The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court authorized the county judge to sign an interlocal agreement with the East Texas Council of Governments to pursue grant funding and update the countys hazard-mitigation plan. Staff said the county must update its plan every five years and that the previous plan cost roughly $50,000$60,000; partnering with the Council of Governments will allow the county to pursue grant funding to cover the cost.

The court also approved several administrative election items: signing the order of election for the Nov. 4 state constitutional amendment election (17 proposed amendments) and a special election to dissolve the Cedar Creek Hospital District, which was formed in 1999 but never activated. County staff explained the hospital-district dissolution requires special elections in the three counties the district would have covered (Van Zandt, Henderson and Kaufman) to distribute roughly $30,000 in the district fund as a scholarship per the districts formation records.

The court approved a motion to appoint election judges and alternate judges (nominations submitted by party chairs), agreed to move the August 27 commissioners meeting to Monday, Aug. 25, approved Department of Motor Vehicles optional county fees with no changes and approved the consent agenda of routine payments, transfers and reports. A license-renewal item for an automotive wrecking and salvage yard (Smart Choice Enterprises, DBA Canton Auto and Salvage) was tabled at the fire marshals request because the fire marshal was not present due to an overnight fire incident.

The court moved items en bloc where appropriate and recorded motions on each item as passed or tabled.