Johnson County commissioners eliminate reserve deputy constable positions, approve debt prepayment and maintain motor-vehicle fees

At a special meeting of the Johnson County Commissioners Court on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, the court unanimously voted to eliminate reserve deputy constable positions effective Oct. 1, 2025, approved a corrected interlocal agreement for dispatching services, authorized a defeasance and redemption of roughly $120,000 of general obligation refunding bonds (taxable series 2021) and voted to maintain the county's optional motor-vehicle fees for calendar year 2026.

The action to remove reserve deputy constable slots stemmed from concerns about liability and insurance coverage for unpaid reserve officers. County staff and commissioners said the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) indicated limited coverage for unpaid or non‑county activities by reserve deputies. The court said it plans to attempt to add four new paid sworn deputy constables countywide to cover duties previously performed by reserves.

Why it matters: commissioners framed the moves as part of finalizing budget details and aligning the county's debt and tax calculations with prior public messaging about the debt rate and transportation bond. The court also said it will take a record vote on the proposed tax rate at its next regular court on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, which will limit the maximum tax rate that can be set when the budget is adopted.

Dispatch agreement correction

The court approved an interlocal cooperation agreement for dispatching services for fiscal year 2025–2026 with a corrected termination date of Sept. 30, 2026. The judge explained the court had approved the same form at a previous meeting but it contained a typographical error listing a Sept. 30, 2025 expiration; the corrected termination date was inserted and the motion to approve carried unanimously (motion by Commissioner White; second by Commissioner Bailey).

Bond defeasance and escrow agreement

The court approved an order (recorded as Order 2025-73 in the meeting) authorizing defeasance and redemption of about $120,000 of Johnson County’s taxable general obligation refunding bonds, series 2021, and to levy ad valorem taxes as needed to effect that payment. County staff said Hilltop Securities provided the payoff calculation and bond counsel prepared the required order. The court then approved an associated escrow agreement and authorized the county auditor to sign it. Both votes were unanimous.

Motor-vehicle fees

The court voted to maintain the county’s optional motor-vehicle fees for calendar year 2026 at their current level and directed staff to report that decision to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (motion by Commissioner Bailey; second by Commissioner Howell). Commissioners discussed air-quality grant possibilities and said lowering fees would not meaningfully affect likely grants or attainment status.

Reserve deputy constable positions and budget context

During the budget workshop segment, the court discussed eliminating reserve deputy constable positions starting Oct. 1, 2025, citing an absence of reliable liability coverage for unpaid reserve officers when they perform non‑county activities. Court members said the elected constables supported the approach discussed in earlier workshops and that the court intends to fund four additional paid sworn deputy constables to compensate for duties lost by eliminating reserves. The motion to set the number of reserve deputy constable positions to zero beginning Oct. 1, 2025, carried unanimously (mover: Commissioner Willie; second: Commissioner Bailey).

Several commissioners used the budget workshop to flag broader budget pressures and planning needs, including:

- Concern about sustaining one‑time federal/local pandemic-era funds (ARPA) and the risk of setting recurring pay increases tied to temporary revenue.

- Discussion about a step‑pay program debated during earlier sessions and the fiscal implications of proposed salary changes for elected constables and county employees.

- Long‑range capital needs related to growth: animal-control capacity, landfill capacity (Turkey Creek cited as at capacity), courthouse space and other infrastructure. Commissioners noted some residents and staff have expressed concern about locating major facilities and suggested the county may need to identify suitable land or partners.

- Economic-development policy: members suggested the court should revisit its incentive guidelines, consider whether to prioritize development inside city limits and possibly use outside counsel or an existing vendor to lead a workshop on development incentives later this year.

Next steps and tax-rate vote

The county auditor will incorporate the defeasance into the Truth‑in‑Taxation (TNT) calculation so the debt rate reflects the prepayment for the next fiscal year. The judge and county auditor said they will produce a near‑final proposed budget over the weekend and bring it back for a record vote on the proposed tax rate at the regular court meeting Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. Commissioners were told that the record vote limits the maximum tax rate that may be adopted when the budget is finalized.

Votes at a glance

- Interlocal cooperation agreement for dispatching services (FY2025–2026; corrected termination date 09/30/2026): approved unanimously (motion: Commissioner White; second: Commissioner Bailey).

- Order 2025‑73 — authorize defeasance and redemption of approximately $120,000 of Johnson County general obligation refunding bonds, taxable series 2021: approved unanimously (mover: recorded as Commissioner Hell; second: Commissioner White).

- Escrow agreement to implement defeasance: approved unanimously (mover: recorded in the minutes as Commissioner Howell; second: Commissioner Bailey); county auditor authorized to sign.

- Motor-vehicle optional fee schedule for CY2026 (maintain current fees): approved unanimously (motion: Commissioner Bailey; second: Commissioner Howell).

- Workshop item WS1 — authorize zero reserve deputy constable positions beginning 10/01/2025: approved unanimously (mover: Commissioner Willie; second: Commissioner Bailey).

Public comment and discussion in this meeting were limited to court members and staff during the budget workshop; no outside public‑comment items addressing these votes appear in the transcript.

(Full meeting transcript excerpts supporting this report are on file with the county clerk.)