Smith County commissioners approve resolution, grants, contracts and surplus auction in routine business vote
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Summary
At its Feb. 4 meeting the Smith County Commissioners Court approved a series of routine actions including a memorial resolution, property resale authorization, insurance settlement, grants, surplus auction, fireworks sales and several contracts and plats; the court conducted unanimous voice votes on listed motions.
Smith County Commissioners Court on Feb. 4, 2025, approved a slate of routine resolutions, grants, contracts and administrative actions during its regular session.
Most items were adopted by voice vote after brief presentations from staff. The court recorded motions and seconds for each item and verbal “Aye” responses; no opposed votes were recorded in the meeting transcript.
Votes at a glance
- Item 1 — Resolution supporting renaming a portion of FM 2493 as the Captain Kevin Williams and Firefighter Austin Cheek Memorial Highway. Motion: Commissioner Drury; Second: Commissioner Harrott; Outcome: approved. Note: Sen. Brian Hughes has filed a state bill to effect the renaming; the resolution expresses local support.
- Item 2 — Authorize resale of struck‑off property in Suit No. 25‑641‑C and authorize the county judge to sign related documentation. Motion: Commissioner Harrott; Second: not specified; Outcome: approved. Note: The tract contains one East Texas Mudd water well and a full bid was reported.
- Item 3 — Approve automobile claim settlement (claim APD20242201‑2) from Texas Association of Counties covering a sheriff’s office K‑9 unit total loss. Motion: Commissioner Moore; Second: Commissioner Drury; Outcome: approved. Note: Settlement covers vehicle and equipment; the vehicle net was listed in the meeting as approximately $19,006.22 and equipment about $21,014 (amounts reported by staff).
- Item 4 — Approve tax refunds in excess of $2,500 pursuant to Texas Tax Code §31.11 and authorize county judge to sign. Motion: Commissioner Carraway; Second: Commissioner Drury; Outcome: approved.
- Item 5 — Accept State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) award from the Bureau of Justice Assistance for correctional purposes in the amount of $68,579 and authorize auditor to sign documentation. Motion: Commissioner Carraway; Second: Commissioner Moore; Outcome: approved.
- Item 6 — Declare specified county vehicles and equipment surplus/salvage and authorize Purchasing to advertise an online auction Feb. 12–26, 2025 (viewings Feb. 17 and Feb. 21, 1–4:30 p.m., 1700 West Claude Street). Motion: Commissioner Moore; Second: Commissioner Carraway; Outcome: approved. Note: Items include multiple sheriff vehicles, one John Deere tractor, mower decks and two lots of tires. GovDeals transaction fee is 7.5% (buyer pays fee).
- Item 7 — Authorize sale of fireworks for the Texas Independence Day selling period (Feb. 25–March 2). Motion: Commissioner Drury; Second: Commissioner Moore; Outcome: approved. Fire Marshal Marshall Hogue confirmed rainfall was not an issue for the season.
- Item 8 — Accept a TCEQ/LEPC grant not to exceed $23,000 for purchase of a drone; authorize county judge to sign. Motion: Commissioner Moore; Second: Commissioner Carraway; Outcome: approved. Note: Staff explained the grant funding was increased from an earlier award of $11,636 because the county had to purchase from a government‑approved “blue list.” The selected drone has thermal capability and a 32‑times zoom; no local match is required.
- Item 9 — Approve contract with Rusty W. Drake for indigent criminal defense services for the Seventh District Court pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure §26.04 and Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 174; authorize county judge to sign. Motion: Commissioner Carraway; Second: Commissioner Harrott; Outcome: approved.
- Item 10 — Authorize county judge to sign replat of Blue Ridge Estates Phase 3 Lots 5 and 7 (Precinct 1) and replat of Barbara Road Estates Unit 2 (Precinct 3). Motion: Commissioner Drury; Second: Commissioner Harrott; Outcome: approved. Staff reported both plats meet subdivision regulations.
- Item 11 — Notice only: multiple utility and fiber installation requests from Charter Spectrum, CenterPoint Energy and Jackson Water Supply Corporation across several county roads (Precincts 1, 3 and 4). No vote required.
- Item 12 — Approve and/or ratify payments of accounts, bills, payroll, transfers, amendments and health claims and certify receipt of a $3,300 insurance salvage reimbursement for VIN 4217. Motion: Commissioner Carraway; Second: Commissioner Harrott; Outcome: approved.
The court then moved into executive session as authorized by Texas Government Code §§551.071 and 551.087 for consultation with the county attorney and economic development negotiations and returned to open session only to adjourn. No further formal actions were recorded on return to open session.
The transcript did not show recorded roll‑call vote tallies by name; each motion was followed by the court’s verbal “Aye” and the presiding officer’s statement that the motion carried.
