[{"_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",6462266,"mediaKeyId","5811735-c970a556554c7fec353cfcdacf0b8e67","parentId",5811735,"title","Commissioners honor Natalie Harville on her retirement as facilities director","audioSeconds",251,"startMs",5975000,"endMs",6226000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811735-c970a556554c7fec353cfcdacf0b8e67&start=5975&end=6226","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811735-c970a556554c7fec353cfcdacf0b8e67/thumbnail_5975000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462266/Lubbock-County/Texas/Commissioners-honor-Natalie-Harville-on-her-retirement-as-facilities-director","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462266-b92f88795b182daa46d6119dcb4935f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824237&Signature=h8itGPCHjz7a7BluxJMxShF542SdmKRXtWxNn472ETZdzrGB5cVkzs12w1RpU~~OOrHULKMsIfGab7F8OX6XKhNcMjdqf558-pnmKYxFTIWZ8AyR8ciFx9FBnwydTn9MqgRs9blUf1aXLYfXHMIcRqcSPgXLMA2PpzocderDjhR0iwT0ERyMAXgPffzxQWB1bClYvWQelnOjzPEVXcI957t29KiBmsPtBgM33q0PG8jwYSn0a0ANc-vbjxkqc-9cYwxORZ161mzsUAvfpm2RDlY-z2ETZu2NzGS0nJgAhL2t1o3krMv2VXUthKkEZnWwCfQcYtpBXnc6FQFMWKPu0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lubbock","date","2025-09-22T00:00:00Z","article","Lubbock County Commissioners Court on Sept. 22 recognized Natalie Harville on her retirement after roughly eight years as director of facilities and facilities maintenance for the county.

Judge Parrish and county officials thanked Harville for leading upgrades to facilities maintenance systems, including moving a paper-based work-order system to a digital asset-tracking platform and improving reporting on repair costs and maintenance activity. Commissioners noted Harville’s role in building a facilities staff and advancing ongoing capital projects.

Harville, addressing the court, said the work has been a team effort and praised the staff she led. “My staff is wonderful, and they’re the reason why I’m successful,” she said, adding that training and staff development were priorities during her tenure.

Ending

Commissioners presented public thanks and good wishes for Harville’s retirement and projects left in progress; no court action was associated with the recognition.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lubbock - Commissioners' Court","oneSentenceSummary","The court recognized Natalie Harville for her nearly eight years directing Lubbock County facilities, citing improvements to facility maintenance, asset tracking and staffing during her tenure.","taxTitle","Lubbock County, Texas","taxId",2711,"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},6462271,"AgriLife Extension presents quarterly update on youth programs, stock shows and emerging pests",1074,672000,1746000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811735-c970a556554c7fec353cfcdacf0b8e67&start=672&end=1746","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811735-c970a556554c7fec353cfcdacf0b8e67/thumbnail_672000.jpg","/articles/6462271/Lubbock-County/Texas/AgriLife-Extension-presents-quarterly-update-on-youth-programs-stock-shows-and-emerging-pests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462271-1de192549b6c25d43612162a3deb4ce3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824237&Signature=PuHKlKl9aHwJvUwTlV3tRGigwXH5tPvlC4m12sHp4EJfnZmOPzMzgV071vc~LKmFbzUT0dXHDgSfkzTQRBifHyYTx0QT~MhVsTXOHdlf~8co1ZtHekust-eL9hDzl3QvxhrGjpNzuzwMHDvIJJZLxfSJm34xArV4Orp5WPIZr-AEkJBK1ZoB1Uft-qLiqbXakObP2lFg6TdWVNvECNqa5hyHnVXMUmMWITP-kTCF8nfBXDhoiWyaQPslosmrv90HsDNDoi0yh4xE0uPwXnXRm9zBABmDTAEUxJH~MLFbvd9G7ymTEt6rAj864LXKIY~muX6BNH869B~~~MtWv3s6NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Agents from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service gave a quarterly update to Lubbock County Commissioners Court on Sept. 22, summarizing June–September activity that included 4‑H and FFA youth participation, the South Plains Fair, community nutrition and urban youth programs, and emerging pest concerns.

Robert Scott, with AgriLife Extension, said Lubbock County ranks high in livestock validation for steers and swine and that the county’s junior participants won substantial scholarship and prize money at recent major shows. “We validate all our livestock. Lubbock is the number one county for validation in numbers of steers,” Scott said, and later noted that county 4‑H participants “brought in over I think it was 1,500,000 in winnings, from last year from the major stock show.”

