Tom Green County commissioners approve budget transfers, treasurer’s report, retirement firearm sale and resolution to host 2027 West Texas judges conference

Tom Green County Commissioners Court on Feb. 25 approved multiple routine financial and administrative actions, authorized a retiring deputy constable to purchase his duty firearm at replacement cost and adopted a resolution supporting the county’s bid to host the 2027 West Texas Judges and Commissioners Conference. The court then recessed into a closed executive session under the Texas Government Code to discuss security devices.

The court approved consent items including minutes from prior meetings, a treasurer’s claims register totaling $512,640.68, bills-paid reports totaling $1,978,929.95, and purchase orders of $273,612.88. The court also approved renewal of RFP 24-008 for the Stephens Central Library cafe lease with Helen’s Bistro and Bakery for a one-year term effective March 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026.

On budget housekeeping, the court approved several line-item transfers and budget amendments for fiscal year 2025. Specific transfers mentioned in the meeting record included: $952 moved from non-departmental liability insurance to workers’ compensation; $35 moved in elections from auto repair to travel and equipment; $71 moved in the treasurer’s office from office supplies to bond/notary; and a total of $15,009.99 moved (including $6,000 and $9,999 line items) to supply and operating expense for an identified department to cover anticipated shortfalls.

The treasurer (name not specified in the record) told the court that page 23 of her report shows the county had made first deposits for TextStar and Logic and had received its first interest deposit. “I just wanted to bring your attention to page 23,” the treasurer said during the monthly report presentation. The court voted to approve the treasurer’s monthly report for January 2025.

The court authorized Deputy Constable Larry Lupton to purchase his service weapon—a listed Sauer 9mm—upon his retirement for the stated replacement cost of $454. The purchase was described in the meeting record as the retiring officer buying his duty weapon; the court approved the request by motion and voice vote.

The commissioners also adopted a resolution in support of hosting the 2027 West Texas Judges and Commissioners Conference. The motion’s sponsor said the county has been coordinating with “TAC” and the incoming conferees and said hosting could provide an economic boost to the area by drawing 250–300 attendees from across West Texas.

The court noted the county remains in a watchful status on open burn conditions and took no action on the burn ban at the meeting. Before adjourning the open session, the court recessed into closed executive session under the Texas Government Code, chapter 551, subchapter D, section 551.076, for deliberations concerning security devices or security audits.

Votes at a glance

- Renewal of RFP 24-008 (Stephens Central Library cafe lease with Helen’s Bistro and Bakery, term 03/01/2025–02/28/2026): adopted (motion and voice vote; tally not specified). - Line-item transfers and budget amendments for FY2025 (multiple departmental transfers described in meeting): approved (motion and voice vote; tally not specified). - Treasurer’s monthly report for January 2025: approved (motion and voice vote; tally not specified). - Authorization for Deputy Constable Larry Lupton to purchase service weapon upon retirement at replacement cost $454: approved (motion and voice vote; tally not specified). - Resolution supporting hosting the 2027 West Texas Judges and Commissioners Conference: adopted (motion and voice vote; tally not specified). - Burn ban: no action taken.

The court moved to a closed executive session to discuss security devices under Texas law; no public deliberations or outcomes from that executive session were recorded in the open transcript.