Polk County commissioners approve five-year body‑camera leases, personnel changes and a series of plats, donations and orders

Polk County Commissioners Court approved several procurement, personnel and land‑use items during its regular session, including five‑year lease purchases for body‑worn cameras for the sheriff’s office and jail, the reclassification of a district attorney position into two part‑time roles, updates to the county personnel policy manual, acceptance of a donated road base, and actions related to a subdivision replat and a certificate of compliance for an RV park.

The court voted to purchase body‑worn cameras through Axon’s five‑year lease‑purchase program for both the sheriff’s office and the county jail. The sheriff’s cameras were listed at an annual cost of $53,844.79; the jail cameras at an annual cost of $49,439.10. The county record states the agreement includes replacement of malfunctioning cameras at no additional cost, and scheduled upgrades at the midpoint (2.5 years) and at the end of the five‑year term.

The camera purchases were presented as capital outlay items budgeted in the FY2025 adopted budget and require commissioner approval because of their size. The court approved both purchases by voice vote; the motions carried.

The court approved multiple personnel items. The meeting packet included a preliminary listing of personnel action forms (PAs) and an update to the personnel management guide that corrected an omission in the nepotism section: the written text had inadvertently omitted a reference to first‑degree restrictions that the accompanying diagram showed. The court approved the correction and the personnel actions by motion.

District Attorney Shelly Sitton requested the reclassification of one full‑time assistant district attorney position into two part‑time positions; the court approved that request and noted available funds would be used to create the additional part‑time role. The record states one full‑time prosecutor had already been reclassified as part time and that funds were available to support the change.

The auditor’s office presented FY2025 budget amendment package 2025‑09a; commissioners approved the listed amendments.

On land‑use and subdivision matters, the court received and recorded a replat request to split Lot 32 in the Harbor Light subdivision (listed in the packet as Lots 32A and 32B in Precinct 2). County staff reported that the survey attorney failed to submit the required application to the county’s subdivision administrator, which bypassed public‑notification procedures. Staff recommended allowing the partition (noting it did not change total property area), sending notices to the responsible attorney and the title company citing the applicable regulations, and requiring compliance going forward; the court approved that approach and directed staff to send the letters.

The court also issued a five‑year certificate of compliance for Lagoon Ranch RV Park in Precinct 2 after a commissioner determined the developer had completed the project per the approved development plan.

The court approved an order aimed at preventing utility providers from installing utilities in unapproved developments or in areas that are not certified exempt from subdivision regulations. Permit supervisor/inspector Holly Oliver presented the proposed order; staff said it had been reviewed and approved by county legal counsel.

Commissioners accepted a donation of road‑base material and associated labor to improve Old Groveton Road (FM 3459) in Precinct 2. The acceptance was described as up to 100 feet of road base, not to exceed $500,000 in total value, from private donors who approached the precinct commissioner.

Votes on the motions were taken by voice; in each recorded instance the court answered with “aye” and the chair declared the motion carried.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (including addendum of $273,635.91): Approved (voice vote). - Personnel actions and update to personnel management guide (nepotism section correction): Approved (voice vote). - Reclassification of one full‑time assistant district attorney position into two part‑time positions (requested by District Attorney Shelly Sitton): Approved (voice vote). - FY2025 budget amendments package 2025‑09a: Approved (voice vote). - Purchase of Axon body‑worn cameras (sheriff) — five‑year lease, annual cost $53,844.79: Approved (voice vote). - Purchase of Axon body‑worn cameras (jail) — five‑year lease, annual cost $49,439.10: Approved (voice vote). - Replat of Lot 32 into Lots 32A and 32B in Harbor Light, Precinct 2; notice to attorney/title company and allow partition: Approved (voice vote). - Certificate of compliance for Lagoon Ranch RV Park, Precinct 2 (valid five years): Approved (voice vote). - Order regarding installation of utilities in unincorporated areas (to prevent installations in unapproved developments): Approved (voice vote). - Acceptance of donated road‑base and labor for Old Groveton Road (FM 3459) in Precinct 2 — up to 100 feet, not to exceed $500,000: Approved (voice vote).

Context and significance

County staff framed the fair‑housing proclamation on the agenda as part of a compliance step for grant applications administered through the Texas General Land Office and referenced the National Fair Housing Act of 1968 when explaining the purpose of recognizing Fair Housing Month. That proclamation was presented as an informational item in support of grant eligibility rather than as a policy change enacted by the court.

Several items on the agenda involved routine approvals tied to existing budget authorizations (capital outlay for cameras, FY2025 budget amendments) or project completion certificates (Lagoon Ranch). The Harbor Light replat drew staff concern because required public‑notice procedures were not followed by the survey attorney; staff recommended corrective notices rather than reversing the partition because the action did not change overall property area.

Direct quotes in the record were limited; matters were resolved by voice votes with commissioners answering “aye” when motions were called.

Ending

The court completed the scheduled business and adjourned after accepting public proclamations and approving the listed items. Several approvals cited packet materials and staff recommendations; the record shows follow‑up tasks for staff, including sending compliance notices regarding the Harbor Light replat and implementing the approved personnel‑policy correction.