Amber Bozeman, Urban Youth Development CEA, described summer programs including an eight-week Cultivate Cook and Create nutrition-and-gardening program at the South Plains Grub Farm with about 50 participants and a Families Reading Everyday (F.R.E.D.) literacy challenge that distributed donated books and tracked reading minutes in partnership with local schools and libraries.

Brent Baugh and Scott described outreach connected to the South Plains Fair; Scott said fairs draw large attendance and provide ag-exposure for urban children. The extension team also highlighted applied research projects that included nematode surveys and vegetable trials.

Emerging pests and plant-health concerns

Scott warned the court about several pests and plant-health issues he said were appearing or approaching the region: the screw-worm fly (which can affect warm-blooded animals, including people), a leaf‑hopper species referred to in the meeting as a cotton jassid that has caused severe losses in other countries, and a recently identified guava nematode that was found in local tomato plants.

Scott said extension staff are monitoring these and working with plant pathologists; he noted a nematode survey of vegetables and engagement with state and federal efforts to detect and respond to pests.

Why it matters

The extension’s programs connect youth development, agricultural research and community health. The agents emphasized workforce and leadership development through the stock‑show pipeline, nutrition and literacy outreach in partnership with schools and community groups, and applied research that informs local producers and gardeners.

Ending

Commissioners thanked the agents and encouraged public attendance at the South Plains Fair and related events. The update served as a quarterly summary without any court action required.","Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agents reported youth participation, stock-show validation, outreach programs and new agricultural pest concerns at the Sept. 22 Lubbock County Commissioners Court meeting.",{"_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},6462276,"Commissioners approve routine claims, contracts and bids including juvenile placement and detention food services",105,1999000,2104000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811735-c970a556554c7fec353cfcdacf0b8e67&start=1999&end=2104","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811735-c970a556554c7fec353cfcdacf0b8e67/thumbnail_1999000.jpg","/articles/6462276/Lubbock-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-routine-claims-contracts-and-bids-including-juvenile-placement-and-detention-food-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462276-138994fc2608939034c71848ce044790/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824237&Signature=kT~0YfWEJGoUAofcLiWRzs8xKTjol8kWHynlvQIAkbuQ9QsPSbC0Tz-Wnx~boaPSW5tanfnx382g74JSXF46o9-Zhvi1vCzQ79E66tjvFgV1KTypRVRA4GCYMlMjkRAHkSS5hGShrYBubxFFbUrztxaz1ydiMASP5gJvx4XogihnDRbJo4fh7HUI97qvpA8R4qsRafrJWUehUauPtIk~LTl8MukJW1sRpTB9~jNGETkHSpwuDbRGLJRk68hd7VJWB7wiD~YrmEMQcIK8OoXCcK5gZTisM6wXqNip8PhoQB3isiSKqCcVLhMa81yjV1oqhj6HVsl1rikg54KtvSY0Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lubbock County Commissioners Court on Sept. 22 approved a series of consent items, routine claims and several contracts and awards during its regular meeting.

The court approved the minutes from the Sept. 8, 2025 meeting, authorized budget transfers (line-item transfers of $12,250 and budget amendments totaling $5,221,598 as presented by the auditor), and approved payment of general-account claims. The court also rescinded a prior fund-balance commitment dated Sept. 23, 2024; approved a fund-balance policy; and approved a new fund-balance commitment effective Sept. 22, 2025.

Bids, contracts and procurement

- ITB 25070703 (FY26 annual asphalt materials for Road & Bridge): The court awarded the contract to Ergon Asphalt Emulsions and to P2 Emulsions after a motion by Commissioner Shaw and a second by Commissioner Rackler. The court approved awarding to both responsive bidders.

- RFP 250601 (detention food services): The court authorized the county judge to sign a renewal agreement with 5 Star Correctional Services for food services at the Lubbock County Detention Center; the sheriff’s office representative, Jan Corbin, stated the vendor is the incumbent and the contract is tied to the CPI for predictable increases.

- Juvenile residential services: The court authorized the county judge to sign a contract with Rite of Passage Inc. for long-term placement of juveniles at Canyon State Academy and Desert Lily Academy; the court was told the female program at Desert Lily would fill a local need.

