Cooke County commissioners approve permits, plat and grants; select vendor for phone upgrade

Cooke County commissioners on Tuesday approved a series of routine and administrative items by unanimous votes, including extensions and plats, a federal grant acceptance, an additional road crew position and selection of a phone vendor to bring back a contract for final approval.

The court voted 5–0 to extend two special use permits for Edge of the Lake, a wedding venue and wine production facility, after staff said the project needed additional time to begin construction. The court similarly approved a preliminary plat for Elmview Estates, a proposed six-lot development in Precinct 4, with a 5–0 vote.

Commissioners accepted an FY24 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) award of $21,407 and designated the funds for mental-health related jail services. “Make the motion to accept the award and apply the funds toward mental health,” a commissioner said; the motion passed 5–0.

On the county phone system, staff presented vendor quotes and recommended Nortek (Nortek Communications). Commissioners voted to direct staff to return with a final contract and trade‑in terms; staff said purchasing phones through Nortek would produce net savings beginning in year four and that Nortek offered a buyback on an existing Justice Center system that would reduce the upfront cost.

Precinct 2 was authorized to create an additional route/position for road crews; the commissioner who requested the new route will bring a budget amendment to fund the position from contingency and return it to court for formal amendment.

All recorded motions in these items passed unanimously (5–0).