Comal County commissioners approve routine claims, land‑use actions, grants, contracts and appointments

Comal County Commissioners Court on Jan. 9 approved routine claims, accepted donated funds for the sheriff’s office, accepted several subdivision roads into the county maintenance system and approved applications and contracts tied to public health and law enforcement.

The court voted to accept a $10,000 check from William Mayo of New Braunfels to be deposited into the sheriff’s office general donations line and to use the funds, together with a prior donation, toward an application that the sheriff’s office said will benefit county residents. The court also approved the payroll and vendor claims presented by the county auditor.

The county engineer’s office asked the court to accept three new roadway sections into the Comal County Unit Road System and to release the associated sureties: a construction bond substituting an irrevocable letter of credit for Cibolo Cliff Ranches (construction bond 101‑349‑731), roads in Creekside Terrace Unit 2 (construction bond 790‑111‑8541) and a short section tied to Mustang Vista Phase 4 and Amenity Center No. 2 (letter of credit FTFC 21148). The court approved each request and directed the county engineer to execute related permits.

The court granted a variance from the county major thoroughfare plan for a replat along FM 484 in Rocky Creek Ranch to avoid a 15‑foot right‑of‑way dedication that staff said would create substandard lots. The county engineer’s office told the court the Texas Department of Transportation had submitted a letter indicating it would accept the alternate arrangement; the court approved the variance.

Other approvals included: acceptance of the tax assessor‑collector’s December 2024 collection report; authorization for the public health director to submit the FY2026 interlocal application for Department of State Health Services immunization funds; authorization to apply for the rural law enforcement grant under Texas Senate Bill 22 (the sheriff’s office noted Comal County would be eligible for up to $500,000 to support salaries); and authorization for the county judge to sign a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers solicitation (W9126G25Q0008) to provide increased law‑enforcement services at Canyon Lake.

The court approved Revision 3 to the Comal County Purchasing Policy after staff said they corrected minor errors, reorganized chapters for clarity, added exhibits (including a requisition quick guide and a solicitation calendar) and added language on enforcement consistent with existing purchasing‑card rules.

The court awarded a contract for the county jail inmate telephone system (RFQ 20243365) to the highest‑rated firm (IC Solutions) and authorized the purchasing director to execute the contract. County purchasing staff told the court the Federal Communications Commission has adopted new rate and fee limits that reduce commissions paid to jurisdictions; staff said court‑directed follow‑up may be required if federal courts or regulators change the rules before the second phase of new rates takes effect April 1.

The court appointed members to the Comal County Historical Commission board of directors (terms through Dec. 31, 2026) and reappointed Heather Harrison to the Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County board.

After a closed (executive) session, the court authorized Commissioner Hogg to enter into and execute a contract for the purchase of real property discussed in executive session, and approved a release agreement between Rod Knight and Comal County and authorized the county judge to sign.

"We had a surprise inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards," Sheriff Reynolds told the court, and the inspector "said some very nice things about Comal County...if we weren't the best, we were one of the top jails in his 52‑county region." County engineer staff also told the court crews checked roads early that morning for freezing conditions and reported roads were open and clear.

Votes at a glance - Item 1 — Approve claims (EFT $1,150,913.10; regular claims $1,701,267.70; transcript lists total as $2,850.80, which appears to be a transcription error): Motion by Commissioner Hogg; second Commissioner Leacock; motion carried. - Item 2 — Accept $10,000 donation from William Mayo for sheriff’s office general donations: Motion by Commissioner Hogg; second Commissioner Leacock; motion carried. - Item 3 — Accept construction bond 101‑349‑731 and release irrevocable standby letter of credit 230002591 for Cibolo Cliff Ranches: Motion by Commissioner Hogg; second Commissioner Leacock; motion carried. - Item 4 — Accept roads in Creekside Terrace Unit 2 into county road system and release surety 790‑111‑8541: Motion by Commissioner Webb; second Commissioner Hogg; motion carried. - Item 5 — Accept road within Mustang Vista Phase 4 and Amenity Center No. 2 and release FTFC 21148: Motion by Commissioner Hogg; second Commissioner Leacock; motion carried. - Item 6 — Approve variance from major thoroughfare plan for FM 484 replat in Rocky Creek Ranch: Motion by Commissioner Webb; second Commissioner Hogg; motion carried. - Item 7 — Approve tax assessor‑collector’s December 2024 collection report: Motion by Commissioner Hogg; second Commissioner Leacock; motion carried. - Item 8 — Authorize submission of FY2026 immunization interlocal grant to Department of State Health Services: Motion by Commissioner Webb; second Commissioner Hogg; motion carried. - Item 9 — Authorize submission of Senate Bill 22 rural law enforcement grant application (up to $500,000) and electronic signature by county judge: Motion by Commissioner Hogg; second Commissioner Leacock; motion carried. - Item 10 — Approve U.S. Army Corps solicitation W9126G25Q0008 for increased law enforcement at Canyon Lake and authorize county judge to sign: Motion by Commissioner Hogg; second Commissioner Leacock; motion carried. - Item 11 — Approve Comal County Purchasing Policy Revision 3 as amended: Motion by Commissioner Webb; second Commissioner Hogg; motion carried. - Item 12 — Award contract for inmate telephone system (RFQ 20243365) to IC Solutions and authorize execution: Motion by Commissioner Hogg; second Commissioner Leacock; motion carried. (Staff noted ongoing federal court challenges and possible April 1 fee changes that may require contract amendment.) - Item 13 — Appoint members to Comal County Historical Commission board (terms to Dec. 31, 2026): Motion by Commissioner Hogg; second Commissioner Leacock; motion carried. - Item 14 — Reappoint Heather Harrison to Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County Board of Directors: Motion by Commissioner Webb; second Commissioner Leacock; motion carried. - Item 15a — Authorize Commissioner Hogg to execute contract for purchase of real property discussed in executive session: Motion by Commissioner Webb; second Commissioner Leacock; motion carried. - Item 15c — Approve release agreement between Rod Knight and Comal County and authorize county judge to sign: Motion by Commissioner Hogg; second Commissioner Webb; motion carried.

Why it matters The actions finalize routine fiscal and administrative business, add short sections of roadway to the county maintenance inventory, and position county departments to receive public‑health and law‑enforcement funding and contracts. Several items carry implementation caveats: the inmate phone contract may need amendment depending on pending federal litigation over FCC rate rules, and the FM 484 variance leaves several adjacent lots in a condition staff characterized as potentially substandard if right‑of‑way is later required by TxDOT.

The court did not record roll‑call tallies for individual commissioners in the transcript; motions were adopted by voice/hand vote and the clerk announced each motion carried.