsAZw0Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Denton County Commissioners Court on July 8 voted to cancel its contract with Denton County MHMR that provided guardianship services for indigent residents, citing recent staff resignations and related certification issues.

Commissioner Williams moved to approve cancellation of the contract under RFP 202575, effective July 2025; the motion was seconded by the county judge and carried unanimously.

Pam (surname not specified), the MHMR representative who addressed the court, said the immediate cause was staff resignations. “The only reason that we were closing the program is because we did not have the employees,” she told the court, adding she informed the board chair and county judge as soon as resignations were known.

Denton County judges who oversee the court's guardianship responsibilities described the program and the continuity plan. Judge Yates said the probate courts have contracted for a guardianship program to provide guardians of the person for indigent individuals who have no family or other support. The current contract had a cap to supervise up to 100 individuals; at the time of the meeting 87 people were under supervision in about 30 residential settings.

For the immediate interim, judges told the court they planned to enter orders that would release MHMR from its role as guardian of the person and had identified local attorneys experienced in guardianship law who could step in on an emergency basis. Judge Yates said the court had issued a request for proposals (RFP) that closes July 10 and expected proposals to be reviewed promptly; he said it was the court’s intent to present a recommendation to the commissioners for action as soon as that procurement process allowed.

Judges and commissioners discussed compliance and staffing. County officials said supervisors for some portions of the program had not held required state certification for extended periods and that certification opportunities are limited (certification classes are offered quarterly, according to testimony). Judges warned appointing a new guardian organization in the interim would require new hearings and successor-guardian appointments that could cost the county roughly $500 to $1,000 per case.

Commissioner Williams acknowledged MHMR’s long record of service while expressing concern about recent turnover and communication. Court members thanked MHMR staff and the judges for the continuity planning and directed staff to proceed with the procurement and interim protections described in court comments.

Speakers at the discussion included county judges and MHMR representatives; the court record shows the motion carried unanimously. The judges said their priority is to ensure continuity of care for the 87 individuals currently supervised by the guardianship program while a new contract is procured and implemented.","On July 8 the Denton County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a motion to cancel the county's guardianship services contract with Denton County MHMR, citing staff resignations and certification gaps. County judges outlined an interim plan to protect 87 clients and a procurement timetable for a replacement provider.",{"_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},6551708,"Residents, poll workers urge Denton County to adopt countywide election-day vote centers; opponents cite privacy, civic concerns",1860,1030000,2890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5330101-2fa03918adb9b545b38d02ae33834269&start=1030&end=2890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5330101-2fa03918adb9b545b38d02ae33834269/thumbnail_1030000.jpg","/articles/6551708/Denton-County/Texas/Residents-poll-workers-urge-Denton-County-to-adopt-countywide-election-day-vote-centers-opponents-cite-privacy-civic-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551708-9719537f7adb4a87b85bcd5b15f6e7ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193057&Signature=Nu4AVQFFXcgkrXs5u6ybkx5LrE3q8IHqymqBpz7BkpyQBF3h1G05hUg8ELFCVeQQDo2PWxV0knkbZ4Lrp6hjzO~38RBCUMgBqiJGwlikn8pRrgOxlCxSzkuisVocGOhc9NnooeRaVFGfL2TrAT4c0ZtMSD~y4a9cDKiAE3nBkModhVees9a6AdG9ghwCjQIia9QCjEQBfGMeeDhbaql4hhasq~3f7AurhyYle50ik3o5vcB3ccywRwFVVog8nmPdTnV9ueOi~e~2UTTyvEeyAqCfE197ZhDhSyShy1-gv61KCtegtmyECPp~aT90JdluSMQ6GxG29TVcJHcbX8W7Vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents, poll workers and party activists told the Denton County Commissioners Court on July 8 that the county should allow registered voters to cast ballots at any Denton County polling place on election day, as they can during early voting.

The speakers addressed the item during the public-comment portion of the meeting. Many said countywide election-day voting would reduce confusion, long lines and trips to the wrong polling site; others warned it could erode precinct conventions and compromise voter privacy.

LaDonna Wamichele, a registered voter from Robson Ranch, said, “I am here to support countywide election day voting.” She asked the court to “set up vote centers in Denton County so voters can vote at any polling place in the county on election day in the same manner as we do for early voting.”

Multiple other speakers described firsthand incidents in which voters were told they were at the wrong location and had to be redirected. Lavelle Carlson said a friend had been turned away and required multiple trips, calling the experience “very difficult, especially for the disabled and the elderly.” Virginia Shepherd, who said she has worked elections in Denton County since 2017, said she had “seen people turned away” and described lines of voters who discovered they were at the wrong precinct on election day.

Several speakers referenced statewide practice: “Ninety-nine other counties in Texas have made the registered voters convenience a priority,” Adele Stewart told the court, urging Denton to follow suit.

Opponents said switching to countywide election-day voting would reduce precinct-level connections and could create privacy vulnerabilities. Rich Wilson, who spoke in opposition, said, “voting centers depersonalize the whole entire voting process” and argued precinct voting keeps elections local and familiar. Melinda Preston, identified as the Denton County chair of the Republican Party, told the court voting centers “open the door to corruption and can vote voter privacy in some cases,” and described a case where a public-information request led to concerns about ballot privacy in a precinct with only two voters at a particular site.

Other speakers emphasized voter education and outreach rather than structural change. Melanie Lam, a longtime presiding judge and precinct chair, said Denton County spends effort to publish location information and that many voters can look up their polling place with a name and birth date.

The comments reflected a mix of lived experience and differing priorities: accessibility and convenience versus precinct-based civic engagement and ballot privacy. Court members did not take formal action on the request during the session; the item appeared in the public-comment portion of the agenda and was presented to the court for hearing rather than vote.

The public-comment segment on this topic ran from the first speaker on the issue beginning at 10:30 a.m. through late morning; commissioners proceeded to the consent agenda after the scheduled comment period ended.

Speakers quoted above and whose remarks appear in this report spoke during the public-comment period and were identified in the meeting record as registered voters, poll workers or party representatives.","Dozens of residents and poll workers urged the Denton County Commissioners Court on July 8 to allow voters to cast ballots at any county polling place on election day, while opponents and party officials warned of privacy and precinct-convention impacts. The court did not take action on the request during the meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Denton County commissioners approve routine contracts, grants and economic incentives on July 8

Commissioners approve cancellation of Denton County MHMR guardianship contract; judges outline interim plan and RFP timeline

Residents, poll workers urge Denton County to adopt countywide election-day vote centers; opponents cite privacy, civic concerns