Cooke County Commissioners approve routine items, allow protest; votes at a glance

Cooke County Commissioners Court on March 2, 2025, approved several operational and routine items and heard requests including a planned peaceful protest on courthouse sidewalks.

Why it matters: The actions affect county services and operations — from road and bridge repairs and public-safety vehicle readiness to county communications and how outside ambulance providers may operate in Cooke County.

Votes at a glance

- Consent item M (bridge on Bonner Road outside Gainesville) — approved 5-0. Commissioners clarified the county’s and state bridge numbering and noted the bridge on Bonner Road will be rebuilt this summer. (Agenda item M; motion carried 5 to 0.)

- Peaceful protest request (Michelle Escobedo) — no formal permit required; court offered guidance and cautions. The requester said the planned protest (for Latino and Hispanic community concerns) would remain on sidewalks and would include flags and signs. Court response: no action required; cautioned protesters to stay off grass and out of street.

- Elmview Estates, 6-lot subdivision preliminary plat — approved 5-0.

- Purchase of new phones from Nortex and trade-in of 55 Justice Center phones (trade-in value cited as $8,250) — approved 5-0. Daryl Hobart, IT director, said the county is planning call-flow changes and reviewing contract details with administration.

- EMS request to retain an ambulance as a third backup — approved 5-0. Wes Reed, EMS director, said keeping a spare will reduce occasions when the system lacks a backup. He estimated $4,543 in additional equipment would be needed to equip the vehicle; he also said $14,007 in pass-through funds later this year could cover some equipment costs. Reed said trade-in values for older ambulances are about $4,000.

- Sacred Cross Ambulance — court approved 5-0 a letter acknowledging the provider’s ability to perform nonemergency hospital and nursing-facility transfers. Commissioners stressed the letter is not an endorsement and must not permit Sacred Cross to perform emergency responses; facilities retain discretion to choose providers.

- Alternative communications link between Cooke County and Denton County sheriff’s offices — commissioners directed staff to return the item as a budget amendment at the next court so the project and funding can be negotiated; motion passed 5-0.

Other business: Executive session was called by the court earlier for attorney consultation and personnel/contract matters; the published minutes show no public action from that session.

The court adjourned after passing the listed motions.