Court accepts Fruitvale reimbursement checks but commissioners call for clearer interlocal MOUs on liability

The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court accepted two checks from the city of Fruitvale totaling $18,433.19 for materials and services provided under an interlocal agreement, but commissioners used the item to examine how the county documents and allocates liability when county employees perform work at municipal events. One line item discussed was a $1,197.59 reimbursement claimed to cover use of a 40-yard dumpster and county day labor at a city cleanup day. Commissioners and the county attorney's office said the county should accept the reimbursement because the work was already done, but they recommended formal memoranda of understanding (MOUs) in advance for future events so that labor, workers' compensation and liability are allocated clearly between jurisdictions. Road and Bridge staff said current interlocal agreements primarily address materials and do not explicitly allocate county labor costs or insurance responsibility. The court noted the existing interlocal agreements allow the county to provide services such as culvert replacement and overlay, and reimbursements often cover materials; the agreements' language is sometimes nebulous about labor and liability. Commissioners voted to accept the checks and asked staff to revise interlocal agreements with cities to specify whether labor, equipment wear-and-tear and liability will be reimbursed or assumed. The court said future interlocal work should include clear MOUs that address workers' compensation, insurance and the scope of services before county crews are dispatched.