- Medical examiner equipment/business associate agreement: The court authorized the county judge to sign a business associate and sales agreement (with addendum) related to the medical examiner’s X-ray machine with Konica Minolta.

Administrative and other approvals

- The court approved the district clerk’s records preservation fee schedule and records-management plan for FY26 (same fee schedule as FY25).

- The 2026 Lubbock County holiday calendar was approved; commissioners also discussed a potential amendment to add Dec. 26 as a holiday for employees, to be considered at a later meeting.

How the votes were taken

Most consent and contract items were moved and approved by voice vote with no recorded roll call numbers in the public transcript; the court repeatedly used “All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.” Where recorded, votes are noted below.

Votes at a glance (select items)

- Minutes (regular meeting dated 09/08/2025): approved (motion: Commissioner Rackler; second: Commissioner Shaw).
- Budget transfers and amendments (auditor-presented): approved (motion: Commissioner Shaw; second: Commissioner Rackler). Transfers: $12,250; budget amendments: $5,221,598.
- Payment of claims (general accounts): approved (presented by auditor; amount reported in transcript as 5,508,019 cents—likely $5,508,019 given context).
- ITB 25070703 Asphalt Materials: awarded to Ergon Asphalt Emulsions and P2 Emulsions (motion: Commissioner Shaw; second: Commissioner Rackler).
- RFP 250601 Detention food services: authorized for judge to sign agreement with 5 Star Correctional Services (motion: Commissioner Rackler; second: Commissioner Dolby).
- Juvenile residential services contract with Rite of Passage Inc.: authorized for judge to sign (motion: Commissioner Dolby; second: Commissioner Rackler).
- Konica Minolta business associate and sales agreement (ME office): authorized for judge to sign (motion: Commissioner Dolby; second: Commissioner Shaw).
- District clerk court records preservation fees and records-management plan (FY26): approved (motion: Commissioner Shaw; second: Commissioner Rackler).
- 2026 Lubbock County holiday calendar: approved (motion: Commissioner Shaw; second: Commissioner Corley).

Ending

The court handled a mix of routine administrative approvals and competitive procurements in a single session. Several approvals referenced CPI adjustments or one-time funding details; the county auditor and department representatives provided brief explanations for the awards and contracts.

","At the Sept. 22 meeting the court approved minutes, budget transfers, payments of claims, fund-balance actions, multiple contracts and an asphalt materials bid award. Key contracts include a renewal for detention food services with 5 Star Correctional Services and a juvenile placement contract with Rite of Passage Inc.",{"_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},6462281,"Lubbock County adopts $322.6 million 2026 budget after heated debate over cuts and staffing",1338,2413000,3751000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811735-c970a556554c7fec353cfcdacf0b8e67&start=2413&end=3751","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811735-c970a556554c7fec353cfcdacf0b8e67/thumbnail_2413000.jpg","/articles/6462281/Lubbock-County/Texas/Lubbock-County-adopts-3226-million-2026-budget-after-heated-debate-over-cuts-and-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462281-6e483be1617758b9ca7d862830ef50a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824237&Signature=CZUWzOFlNwpxkV23T4yCAA3HLD0EZFfpltX0x4BL3-jTGUmT4k0ohtaUJaqEwS988A27ftKhrTcLSRT3kShrSE~hOkU6xHb99-sC9SMaKqbmS6qEXFslk1P-jUhGh3LFSOLPLfQsJ~TA3gHUokm-YDFlj0plFZjq33T17sMPvQ-WV1JvG-vxhdrQ9haHsDUJG~WoLWL3e9kyMP5bf-Cmm3SIleLFMjSEeHxz4yXozMkgv~UCo-vHDViI2bbEdoERo9~pAqtcuCjlsHxBjj1bpnX7Y3BcTqmP3~bbvfjvPdUBQITSZ99dDkHkS9XN07eAk1-swOb4yyNzpgJ3zE8HHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lubbock County Commissioners Court on Sept. 22 adopted a $322,558,982 fiscal year 2026 budget after a lengthy public hearing and debate that included two failed amendments to shift additional funding to detention staffing and to roll precinct parks’ special tax rates back into the general fund.

