District attorney authorized petty cash for litigation expenses and to begin civil attorney early

The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court authorized the district attorney—s office to establish a $500 petty cash fund limited to litigation-related expenses under Local Government Code Section 130.909 and approved the request to bring a new civil attorney on staff before the start of fiscal year 2026.

District Attorney (unnamed in the transcript) explained that the petty cash fund would be used for unanticipated litigation costs such as witness payments or service-of-process fees that cannot wait for the next commissioners— court meeting. The DA noted the fund would be audited in the same manner as other county cash funds and that existing bonds and audit processes cover the fund.

Separately, the DA asked permission to start a newly approved civil attorney using excess salary funds remaining in FY25 so the attorney could start in early September. The DA said the candidate, Anthony Acosta (name provided), is experienced and the position had been included in the proposed FY26 budget. The court approved hiring the attorney to begin work in September and accepted the DA—s explanation that any pay for the interim period would be paid from FY25 excess salary funds; FY26 budget lines will cover salary after October 1.

The court voted in favor of both requests. Commissioners emphasized the need for the civil attorney position and acknowledged the practical need for limited petty cash to handle immediate litigation expenses.