Denton County commissioners approve $2.22 million public health grant, grant multiple easements to City of Denton

DENTON — The Denton County Commissioners Court on Aug. 19 approved a $2,222,621.68 award from the Texas Department of State Health Services and voted unanimously to convey several easements and deeds to the City of Denton for a wastewater line, along with routine personnel and budget actions.

The court approved the contract (recorded in the meeting as HHS001640500002) between the Texas Department of State Health Services and Denton County to fund the FY2026 Medical Reserve Corps grant program. The motion to approve was made by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Edmonson; the presiding officer, Williams and Edmonson all voted in favor.

The Medical Reserve Corps award is the largest single dollar item the court approved during the roughly 16-minute business session. Jeff May, county staff who presented the bill report, said, "Recommend approval as presented." The court took no additional substantive discussion on the grant during the meeting.

The court also approved four companion property actions to grant the City of Denton easements for an additional wastewater line. The items recorded in the meeting were: - A conveyance by Denton County of a donated 0.058-acre tract in the Zeferino Huizar survey, Abstract No. 514, a portion of Lot 1, Block 1 of the Marriott Gardens addition, to the City of Denton. - A special warranty deed conveying roughly 0.251 acres by RM Square Denton LLC and Baker 3 (as recorded at the meeting) to the City of Denton. - A temporary construction easement for a 0.517-acre tract in the Zeferino Huizar survey, Abstract No. 514, a portion of Lot 1, Block 1 of the Marriott Gardens addition. - A perpetual wastewater easement for a 0.414-acre tract in the Zeferino Huizar survey, Abstract No. 514, a portion of Lot 1, Block 1 of the Marriott Gardens addition.

Each of those four items was moved by Commissioner Edmonson and seconded by Commissioner Williams and passed unanimously.

Other routine actions approved on unanimous votes included: - Approval of appointments and payroll for Aug. 29, 2025 (consent agenda items 2a and 2b). - Approval of the county bill report presented by Jeff May. - Approval of CSP 205-2875, Stoney Store Restoration Phase 2 (item 6a). - Declaration of existing storage shelves as surplus and donation of that equipment to the City of Denton Police Department (item 6b). - A budget amendment (BR 2020-533) moving $4,000 from application and development support contract labor to geographic information services contract labor for the remainder of the fiscal year. - Human Resources report recorded hires: "We have 1 new hire in the county treasurer's office, 3 new hires in adult probation, 4 new hires in the sheriff's office (three detention officer I positions), 1 demotion in the sheriff's office and 1 promotion in the tax office," according to Gustavo, human resources staff. - Approval to create an Administrative Specialist 2 position in Public Health by relocating funding from a division manager position to support the role for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Commissioners pulled item 6c for consideration at a future meeting; no action was taken on that item.

During public comment, resident Ron Huebner spoke about voting and participation, saying, "I'm here because I thought it was on the agenda, but obviously I was mistaken," and urging that every citizen's voice be counted. The court reminded the public that comments not on the agenda cannot be discussed by the commission during the meeting.

The court adjourned after noting upcoming budget dates: the recommended budget presentation and public meeting and budget workshop on Aug. 12 at 10 a.m., a public meeting and budget workshop on Aug. 19, and a public hearing on the proposed tax rate and budget adoption on Sept. 9.

Votes at a glance: all recorded motions in the meeting were approved unanimously with motion by Commissioner Williams or Commissioner Edmonson and second by the other commissioner; the presiding officer voted in favor on each recorded vote.