The budget was presented by Lubbock County Auditor Kathy Williams, who said the county’s total proposed budget is $322,558,982 and that the general fund totals about $162 million. Williams told the court that the county realized a $15 million reduction in the total budget from last year, noted one-time increases such as a $4 million bump in motor vehicle registration revenue, and said the county will draw down reserves this year (roughly $6.8 million) to balance the budget.

The proposed budget drew public comment from Cassie Graham, who identified herself as a county employee and urged the court not to cut departmental funding, saying the cuts would harm morale and the county’s ability to serve children and victims. “When you underfund our departments, beat our morale, and run us off, who’s going to stand in the gap for the kids in this community?” Graham said during the public hearing.

Auditor’s summary and why it mattered

Williams said the budget relies in part on drawing down reserves and that sustained use of fund balance is not a long-term solution. She highlighted revenue changes: a $1.8 million estimated reduction from the no-new-revenue tax-rate calculation, roughly $4 million of one-time motor-vehicle-related revenue, and a projected $800,000 drop in phone commission revenue tied to a law change. She also said the budget includes reductions required of general-fund departments (an additional 10% reduction totaling roughly $2.4 million) and that not all requested new positions were funded—38 positions were requested and 12 were funded.

Key debate and failed amendments

Judge Parrish offered Amendment 1 to transfer $169,104 to fund two additional detention-center deputy positions (one per shift) to try to reduce mandatory overtime in the detention center. Parrish said the additional positions would help reduce overtime costs and burnout; opponents argued the county could not afford the increase and questioned whether the hires would materially reduce overtime. The amendment failed on a 2–3 vote (tally recorded as 2 in favor, 3 opposed).

Amendment 2 would have removed precinct park special tax rates (returning those revenues to the general fund by adding 0.002 to the general-fund tax rate) to align park funding with cuts imposed on other departments. Supporters said the change would make the court’s budget cuts consistent across departments; opponents said it would imperil park and clubhouse operations and staff funding. That amendment also failed on a 2–3 vote.

Final vote and positions

A motion to adopt the FY26 budget as presented was made by Commissioner Corley and seconded by Commissioner Shaw. The adoption passed 3–2. Judge Parrish and Commissioner Dolby voted against the final budget, citing its reliance on reserves and the effect of cuts on public safety, firefighters, facilities and road and bridge. Parrish and Dolby also argued the budget would harm county employees and was not sustainable if draws on fund balance continued.

What the budget does and does not include

- Total FY26 budget presented: $322,558,982; general fund approx. $162,000,000 (Auditor Kathy Williams).
- The budget reflects an overall reduction from last year’s total and uses $6.8 million (approx.) in reserve drawdown to balance the plan.
- General-fund departments faced a required 10% operating reduction; public-safety reductions totaled roughly $1.4 million for the sheriff’s office funds referenced by the auditor.
- The budget does not include a countywide cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) or merit pool for FY26; several elected officials declined pay increases that had been proposed.

Court members and staff quoted in debate

“Who’s going to stand in the gap for the kids in this community?” Cassie Graham, a Lubbock County employee, asked the court during public comment, urging against deeper departmental cuts.

“If there’s an avenue to reduce the amount of overtime that the county is paying, I’m willing to go down that road and look at it,” Commissioner Shaw said in support of a modest additional staffing amendment intended to reduce detention overtime.

Judge Parrish said the budget’s reliance on reserves left the county vulnerable. Auditor Kathy Williams warned the court that continued reliance on fund balance is not sustainable and could affect the county’s bond rating and financial standing.

Ending

After the vote the court adjourned into an executive session; the budget takes effect for FY26 under the adopted tax-rate framework as explained in the auditor’s presentation. The court’s minutes show ongoing concern on both fiscal-conservative grounds and public-safety staffing needs; commissioners signaled a willingness to revisit staffing and overtime options in future budget cycles.

","Lubbock County Commissioners Court adopted a $322,558,982 fiscal year 2026 budget on Sept. 22, 2025, after public comment and two failed amendments. The court split 3–2 on final adoption amid concerns about cuts to public safety, reliance on fund balances and efforts to reduce overtime in the detention center.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners honor Natalie Harville on her retirement as facilities director

AgriLife Extension presents quarterly update on youth programs, stock shows and emerging pests

Commissioners approve routine claims, contracts and bids including juvenile placement and detention food services

Lubbock County adopts $322.6 million 2026 budget after heated debate over cuts and staffing