Hardin County approves budget fixes, road contracts, personnel appointments and facility actions

Hardin County Commissioners Court on April 8 adopted ceremonial resolutions recognizing two local high school basketball teams, approved several budget amendments and construction contracts, appointed an interim county auditor and approved operational bank- and office-related actions.

The court adopted Resolution 14-25 congratulating the Kountz/Koons Lionettes girls basketball team on its UIL Class 3A Division II state championship and Resolution 15-25 congratulating the Lions boys basketball team on their UIL Class 3A Division II state championship. Both resolutions were approved by voice vote.

On fiscal and administrative matters the court:

- Approved minutes from the March 25, 2025 regular and special meetings. - Authorized cancellation of registered claims for March 25 and approved the cash statement presented by the county treasurer, who reported total cash funds of $31,832,922.53 across accounts. - Authorized payment of county bills and payroll as presented; gross payroll for April 3 was stated as $653,845.38. - Approved multiple fiscal-year-2024 cleanup budget amendments and GASB 87 lease accounting entries presented by Assistant County Auditor Candace McKinney. - Approved an FY25 budget amendment to create line items and move previously authorized parking-lot construction funds ($584,800) into construction cost accounts.

On personnel and banking the court:

- Accepted the district court order appointing Candace McKinney as interim county auditor, effective April 14, 2025, with salary and longevity as specified; Commissioner Cooper recused from that item and the motion passed 4–0. - Approved opening a new interest-bearing bank account titled TAP Motor-web dealer for the tax assessor-collector at First Financial Bank to receive dealer ACH deposits. - Approved changing an authorized bank account signer from Angela Gore to Candace McKinney where applicable.

On facilities and contracts:

- Authorized the county judge to execute a donated office space agreement with state Representative Janice Holt (House District 18) for office space beginning April 8, 2025, through Jan. 11, 2027; Representative Holt’s staff member said the office will be staffed at least two days weekly and is expected to expand to three days. - Approved a change order to LZ Services LLC on the previously approved parking-lot improvements to add $10,800 for soil replacement and reinforcement of utility boxes, and authorized payment of invoice 25-1573 in the amount of $113,326.45. - Approved awarding construction contract packages 1, 2 and 4 for the Saratoga Road improvement project to Texas Materials Group to remain within the project budget of $1,469,995.13. - Awarded grant-administration services for remaining GLO CDBG-DR Harvey infrastructure projects to Trailer & Associates following evaluation of proposals. - Authorized amendment number 5 to a local cooperation contract with Spindletop Center to support the mental health liaison program; the amendment covered additional grant funding to purchase a 2024 Ford Expedition for the program.

Other routine and departmental items, including an AgriLife computer upgrade using a Texas A&M cost-share program and several lease-accounting reclassifications, were approved as presented by staff.

Votes at a glance: All motions recorded during the meeting passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition unless otherwise noted (Item 11 passed 4–0 with Commissioner Cooper recused). For the hurricane safe room (Item 8), the court tabled issuance of a notice to proceed pending written approval from TDEM/FEMA; that item is scheduled for an update at the first meeting in May.

The court adjourned at the conclusion of business.