Lavaca County commissioners approve fees, contracts, donations and other routine items; several actions required follow-up

The Lavaca County Commissioners Court approved a package of routine and substantive items on Sept. 8, 2025, including updates to local fees and contracts, a grant for victim services and several administrative approvals. The court also directed staff to gather more information on a request to place a historical plaque at the courthouse and to give a 30‑day notice to an incumbent EMS billing contractor (separately approved under agenda item 9).

Among the outcomes:

• Sheriff and constable fees (2026) — The court approved the corrected 2026 sheriff and constable fee schedule as provided to commissioners. Motion passed (mover: Precinct 4; second: Precinct 2). The court noted the item had been approved previously but required an amendment accepted by state authorities.

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension appointment — The court acknowledged an appointment letter confirming Shannon DeForest as Lavaca County coordinator for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Motion passed (mover: Precinct 1; second: Precinct 2).

• County Attorney vehicle purchase — The court approved transferring funds to permit the Lavaca County Attorney’s Office to buy a used vehicle not to exceed $45,000, moving funds between specified line items. Motion passed (mover: Precinct 4; second: Precinct 1).

• FY2026 victim coordinator and liaison grant — The court approved a contract (referenced as CDash02339 in meeting materials) between the Office of the Attorney General and the Lavaca County Attorney’s Office for $49,500 to fund a victim coordinator and liaison. Motion passed (mover: Precinct 2; second: Precinct 1).

• City transfer station letter — The court tabled action on a letter from the City of Hallettsville regarding county citizen use of the city transfer station at 804 County Road 201; the city asked to be placed on the Sept. 23 agenda. Motion to table passed (mover: Precinct 4; second: Precinct 1).

• Alamo Letters Society plaque request — The court voted to gather more information about a request from the Alamo Letters Society to place a plaque reproducing William Barrett Travis’s 1836 “Victory or Death” letter at the Lavaca County Courthouse. The court asked staff to investigate cost, size and historical-commission implications and report back. Motion passed (mover: Precinct 4; second: Precinct 2).

• Increase bond for county probate judge — The court approved increasing the bond for Judge Keith Miller (named in the materials) from $100,000 to $500,000 effective Sept. 1, 2025, to comply with state law (referred to in meeting as Texas Senate Bill 387). Commissioners said the change is an unfunded state mandate; staff said the increase raises the county’s premium by about $1,600 (as reported in meeting materials). Motion passed (mover: Precinct 1; second: Precinct 4).

• Donations for National Night Out — The court accepted monetary donations of $300 combined from Allied Title Company and Crossroads Bank to the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office to be used for National Night Out scheduled for Oct. 7, 2025. Motion passed (mover: Precinct 2; second: Precinct 1).

• Procurement cards application — The court approved submitting an application for procurement (commercial) cards through U.S. Bank’s commercial card program; commissioners asked about temporary exceptions and controls. Motion passed (mover: Precinct 2; second: Precinct 1).

• Consent agenda — The court approved the consent agenda by single motion and vote. The court announced the next regular meeting for Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at 10 a.m.

Most items were approved without extended debate. Several approvals direct staff to return with additional details: a) cost and historical-commission review for the courthouse plaque; b) formal EMS billing contract after a 30‑day notice; and c) any materials needed to implement the higher judge’s bond.