Henderson County commissioners approve refunds, contracts and fiber build; authorize $540,431.81 in bills

Henderson County Commissioners Court on the morning of the meeting approved several routine financial and contract items, including seven tax refund checks totaling $106,530.92, renewal of an Affordable Care Act reporting service, a zero-cost tower-sharing agreement with Texas A&M Forest Service and multiple right-of-way permits for a fiber-optic installation. The court also approved fiscal year 2025 bills totaling $540,431.81.

The county judge called the meeting to order at 09:02 and confirmed a quorum. The court approved minutes from its March 11, 2025, regular session and then voted on a request from the county tax assessor-collector to issue seven refund checks totaling $106,530.92; the motion passed unanimously.

The court approved renewal of the Affordable Care Act Reporting and Tracking Service (ARTS) agreement through the Texas Association of Counties Health and Employee Benefits Pool. Mr. Dimas, who presented the item, said the service handles employee reporting and files Forms 1095 with the IRS. "They actually…send out the 1095 reports that all the employees receive, because they also did reporting to the IRS for us," Mr. Dimas said. The court approved the renewal with the county judge authorized to sign.

County staff asked the court to authorize $200 from the vending machine reserve fund to cover a setup fee for a county ornament to be distributed as an employee Christmas gift. Miss Monk said the $200 setup fee would be applied to the order if the court approves the ornament design. The court approved the expenditure.

The court approved an interlocal cooperation contract with Texas A&M Forest Service for shared communications and tower services at the Forestry Service’s existing tower site in Chandler, Texas. County Attorney Mr. Davis said the agreement was essentially the same as the prior contract aside from date and term updates and maintenance provisions for the newer tower. The court noted the arrangement is at no cost to the county and allows management of equipment at the site.

Commissioners approved a special road-use indemnity agreement and permit with Tanzanite Energy Storage LLC for work on County Roads 3718 and 3720. Commissioner McCam said the project involves a large amount of heavy construction and that the county will inspect roads after construction to assess and repair any damage.

The court approved multiple right-of-way permits for a fiber-optic installation by Bridespeed (listed in the record as "Bridal Speed/Bridespeed") including one permit to install about 8,970 feet of aerial fiber along County Road 2403 and Cox Road and additional segments in and near Gun Barrel City, Eustace and portions of the Oak Harbor/Tanglewood area. Commissioner Tooley noted the work is part of the ARPA-funded portion of the county’s broadband rollout.

The court approved fiscal year 2025 vendor payments in the amount of $540,431.81 as presented. The court also approved a replat creating Lots 21R and 22R in the 3 Harbors addition off King Arthur Road for filing purposes only.

All votes taken on the listed items passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes (March 11, 2025) — motion by Commissioner Tully, second by Commissioner Spivey; outcome: approved unanimously. - Refunds (seven refund checks totaling $106,530.92) — motion by Commissioner Richardson, second by Commissioner McCam; outcome: approved unanimously. - ARTS renewal agreement with Texas Association of Counties Health and Employee Benefits Pool — motion by Commissioner Tooley, second by Commissioner Richardson; outcome: approved unanimously; judge authorized to sign. - $200 from vending machine reserve for employee ornament — motion by Commissioner Spivey, second by Commissioner Richardson; outcome: approved unanimously. - Interlocal cooperation contract with Texas A&M Forest Service (Chandler tower) — motion by Commissioner McCam, second by Commissioner Tooley; outcome: approved unanimously; noted as zero cost to county. - Special road-use indemnity agreement and permit with Tanzanite Energy Storage LLC (County Roads 3718 and 3720) — motion by Commissioner McCam, second by Commissioner Spivey; outcome: approved unanimously. - Right-of-way permits for Bridespeed fiber-optic installations (multiple county roads, approx. 8,970 ft for the listed segment) — motion by Commissioner Tully, second by Commissioner Stiving; outcome: approved unanimously. - Payment of bills (FY2025) $540,431.81 — motion by Commissioner Richardson, second by Commissioner Spivey; outcome: approved unanimously. - Replat of 3 Harbors Lots 21R and 22R (filing only) — motion by Commissioner Julian, second by Commissioner Richardson; outcome: approved unanimously.

The court adjourned at 09:24.