Hancock County supervisors discuss Texas Flat parcel, approve resurfacing MOAs and 30‑day extension for Fire Tower Road work

Hancock County supervisors on Feb. 3 approved a 30‑day time extension for the Fire Tower Road drainage improvements, authorized memoranda of agreement for turn‑lane and resurfacing projects including Texas Flat Road phase 2 and Lakeshore Road, and discussed the possible sale or vacation of a small parcel on Texas Flat that could affect any future widening.

The board approved change order No. 1 for Project 3.25 (Fire Tower Road drainage improvements), a time extension requested because of in‑progress AT&T fiber work. "What that change order is is a 30‑day increase in time, no money, to take care of AT and T stuff," Bruce, a county staff member who presented project updates, told the board. The motion passed unanimously, 5–0.

Why it matters: the time extension affects the project schedule but does not change the contract value; the Texas Flat parcel discussion could affect the county’s ability to widen that stretch of road in future years if the board determines the parcel is no longer needed for county purposes.

Bruce gave a broader roads status update: the Base Side Park drainage improvements are progressing and were listed with a substantial completion date of May 21, although Bruce said he expects the work to finish earlier. He also reported a downstream private culvert is inoperable and on private property, and staff will coordinate with road maintenance to determine possible remedies. "You can see that the culvert's inoperable, basically. So it is on private property," Bruce said.

The board also approved an amendment to spread on the minutes three memoranda of agreement: a turn lane at Hancock County Arena and resurfacing phase 2 for Lakeshore Road and Texas Flat Road. April (county staff) moved the motion; it passed 5–0.

Supervisors discussed a separate agenda item about a small parcel adjacent to Texas Flat Road. Board members asked whether the county might need the parcel for any future widening and how a sale or conveyance would be handled. The county attorney advised the board that it must decide whether the parcel is "no longer needed for county purposes" before advertising a sale, and that an alternate private‑sale mechanism exists only if the property meets specific civic, educational or cultural criteria. "There's a separate mechanism that allows for a private sale, but... that requires to be related to a civic educational cultural designation," the county attorney said. Staff agreed to research parcel size, right‑of‑way implications and sale processes and return with recommendations.

Other infrastructure items noted during the meeting: White Cypress Lake camera placement was finalized for installation on the county right‑of‑way; the county will not pay an installation fee unless specifically authorized. Repairs to the Warrington Street comfort station were discussed after termite damage forced temporary closure of the men's restroom; county staff estimated repairs should take about two to three weeks. Road maintenance also reported recurring theft and vandalism of lighting fixtures at Dunbar, and staff said they will explore longer‑term solutions.

Next steps: staff will return with more information on the Texas Flat parcel, a recommended approach for the private culvert, and updates on the Base Side Park and Warrington projects.