Lubbock County Commissioners approve contracts, fee changes and proclamations; accept budget award

Lubbock County Commissioners Court met in regular session in May 2025 and approved a package of routine financial actions, procurement exemptions and contract awards while accepting a distinguished budget presentation award and proclaiming June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month.

The court heard a presentation from the county auditor announcing that Lubbock County received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fiscal period covering October 2024 through September 2025. "This award represents a significant achievement by the County," Judge Parrish said, adding, "This isn't just 1,700 in The United States, this is all over Canada and The United States as well." Several commissioners praised the auditor's office for fiscal stewardship.

On procurement and facilities, the court approved several items related to a detention-center sewer screen project. Commissioners voted to exempt emergency repairs and professional services from competition under the Local Government Code for work to address unforeseen damage and to design a grinder addition to the sewer screen system. The court later authorized the county judge to sign a first amendment to the professional services agreement with Fries & Nichols for design, bidding and construction of the detention-center sewer screen system.

The court approved the sale of county surplus and salvage property via an online auction set to begin June 16, including seized and forfeited items. Purchasing staff pointed to a high‑value item on the list — a Cartier Santos watch with a diamond bezel — as an example of items being offered.

Other approvals included authorization for the county judge to sign a quote with Southwest Solutions Group for a compacting filing system and evidence lockers for the new Lubbock County Medical Examiner's Office, and approval of a purchasing agreement with Built From Dreams Inc. for furniture for the Texas Anti‑Gang Center facility.

The court adopted an updated septic system inspection and reinspection fee schedule for on‑site sewage facility permits effective July 1, 2025. Public-health staff said raising the fee would fund the office's personnel and operating costs; the presenter estimated annual fee revenue increasing from about $102,000 to $152,000 with the change.

The court also approved routine financial business: minutes from the May 12, 2025 meeting, line‑item budget transfers of $655,164, payments of claims totaling $5,710,401.39, and acceptance of the monthly unaudited financial report for April 2025.

In other business, the court approved a $10,000 apportionment to the Lubbock Youth Symphony Orchestra from local-government funds under Texas Local Government Code section 381.004; approved obligation of funds for a USDA certified mediation program grant (Form FSA-338); and accepted a developer warranty statement and refund declaration for municipal water and sewer lines at the new tag facility in the Lubbock County Industrial Park D.

The court recessed into executive session under the Texas Government Code to discuss matters enumerated on the agenda and reconvened before adjourning at 11:51 a.m.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes (May 12, 2025): Motion carried (unanimous). Motion by Commissioner Dahlbee; second by Commissioner Corley. - Budget line-item transfers: $655,164 approved (unanimous). Motion by Commissioner Rackler; second by Commissioner Corley. - Payment of claims: $5,710,401.39 authorized (unanimous). Motion by Commissioner Shaw; second by Commissioner Rackler. - Accept April 2025 unaudited financial report: Approved (unanimous). Motion by Commissioner Rackler; second by Commissioner Shaw. - Consent agenda (items 6–9): Approved (unanimous). Motion by Commissioner Dolby; second by Commissioner Shaw. - Proclaim June 2025 as Elder Abuse Awareness Month: Adopted (unanimous). Motion by Judge Parrish; second by Commissioner Shaw. - Authorize sale of surplus/salvage property via online auction (auction starts June 16): Approved (unanimous). Motion by Commissioner Rackler; second by Commissioner Dalby. - Exempt from competition: Lee Lewis Construction for loading-dock repairs (Local Government Code §262.024(a)(1)): Approved (unanimous). Motion by Commissioner Rackler; second by Commissioner Dolby. - Exempt from competition: MH Civil Constructors for detention-center sewer screen (Local Government Code §262.024(a)(1)): Approved (4–1). Motion carried; tally recorded as 4 yes, 1 no. - Professional services exemption: Fries & Nichols for sewer screen grinder design (Local Government Code §262.024(a)(4)): Approved (unanimous). Motion by Commissioner Dolby; second by Commissioner Rackler. - Authorize county judge to sign quote with Southwest Solutions Group for compacting filing/evidence lockers (MEO): Approved (unanimous). Motion by Commissioner Rackler; second by Commissioner Dolby. - Authorize county judge to sign first amendment to Fries & Nichols professional services agreement (sewer screen design, bid and construction): Approved (unanimous). Motion by Commissioner Dalby; second by Commissioner Rackler. - Accept developer warranty statement and refund declaration for water/sewer lines at tag facility (Lubbock County Industrial Park D): Approved (unanimous). Motion by Commissioner Rackler; second by Commissioner Corley. - Authorize purchasing agreement with Built From Dreams Inc. for TAC facility furnishings: Approved (unanimous). Motion by Commissioner Dolby; second by Commissioner Rackler. - Approve Form FSA‑338 (request for obligation of funds) for USDA certified mediation program grant: Approved (unanimous). Motion by Commissioner Rackler; second by Commissioner Shaw. - $10,000 apportionment to Lubbock Youth Symphony Orchestra from Local Government Code §381.004 funds: Approved (4–1). - Adopt septic system inspection and reinspection fee schedule (effective July 1, 2025): Adopted (unanimous).

Why this matters The court's approvals will affect county operations and capital projects in the near term: the sewer‑screen work addresses ongoing detention‑facility maintenance, the MEO storage procurement supports the new medical examiner facility, and higher septic fees are intended to stabilize funding for on‑site sewage permitting and inspections. The GFOA budget award signals the county's continued compliance with nationally recognized budget‑presentation standards.

Background and next steps Staff said the surplus auction will begin June 16 on the listed vendor website, and procurement staff will move forward with exempted contracts and the Fries & Nichols amendment under the approved authorizations. Several agenda items — notably the detention facility work — were framed as responses to unforeseen damage and operational problems, and staff cautioned that some implementation steps remain dependent on design work and subsequent construction bidding.

Sources and attributions Quotes and attributions in this story come from the official Commissioners Court transcript and the speakers listed below.