Wichita County Commissioners Court approved a seven-item consent agenda by a 5-0 vote on Aug. 12, including an order authorizing the County Judge to call a special election on Nov. 4, 2025. The court also approved routine items including continuation of the county’s child safety fee and other consent items.

During the public-comment period the County Judge announced the county’s near-term budget schedule: the proposed budget will be filed by close of business on Friday; the court will hold a budget workshop on Friday, Aug. 22; a public hearing on the proposed tax rate and budget is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4; and the commissioners expect to take final action on the budget and tax rate on Sept. 9. The judge also said the court will hold a preliminary vote next Tuesday to propose a tax rate — a procedural step separate from adopting a final tax rate in September.

Commissioner Pincannon moved to approve the consent agenda; Commissioner Beauchamp seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

Court discussion included a brief explanation of the special-election order: because a county-run election is scheduled in November (constitutional amendment election), the county must enter an order authorizing the special election for county ballot items. Court members also noted the child safety fee is a continuation of the current fee and not an increase; county staff estimated the county’s portion at about $15,000 for the year.

Other routine motions approved in general business included authorizing payment of regular bills, verifying payroll taxes have been filed, and authorizing the treasurer to disperse payroll and bills (motion carried 5-0), and ratifying minutes from the Aug. 5 regular session and the Aug. 8 special session (motion carried 5-0).