Mills County commissioners approve routine transfers, accept donated courthouse painting and authorize Mack truck repairs; table 1888 Jail handicap work

Mills County Commissioners Court approved a series of routine and operational items during a public meeting, including a line‑item transfer for the county clerk’s office, acceptance of a donated painting for the courthouse, approval of accounts payable and repair work on a county Mack truck. The court also voted to table bids for a proposed handicap entrance and sidewalk repairs at the 1888 Jail.

The clerk’s office requested a line‑item transfer so staff could attend Tyler Technologies training in San Antonio, Texas. “The training this year is in San Antonio, Texas, and I would like to take my entire team,” said Miss Scott, county clerk, explaining that funds would move from the elections budget to the clerk’s training budget. The court approved the transfer by voice vote.

The court approved accounts payable after discussion. Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve accounts payable; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Head and carried by voice vote.

The court accepted a donated painting for display in the courthouse under the county’s donation procedure. The donation was presented by county staff; the court referenced Government Code section 81.032 during the motion to accept the item. Court members voted to accept the painting by voice vote and thanked the donor.

The county also approved a standard rental agreement allowing Mullen Independent School District to rent the county’s polling equipment for a school‑board election. The agreement sets a rental fee of $350 per piece of equipment plus 10% of the total invoice; the ISD had not yet taken the agreement to its own board. Commissioner Pardon moved for approval and Commissioner Head seconded; the court approved the agreement by voice vote.

Bids to add a handicap entrance to the county’s 1888 Jail and to repair approximately 25 feet of sidewalk on the east side of the courthouse were discussed at length. The court reviewed two separate contracts and budget lines: one drawn from the 1888 Jail fund and the other from the county building‑improvement fund. Contractor Louie Coronado had submitted quotes and requested upfront payments (reported in discussion as $3,000 for sidewalk repair and $10,000 for the handicap entrance). The county noted an upcoming ADA compliance review and historic‑commission considerations for changes to the 1888 building. After extended discussion about ramp placement, interior door widths and potential impacts to historic fabric, a motion to table both the handicap entrance and sidewalk repair was approved by voice vote so staff can obtain further measurements, ADA guidance and cost details.

Commissioners also approved repair work on a county Mack truck after a presentation about injector failures. Commissioner Head moved to authorize the repairs; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Partly and carried by voice vote. The cost estimate presented for parts was about $4,700 with labor estimated near $1,800; the county will charge parts and labor to the road and bridge equipment repair account.

The court recognized the public service of Craig Rotz, the county veterans service officer, and presented him with a certificate of appreciation. Rotz said he valued the support he received while serving in the role and noted, “It’s nice that, county this size … would provide a VSO because you’re not required to by law. But this is a county that cares about their veterans.”

What’s next: staff was directed to gather updated cost estimates, ADA guidance and architectural approvals before returning with recommendations on the 1888 Jail handicap entrance and sidewalk repair. Other approved items will be processed through the county’s normal administrative and accounting procedures.